...Introduction: Psychological theories assume cultures and cross-cultures as stable and homogenous. But democracy, globalization, and high immigration rate brought a new interest for psychologists to think about cultural diversities in terms of psychology. Culture refers to many characteristics of a group of people, including attitudes, behaviors, customs and values that are transmitted from one generation to the next. (In this term paper I had put more stress on “Emotions in cross-culture”.) Emotions in cross-cultures: Although emotions are universal phenomena, they are affected by culture. While some emotions are universal and are experienced similarly as a reaction to similar events in all cultures but some emotions are particularly culture specific and are experienced, reacted and provoked and perceived by surrounding society in complete different manner. Though Ethnographic studies shoe considerable cultural differences, no general conclusions can be drawn regarding what cultural aspects affect emotion or to how much extend do they influence emotion. It might be the same emotion but the event that revokes that specific emotion may be different in different cultures. The way a person perceives himself in a relation with the society affects his emotions. Primary motives are common across all parts of the world. For example Hunger, Thirst is felt by every individual. But secondary motives such as success etc. depends on what society expects one to do and also external motivation...
Words: 2344 - Pages: 10
...Differences in Culture Chapter Outline OPENING CASE: McDonald’s in India INTRODUCTION WHAT IS CULTURE? Values and Norms Culture, Society, and the Nation-State The Determinants of Culture SOCIAL STRUCTURE Individuals and Groups Social Stratification Country Focus: Breaking India’s Caste System RELIGIOUS AND ETHICAL SYSTEMS Christianity Islam Country Focus: Islamic Capitalism in Turkey Hinduism Buddhism Confucianism Management Focus: DMG-Shanghai LANGUAGE Spoken Language Unspoken Language EDUCATION CULTURE AND THE WORKPLACE CULTURAL CHANGE FOCUS ON MANAGERIAL IMPLICATIONS Cross-Cultural Literacy Culture and Competitive Advantage SUMMARY CRITICAL THINKING AND DISCUSSION QUESTIONS CLOSING CASE: Wal-Mart’s Foreign Expansion Learning Objectives 1. Know what is meant by the culture of a society. 2. Identify the forces that lead to differences in social culture. 4. Identify the business and economic implications of differences in culture. 5. Understand how differences in social culture influence values in the workplace. 6. Develop an appreciation for the economic and business implications of cultural change. Chapter Summary This chapter begins by introducing the concept of culture. The determinants of culture are identified, which include religion, political philosophy, economic philosophy, education...
Words: 7579 - Pages: 31
...Differences in Culture 2. Have you ever visited another country? If you have, think for a minute about some of the differences you may have seen. Perhaps people dressed differently or ate different types of foods. How did people get around? By car, by train, by motor bike? Was there a particular religion that influenced how society worked? What language was spoken? Did you notice any forms of unspoken language? Your answers to these questions will give you some insight to the country’s culture. We’ll be exploring cultural differences and their effect on business in this chapter. Even if you haven’t traveled to a foreign country, you can still see cultural differences within the U.S. Think about the concept of time for example. How do people on the East Coast view time? You might have answered that East Coasters often see time as a valuable commodity that shouldn’t be wasted. Now, compare that perspective to how someone from the South might view time. Many Southerners still prefer a slower paced way of life. How might these differences affect the way you would do business in each region? Just like you might adapt for differences at home, when doing business in foreign countries, you’ll need to adapt as well. We say that companies must have cross-cultural literacy, or an understanding of how cultural differences across and within nations can affect the way in which business is practiced. It’s also important to consider how culture might affect the cost of doing...
Words: 5369 - Pages: 22
...Elizabeth Tran Dr. McCarthy English 102 10 May 2015 How The Media Affects The Asian Community Just last month ABC premiered their new show Fresh Off The Boat, which happens to be one of the few shows ever to be centered around an Asian-American family on American television. Growing up in America with first generation immigrant parents has not been easy, and growing up in a culture where you can’t even see yourself in everyday media makes it even harder to adjust. I remember watching T.V. as a kid and rarely did I see any Asian Americans on the screen; and if I did, the characters were portrayed in a way I was not familiar with. Finally getting a show like Fresh Off The Boat makes it seem like Asian Americans are breaking through barriers and making their way into mainstream media. As an Asian American myself, I happen to see this as a huge deal; finally, there is something I can relate to on T.V. Even though the Asian-American community has been excited and supportive of the series, it apparently does not appeal to the majority, and there have already been rumors of the show’s cancellation. But why is a show as innovative as Fresh Off the Boat being cancelled? The show has so many fans and is considered ground braking in the Asian-American community, but that is not enough to keep the show on air apparently. -As a minority in America, Asian Americans deserve to have their culture portrayed accurately in mainstream media. However, whenever there are Asian characters...
