Humans are primarily shaped by the cultures and societies in which they are born. Various cultures have distinct behavioral, values, and belief patterns that influence how individuals interact among themselves. Cultural patterns offer a framework for understanding how diverse cultures perceive the world, act, and think. In this essay, I will explore three major cultural patterns – Hofstede’s cultural dimensions and Edward T. Hall’s proxemics – and examine how they have impacted my life.
The cultural aspects hypothesis of Hofstede separates civilizations into six categories: power distance, individualism/collectivism, masculinity/femininity, uncertainty avoidance, long-term commitment, and hedonism. Growing up in a traditional Filipino household and living in California, USA, I have been influenced by a mix of cultures. My Filipino culture values power barriers and collectivism more, while my American society values individuality and hedonism (Hofstede Insights, 2023). This dichotomy has significantly impacted my life, as I have had to learn to balance the two different cultural values while also trying to remain faithful to my own identity.
Edward T. Hall’s proxemics is a theoretical model that categorizes individuals based on their physical distance from each other into four categories: intimate, personal, societal, and public. As such, through my Filipino family, I was taught to maintain physical and emotional distance from other people. This cultural pattern has been an essential part of my life, as it has shaped how I interact with other people. However, living in California has helped me to become more open and willing to get close to other people, as the cultural norms here are more relaxed. This shift has had a positive impact on my life, as I now feel more comfortable engaging in meaningful relationships with people from different backgrounds.
In conclusion, I have been heavily influenced by the three major cultural patterns of Hofstede’s cultural dimensions and Edward T. Hall’s proxemics. Growing up in a traditional Filipino household but living in California, USA, I have had to learn to balance the two different cultural values to find my own identity. These cultural patterns have particularly affected my life, and I am grateful for the knowledge and experience I have gained from them.
Reference
Hofstede Insights. (2023). Country comparison. Web.