Behavioral interpretation of common terms used to define culture.

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Behavioral Science views organizational culture as a complex
interplay of individual behaviors
 Culture is typically defined
as a complex interplay of:
– Values
– Beliefs
– Expectations
– Norms
– Behaviors
CultureValues
Beliefs
Expectations
Norms
Behaviors
 However, it is difficult to
effect changes in ‘culture’
when the typical
descriptors of culture
treated as hypothetical
constructs (i.e.,
explanatory variable which
are not directly observable)
 Behavioral Science views culture, ultimately, as a complex
interplay of observable behaviors and observable variables that
influence behaviors
Culture
Component
Definition Behavioral Interpretation
 Behavior  Anything a person says or
does
 Behavior is a function of the events that precede and follow
it. If the positive consequences for a given behavior
outweigh the negative consequences, then the behavior will
recur
 Norms  The majority of people in an
organization behaving in
similar ways
 Norms are established by the occurrence of consistent
consequences for patterns of behavior
 Expectations  The anticipated
events/outcomes for a given
behavior
 Expectations can be thought of as “If…then” statements that
are a function of a person’s history of consequences. For
example, “If I work with other functions on this project, then I
will achieve a better product. Because, under similar
circumstances in the past, that was the case.”
 Beliefs  Acceptance of an observation
as a fact. Beliefs are more
subject to change and
situation specific
 Beliefs are not observable. Beliefs are only identified as
they are expressed as behavior. It is common for people to
think of beliefs as an internal factor that drives our behavior.
However, the environment ultimately determines beliefs.
Repeated patterns of behavior in a given context cause
people to attribute behaviors to a belief
 Values  Internalization that a given
behavior is beneficial. This
drives behaviors to occur
regardless of circumstances
 Values are interpreted much the same as beliefs. However,
the behaviors associated with values are more enduring
over time and different situations. This is a result of a very
positive, long, and strong consequence history