The document discusses cultural values and dimensions that impact behavior. It describes how values can differ in importance, direction, and intensity between individuals and cultures. Some dominant American values mentioned are individuality, freedom, equality, democracy, and achievement. It also outlines four dimensions identified by Hofstede as impacting culture: power distance, uncertainty avoidance, individualism vs collectivism, and masculinity vs femininity. High power distance cultures have a large gap between those with and without power while low power distance cultures value equality and independence.

1. Chapter 6 Behavioral Guides

2. Values: Cultural Standards Values: statements about what we should do, think, how we should act and what we should not do Values are determined by larger principles (law, governments) and individually (from family, friends)

3. Values: Cultural Standards Values differ between people in the following ways: Salience: perceived importance Direction: values are seen as positive, negative, or having no value Degree: the intensity of value Values define appropriate vs inappropriate behavior within a culture; since cultures change, values change

4. Dominant American Values Individuality Freedom Equality Democracy Humanitarianism Progress activism Achievement Practicality Time Informality Morality Are there any that you disagree with? Think about other cultures – are they the same??

5. The Hofstede Value Dimensions Four value dimensions found to have a significant impact on behavior in all cultures : power distance, uncertainty avoidance, individualism, and masculinity

6. Individualism and Collectivism Individualism Independent Belong to many groups Democracy in the workplace and government Which countries fall under this category? Collectivism Interdependent Belong to few groups Hierarchies common and unquestioned Which countries fall under this category?

7. High / Low Uncertainty Avoidance How anxious or comfortable people as a whole are with new or unstructured situations The greater the feeling of threat, the great avoidance Cultures adopt rules and behaviors to overcome these situations

8. Masculinity and Femininity Masculine cultures expect men to be assertive, ambition, and completive. Women are expected to care for children, home, etc Feminine cultures see roles as overlapping; both sexes share responsibilities and focus mainly on nonmaterial

9. High and Low Power Distance The ability or capacity (job, etc) to exert power over others High power distance culture – wide gap between those with power and those without (have/have nots) Low power distance culture – equality; independence is valued; decision receive input from everyone