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3: Intercultural Values and Dimensions

  • Page ID
    305300
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    Learning Objectives
    • Explain how values function as guiding principles that shape perceptions of right and wrong, importance, and desirability
    • Recognize that cultural values are often learned subconsciously and embedded in language, customs, and traditions
    • Describe how shared cultural values influence behaviors, attitudes, and social norms within a community
    • Analyze how cultural values can reveal fundamental differences between societies and affect intercultural interactions
    • Identify and explain Hofstede's six value dimensions
    • Explore Value Orientation Theory as another lens for understanding cultural differences in values and beliefs
    • Recognize that intercultural communication is dynamic, relational, and often exists in the "in-between" of opposing concepts
    • Reflect on how adopting a dialectical lens can deepen self-awareness and improve intercultural competence

    • 3.1: What are cultural values?
      This page explores the impact of cultural values on interpersonal interactions, particularly through power distance, individualism vs. collectivism, and other dimensions like uncertainty avoidance and gender roles. It highlights Hofstede’s cultural framework, Kluckhohn and Strodtbeck's Theory, and provides insights into the complexities of human identity.
    • 3.2: Dimensions of Cultural Variability
      This page explores key dimensions of intercultural communication, particularly individualism versus collectivism, and further delves into Hofstede's cultural dimensions: Masculinity vs. Femininity, Long-term vs. Short-term Orientation, and Indulgence vs. Restraint. It outlines how individualistic cultures prioritize personal goals while collectivist cultures focus on group identity.
    • 3.3: Five Fundamental Value Orientations
      This page discusses the Value Orientation Theory by Kluckhohn and Strodtbeck, which analyzes cultural responses to fundamental human questions. It identifies five categories of existential issues with three orientations for each. However, the theory faces criticism for promoting stereotypes and essentialism by viewing individuals through a narrow cultural lens.
    • 3.4: A Dialectical Approach to Intercultural Communication
      This page explores the dialectical approach to intercultural communication, highlighting the complexity of cultural interactions through six key dialectics. It emphasizes the influence of overlapping identities on privilege and disadvantage, critiquing simplistic views of success in the context of systemic barriers.
    • 3.5: Growing Your Intercultural Communication Skills and Values
      This page highlights the significance of cultural understanding in communication, advocating for curiosity, empathy, and adaptability. It provides strategies like asking questions, recognizing cultural differences, and attentive listening to uncover underlying values.
    • 3.6: Conclusion
      This page explores the impact of cultural values on communication, interpretation of meaning, and relationships. It presents frameworks such as Hofstede's dimensions and Kluckhohn and Strodtbeck's orientations to showcase diverse cultural perspectives. The text underscores the significance of identity influenced by multiple factors and promotes a dialectical approach to challenge stereotypes.


    3: Intercultural Values and Dimensions is shared under a CC BY-NC-SA 4.0 license and was authored, remixed, and/or curated by Angela Hoppe-Nagao & Kim Yee, Cerritos College..