Question

Compare and contrast at least three of the following divergent cultural characteristics and describe which one from each pair would describe the culture that you hail from: individualist vs collectivist, explicit rule vs implicit rule, uncertainty- accepting vs uncertainty-rejecting, time orientation (monochronic vs polychronic, short term vs long term) masculine vs feminine orientation, direct vs indirect, materialism vs relationships, low-power vs high power distance. Your post should also comment on how your particular cultural characteristics compare with your fellow peers.

Your post should be no less than 250 words

Answer 1

Individualist vs collectivist: The individualism and collectivism is the fundamental political conflict of the USA nowadays. Individualist culture defines that an individual has full right to lead his life into his own terms. No external rules and policies can interfere in his personal life. The individual makes his own judgment and thinks that he has full sovereignty to decide about his life goals and objectives. On the contrary, collectivism idea states that an individual life belongs to a community. Thus, that individual must maintain rules and regulations set by the community and must not violate any of it. The individual should sacrifice his life goalsof the betterment of a larger community. Thus, both these cultures are different from each other in terms of their way of leading life and valuing ideas.

Lower power and higher power distance: Higher power distance refers to the hierarchicalstructure of an organization. It includes the unequal distribution of power form an autocratic leader. The individual stays in higher power controls people under him. On the contrary, lower power distance refers to a democratic structure. Power is equally distributed among each other and everyone is considered having the same value.

Masculine vs Feminine orientation: Masculine and famine orientation is a significant aspect of power distribution. Masculinity orientation stands for a society that clearly distinct gender roles in power distribution. Masculinity is considered as the supreme power. However, femininity overlaps gender roles in society. It seeks for equal distribution of power between men and women.

While comparing with my fellow peers I have understood that both my fellow peers and I believe in equal distribution of power irrespective of class and gender. Moreover, we also believe in maintaining a proper culture.