Characteristics and Dimensions of Culture B.ed Notes

Back to: Sociological Foundations of Education B.ed Notes, M.A Notes, IGNOU Notes

The characteristics of culture

The basic characteristics of culture are:

  1. All the acquired qualities are summed up as culture.
  2. Culture is acquired, shared, symbolically based, integrated, and dynamic.
  3. Culture evolves at a rapid pace.
  4. Culture is transmissive in the sense that it is passed on from generation to generation via communication and interaction.
  5. Culture is idealistic because it embodies a group’s beliefs and traditions.
  6. Culture is built up through time.
  7. Culture is flexible.
  8. Culture is all-pervasive because it affects all aspects of existence.
  9. Culture is a result of human behavior.
  10. With time, culture evolves and develops.
  11. Culture is a nebulous concept. It is the common patterns of behaviour and thinking that exist in the brains or habits of society’s members.
  12. Cultural features and patterns are passed down through the generations.
  13. Culture is evolving rather than being stationary.

Dimensions of culture

Human behaviour is hereditary, but culture is learned; yet, people within all cultures differ due to variegated tastes, beliefs, and accomplishments. Hofstede defines cultural dimensions as “that are globally applicable and are reflected in all aspects of life, including family life, child-rearing practices, education, employment, and health care practices.”

Hofstede’s cultural dimension

The realm of commerce is no longer constrained by geographical borders. It has grown increasingly networked, and it is now run on a worldwide basis. This implies that workers at a firm will have to collaborate with people from other countries with varying cultural backgrounds. Several people are entrenched in their culture and are unable to recognize how it affects others.

Hofstede’s Cultural Dimension concept is frequently employed in cross-cultural communication, international management, and cross-cultural psychology. 

The dimensions are:

  1. The Power Distance Index is the first dimension in Hofstede’s Cultural Dimension hypothesis. It pertains to the disparity between those in positions of authority and those who do not. A lower score indicates that people are challenging authority and attempting to redistribute power. A higher score, on the other hand, indicates that a social hierarchy has already been created.
  2. Individualism vs. Collectivism is the next degree in Hofstede’s Cultural Dimension hypothesis (IDV). It investigates the degree to which members in a society are incorporated into a certain group, the bonds that members have within their community, and the perception of group dependency and duty.
  3. Masculinity vs. Femininity is the next degree in Hofstede’s Cultural Dimension hypothesis (MAS). In a community, it involves the allocation of male and female roles.
  4. The Uncertainty Avoidance Index is the next dimension in Hofstede’s Cultural Dimension Hypothesis (UAI). It is typically defined as a culture’s tolerance threshold for unpredictability or ambiguity, and it pertains to how individuals manage with uneasiness in a society.
  5. Long-Term vs. Short-Term Orientation is the next dimension in Hofstede’s Cultural Dimension Hypothesis (LTO). It focuses on the relationship between past, present, and future issues.
  6. Indulgence vs. Restraint is the sixth dimension in Hofstede’s Cultural Dimension theory (IVR). It evaluates society’s proclivity to accomplish its objectives.

What are the strengths of Hofstede’s cultural dimension?

The following are some of Hofstede’s Cultural Dimensions advantages:

  • Hofstede’s Cultural Dimension concept is seen to be a useful tool for reflecting on one’s own assumptions about what is typical.
  • This idea may be used by a non-profit organization to examine its perceptions and behaviors. It will eventually aid in the refinement and expansion of collection methods.
  • Multinational managers utilize Hofstede’s Cultural Dimension to increase employee engagement and reduce rivalry. It eventually increases a firm’s productivity.

Limitations of this concept

  • The theory’s flaw has been shown by its broad generalization. Rather than comparing individuals, it focuses on a nation’s or society’s core traits.
  • In terms of cultural and political trends, the globe has experienced a lot of developments. Innovation has progressed to the point that we can notice several developments that have transformed people’s thinking and behavior patterns all across the globe. Hofstede’s Cultural Dimension theory was developed many years ago, and it is now necessary to include every development that has occurred since then.