I
have noticed big cultural differences in lecture behavior. In this post, I am
analyzing the lecture behavior of students from different nationalities. I am
trying to find out why students act the way they act in lectures: what is
behind these differences?
In
my opinion, one big factor must be the differences between individualistic and
collectivistic cultures. People from collectivistic cultures tend to be afraid
of confrontation and conflicts. This can be seen in lectures: when there is a
debate between students, hardly ever someone from a collectivistic country
rises their hand. This is due to loss of
face concept, which arises from the eastern culture. In western cultures,
person and opinion are thought as separate things. In eastern cultures, on the
other hand, people think that everything is connected. Therefore “wrong”
opinion (that differs from the common opinion) might lead to loss of face. In
addition, collectivists tend to take disagreements more personally. This has to
do with the fact that whereas individualists give the priorities to tasks,
collectivists give the priority to relationships. Therefore eastern students
seek group harmony, when western students focus on facts and the issue itself,
wanting to find out the right answer.
Another
significant factor could be the differences in power distance. Have you noticed
that many western people have difficulties in accepting authority? It is hard
for them to accept that someone is in a way above them, and they should obey
him or her. This can be seen in lectures: students from low power distance
cultures seem to protest a bit against the professor’s authority. Among high
power distance (eastern) cultures, it is a whole new ballgame. They are used to
the fact that power is distributed unequally. In their culture, teachers are
highly respected and it feels natural to do what he or she says. Due to high
power distance, eastern students can also feel uncomfortable with professors
that want to be called by first names.
This is just a peek into
the cultural differences in lecture behavior. Have you noticed these kinds of
differences? Does my analysis seem legitimated?Text: Anna Rassi, a student in Independent Study in English course
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