Activity 6.2: Reflection

Introduction

This assignment helps you to strengthen your understanding of the dominant values, beliefs, customs and practices of U.S. Americans by identifying them to recent immigrants. Here you are called to acquaint them with cultural value dimensions that are quite different from their native country’s values and practices.

Activity Instructions

In this assignment, you are the guide, letting non-U.S. Americans know about the United States’ four prominent cultural value dimensions that shape the culture: direct communication, low-power distance, short-term orientation, individualist.

In about four paragraphs briefly describe what these value dimensions mean. You do not need to explain the opposite value dimension. For instance, there is no need to describe what an indirect value orientation is or high power distance.

For reference the cultural value dimensions and their opposites are listed below.

communication–direct versus indirect value orientation

hierarchy–low power distance versus high power distance

• time–short- versus long-term orientation
• group–individual versus collective orientation
• Please review the following resources for this activity:
• Textbook

Storti, Craig. Figuring Foreigner’s Out, 20th Anniversary Edition: Understanding the World’s Cultures, Nicholas Brealey Publishing, 2018.

Web Resources

Gill, C. (2017). Hofstede’s cultural dimensions and differences across cultures | OUPblog. Oxford University Press.

• Worthy, L. D., Lavigne, T., & Romero, F. (2020). Hofstede’s Cultural Dimensions. Open.maricopa.edu; MMOER.

At the end of your submission, include a brief Design Statement explaining the process and tools you used to develop your work. Your statement should be about a paragraph or so, in your own words (rather than formally written), and unique to this assignment. Why are we asking for this? Find out more about Design Statements.