Dominant U.S. Cultural Patterns

1. Dominant U.S. Cultural Patterns Value Orientation Theory Chapter 8

2. What Can You Learn? • Value Orientation Theory is another theory used to describe cultural patterns. • The VOT categories are used to describe dominant U.S. cultural patterns. • Review how U.S. cultural patterns can affect intercultural communication.

3. Intercultural communication competence requires understanding the dominant cultural values.We will focus on U.S. values.

4. Studying cultural values helps us understand behavior • Values are central beliefs that shape our goals and motivate our actions. • Attitudes reflect our values but are more easily changed. • Emic knowledge is gained from being “inside” a culture. • Etic knowledge is gained from being “outside” a culture.

5. Rokeach’s Instrumental and Terminal Values Instrumental Values Terminal Values Comfortable life An exciting life Sense of accomplishment Equality Family security Freedom Happiness Mature love National security Social recognition • Ambitious (hard work) • Broad-minded • Capable • Clean • Courageous • Helpful • Honest • Independent • Polite • Responsible

6. Origins of U. S. Cultural Patterns • The area of land now known as North America has a long heritage of diversity of people and cultures before the arrival of Europeans. • E.g. The Haudenossaunee, or Iroquois founded the Iroquois League/Confederacy prior to European settlement of the Northeastern region of the U.S.

7. People of the Longhouse

8. Five NationsSix Nations

9. “A country composed of separate little nations”Alexis de Tocqueville (1805-1859) • The dominant U.S. culture has drawn its social values from the Europeans that colonized the land. • These influences are with us today: the scientific method, democracy, capitalism, separation of powers. • Regional cultures reflect the values of immigrants who settled in the areas. • Regional Differences: New England, The Midlands, the Middle West, the South, and the West.

10. Regions of the United States

11. Creation of a Dominant Culture • Critical events in U.S. history (see page 200). • Patterns may overlap but the culture that controls society is the dominant culture. • U.S. has different values from those of other countries, “American Exceptionalism.” • Keep in mind these are generalizations. • There are inter-relationships among elements in culture.

12. Value Orientation Theory • Kluckhohn and Strodtbeck claim that cultures develop unique positions relative to five value orientations: 1.What is a human being’s relation to nature? (man-nature orientation) 2. What is the modality of human activity? (activity orientation) 3. What is the temporal focus of human activity ( time orientation)

13. Kluckhohn and Strodtbeck cont’d 4.What is the character of innate human nature? (human-nature orientation) 5. What is the relationship of the individual to others? (relational) • We will review these values individually and see how we can apply these patterns and other categories to the dominant U.S. culture.

14. Man-Nature Orientation • Worldview deals with a culture’s most fundamental beliefs about its place in the cosmos, beliefs about God, and beliefs about the nature of humanity and nature. • Samovar identified 3 parts to U.S. worldview: 1) the individual and nature relationship; 2) science and technology, and 3) materialism.

15. Man-Nature continued • Individual and Nature - what do we value? We distinguish btwn nature and human life – “dominion over nature.” • Science and technology-- People in the U.S. have strong faith in science and our ability to solve problems using technology. • Materialism - our belief that possessions are important in life. Drives our economic system - capitalism.

16. What is the Modality of Human Activity? Activity Orientation • Activity and Work- How do we feel about our jobs? Is work taken seriously? Why or why not? • Efficiency and Practicality? We want practical solutions that cause the least amount of effort/time. Short term emphasis. • Progress and Change – Faith in the Future. Change is basically good - we adapt to new goods - social beliefs.

17. What is the temporal focus of human life? TIME How do we characterize time? What are the repercussions of this view? Do you live the future in the present?

18. What is the Character of Innate Human Nature? • This pattern looks at the innate nature of humans. Answers to the questions such as “What is human nature?” “What are human rights and responsibilities?” and “What does it mean to be human?” • Goodness- Are we born evil? Good? Both? • Rationality - We use reasoning to arrive at conclusions about good and evil. • Mutability – is human nature subject to change by society? Education, prisons.

19. Innate Human Nature Good vs. Evil Rationality/Mutability

20. Relational Orientation • Individualism & Independence. This is often used as the main way we identify who we are. “People in the U.S. have a passion for freedom” • Self-motivation - In the U.S. individualism is evidenced through accomplishment and a “need for achievement” (p. 215). -We are expected to set goals and pursue them independently. -We have the power to control our own destiny. -Individual responsibility for decision making.

21. Relationship of the Individual to Others (continued) -Social Class based on power, money & influential social circles. -Competition

22. Social Organization • Equality and Freedom: According to our text, this is an important cultural myth in the U.S. • See Table 8.6 on page 217 • Conformity • People in the US conform to modern norms. • People believe in national institutions– schools, military, judiciary and are patriotic.

23. Forces stimulating development of regional cultures • Changes in the landscape brought about by economic and cultural shifts. • Integration • Immigration • National Media • International air transportation • End of the Cold War

24. The New Regions • Can you identify different regions within the U.S.? • Atlanta, 2) Charlotte, 3) Miami, 4)Houston, 5) Los Angeles, 6) San Francisco’s Bay Area, 7) Seattle. What makes these regions distinct from one another? Are there others you can add?