60 minutes (15 minutes for lecturette; 20 minutes for activity; 25 minutes for debriefing)
General M P, T, D, M
1. To examine the relationship between values and behaviors
2. To identify how unconscious assumptions regarding behavior can contribute to cross-cultural misunderstanding
3. To discuss how behavior might be misinterpreted in both positive and negative ways
4. To illustrate the importance of suspending interpretation or judgment until the significance of the behavior within the context of a given culture is understood
• Visible and Invisible Values Worksheet
• Visible and Invisible Values Alternative Interpretation Worksheet
• Flipchart and marking pens
1. Conduct a brief lecturette (15 minutes) or discussion regarding the visible and invisible aspects of culture (see “Culture and Values Narrative,” Appendix A, page 231). Focus on values as an invisible aspect of culture that determine how we act. Differentiate between terminal values (the ultimate goal) and instrumental values (the behaviors that help achieve the goal).
2. Provide all participants with a “Visible and Invisible Values” worksheet and give them approximately 5 minutes to complete it.
3. Put participants in pairs or groups of 3 and give them the “Visible and Invisible Values Alternative Interpretation” worksheet. Ask each group to generate alternative explanations for each behavior. Give them approximately 15 minutes for this process.
4. Bring the groups back together and ask for their alternative explanations for several behaviors.
5. List these on a flipchart.
Note: You need not do all of the behaviors; 2–4 of them will be sufficient for the learning intended.
1. What happened? What was easiest to do? What was hardest? Why?
2. How did you feel as you were matching the values and behaviors? As you were thinking of alternative explanations for each behavior?
3. How did your own values affect your ability to come up with alternative explanations?
4. What have you learned?
5. How would you apply this to your everyday life?
1. There are multiple interpretations of behavior. Misinterpretation can cause misunderstanding and/or conflict. The more possible explanations you can think of for a behavior, the more likely you are to identify the accurate one.
2. The stronger one’s own values on a subject are, the more difficult it may be to see alternatives.
3. To interpret behavior correctly, it is important to suspend judgment until one has more clarity on the significance of the behavior for the other person.
4. Understanding the cultural context of a behavior will contribute to understanding its meaning.
Adapted from an activity in Figuring Foreigners Out: A Practical Guide by Craig Storti.
Understanding the relationship between values and behaviors is the basis for cross-cultural understanding. Below is a list of values or beliefs on the left and behaviors on the right. Match each value or belief with a behavior that someone holding that value is likely to exhibit.
Adapted from an activity in Figuring Foreigners Out: A Practical Guide by Craig Storti.
Any behavior can have multiple explanations—especially when viewed across cultural differences. Below is the list of behaviors you have already examined. On this page you are asked to work with your partner or group to identify at least one explanation for each behavior that is different from the one identified on the Visible and Invisible Values Worksheet.
Adapted from an activity in Figuring Foreigners Out: A Practical Guide by Craig Storti.
