Comments for IDENTITY RESEARCH BLOG http://identityresearch.org Observations of identity, culture & psychology management by Dr. Nathalie van Meurs Sun, 20 May 2012 06:54:37 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.2.1 Comment on WLTM: What we seek behind the label when searching for the perfect match by seema http://identityresearch.org/2011/05/04/wltm-what-we-seek-behind-the-label-when-searching-for-the-perfect-match/#comment-3346 seema Sun, 03 Jul 2011 10:45:15 +0000 http://identityresearch.org/2011/05/04/wltm-what-we-seek-behind-the-label-when-searching-for-the-perfect-match/#comment-3346 nice nice

]]> Comment on The Jasmine Revolution, Places to Love and Fashion by admin http://identityresearch.org/2011/02/02/the-jasmine-revolution-places-to-love-and-fashion/#comment-1446 admin Mon, 14 Feb 2011 18:18:01 +0000 http://identityresearch.org/2011/02/02/the-jasmine-revolution-places-to-love-and-fashion/#comment-1446 http://kosedesigns.spreadshirt.co.uk/men-s-retro-t-shirt-A15018116/customize/color/89 http://kosedesigns.spreadshirt.co.uk/men-s-retro-t-shirt-A15018116/customize/color/89

]]> Comment on Chinese whispers in Cross Cultural Perspectives by admin http://identityresearch.org/2011/01/04/chinese-whispers-in-cross-cultural-perspectives/#comment-1177 admin Tue, 04 Jan 2011 12:02:49 +0000 http://identityresearch.org/2011/01/04/chinese-whispers-in-cross-cultural-perspectives/#comment-1177 Hello Ron, Thanks for your comments. I think my main concern was that the comments the students shared could very well be interpreted as 'I write what I think you want to hear'. It may be a reflection of our time: Being politically correct about national and cultural differences is so strongly enforced that people find it tricky to discuss them in fear/concern of offending anybody. That said, yes, there have been moments of inspiration where students share their experiences. I do not think that students from outside the EU/US do not think critically - on the contrary. I do believe, however, that there is a Power Distance issue. This isn't extraordinary, I am the one dishing out the grades in the end... and the pros and cons of criticising the teachings were discussed in class (Indian students indicated they would not explicitly express disagreement out of courtesy). My main point is that the core message of this specific course is about the subjectivity of generic management theories. The next course (Diversity) deals with issues of gender, ethnicity etc. If the two courses do not differ enough in terms of the message that the students take home, I need to re-assess my curriculum. Hello Ron,

Thanks for your comments. I think my main concern was that the comments the students shared could very well be interpreted as ‘I write what I think you want to hear’. It may be a reflection of our time: Being politically correct about national and cultural differences is so strongly enforced that people find it tricky to discuss them in fear/concern of offending anybody. That said, yes, there have been moments of inspiration where students share their experiences.
I do not think that students from outside the EU/US do not think critically - on the contrary. I do believe, however, that there is a Power Distance issue. This isn’t extraordinary, I am the one dishing out the grades in the end… and the pros and cons of criticising the teachings were discussed in class (Indian students indicated they would not explicitly express disagreement out of courtesy).
My main point is that the core message of this specific course is about the subjectivity of generic management theories. The next course (Diversity) deals with issues of gender, ethnicity etc. If the two courses do not differ enough in terms of the message that the students take home, I need to re-assess my curriculum.

]]> Comment on Chinese whispers in Cross Cultural Perspectives by ron http://identityresearch.org/2011/01/04/chinese-whispers-in-cross-cultural-perspectives/#comment-1176 ron Tue, 04 Jan 2011 11:49:42 +0000 http://identityresearch.org/2011/01/04/chinese-whispers-in-cross-cultural-perspectives/#comment-1176 Hi Nathalie, I guess your frustration with the critical assessment reflects human capacities of attention and processing. We often only reflect critically when forced too (e.g., when studying for an exam or when trying to solve a problem for which we need some knowledge). I think those results are actually quite encouraging and reflect positively on your course. These students come together from many different cultural and economic backgrounds, they study and learn together and share their experiences and thoughts. Your course gives them the space to explore their differences and similarities. This is the most salient experience for them and I think it reflects positively on your course. On the issue of critical thinking, a student of mine (Vivian Lun) and me examined the widely held assumption that Asian students show limitations in their critical thinking skills. Using a number of samples and measures, we found very little evidence of substantive differences. The small differences that we encountered were due to language difficulties (problems with English as a foreign language). More importantly, critical thinking helped both Western and non-Western students to the same extent to get better grades at the end of the course. Have a look at Lun, V.M.C., Fischer, R., & Ward, C. (2010). Exploring cultural differences in critical thinking: Is it about my thinking style or the language I speak? Learning and Individual Differences, 20, 604-616. Doi:10.1016/j.lindif.2010.07.001 Happy 2011! :) Ron Hi Nathalie,
I guess your frustration with the critical assessment reflects human capacities of attention and processing. We often only reflect critically when forced too (e.g., when studying for an exam or when trying to solve a problem for which we need some knowledge). I think those results are actually quite encouraging and reflect positively on your course. These students come together from many different cultural and economic backgrounds, they study and learn together and share their experiences and thoughts. Your course gives them the space to explore their differences and similarities. This is the most salient experience for them and I think it reflects positively on your course.
On the issue of critical thinking, a student of mine (Vivian Lun) and me examined the widely held assumption that Asian students show limitations in their critical thinking skills. Using a number of samples and measures, we found very little evidence of substantive differences. The small differences that we encountered were due to language difficulties (problems with English as a foreign language). More importantly, critical thinking helped both Western and non-Western students to the same extent to get better grades at the end of the course.
Have a look at
Lun, V.M.C., Fischer, R., & Ward, C. (2010). Exploring cultural differences in critical thinking: Is it about my thinking style or the language I speak? Learning and Individual Differences, 20, 604-616. Doi:10.1016/j.lindif.2010.07.001

