Cultural norms have a big impact on how people behave and fit in, depending on where they live in the world. Let’s break it down in simpler terms:
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Collectivist vs. Individualist Cultures:
- In collectivist cultures, like Japan or China, people focus more on the group. They often do what’s expected of them to keep the peace, even if it means ignoring their own beliefs. For example, someone might choose a job that makes their family happy instead of following their own dreams.
- In individualist cultures, like the U.S. or Canada, personal choices matter more. People usually resist fitting in if it means giving up who they are.
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Power Distance:
- In countries with high power distance, like India or Mexico, people tend to follow leaders and respect authority more. They are often willing to do what those in power say because that’s what’s expected in their culture.
- In low power distance cultures, like Denmark or Sweden, people are more likely to question authority. They may challenge the rules more, which leads to less following of norms.
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Social Pressure:
- The level of social pressure can be very different from one culture to another. In some places, getting approval from others is very important, so people stick closely to the norms. In other cultures, going against the norm might be seen as a good thing.
In my experience, it’s really interesting to see how cultural norms shape what we do and how we act!