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By studying and preparing to adapt to a culture
in another country, people can participate and
benefit from doing business there.
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To explain how social institutions can help
people adapt to a new culture
To identify ways to overcome stereotyping
and cultural bias
To discuss how preparation and
participation help improve cultural literacy
3
The ability to adapt to cultural differences
promotes personal and professional growth.
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the organizations that represent the
social
patterns of activity that express the
institutions
culture of a country
culture
shock
a reaction that newcomers to a
culture may experience
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cultural
baggage
a set of cultural attitudes that
include the beliefs, values, and
assumptions that people carry with
them throughout life
cultural
bias
a preconceived attitude of favoring or
disliking a particular culture
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stereotyping
the practice of identifying a
person or group by a single trait,
or as a member of a certain group
instead of as an individual
the belief that one’s own culture is
ethnocentrism
better than all other cultures
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Social Influences in
Cultural Adjustment
How do you adjust to a new culture?
Identify the social institutions of the country.
Recognize how the social institutions operate.
Learn how to overcome culture shock.
Prepare for, adjust to, and participate in the culture of a new country.
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Social Institutions
The first step of
adjusting to a culture is
to identify the social
institutions.
social institutions
the organizations that
represent the patterns
of activity that express
the culture of a country
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Social Institutions
Educational
Systems
Degrees of
Mobility
Basic Types of
Social Institutions
Class
Systems
Religious
Organizations
Gender
Roles
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Educational Systems
Some cultures favor males over females.
In some cultures, only wealthy people have
access to education.
In many countries, only very successful
students have access to higher education.
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Religious Organizations
In a country where children attend religious
ceremonies, religious influence lasts.
Some countries are ruled by a religious
legal system.
Religious leaders may have political
influence in some countries.
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Gender Roles
Many cultures favor men over women in
the workplace.
Gender roles affect methods of parenting,
housekeeping, and daily family activities,
as well as how people conduct business.
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Class Systems
In a nation where class differences are
strong, people in the upper class have better
access to education, work opportunities, and
the legal system.
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Class Systems
In countries such as the United States,
moving upward socially or economically is
possible for more people.
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Degrees of Mobility
In a country with high mobility, people can
relocate easily and find a new home or job.
In a region with low mobility, most people
live and die close to where they were born.
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Overcoming Culture Shock
Culture shock may
include:
Being uncomfortable
culture shock
a reaction that
newcomers to a culture
may experience
Being afraid
Feeling resentment
Being intrigued
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Overcoming Culture Shock
Cultural
Baggage
Stereotyping
Roadblocks
to Adjusting
to Culture
Shock
Cultural
Bias
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Overcoming Culture Shock
Recall What reactions can
be roadblocks to
overcoming culture shock?
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Cultural Baggage
Cultural baggage may
include religious
attitudes or dining
habits.
cultural baggage
a set of attitudes that
include the beliefs,
values, and
assumptions that
people carry with them
throughout life
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Cultural Bias
For many years, a
number of U.S. citizens
had a negative cultural
bias toward Japan and
Germany, due to World
War II.
cultural bias
a preconceived attitude
of favoring or disliking
a particular culture
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Stereotyping
If you believe that all
Italians are “romantic,”
you are stereotyping.
Not all people in any one
group are the same.
stereotyping
the practice of
identifying a person or
group by a single trait,
or as a member of a
certain group instead
of as an individual
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Cultures Connect in Australia
Meeting and Greeting Shake hands at the beginning
and at the end of a meeting. Avoid overused Australian
terms.
Business Etiquette Arrive on time for meetings. Do not
emphasize your education or achievements.
Business Dress Wear conservative attire. Men wear
ties and dark suits. Women wear dresses or dark suits.
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Communication Skills
If you apply communication skills in a new
country, people may respond favorably.
Learn basic phrases.
Learn correct gestures.
Understand the correct body language.
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Participating in Another Culture
These concepts vary from country to country:
Concepts of Time
Directness in Communication
Achievement and Work
Job Prestige
Change
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Concepts of Time
Many cultures do not engage in
multitasking, such as in the United States.
Moving quickly can seem abrupt in some
countries.
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Concepts of Time
Some cultures value leisure time.
In some countries, people take a siesta
after lunch.
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Concepts of Time
Calendars and holidays vary by culture and
the prevailing religion in the country.
When visiting another country, expect to
adjust to different work times, work days,
and work weeks.
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Telling Time Globally There are different
ways to tell time around the world. Many
countries use military time, e.g., 2:00 P.M.
is 14:00 (fourteen hundred).
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Directness in Communication
In some countries, businesspeople engage
in pleasant conversation over a drink or
food before focusing on business.
Forcing a point is considered rude in some
cultures.
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Achievement and Work
In Germany relationships and leisure time
are valued.
In the United States an impressive résumé
is a major career asset.
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Job Prestige
Manual labor may be disdained by people
in some countries.
Job prestige may come through working
with one’s mind, even when physical jobs
may pay better wages.
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Change
Tradition is very important in many
cultures.
In traditional cultures change must be
implemented slowly and carefully.
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Cross-Cultural Literacy
If you can prepare yourself for cultural
changes, you are beginning to develop
cross-cultural literacy.
Cross-cultural literacy is a skill that makes
you a more valuable employee.
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Cross-Cultural Literacy
You can develop crosscultural literacy by
eliminating
ethnocentrism from
your thinking processes.
ethnocentrism
the belief that one’s
own culture is better
than all other cultures
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Cross-Cultural Literacy
A culturally literate person replaces the idea
that one culture is better with the idea that all
cultures are different.
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Cross-Cultural Literacy
Question In what ways are
ethnocentrism and cultural
bias similar and different?
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Exploring Cultures
You can explore a culture by enjoying the
following activities:
Music
Art
Literature
Architecture
Foods
Holidays
Religious events
Patterns of living
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Exploring Cultures
Ask questions.
Notice cultural differences without judging
them.
Participate in the activities that make the
new culture rich.
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2.2
1. What are some social institutions present in a
culture?
educational systems, religious organizations, gender
roles, class systems, and degrees of mobility
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2.2
2. What attitudes can prevent overcoming culture
shock?
cultural baggage, cultural bias, and stereotyping
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2.2
3. What cultural concepts should you consider when
adjusting to and participating in new cultures?
concepts of time, directness in communication,
achievement and work, job prestige, and change
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