Cultural Influences on Management

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Questions and Answers

What is a primary function of cultural scripts in cross-cultural interactions?

To establish universal business practices.

To help individuals predict sequences of events and adjust their actions. (correct)

To ensure that all participants arrive punctually to meetings.

To eliminate the need for Type 2 cognition in diverse settings.

How might cultural scripts affect business meetings according to the content?

They enhance spontaneity and reduce the need for careful planning.

They standardize all business meeting behaviors across cultures.

They can lead to misunderstandings if participants have different expectations. (correct)

They require everyone to adhere strictly to specifics mentioned in manuals.

What type of cognition is primarily employed when individuals follow familiar scripts effortlessly?

Type 2 cognition

Type 1 cognition (correct)

Type 3 cognition

Type 4 cognition

In which cultural context might one find individuals arriving late to meetings?

Brazil Signup and view all the answers

Wong's avoidance of conflict is an example of how cultural scripts can influence behavior. What can this tell us about cultural scripts?

They can shape personal behaviors based on familial teachings. Signup and view all the answers

How does the interaction of schemas and scripts influence individuals?

It dictates how they should perceive and interact in various contexts. Signup and view all the answers

What type of adjustments are required when individuals from different cultural backgrounds encounter conflicting scripts?

Thoughtful adjustments Signup and view all the answers

What may a U.S. manager expect during a business meeting based on cultural scripts?

A cycle of formal greetings followed by immediate decision-making. Signup and view all the answers

How do self-schemas evolve in individuals from different cultures?

They may be partly hardwired due to cultural conditioning. Signup and view all the answers

What generally distinguishes individuals in collectivist societies?

Their clear distinction between group members and non-members. Signup and view all the answers

What is primarily assessed when creating a cultural identity?

Shared characteristics such as gender and physical appearance. Signup and view all the answers

How do cultural scripts primarily function in shaping behavior?

They are unconscious mental representations that influence our reactions. Signup and view all the answers

What can complicate the determination of one's cultural identity?

Possessing multiple cultural associations that are equally significant. Signup and view all the answers

In what way do individuals categorize others based on cultural identity?

By determining membership in their own cultural group. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best describes the construction of cultural identity?

It involves identifying significant social categories linked to group membership. Signup and view all the answers

What overarching concept can be connected to the idea of societal grouping?

The necessity of forming social identities through categorization. Signup and view all the answers

What is the main result of behavior that is consistent with an observer's expectations?

It results in an automatic categorization of the behavior. Signup and view all the answers

Which type of cognition involves drawing on previous scripts when responding to behavior that matches expectations?

Type 1 cognition Signup and view all the answers

What happens when manager behavior does not fit an existing category during an interaction?

The manager will have to invent a new response. Signup and view all the answers

How do culturally biased perceptions influence a manager's interactions?

They lead to misinterpretations of cross-cultural cues. Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary influence on the behavior of Chinese workers towards their superiors in a workplace setting?

Cultural norms and respect for authority Signup and view all the answers

How does selective perception impact an individual's interpretation of their environment?

It allows individuals to only notice information aligned with their goals. Signup and view all the answers

Which component of social cognition is primarily based on past experiences and cultural framework?

Schema Signup and view all the answers

What is a common consequence of an American supervisor joking about a boss's incompetence in a Chinese workplace?

It would lead to cultural misunderstandings and potential conflict. Signup and view all the answers

What does Type 2 cognition require when a manager encounters behavior differing from expectations?

Thorough processing and consideration of new information. Signup and view all the answers

What role does adjusting old scripts play in cross-cultural management?

It enhances the manager's effectiveness in diverse settings. Signup and view all the answers

What role do scripts play in guiding behavior in different cultural contexts?

They serve as blueprints for expected behaviors in specific situations. Signup and view all the answers

What factor does NOT influence selective perception according to the content discussed?

Behavior of unrelated persons Signup and view all the answers

In what way is cultural difference in self-concept significant to motivation?

It influences how individuals set and pursue their goals. Signup and view all the answers

What is implied by the term 'Type 1 cognition' in relation to perception?

It prioritizes automatic and quick responses to stimuli. Signup and view all the answers

In what way can extreme or unusual stimuli affect perception in a workplace?

They can distract attention from relevant information. Signup and view all the answers

Why might subordinates focus their attention on their superior while awaiting instructions?

To ensure they understand cultural expectations. Signup and view all the answers

What role does a schema play in social cognition?

