Transcript Dominant US Cultural Patterns

Dominant U.S. Cultural Patterns
Value Orientation Theory
Chapter 8
Value Orientation Theory
• VOT describes dominant cultural patterns
characteristic of the majority of U.S.
citizens.
• “American Exceptionalism”
• As with Hofstede’s VD, these patterns are
generalizations and will not apply to every
individuals in the culture.
“To talk about a dominant cultural pattern
from the perspective that some patterns
overlap, but they do differ, is to talk about the
cultural patterns of the group that controls the
society” (p. 200).
Which groups control the society?
Focus on Theory 8.1
Global Leadership and
Organizational Behavior
Effectiveness research
project.
Jandt, pg. 201
Studying cultural values helps
us understand behavior
• Values are central beliefs that shape our
goals and motivate our actions.
• Attitudes reflect our values but are more
easily changed.
• Emic knowledge is gained from being
“inside” a culture.
• Etic knowledge is gained from being
“outside” a culture.
Rokeach’s Instrumental and
Terminal Values
Instrumental Values
• Ambitious (hard work)
• Broad-minded
• Capable
• Clean
• Courageous
• Helpful
• Honest
• Independent
• Polite
• Responsible
Terminal Values
• Comfortable life
• An exciting life
• Sense of accomplishment
• Equality
• Family security
• Freedom
• Happiness
• Mature love
• National security
• Social recognition
Origins of U. S. Cultural Patterns
• The area of land now known as North America
has a long heritage of diversity of people and
cultures before the arrival of Europeans.
• E.g. The Haudenossaunee, or Iroquois founded the
Iroquois League/Confederacy prior to European
settlement of the Northeastern region of the U.S.
People of the Longhouse
Five Nations
Six Nations
“A country composed of separate little
nations”Alexis de Tocqueville (1805-1859)
• The dominant U.S. culture has drawn its social
values from the Europeans that colonized the land.
– These influences are with us today: the
scientific method, democracy, capitalism,
separation of powers.
• Regional cultures reflect the values of immigrants
who settled in the areas.
• Regional Differences: New England, The
Midlands, the Middle West, the South, and the
West.
Regions of the United States
Common stereotypes of individual states.
Map showing the size of economies
of each of the United States.
U.S. Accent Regions
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Creation of a Dominant Culture
• Critical events in U.S. history (see page 200).
• Patterns may overlap but the culture that
controls society is the dominant culture.
• U.S. has different values from those of other
countries, “American Exceptionalism.”
• There are inter-relationships among
elements in culture.
Value Orientation Theory
• Kluckhohn and Strodtbeck claim that
cultures develop unique positions relative to
five value orientations:
1.What is a human being’s relation to
nature? (man-nature orientation)
2. What is the modality of human activity?
(activity orientation)
3. What is the temporal focus of human
activity ( time orientation)
Kluckhohn and Strodtbeck cont’d
4.What is the character of innate human
nature? (human-nature orientation)
5. What is the relationship of the
individual to others? (relational)
• We will review these values individually
and see how we can apply these patterns
and other categories to the dominant U.S.
culture.
1. Human Being-Nature Orientation
Dominate – live with – are subjugated by nature
• Worldview deals with a culture’s most
fundamental beliefs about its place in the
cosmos, beliefs about God, and beliefs about
the nature of humanity and nature.
• Samovar identified 3 parts to U.S.
worldview:
1) the individual and nature relationship;
2) science and technology, and
3) materialism.
Human Being-Nature continued
• Individual and Nature -We separate nature
from human life – allows for dominion over
nature.
• Science and technology-- People in the
U.S. have strong faith in science and our
ability to solve problems using technology.
• Materialism - our belief that possessions
are important in life. Drives our economic
system - capitalism.
2. What is the Modality of Human Activity?
Activity Orientation
Being – being in becoming – doing
(passively accepting) - (transforming) –
(initiating action)
• Time used for self-expression, play, selfimprovement & development, and work.
• Efficiency and Practicality? We want
practical solutions that use the least amount
of effort/time. Short term emphasis.
• Progress and Change – Faith in the Future.
Change is basically good - we adapt to new
goods, and social beliefs.
3.What is the temporal focus of human life?
TIME
Past
Present
Future
• How do we characterize time? What are the
repercussions of this view?
• Do you live the future
in the present?
4.What is the Character of Innate Human Nature?
Human nature orientation
primarily evil – primarily good - mixture
This pattern answers questions such as:
• “What is human nature?”
• “What are human rights and
responsibilities?”
• “What does it mean to be human?”
Innate Human Nature
Good vs. Evil or Mix
Rationality/Mutability
5. Relational Orientation: Interpersonal Relationships
linear hierarchy – group id - individualism
• Individualism & Independence. This is often
used as the main way we identify who we are.
• Self-motivation - In the U.S. individualism is
evidenced through accomplishment and a “need
for achievement” (p. 215).
-We are expected to set goals and pursue them
independently.
-We have the power to control our own destiny.
-Individual responsibility for decision making.
Relationship of the Individual to
Others (continued)
-Social Class based on power, money & influential
social circles.
-Competition
Relational cont. Social Organization
Equality and Freedom:
• According to our text, this is an important
cultural myth in the U.S. See Table 8.6 on
page 217
Conformity
• People in the US conform to modern norms.
• People believe in national institutions– schools,
military, judiciary and are patriotic.
Forces stimulating development
of regional cultures
• Changes in the landscape brought about by
economic and cultural shifts.
• Integration
• Immigration
• National Media
• International air transportation
• End of the Cold War
The New Regions
• Can you identify different regions within
the U.S.?
1) Atlanta, 2) Charlotte, 3) Miami,
4)Houston, 5) Los Angeles, 6) San
Francisco’s Bay Area, 7) Seattle.
What makes these regions distinct from one
another? Are there others you can add?
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