Abstract
To describe cultures, features are specified that are suitable both for characterizing and for distinguishing individual cultures. They form dimensions or factors on which each culture can be represented as a specific combination of characteristics. The most important of these approaches are presented in this chapter. Hofstede’s approach is prototypical, with its six dimensions of individualism-collectivism, power distance, uncertainty avoidance, masculinity-femininity, time orientation, and indulgence. In contrast to these culture-differentiating factors, so-called context factors can also be identified, which are used to characterise general life circumstances such as wealth and schooling. One attempt to represent different context characteristics on a common dimension is the Human Development Index (HDI). On the basis of this index, which can vary between 0 and 1, very highly developed countries, highly developed countries, moderately developed countries and less developed countries are contrasted.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Access this chapter
Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout
Purchases are for personal use only
Notes
- 1.
The order has been slightly changed by me.
References
Eckensberger, L. H., & Plath, I. (2002). Möglichkeiten und Grenzen des „variablenorientierten“ Kulturvergleichs. In H. Kaelble & J. Schriewer (Eds.), Vergleich und Transfer – Komparatistik in den Sozial-, Geschichts-und Kulturwissenschaften. Frankfurt a.M.: Campus.
Hall, E. T., & Hall, M. R. (1990). Understanding cultural differences. Germans, French and Americans. Yarmouth, ME: Intercultural Press.
Hofstede, G. (1980). Culture’s consequences: International differences in work-related values. Beverley Hills, CA: Sage.
Hofstede, G. (2001). Culture’s Consequences: Comparing Values, Behaviors, Institutions, and Organizations across Nations. Thousand Oaks, CA: SAGE.
Hofstede, G. (2010). The GLOBE debate: Back to relevance. Journal of International Business Studies, 41, 1339–1346
Hofstede, G. (2011). Dimensionalizing cultures: The Hofstede model in context. Online Readings in Psychology and Culture, 2 (1)
Hofstede, G., & Bond, M. H. (1988). The Confucius connection: From cultural roots to economic growth. Organizational Dynamics, 16 (4), 4–21.
Hofstede, G., Hofstede, G. J., & Minkov, M. (2010). Cultures and Organizations: Software of the Mind (3rd ed.). New York: McGraw Hill.
House, R. J., Hanges, P. J., Javidan, M., Dorfman, P. W., & Gupta, V. (2004). Culture, leadership, and organizations: The GLOBE study of 62 societies. New York: Sage.
Huntington, S. P. (1996). The clash of civilizations and the remaking of the world order. New York: Simon & Schuster.
Magala, S. J. (2007). From minding your steps to minding diversities. Presentation at the conference „Economic globalisation, cultural diversity and cross-cultural competence“. Cologne.
Schwartz, S. H. (2006). A theory of cultural value orientations: Explication and applications. Comparative Sociology, 5, 137–182.
Triandis, H. C. (1995). Individualism and collectivism. Boulder: Westview Press.
Trompenaars, F. (2012). Riding the waves of culture: Understanding cultural diversity in business (3rd ed.). London: Brealey.
Welzel, C., & Inglehart, R. (2010). Agency, values, and well-being: A human development model. Social Indicator Research, 97(1), 43–63.
Schwartz, S. H. (1994). Are there universal aspects in the structure and contents of human values? Social Issues, 50(9), 19–45.
United Nations (2022). Human development report 2021/2022. Overview. New York: United Nations Development Programme.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
Copyright information
© 2023 The Author(s), under exclusive license to Springer-Verlag GmbH, DE, part of Springer Nature
About this chapter
Cite this chapter
Helfrich, H. (2023). Description and Classification of Cultures. In: Cross-Cultural Psychology. Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-662-67558-8_5
Download citation
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-662-67558-8_5
Published:
Publisher Name: Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg
Print ISBN: 978-3-662-67557-1
Online ISBN: 978-3-662-67558-8
eBook Packages: Behavioral Science and PsychologyBehavioral Science and Psychology (R0)