November 12, 2011 Dr. Suzanne Droleskey

1. Engineers Without Borders November 12, 2011 Dr. Suzanne Droleskey

2. Explicit Culture Explicit Culture – What we perceive with our senses. Behaviors Attitudes and Beliefs Core Values

3. Implicit Culture Below the Waterline- Concepts and ideas that differ from culture to culture. Styles of Interaction/Relationships Communication Preferences World Views

4. What is U.S. Culture? Shared Charac-teristics Many Groups Domestic View International View

5. Sample Elements of Culture Caution: You are about to hear broad generalizations related to cultural groups – to presume that ALL people of any cultural group behave or believe in identical ways stereotypes them. Concept of Self Concept of Time Degree of Directness Level of Context Achievement over Time Rules & Relationships Concept of Space

6. Concept of Self After six weeks, you and two others have completed a special project. The three of you have been awarded a prize of $20,000 for the project. How should the money be distributed? • Person A did 30% of the work • Person B did 60% of the work • Person C did 10% of the work • Concept of Self Individualist Collectivist

7. Concept of Time How do you respond when one friend or acquaintance knowingly arrives 45 minutes late to your eight person dinner party? • Expect an explanation (and perhaps and apology) • Have no problem with it, and proceed as if nothing unusual had happened Concept of Time Monochronic Polychronic

8. Degree of Directness If the leadership in your project location had a problem with your design or plans, would you prefer they tell you that directly or drop hints, (perhaps through other people) that you may need to piece together and figure out? • Degree of Directness Direct Indirect

9. Storti: Personal Cultural Scales by Target Areas Concept of Self US UK F G R,I,S J ME, M A SEA,C Individualist Collectivist Concept of Time J R F,S C SEA I,A,ME,M USUK G Monochronic Polychronic Degree of Directness G US F, R S,UK I ME,M A,SEA,C J Direct Indirect

10. Rules vs. Relationships Universalists/Generalists: Rule Dominated Particularistic: Relationship Dominated

11. Explicit verbal communication Low Context Level of Context:Communication Preferences Opinions Values Feelings and context convey less of the message Context and feelings Values Opinions High Context Words convey a minimal part of the message

12. Achievement over Time: Cultural Priorities Cultural Priorities: Achievement over time: Focus on Function/ Relationships Results Time Passing Focus on Results/Tasks Results Time Passing

13. Storti: Personal Cultural Scales by Target Areas Rule vs. Relationships USUK J F R S I,M, SEA A,C, ME Universalist Particularist Role of Context R FI,S, UK M,ME, SEA A,C, J USG Low Context High Context Achievement over Time J US, G, UK I,C, M, SEA, ME, F, S, R,A Achievement Quality of Life

14. Proxemics: Culture and Space Proximity Intimate Distance Personal Distance Social Distance Public Distance

15. Remember: People Outside Looking In Miss Complexities Shared Characteristics Many Groups Domestic View International View

16. Remember: Cultural Perspective Makes a Difference