It helps organize and interpret information. Signup and view all the answers

How does Type 1 cognition differ from Type 2 cognition?

Type 1 is fast and unconscious. Signup and view all the answers

What happens to letters without postal codes in the analogy provided?

They are thrown into the dead letter bin. Signup and view all the answers

What is an example of a script in social cognition?

A sequence of expected behaviors in a particular interaction. Signup and view all the answers

How do schemas and scripts assist in processing information?

They simplify complex information into manageable categories. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best describes a script?

A flexible guideline for expected interactions. Signup and view all the answers

What is the result of using prior experiences in forming schemas?

It enhances understanding of individual instances. Signup and view all the answers

In the analogy regarding postal sorting, what aspect represents the brain's function?

Glancing at codes to quickly categorize items. Signup and view all the answers

What type of cognition is primarily involved in automatic social interactions like casual greetings?

Type 1 cognition Signup and view all the answers

In which scenario would a person likely need to engage in Type 2 cognition?

Decide how to greet an unknown person from another culture Signup and view all the answers

What is a common challenge associated with Type 2 cognition in novel intercultural situations?

Physical exhaustion from constant thinking Signup and view all the answers

What behavior might an international manager have to consider when greeting people in southern Europe?

Acknowledging cultural differences by kissing on the cheek Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best describes the relationship between Type 1 and Type 2 cognition?

Most everyday behavior is based on Type 1 cognition. Signup and view all the answers

What sort of questions might someone encounter as they develop cultural expertise in new settings?

How many kisses are appropriate when greeting? Signup and view all the answers

What situation exemplifies the challenges of Type 2 cognition?

Evaluating how much to tip in a new country Signup and view all the answers

What characteristic distinguishes Type 2 cognition from Type 1 cognition?

Type 2 cognition involves more controlled mental processing. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Learning Objectives

Explain how culture and stereotypical expectations influence behavior
Discuss culturally based scripts, norms, and causal attributions
Explain how people from different cultures view the same thing differently
Understand the relationship between individual self-concept and motivation

Cultural Influences on Managers

Knowledge of cultural differences helps anticipate cultural assumptions and responses
Awareness of cultural dimensions is a starting point
Knowledge of a culture's nationality does not perfectly predict behaviors or interactions
Cultural influences impact managerial thought processes, evaluations, and responses to others

Mental images (schemas and scripts) are developed from past experiences
These images simplify complex situations
Schemas represent categories (e.g., Native American, boss)
Scripts describe behavioral sequences (e.g., interactions, giving orders)
Schema and script development is gradual through repeated experiences

Type 1 Cognition: Fast, unconscious, automatic mental processing
Type 2 Cognition: Slow, conscious, controlled mental processing
Most behavior is based on Type 1 cognition
Type 2 cognition is needed for novel intercultural situations

Cultural Schemas

Self-schema: Individual beliefs and ideas about oneself
Self-schema includes personal values and experiences
The self-schema can be culture-specific

Cultural Identity

Determined by shared characteristics like gender, physical appearance, religion, attitudes, and behavior
Cultural identity is a mix of various social identities
Culture groups define who we are and who we are not

Cultural Scripts and Norms

Scripts are unconscious mental representations of how to act
Scripts guide how we respond in situations
Norms are shared standards of acceptable cultural behavior
Norms are enforced through sanctions for non-compliance

Selective Perception

Perception is the process of interpreting sensory input
People filter environmental information based on schemas and scripts
Information inconsistent with expectations is often ignored
Perception of others is influenced by categorization into in-groups and out-groups

Stereotypical Expectations

Stereotypes are schemas about groups of people
Stereotypes based on physical appearance and behaviors
Stereotypes are often simplified and can be positive or negative
National stereotypes are over-generalized beliefs about a nation
Stereotypes can influence behavior towards members of the stereotyped groups.

Attribution

Attributions are explanations for events and behaviors
People frequently attribute behaviors to internal (personality) or external (situational) factors
Cultural differences affect how people attribute behavior
Cultural biases exist when judging others, favoring internal qualities for in-group members and situational factors for outgroups.

Cross-Cultural Interaction Process

A suggested model for the manager-employee interaction process in a cross-cultural environment
Factors like situational cues, cultural scripts, selective perceptions drive behavior and attitudes

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Description

This quiz explores how culture impacts behavior and managerial thought processes. It covers how cultural expectations can shape interpretations and interactions within diverse environments. Participants will examine social cognition and the role of schemas and scripts in understanding cultural differences.