60 minutes (5 minutes for individual work; 20 minutes for small-group discussion; 35 minutes for large-group discussion and debriefing)
General L P, T, D, M
1. To explore the ways that cultural values differ in relation to human nature, the natural world, time, activity, and relationships
2. To examine the implications of these basic value differences
3. To generate suggestions for enhancing cross-cultural understanding
• Cross-Cultural Values Worksheet
• Flipchart and tape for hanging
• Marking pens
1. Ask participants to complete the “Cross-Cultural Values” worksheet.
2. Place participants in groups of 3–5, then ask them to compare their responses, discuss any differences, and come to consensus on a group choice.
3. Ask each small group to report its responses to each question, charting the responses on a flipchart.
Note: Questions 1 and 2 are designed to measure values regarding human nature; questions 3 and 4 measure values regarding the relationship of people to nature; questions 5 and 6, time; questions 7 and 8, activity; and questions 9 and 10, relationships. Thus, there are five value sets.
4. Ask the large group to discuss how different responses to any of these five value sets might affect perceptions and potential cooperation or conflict. Explore what steps might be taken to minimize misperceptions or conflict resulting from differences.
1. What happened? Where did your groups come to agreement easily? Disagreement?
2. How did you feel as you (a) made your individual choices (b) shared your choices within the group, (c) worked toward consensus within the group, and (d) discussed the differences and similarities in the larger group?
3. What differences in cultural values were identified? Were the actions/behaviors of some group members helpful to you personally? To the group itself, in reaching consensus? Were there actions/behaviors that interfered with your group participation? If so, what were they?
4. What values do you hold that apply to this situation?
5. What did you learn?
6. How can you apply what you learned to your everyday life?
1. Cultural values influence our beliefs about basic human nature, human relationships to nature, how we think about time, the balance between being and doing, and appropriate human relationships.
2. If our culture(s) have given us different values in any of these five areas, we may misunderstand and have conflicts with others.
3. Understanding our own values and those of others can help us reduce the misunderstandings and conflicts that can result from those differences.
Adapted from activities in Developing Intercultural Awareness: A Cross-Cultural Training Handbook by L. Robert Kohls and John M. Knight.
There are three statements following each number. Please choose one statement in each set that you most agree with and place a check next to that statement.
1._______ You must look out for yourself; most people cannot be trusted.
_______ There will always be people who will extend a helping hand to you, and there will also be those who will try to chop yours off.
_______ There’s always someone who will lend a helping hand when you are in need because most people are basically good at heart.
2._______ Jails and prisons are necessary because people have an inclination toward evil.
_______ When children are young, they must be trained in the right ways. If they are left without guidance, they can go wrong just as easily as right.
_______ People are basically good and should be given the benefit of the doubt.
3._______ Life is largely determined by external forces, such as God or fate. A person cannot transcend the conditions that he or she is given.
_______ Humans should in every way live in complete harmony with nature.
_______ The human challenge is to conquer and control nature. Everything from skyscrapers to genetic engineering has resulted from our meeting this challenge.
4._______ Humans are only one creation of nature and must try to live in harmony with the others.
_______ Humans should never do anything to pollute the earth. “Mother Earth” is in charge and will ultimately win.
_______ Humans are nature’s greatest accomplishment and their task is to control and perfect nature.
5._______ I look back with fondness on the days of my childhood. Those were the happiest days of my life, and most of what matters today started then.
_______ I live for the here and now because tomorrow is uncertain and yesterday is but a memory.
_______ You should plan ahead for the unexpected by putting aside a little money for a “rainy day.”
6._______ We should learn from the past and emulate our ancestors.
_______ The present moment is everything. Make the most of it. Don’t worry about tomorrow; enjoy today.
_______ Planning and goal setting make it possible to accomplish miracles. A little sacrifice today will bring a better tomorrow.
7._______ To love is better than to achieve; to be is better than to have.
_______ It is more important to pay attention to your inner development than to try to get ahead in life.
_______ Anything worth having is worth working for. Achievement is worth the effort it requires.
8._______ People’s importance stems from their existence, not from the acts they perform.
_______ People’s main purpose for being placed on earth is for their own inner development.
_______ If people work hard and apply themselves fully, their efforts will be rewarded.
9._______ Some people are born to lead and should be consulted when problems arise.
_______ Whenever a serious problem arises, family or close friends know best how to solve it.
_______ All people should have equal rights as well as complete control over their own destinies.
10._______ In times of difficulty, go to someone who has power to change the situation and ask for help.
_______ The most satisfying and effective form of decision making is group consensus.
_______ Any society that does not allow individuals to voice their dissent is not a free society.
Adapted from activities in Developing Intercultural Awareness: A Cross-Cultural Training Handbook by L. Robert Kohls and John M. Knight.