Geert Hofstede conducted a landmark study on culture collecting data in 40 different countries. His data suggested that different cultures may be differentiated by five "Dimensions." They are:
POWER DISTANCE has to do with the general distribution of power within the culture. Cultures exhibiting high POWER DISTANCE such as China and India are comfortable with an unequal distribution of power and a stronger hierarchy. Cultures exhibiting low POWER DISTANCE such as Austria and Sweden seek higher levels of equality.
- MASCULINITY has to do with the distribution of gender roles within a culture and with the importance given to that culture to "masculine" values such as assertiveness and competitiveness. Cultures such as Norway and Sweden are considered low in "masculinity." Cultures high in "masculinity" include all Anglo countries (including the United States), Italy and Japan.
- UNCERTAINTY AVOIDANCE relates to the culture's tolerance with ambiguity. Cultures which avoid ambiguity tend to value strongly enforced rules and abhor unstructured situations. Examples of cultures high in UNCERTAINTY AVOIDANCE are Greece, Belgium, Brazil and Argentina.
- INDIVIDUALISM has to do with the tendency towards self reliance versus the reliance on the support of others. In cultures characterized by high INDIVIDUALISM members are supposed to look after themselves, at most with the assistance of immediate family members. In contrast, COLLECTIVISTIC cultures expect members to help one another through extended and complex support networks.
- LONG TERM ORIENTATION relates to the culture's interest in values such as perseverence and frugality. Opposite values are interest in tradition and copying other people's achievements and practices.
Tip Visit Hofstede's page to compare the dimensions of United States with those of other cultures.
