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The concept of cultural values has been around for centuries and is at the heart of how we perceive the world and interact with other people. Culture is defined as the shared values, customs, beliefs, and practices of a particular group or society. For centuries, anthropologists and social scientists have studied the cultural values of different societies to better understand how people live, think, and act.
In recent years, a set of nine cultural values has gained prominence in the field of psychology. Dubbed the “Big 9,” these values are believed to be universal across all cultures and impact our lives and relationships in profound ways.
The Big 9 cultural values include:
1. Power Distance: This refers to the level of hierarchy and respect for authority in a society. In cultures with high power distance, there’s a clear distinction between those in authority and those who aren’t, and respect for authority figures is expected.
2. Uncertainty Avoidance: This refers to a society’s level of comfort with ambiguity and unpredictability. Cultures with high uncertainty avoidance tend to prefer rules and structures that provide a sense of stability and predictability.
3. Individualism: This refers to the degree to which a society values independence, autonomy, and individual achievement. Cultures with high individualism place more emphasis on personal freedom, initiative, and competition.
4. Masculinity: This refers to the degree to which a society values competitiveness, assertiveness, and achievement. Cultures with high masculinity tend to emphasize traditional gender roles and value achievement over caring and nurturing behaviors.
5. Femininity: This refers to the degree to which a society values caring, nurturing, and relationships. Cultures with high femininity tend to place more emphasis on emotional expressiveness and interdependence.
6. Long-Term Orientation: This refers to a society’s focus on the future and the willingness to delay gratification in the present. Cultures with high long-term orientation tend to prioritize planning, investing in education, and building for the future.
7. Short-Term Orientation: This refers to a society’s focus on the present and the immediate effects of actions. Cultures with high short-term orientation tend to prioritize immediate gratification and living in the moment.
8. Indulgence: This refers to the degree to which a society allows for the satisfaction of human desires and hedonistic pleasures. Cultures with high indulgence tend to be more relaxed and less rigid in their social norms.
9. Restraint: This refers to the degree to which a society regulates and controls human desires and impulses. Cultures with high restraint tend to be more strict and conservative in their values and norms.
Each of these cultural values impacts our lives and relationships in unique ways. For example, a person from a culture with high power distance may have trouble working with a peer from a culture with low power distance, as they may not understand or respect each other’s authority structures. Similarly, a person from a culture with high individualism may struggle to work effectively in a team from a culture with high collectivism as they may not be used to prioritizing group needs over personal achievement.
Understanding the Big 9 cultural values can provide valuable insight and tools for navigating diverse workplaces, romantic relationships, and social situations. By recognizing and respecting different cultural values, we can build more respectful and productive relationships with people from a variety of cultures and backgrounds.
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