Words: 1946 - Pages: 8
...professional development. Instructional practices continue to address the needs of only one ethnic group. “Researchers have repeatedly confirmed that teachers need to know more about the world of the children with whom they work in order to better offer opportunities for learning success” (Barnes, 2006, p. 2). An instructorfrom an American History course, a World Geography course, and an American government course allowed observations over a two week period in early January 2011. A discussion of best practices and how the practices can become a part of the course took place following each observation. Criteria The teacher should use four questions to evaluate his or her instructional practices. How does the teacher view students of other cultures? How does the text view students of other cultures? Does the teacher create an environment of respect and rapport? Are learning activities culturally responsive? How does the teacher view students of other cultures? How the teacher views students of other cultures will affect how he or she will interact with those same students. Two of the three teachers under observation demonstrate a neutral attitude toward students of different cultures. Both American History and World Geography instructors express a view of diverse instruction...
Words: 904 - Pages: 4
...journal article will be used to research language acquisition principles for ELL students. The article helps educators see how they might apply the information to their teachings in their personal situations. The author of this essay will also react and give her opinion on the articles content. The Walqui article will also be used to describe how each factor affects second language acquisition and address how educators can support the acquisition of a second language. Many things affect students learning such as factors that have to do with the individual, social and societal issues. These factors are language, language distance, native language proficiency, knowledge of the second language, dialect and register, language status, language attitudes, the learner, diverse needs, diverse goals , peer groups , role models, home support the learning process, learning styles, motivation and classroom interaction and quality of instruction(Walqui,2003). As an educator this essay writer needs to know what second language acquisition theories are important to use, knowing the previous afore mentioned theories and factors will help this writer as a teacher be able to meet the needs of my ELL students. We as educators must be able to use scaffolding, sheltered instruction, stages of language proficiency, sociocultural competence, and standard American English(Echevarria, Vogt, & Short, 2004).. By using differentiated instruction it helps students learn most importantly...
Words: 672 - Pages: 3
... Cell Phone Negotiations In today’s society, cell phones have become and necessitate and also have become a billion dollar business. Distributors of cell phones look for maximum profit by buying from manufactures’ at the cheapest price. Not only does price matter in negotiations, but considerations for individual differences such as cultural differences must occur for the outcome of a negotiation to be successful. In today’s economy, it is not uncommon for companies to go overseas for cheaper manufactures’ cost to increase profits. However, American companies who wish to compete internally in manufacturing products face the high labor costs in the United States compared to foreign countries. In this paper, the author will discuss a negotiation between a Chinese and an American negotiation team over cell phone cost per unit and possible influences that go into the negotiations such as gender difference, personality, culture and perception, cognition, and emotion. Summary of Cell Phone Negotiation The negotiation involves two teams, the all-American negotiating team from the United States and the Chinese team. The all American team seeks a cell phone price of $6 dollars per unit and embodies the following Hofstede’s cultural dimensions: individualistic, low-power distance, low-term orientation and low-context. The other team is an all-female negotiating team from China that offers cell phones with a $9 per unit price tag...