Happy 2011! :)
Ron

]]> Comment on A German, Lebanese and Nederlandse walk into a bar… by admin http://identityresearch.org/2010/09/27/a-german-lebanese-and-nederlandse-walk-into-a-bar/#comment-917 admin Wed, 24 Nov 2010 16:02:46 +0000 http://identityresearch.org/2010/09/27/a-german-lebanese-and-nederlandse-walk-into-a-bar/#comment-917 This week I spoke to a Turkish colleague who just recently had a paper accepted about homosexuality in the workplace in Turkey in Human Relations, a 4* rated journal. I asked him on his stance on homosexuality (he himself is gay) and he argues that it is socialised, not biological. I was astonished, as it exposes an already vulnerable minority (Gay/Lesbian) to criticism and, worse, to interventions. It also then affects what we teach - if homosexuality is a socialised choice, then we cannot argue it is biological or not out of choice BY DEFINITION. It means that there are differences of opinion. Then this affects Charles' argument too and makes cross cultural differences in learning altogether not that clear cut. Your argument 'as any good facilitator knows' maybe works when you teach small groups, not when your material needs to fit audiences across the globe. That is a cross cultural challenge in itself. This week I spoke to a Turkish colleague who just recently had a paper accepted about homosexuality in the workplace in Turkey in Human Relations, a 4* rated journal. I asked him on his stance on homosexuality (he himself is gay) and he argues that it is socialised, not biological. I was astonished, as it exposes an already vulnerable minority (Gay/Lesbian) to criticism and, worse, to interventions. It also then affects what we teach - if homosexuality is a socialised choice, then we cannot argue it is biological or not out of choice BY DEFINITION. It means that there are differences of opinion. Then this affects Charles’ argument too and makes cross cultural differences in learning altogether not that clear cut. Your argument ‘as any good facilitator knows’ maybe works when you teach small groups, not when your material needs to fit audiences across the globe. That is a cross cultural challenge in itself.

]]> Comment on A German, Lebanese and Nederlandse walk into a bar… by Valerie Pruegger http://identityresearch.org/2010/09/27/a-german-lebanese-and-nederlandse-walk-into-a-bar/#comment-771 Valerie Pruegger Mon, 25 Oct 2010 15:08:53 +0000 http://identityresearch.org/2010/09/27/a-german-lebanese-and-nederlandse-walk-into-a-bar/#comment-771 I don't see the issue here. If you are teaching about research that was done on a beer company, then you need to use the beer company in your example. However, as any good facilitator knows, we choose examples, exercises and research that will speak to our audience in order to facilitate effective learning. I agree with Charles, if participants or students are caught up on a minor point for whatever reason, learning cannot occur. Does this mean that I don't speak about gender and sexual diversity to a room full of homophobic police officers (one of my reoccuring audiences)? No. But I do speak about it in a way they will 'hear' it and maybe see it in a different light, one that has meaning to them as professional service providers. Valerie P. I don’t see the issue here. If you are teaching about research that was done on a beer company, then you need to use the beer company in your example. However, as any good facilitator knows, we choose examples, exercises and research that will speak to our audience in order to facilitate effective learning. I agree with Charles, if participants or students are caught up on a minor point for whatever reason, learning cannot occur. Does this mean that I don’t speak about gender and sexual diversity to a room full of homophobic police officers (one of my reoccuring audiences)? No. But I do speak about it in a way they will ‘hear’ it and maybe see it in a different light, one that has meaning to them as professional service providers.
Valerie P.

