Cultural Dimensions (Kulkofsky)

Question 1

Intro Cultural Dimensions (Cultural dimensions are the difference in values from…)

Answer 1

Cultural dimensions are the difference in values from one cultural group to the other developed by Hofstede.

Question 2

individualism vs. collectivism

Answer 2

importance on individual or group

Question 3

power distance

Answer 3

countries with low power distance societies place importance on equality, whilst high power distance societies accept inequality such as hierarchy

Question 4

uncertainty avoidance index

Answer 4

comfort with ambiguity

Question 5

long term vs short term orientation

Answer 5

thinking towards the future vs. thinking in the present

Question 6

masc vs. fem

Answer 6

achievement and wealth vs. focus on relationships

Question 7

indulgence vs. restraint

Answer 7

relaxed vs. strict views on personal gratification

Question 8

What is individualism and collectivism in Kulkofsky’s study?

Answer 8

Kulkofsky’s study examines the cultural dimension of individualist vs. collectivist societies.

- People in collectivistic societies tend to place more importance on the groups needs rather than personal needs, which emphasises on behaviours conformity and social harmony.
- People in individualist societies place more importance on personal needs and principle of independence and rational in terms of thinking about the group.

Question 9

Kulkofsky Aim

Answer 9

Study the role of individualist vs. collectivist cultures on the difference in rates of flashbulb memories

Question 10

Kulkofsky Method

Answer 10

• 274 adults from 5 diff countries (China, Germany, Turkey, UK, USA)
• 5 minutes to recall as many memories of public events in their lifetime (memories must be 1+ year old)
• Used these events to create a ‘memory questionaire’
• 5 questions that were centered around the event
  
  • “Where were you when you first learned about this event…?”
  • “How surprising…?” (Emotion)
  • “How important…?” (Personal)
  • “How often…?” (Rehearsal)
• Translated into the respective languages

Question 11

Kulkofsky Findings

Answer 11

In a collectivistic culture like China, personal importance and emotion played less in predicting the rate of FBM - different to individualistic cultures where personal significance and emotion play a much bigger role

The environment influences FBM → personal experiences are less talked about (less rehearsal) as collectivist cultures (China) place more importance on the needs and wants of the group and not the individual, lower chance of FBM

National importance was spread across all cultures

Question 12

Link of Kulkofsky to Cultural Dimensions

Answer 12

The difference in characteristics can be explained due to the cultural dimension of individualism vs. collectivism- FBM is dependant on the environment of the individual (there is a difference in how individualist and collectivist cultures approach national events) eg. in a collectivist culture like China, personal importance and intensity of emotion decreased the likelihood of developing a FBM, and in individualist societies, these two aspects are valued greater due to the fact that having a personal opinion is seen of much greater importance in individualist societies.