The seven dimensions of culture

 
 

 

 

 

 

Every culture distinguishes itself from others by the specific solutions it chooses to certain problems which reveal themselves as dilemmas. It is convenient to look at these problems under three headings: those which arise from our relationships with other people; those which come from the passage of time; and those which relate to the environment.

From the solutions different cultures have chosen to these universal problems, we can further identify seven fundamental dimensions of culture:

 
   

>>>Universalism vs. Particularism
What is more important - rules or relationships?

 

>>>Individualism vs. Communitarianism
Do we function in a group or as an individual?

 

>>>Specific vs. Diffuse cultures
How far do we get involved?

 

>>>Affective vs. Neutral cultures
Do we display our emotions?

 

>>>Achievement vs. Ascription
Do we have to prove ourselves to receive status or is it given to us?

 

>>>Sequential vs synchronic cultures
Do we do things one at a time or several things at once?

 

>>>Internal vs External control
Do we control our environment or work with it ?