]]> Comment on Hup Holland Hup! by Nathalie http://identityresearch.org/2010/07/11/hup-holland-hup/#comment-225 Nathalie Mon, 12 Jul 2010 10:52:01 +0000 http://identityresearch.org/2010/07/11/hup-holland-hup/#comment-225 The day after... I am bemused to read that the Dutch media and the Dutch team blame Webb, the referee, whereas UK media states that Spain deserved to win and the Dutch played ugly football. Dutch self serving bias here is obvious: The Dutch are maintaining their self esteem by claiming that Webb favoured Spain, even though the likes of Robben and Kuijt admit that they missed opportunities. Apparently, the team still get their canal tour through Amsterdam on Tuesday, which was originally organised for their victory only. Personally, I think the Dutch need a unifying ceremony as the election results (and current coalition efforts) tell us it's a bit of a mixed bag country at the moment. However, then it'll be time to do some navel staring and contemplate the home myths - be it football or politics. The day after… I am bemused to read that the Dutch media and the Dutch team blame Webb, the referee, whereas UK media states that Spain deserved to win and the Dutch played ugly football. Dutch self serving bias here is obvious: The Dutch are maintaining their self esteem by claiming that Webb favoured Spain, even though the likes of Robben and Kuijt admit that they missed opportunities. Apparently, the team still get their canal tour through Amsterdam on Tuesday, which was originally organised for their victory only.
Personally, I think the Dutch need a unifying ceremony as the election results (and current coalition efforts) tell us it’s a bit of a mixed bag country at the moment. However, then it’ll be time to do some navel staring and contemplate the home myths - be it football or politics.

]]> Comment on No (wo)man is an island: Discussing self serving bias on Saaremaa. by Nathalie http://identityresearch.org/2010/06/06/island-mentality-discussing-self-serving-bias-on-saaremaa/#comment-150 Nathalie Wed, 16 Jun 2010 21:09:49 +0000 http://identityresearch.org/2010/06/06/island-mentality-discussing-self-serving-bias-on-saaremaa/#comment-150 With the recently updated website of the hosts in Estonia: http://www.ametikool.ee/ With the recently updated website of the hosts in Estonia: http://www.ametikool.ee/

]]> Comment on Baseline, benchmark, bottleneck: Why cultural self-awareness is crucial. by admin http://identityresearch.org/2010/03/15/baseline-benchmark-bottleneck-why-cultural-self-awareness-is-crucial/#comment-31 admin Fri, 26 Mar 2010 16:56:57 +0000 http://identityresearch.org/2010/03/15/baseline-benchmark-bottleneck-why-cultural-self-awareness-is-crucial/#comment-31 Hello and thanks for your comment, Stephan :-) Interesting definition of culture - i like it. I was taught that culture is a system of shared values. That's it. Mainly because by including anything else you'd be working with a tautology... but I agree, it should include a reference to oneself and the subjectivity of our norms and beliefs. Have you seen the website by ICCI - there are, in their reading section, no references to any of the names from the field of cross cultural management and psychology. It made me realise how complex this concept - culture - is and what fireworks would ensue if we'd manage to get cultural researchers at different ends of the spectrum together... Hello and thanks for your comment, Stephan :-)

Interesting definition of culture - i like it. I was taught that culture is a system of shared values. That’s it. Mainly because by including anything else you’d be working with a tautology… but I agree, it should include a reference to oneself and the subjectivity of our norms and beliefs.

Have you seen the website by ICCI - there are, in their reading section, no references to any of the names from the field of cross cultural management and psychology. It made me realise how complex this concept - culture - is and what fireworks would ensue if we’d manage to get cultural researchers at different ends of the spectrum together…

]]> Comment on Baseline, benchmark, bottleneck: Why cultural self-awareness is crucial. by Stephan Dahl http://identityresearch.org/2010/03/15/baseline-benchmark-bottleneck-why-cultural-self-awareness-is-crucial/#comment-25 Stephan Dahl Fri, 19 Mar 2010 20:50:43 +0000 http://identityresearch.org/2010/03/15/baseline-benchmark-bottleneck-why-cultural-self-awareness-is-crucial/#comment-25 Excellent point! Indeed - a very fundamental point (and one that so frequently overlooked, probably because so many people find it easier to focus on the "different", the other, but so hard to look at themselves. It would actually be great if it could be incorporated more explicitly into the various definitions of culture... not sure how, but maybe along the lines of "Culture is a fuzzy set of attitudes, beliefs, behavioural norms, basic assumptions and values that are shared by a group of people, and that influence each members’ behaviour and his/her interpretations of the meaning of other people’s behaviour" --- which includes both the own behaviour as well as the observed behaviour of others. Excellent point! Indeed - a very fundamental point (and one that so frequently overlooked, probably because so many people find it easier to focus on the “different”, the other, but so hard to look at themselves. It would actually be great if it could be incorporated more explicitly into the various definitions of culture… not sure how, but maybe along the lines of “Culture is a fuzzy set of attitudes, beliefs, behavioural norms, basic assumptions and values that are shared by a group of people, and that influence each members’ behaviour and his/her interpretations of the meaning of other people’s behaviour” — which includes both the own behaviour as well as the observed behaviour of others.

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