similar societal characteristics that are derived from their shared set of beliefs and
values.Cultural patterns, sometimes called value orientations, is an umbrella term
used to collectively describe those cultural values that characterize the dominant
group within a culture. As used here, the term refers to culturally based beliefs, values,
attitudes, and behaviors shared by members of a particular culture. These patterns
encompass the conditions that contribute to a social group’s perception of the world
and how they live in that world. The application of cultural patterns in the study of
intercultural communication is beneficial because such patterns offer a systematic
structure to help identify and examine recurring values.
When using cultural patterns to help gain added insight relative to various ideas
and activities exhibited by other cultures, a few cautionary remarks are in order. We
suggest that you keep in mind the following four caveats:- You are more than your culture: As discussed in Chapter 1, all individuals within a cul-
tural group may not share the dominant values of that culture. A variety of factors,
such as age, gender, education, income level, personal experiences, and others, influ-
ence your view of the world. Because people are more than their culture, assigning
national characteristics or typical cultural patterns to a group is a risky endeavor due
to the heterogeneity of almost all societies. Think of the many ethnic groups, religious
orientations, and political perspectives that make up the U.S. population. Therefore,
cultural patterns used to characterize an entire country should generally be limited to
the members of the dominant culture in that nation. - Cultural patterns are integrated: Because language is linear in nature, we are forced
to talk about cultural patterns individually. It is important, however, to realize that
the patterns do not occur or operate in isolation; they are interrelated and inte-
grated. In other words, they act in concert. If a culture values the elderly, that
value gets attached to yet other values related to respect and decision making. - Cultural patterns are dynamic: Any review of world history will demonstrate that
values can evolve and produce societal change. The U.S. civil rights movement
gave rise to actions and legislation that led to equal rights for other minority
groups, such as women, gays, and ethnic minorities. The interconnected world cre-
ated by globalization has enabled people in other nations to learn about different
values and social structures. The Arab Spring that swept the Middle East in early
2011 was in part a result of young people who embraced freedom, independence,
and democracy—values significantly at odds with those held by the authoritarian
elites. However, even after recognizing the dynamic nature of culture, you need to
remember that deep cultural structures are often resistant to change and evolve
very slowly. Recall that many of the young Egyptian men demonstrating for free-
dom and democracy later declared that a woman’s place was in the home. - Cultural patterns can be contradictory: In many instances you can find contradictory
values within a culture. A frequent refrain in the United States is that“all people are
created equal,”but acts of prejudice toward minorities and violence directed at gays
continue. Some of the most divisive issues now confronting U.S. society—abortion,
gay marriage, gun rights, capital punishment, immigration, school prayer, wealth distri-
bution, etc.—are a result of contrasting values. Even the divide between conservatives
and liberals is at its core a difference of ideologically based values. These types of con-
tradictions are common in all cultures. The Bible advocates helping others, and the
Koran teaches brotherhood among all people. Yet in both the United States and
204 CHAPTER 6•Cultural Values: Road Maps for Behavior
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