The Seven Dimensions of Culture provide a framework for understanding the various observable characteristics of different societies. While it’s not always easy to describe how culture operates, the various elements have helped me do just that. Members of my family were both Peruvian and Christian.
The universalist-pragmatist divide addresses the rigidity or malleability of governing principles in interpersonal interactions. Generally, universalists are rule-followers who think the rules should not be broken under any circumstances. Clearer rules and norms govern relations in these societies. My upbringing occurred in a more universalist than particularist society. The rules of conduct in particularistic communities are flexible and subject to change. These cultures generally believe that each event calls for a unique response since it depends on the nature of the individuals involved. I’m not used to this looser way of life at all. There were no exceptions in my Christian and Peruvian household.
The range between an individual’s wants and the wants of the group to which the individual belongs is discussed along the dimension of individualism against communitarianism. This facet of the game made me wonder if my culture emphasizes teamwork versus encouraging individuals to go outside the box. There is a strong emphasis on communal values in my culture. I grew up in a family of six, including my parents, two brothers, sisters, and four cousins. In our household, we always worked together.
The third factor, involvement/commitment and context, examines the degree of interpersonal investment and a culture’s focus on detail. For instance, those who fall under the “specific/low context” category pay close attention to minute particulars. People in these societies tend to cherry-pick aspects of a problem rather than address it head-on. On the other hand, people from dispersed cultural backgrounds are more likely to look at the big picture than the details. I identify with the specific camp since I was brought up to dissect issues and situations piece by piece to find workable solutions.
We examine the difference between apathetic and empathic interactions in the fourth dimension. People in emotional cultures are not only less likely to suppress their emotions but are actively encouraged to express them openly. In contrast, members in “neutral” cultures often view displays of emotion as unacceptable and indicative of a lack of strength. Those of me who belong to the culture I was up in is surrounded by a lot of sentiment. My parents and grandparents have always modeled open communication and pushed my brothers and me to do the same. Both happy and sad feelings were never judged as invalid in my home. The people of Peru are known for their warm hospitality and personal friendships.
Achieved versus attributed status is the next cultural factor to be explored. In societies where a higher level of education, career success, age, or social standing is viewed favorably, the more accomplished are held in higher esteem. Respect is given to people for various reasons, including merit, age, gender, and status. As opposed to achievement-based admiration, ascription-based societies admire others for who they are as individuals. As a child, I was raised in a devout Christian home where the principle that each man is of equal worth was ingrained in me. My mother has always stressed that success does not imply goodness, and she has done so for as long as I can remember.
Specifically, I needed help to place my culture along the time orientation dimension. Most societies live in the present, and their members view the future as a natural extension of the present. The opposite is true for cultures that place a premium on the here and now, which hold that people are shaped by their daily interactions with the world. As a result, the present, rather than the past, shape people’s expectations and actions. Sequentialism and synchronism represent the second half of the time orientation dimension. My society places a premium on a sequential understanding of time, while other cultures may have completely different perspectives. Plans are rarely altered, and my society takes time commitments very seriously.
To conclude, one of the fascinating aspects of culture is the relationship between religion and other beliefs. Internal versus external control is a dimension that examines the significance of the environment from the perspective of various cultural groups. Cultures that emphasize the exterior of nature tend to have the belief that humans are powerless over the natural world. Where I come from, nature is seen more on the inside than out. As a child, I remember my Peruvian ancestors talking about how helping the earth helps us. But the Christian home in which I was raised had a more reflective approach, holding that one must take responsibility for one’s happiness or unhappiness. I was able to have a better understanding of the similarities and differences between cultures all across the w
orld because of the Seven Dimensions of Culture. It’s fascinating to think about how people from different cultures might behave differently in a social setting. As a Christian, I’ve discovered that my family’s customs and values differ from those of most Peruvian families. It’s important to recognize mental and behavioral ruts better to comprehend the causes of our ideas and actions.
References
Hannichenko, T. (2021). Сross-cultural negotiations in English. The seven dimensions of culture.
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