Models for Understanding
Culture
Michael K. Wilson, February 2012
Symbols: words,
gestures, pictures,
or objects that carry
a particular meaning
recognized by those
who share a
particular culture.
Symbols
Heroes
Heroes: persons,
past or present, real
or imagined, who
possess traits highly
prized in a culture
and serve as models
for behaviour.
Rituals
Values
Rituals: collective
activities that are
technically
superfluous but,
within a particular
culture, socially
essential, e.g.
greetings, how
respect shown.
HOFSTEDE’S MODEL
Symbols,
heroes and
rituals are
observable
practices,
though their
cultural
meaning
requires
interpretation.
Values: deepest
level; broad
feelings about
good vs bad, clean
vs dirty, beautiful
vs ugly, rational vs
irrational, normal
vs abnormal,
natural vs
paradoxical,
decent vs indecent.
Institutions
Social –
Family,
Language,
Medicine,
Education,
Athletics
Political –
Community
Organisation,
Government,
Law,
Mythology,
Penal
Sanctions
Economic –
Cooperative
Labour,
Housing,
Inheritance
Rights,
Property
Rights, Trade
WO2C
WO2C
Hesselgrave’s Three Dimensional Model
Technological Includes artifacts and activities
designed to manipulate the
material world.
Sociological
Includes patterns of relationship
and behaviour that govern
interaction between individuals
and groups.
Ideological
Includes the knowledge, beliefs,
worldview and values of a people.
Turner’s Three Levels Model
• 1. Individual Personal Level
(Deal with sole converts and small groups)
• 2. Public Social (Surface Level)
(Address social systems and structures)
• 3. Deeper Culture (Deep) Level
(Address basic culture: language, worldview)
Moreau’s Three Levels Model
• 1. Individual Idiosyncracies
(Each member of a culture accepts or rejects
elements, with varying skills in applying those
elements)
• 2. Cultural Particulars
(The means by which a particular culture
meets its universal human needs; all aspects
of life are touched and altered by culture)
• 3. Human Universals
(Dimensions/elements found in every human society,
eg. Language, institutions, values. sociability)
Lingenfelter’s Six Ways of Life
Bureaucratic
Authoritarian
- GROUP
Corporate
Hierarchist
Pilgrim
Transformed
Submission
Individual
Individualist
Hermit
Autonomy
+
GRID
GRID
-
GROUP +
Collective
Egalitarian
Layers of
Culture
Peter’s Way of Life Before Antioch
Peter socialised
as a Jew
since birth
(Gal 2:15)
Peter’s Way of Life Before Antioch
Peter believes
Jewish customs
are essential
(Acts 10:14)
Peter socialised
as a Jew
since birth
(Gal 2:15)
Peter’s Way of Life Before Antioch
Values obedience
Believes
Jewish customs
essential
Peter the
socialised
Jew
to Jewish customs
Peter’s Way of Life Before Antioch
Values
obedience
Believes
customs
essential
Socialised
Jew
to Jewish customs
Peter’s Way of Life Before Antioch
Values
obedience
Believes
customs
essential
Socialised
Jew
to Jewish
customs
One Slice of Aussie Culture
Worldview
Free to do what you want
Social Influences
Values
Parents, school,
community, etc. confirm
worldview
Treat people as equals
Behaviour
Call boss by first name
Social Setting
Authority relationships
In Good Taste?
A businessman from Hong Kong was making his first trip
to Sydney. He was staying at an exclusive
international hotel. He had a large number of nonChinese business contacts he was eager to develop.
He decided to put on a banquet for them. However,
instead of inviting them to a Chinese restaurant he
arranged with the hotel to do the catering for the
banquet. His guests included one of the managers of
the hotel where he was staying. When his guests were
assembled the businessman made his introductions.
However, the manager was stunned and offended
when the businessman said, “I am very sorry that this
food and drink is not very good.”
Chinese Businessman’s Culture
Worldview
All people have defined social
roles
Social Influences Parents, school, community,
etc. confirm worldview
Values
Behaviour
Social Setting
Places great value on
hospitality; hosts must honour
guests
Says, “I am sorry the food and
drink is not very good”
A hospitality setting in
exclusive hotel – a business
function.
Joy Luck Club Dinner Scene
• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_t82
eWkb_tM&feature=related
What Australians value about their
culture and don’t want to lose
• Australian identity ….. its
heritage/ history / traditions /
heroes/
• Pride in Australian culture
• Laid back attitude
• Freedom to choose… to be
yourself/ to express your own
opinion/ not to be bound by
traditions and cultural
• Holistic approach to life balancing
study/ sport/ recreation etc….
• Quality of life > health system/
social welfare
• Christian values as the basis of
Australian values
• Australia’s environment
• Education that is not just stuffing
in information but emphasises
student learning and growth >
lifelong learning
• Success? As a multicultural nation
What Chinese value about their
culture and don’t want to lose
• Eating Chinese food
• Being reserved and modest as a
virtue which doesn’t mean we
are unfriendly
• Showing respect for elders >
filial piety > using ‘Uncle’ and
not first names
• High value placed on family and
family honour
• High value placed on academic
achievement
• The importance of Chinese
festivals and their meaning
• Chinese history
• Etiquette and manners
• Not doing something that will
make another person feel bad >
consideration for other people
• Saving face
• Use of Chinese language