Cultural origins of behavior and cognition

• Culture


  • A dynamic system of rules established by groups to ensure survival, involving shared attitudes, values, beliefs, and norms.
  • Characteristics:
  • Shared by a large group of people.
  • Communicated from one generation to the next.
• Cultural Groups


  • Groups characterized by different norms and conventions based on their shared culture.
  • Membership: Determined by the shared cultural rules and values.
• Norms


  • A set of rules based on socially or culturally shared beliefs about how individuals ought to behave.
  • Function:
  • Regulate behavior within a group.
  • Passed on through socialization and observational learning.
• What is one cultural origin of Behaviour or cognition?


  One of the primary ways cultural origins influence behaviour is through social norms. These are the unwritten rules that dictate acceptable behaviour within a particular group or society.
• Cultural Dimensions


  Cultural dimensions are frameworks that describe how values in a society influence behavior. Geert Hofstede's research is a seminal work in this area.
• Hofstede's Cultural Dimensions


  1. Power Distance Index: Extent to which a culture respects authority and status
  2. Individualism vs. Collectivism: Degree of integration into groups. "I" vs. "We" orientation
  3. Uncertainty Avoidance Index: Society's tolerance for ambiguity and change
  4. Masculinity vs. Femininity: Focus on achievement and competition vs. cooperation and quality of life
  5. Long-term vs. Short-term Orientation: Connection to past and attitude toward future
  6. Indulgence vs. Restraint: Allowance for enjoyment vs. strict control through social norms
• Individualist Societies:


  • Loose ties between individuals
  • Self-reliance and personal achievement valued
  • Privacy is important
  • Rule-breaking leads to guilt
• Collectivist Societies:


  • Strong, cohesive in-groups
  • Group harmony and shared responsibility valued
  • Privacy is not expected
  • Rule-breaking leads to shame/loss of face
• How should cultural dimensions be viewed?


  As tendencies rather than absolute characteristics of a culture
• What insights does understanding cultural dimensions provide?


  • Valuable insights into how cultural values shape behavior
  • Insights into how cultural values influence cognition
• Why is it important to use the framework of cultural dimensions cautiously?


  To avoid overgeneralization and stereotyping
• Individualism dimension 



  An individualistic culture focuses on the uniqueness, achievement and personal choice of the individual. Individualistic cultures value privacy and expressing one’s own opinion.
• Collectivism dimension

  In a collectivistic culture, the relationship with the group is more important than the personal goals of the individual. Collectivistic cultures value social harmony and stress interdependence.