The Lewis Model
Abbey Moore and Nataliya
Zhuravleva
Introduction - The Lewis Model


The Lewis Model was constructed by Richard
Lewis for purposes of culture classification
The model aims to promote “harmony through
understanding”

The model classifies cultures into three main
types:
- Linear-active
- Multi-active
- Reactive
The Lewis Model: Basic
Characteristics
Linear-active:
- Cool
- Factual
- Decisive
Planners
Multi-active:
- Warm
- Emotional
- Impulsive
- Talkative
Reactive:
-Courteous
-Amiable
-Accommodating
-Compromiser
-Good Listener
Basics Explained
LINEAR-ACTIVE
MULTI-ACTIVE
REACTIVE
Talks half the time
Talks most of the time
Listens most of the time
Gets data from stats,
research
Solicits information firsthand from people
Uses both data and people
sources
Plans ahead step by step
Plans grand outline only
Looks at general principles
Polite but direct
Emotional
Polite and indirect
Partly conceals feelings
Displays feelings
Conceals feelings
Confronts with logic
Confronts emotionally
Never confronts
Dislikes losing face
Has good excuses
Must not lose face
Compartmentalizes projects
Lets one project influence
another
Sees the whole picture
Rarely interrupts
Often interrupts
Doesn't interrupt
Job-oriented
People-oriented
Very people-oriented
Sticks to the facts
Juggles the facts
Statements are promises
Truth before diplomacy
Flexible truth
Diplomacy over truth
Sometimes impatient
Impatient
Patient
Limited body language
Unlimited body language
Subtle body language
Cultural Types
What does the Lewis Model tell
us?

The Lewis Model shows us:
* how people from different cultures vary in
their concepts of time and space: how they
handle interpersonal distance, silence, and eye
contact
* how their communication styles are reflected
in the language patterns they use
What does the Lewis Model tell
us?

The Lewis Model can help us:
*Promote harmony in inter-cultural relationships
by allowing empathy and understanding to
develop.
*We can see that most of our reactions come
from how we've been programmed by our
culture, we can step back and see how different
cultures react, and learn to understand such
reactions
Applying the Lewis Model to
Australians


According to the Lewis Model, Australians are
mostly Linear Active, and partly Multi Active
The Lewis Model therefore suggests that
Australians are mostly:
-Cool
-Factual
-Decisive Planners
Yet a little:
-
Warm
Emotional
Talkative
Impulsive
Applying the Lewis Model to
Bahrain

The Lewis Model tells me that people from
Bahrain are mostly Multi – Active
This means that Bahraini people are:
 Warm
 Emotional
 Impulsive
 Talkative
An Analysis of the Lewis Model
The Lewis Model is effective in:
 Helping us become aware of the communication
traits of each ‘Cultural Type’

The Lewis model helps us understand the
communication characteristics of different
‘Culture Types’
Conclusion
With an understanding of various
communication characteristics among
cultures, we are better able to get along
both personally and professionally with
other cultures; we will be able to foresee
how they are likely to react in various
situations
Richard Lewis Quote
"Cultural behavior is the end product of
collected wisdom, filtered and passed
down through hundreds of generations as
shared core beliefs, values assumptions,
notions and persistent action patterns.
In other words, culture is a collective
programming of the mind, which
distinguishes the members of one
human group from another."
Thank You
Sources
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http://www.crossculture.com/services/cross-culture/
http://docs.google.com/viewer?a=v&q=cache:rY5pQ5329usJ:faculty
.fuqua.duke.edu/ciber/ice/Cross%2520Culture
http://www.best-career-match.com/cross-culturalcommunication.html