DIMENSIONALIZING CULTURE.

The relationship between culture and communication is a thin line that lies towards the application of communication skills like listening and observation to simply end up understanding the values, worldview, and all other aspects that add up to culture. These two are intertwined since culture influences communication in that, we get certain traits like how we speak or even interpret things from culture. Communication on the other hand, is the only way culture gets to be passed through generations and spread from person to person.

My focus is on the dimensions of culture as discussed by Hofstede. In his article, he explains different national cultures and dimensions as well as how they impact a business setting. These dimensions include, individualism vs collectivism, power distance, femininity vs masculinity, long-term vs short-term orientation, restraint vs indulgence and uncertainty avoidance index. I will explain but a few to help you get the concept of his thinking and the relevance of this dimensions on culture.

To my understanding, power distance applies with regards to how different people within a communal setting perceive and tolerate power. There is low power distance and a high-power distance index. In a community with a high-power distance index, the people respect and accept authority as it is, they encourage bureaucracy and whatever the leaders say remains. In a setting where there is low power distance, the community questions the authority’s decisions and actions, they do not agree with just anything that is decided.

Individualism vs collectivism is another cultural dimension that spooked my attention. It considers the degree in which societies are integrated into groups and their perceived duties and dependence on groups (Hofstede, 2011). Individualism depicts the importance of an individual focusing on self-sustenance and achievement of personal goals, the self-image of a person in this case, becomes very primary. Collectivism on the other hand, focuses on common goals by groups within the society, well-being of the community is most important.

These dimensions are meant to help people relate much better in different community settings and understand why things happen the way they do.

Bibliography

Hofstede. (2011). Cultural dimension theory. Dimensionalizing culture.