In some societies, a common attitude towards children is that they should be left alone and stay separate from adults. A person who visits a family and shows interest in the children’s activities and games may be construed as a behavior that is not appropriate if the focus is on the behavior. However, the visitor may come from a society where is natural and to some extent encourage to relate to children in social settings. Using this example, please explain the concepts developed around the Within-Person Cultural Grid.

Question

What will be an ideal response?

Answer 1

Answers need to relate to the Grid. The main point is that all behaviors are learned and displayed in a cultural context, and that for them to be properly understood we need to refer to the context. Answers should also point to the fact that individual’s behavior taken by itself do not communicate a message until is interpreted through the appropriate cultural context. Therefore, cultural conflict can occur when others do not appropriately interpret someone’s behavior in its context. Misunderstanding may occur when the focus is on the behavior out of context.