Why Is Culture So Important?

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Dutch social psychologist Geert Hofstede did a pioneering study of cultures across modern nations. One of his big questions is:  Why is culture so important?  His website says:

Do we need to bother about culture? Every visitor of this site has her or his unique personality, history, and interest. At the same time, we share our human nature. We are group animals. We use language and empathy, and practice collaboration and inter-group competition. The unwritten rules of how we do these things differ from one human group to another. “Culture” is how we call these unwritten rules about how to be a good member of the group.

To know more about Hofstede, see his biography.  Better yet, see the online exhibition about his life and work.  Oh, and check out his books – truly an international scholar on this topic.

How Culture Affects Communication Styles

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For Professor Michele Gelfand, it all comes down to culture. As a cross-cultural psychologist, Gelfand is fascinated by social environments and their effects on human behavior, particularly, how strictly people adhere to social norms.

In this episode (podcast with full transcript), Michele Gelfand explains why social norms are the glue that keeps cultures together.

Overseas Adventures in Advertising

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When it comes to advertising, what's funny in one culture can seem ill-mannered in another.

Globalizing Apple's ads meant tweaking characters, clothing and body language.