Words: 992 - Pages: 4
...Lies of Meritocracy in America America is seen as the land of opportunity where an individual can go as far as their own merit takes them. The opportunities to be successful are endless and one just has to work hard to achieve them. This is based on the idea of meritocracy where individuals are only measured on the basis of their intellectual contributions, “divorced” identity, social status, gender, race, religion, and other characteristics. But this is only an illusion a so called myth that individuals are brought up to believe. In “Horatio Alger”, Harlon Daltons is able to break down this myth of meritocracy that include how we are judged solely on merits, have a fair opportunity to establish those merits, and how merit will bring success. Ruth Conniff in “Women Losing Ground” is able to support the myth of meritocracy that Dalton has established by explaining how women are still suffering from this myth that America has created. Dalton and Conniff are able to debunk the myth of meritocracy and help those that believe in meritocracy understand the inequality the myth has created in American culture. The idea of meritocracy is stating that an individual will not get judged and that “each of us is judged solely on her or his own merits” (Dalton (Alger theory)). But “sometimes we are judged on a different scale”... “favored...and ignored all on the basis of our race” (Dalton). How does this compare to only being judged on his or her own merits because all that is viewed...
Words: 1012 - Pages: 5
...in order for one to become more familiar with a culture, more attune to the implications that the culture has on the business conducted by the people group of the culture, and more aware of the attitudinal and behavioral implications a member of a different culture should expect when working with members of the people group. In exploring the varying cultural elements, one examines the role and perception of women, the role and influence of religion, and the role and perspective of time. The cultural elements have an impact on business that should be considered by a U.S. American seeking to conduct business with members of this people group. Global Business Cultural Analysis: Turkey Primary sources serve to provide a foundation for definitions when pursuing a research project. They are also beneficial for defining terms and establishing reasons behind why one might pursue a particular research topic. When beginning a global business cultural analysis, it is important to understand what is meant by the term culture. Hofstede defines culture as “the collective programming of the mind that distinguishes the members of one group or category of people from another” (Hofstede, 2001, p. 9). The people group focus for this study is the members of the Republic of Turkey. Though the culture in Turkey differs from that of other people groups around the world, this study seeks to compare this culture with the culture of U.S. Americans. Cultural similarities and differences influence...
Words: 5536 - Pages: 23
...Influences on American Culture Copyright © 2013, 2012, 2011, 2009 by University of Phoenix. All rights reserved. Course Description The course provides an introduction to the most prominent forms of media that influence and impact social, business, political, and popular culture in contemporary America. It explores the unique aspects of each medium as well as interactions across various media that combine to create rich environments for information sharing, entertainment, business, and social interaction in the United States and around the world. Policies Faculty and students will be held responsible for understanding and adhering to all policies contained within the following two documents: University policies: You must be logged into the student website to view this document. Instructor policies: This document is posted in the Course Materials forum. University policies are subject to change. Be sure to read the policies at the beginning of each class. Policies may be slightly different depending on the modality in which you attend class. If you have recently changed modalities, read the policies governing your current class modality. Course Materials Lule, J. (2012). Exploring media and culture. Irvington, NY: Flat World Knowledge, Inc. All electronic materials are available on the student website. Week One: The Formative Influence of Mass Media on American Culture Details Objectives 1.1. Identify the effects of mass media on American culture. 1.2. Summarize...
Words: 2017 - Pages: 9
... This can cause problems in business relationships if the visiting culture is unaware of it. If you are planning on conducting business in China or expecting an extended stay, it might be useful to know that the direct way that most Americans approach issues is not the way to go in China. Direct conflict or confrontation over issues is highly frowned upon. Doesn’t matter that the “truth” needs to be spoken, respect and honor to each person supersedes that. To prove a point and show yourself in the right even over business issues is considered shameful and should be avoided. The Chinese looks more at the group collective than at individualism. America has become known for its push of individualism which has been a source of conflict with other cultures that look collectively. A person from China is more prone to look at how their acts affect the whole instead of how it affects them personally. They are more willing to give up and sacrifice for the greater good. America’s individualism has been its backbone and the reason for its success as a world power, but when visiting China it needs to be reined in. Reputation of the individual is very important in China. If an action will humiliate someone or ruin a reputation, it is avoided. When shame occurs, the person sacrifices their job or whatever it is that will heal the shame. In America, reputations come and go overnight and in the end usually does not matter. The end result is more of the focus. A person is more...
Words: 822 - Pages: 4
...Communication theory In many workplaces today organizations have consolidated jobs where one person no longer has just one responsibility, the concept of organizations have changed from individual to team and groups. Communication is an extremely important factor for teams and group to work effectively together. When there is poor communication within the team, the success of the whole is affected because team and groups work collaboratively together to achieve goals if one area does not achieve the whole does not achieve. Team leaders, managers and supervisor are leaders of communication, they work firsthand with the team or groups showing how effective lines of communication not only make their team stronger but also lead to success. Fellow Coworkers Gender and Cultural differences affect communication between coworkers in different ways. Within my organization there is not much diversity, there are mostly females and staff culture is African American with an exception of a male from India. Language is not the cultural difference in communication; it is the way respect is shown. In the Indian culture man and female do not walk side by side the male walk ahead of the female or if he or she are approaching each other the male walk on the other side of the hallway as a sign of respect. The gender communication with other coworkers is only a slight difference; male coworkers go straight to the point where female coworkers will take the long road to arrive at the same point...
Words: 793 - Pages: 4
...social construction. There are many different factors to be considered when examining opportunity structures in causing crime and deviance. Functionalists, especially Durkheim sees society as a stable system based on value consensus-shared norms, values, beliefs and goals. This produces social solidarity, binding individuals together into one harmonious unit. To achieve this, society must participate in socialisation and social control. These functionalist concepts easily link to the functionalist explanation of crime where crime is portrayed as inevitable and functional for society. Whilst crime disrupts social stability, functionalists see it as inevitable and universal. Durkheim sees crime as healthy for social as society needs some individuals who are inadequately socialised and prone to deviate. Also in highly modern societies, there is a specialized division of labour and a diversity of subcultures. Individuals and groups become increasingly different from one another, and the shared rules of behaviour become less clear. This is what is known as anomie. An example of where anomie occurs is in suicide, where rapid social change in modern society, leaves individuals unsure as to where they fit in. For Durkheim, crime fulfils two important positive functions, the first of which is boundary maintenance. Crime produces a reaction from society, uniting its members against the wrongdoer and reinforcing their commitment to value consensus. This is the function of punishment; to...
Words: 1650 - Pages: 7
...1 An Analysis of African American Culture in the Health and Human Services Setting Introduction Communication has often been defined by scholar as the process by which people send messages and generate meanings across various contexts, cultures, and media. The process of communicating does not stop; it occurs cycle after cycle. Whether through verbal or non-verbal messages, the transaction takes place and is inevitable, named by scholars as The Principle of Communication Inevitability. Recognizing that communication will exist, whether intentional or not, it is important to understand the various areas of our life where communication may be vital to the success of the structure. One important area is focused on human welfare—medical, physical, emotionally, mentally, and financially—of children and adults. The method in which health and human service workers communicate with the people whom they serve is one that must be studied, implemented, and constantly improved. Health and human service workers are focused on the quality of life for an individual. They are not present to meet the wants out of life. The ultimate focus is rendering services that are conducive to one’s ability to live. Whether communicating good or bad news, professionals, patients, and clients have mutual responsibility for effective sending and receiving messages. People belong to certain demographics that shape who they are, how they feel, how they learn, their exposure to certain aspects of life...
Words: 1993 - Pages: 8
...External Factors Contributing to Depression Depression is most commonly characterized by depressive moods and feelings of low self worth or guilt, a disease affecting approximately 121 million people (World Health Organization, 2011). Despite these high numbers, the many factors that contribute to depression remain under debate. Depression is commonly treated with antidepressant medication that aims to normalize brain function, often through the uptake of neurotransmitters such as serotonin (Moncrieff, 2010). Research has supported the use of this type of medication with results that indicate prolonged use of antidepressants can reduce the chances of relapse (Kim, Lee, Paik, & Kim, 2011). Many deduce that because medication targets and treats physical abnormalities related to depression, biology must be the main contributor. Against this rational however, much research that exists today declares a balance of biology and external factors as contributors to depression (Cole, McGuffin, & Farmer, 2008). In contrast to discoveries of this nature, a study conducted in Taiwan concludes that many depression sufferers perceive the cause of their depression to be social and cultural factors, making little mention to biology (Fu & Paraboo, 2009). Although medication has proven successful in many cases for alleviating depressive symptoms, considerable amounts of research have determined that external factors such as personal misfortunes or stress, cultural and societal influences, such...
Words: 2045 - Pages: 9
