Intercultural Communication Theory Analysis：

邱飛

【Abstract】In theories of intercultural communication， theory of Cultural Dimensions has an important status. This paper will use it to analyze Samoas culture type.

【Key words】intercultural communication； cultural dimensions； Samoa

1. Cultural Dimensions

Geert Hofstede （1980， 1983&1984） proposed four cultural dimensions in inter-communication theory. Individualism and collectivism describe cultures from loose structure to tight integration. Masculinity and femininity deal with the extent to which sex roles are differentiated. Power distance refers to the distribution of power. Uncertainty avoidance refers to tolerance of ambiguity and acceptance of risk.

2. Analysis of Cultural Dimension

2.1 Individualism & Collectivism

（1） when refering to marriage choice， whats the proportion of your family opinion？

A.0%-20% B.20%-40% C.40%-60% D.60%-80% E.80%-100%

（2） When youre supposed to refuse someones request， you would probably say：

A. No B. Sorry but C. You know Im very busy D. Id like to help you but

We got C and D for the first question， both D for the second question. From answers for the first question， we can see that each sample took the opinion of the group as precedence. Answers for the second question indicates that both of them prefer to use highly indirect speech for the refusal.

2.2 Masculinity & femininity

（1） When coming across family issues such as buying a house， whats the proportion of fathers opinion in final decision？

A.0%-20% B.20%-40% C.40%-60% D.60%-80% E.80%-100%

（2） Thinking about 15 of your female family members， relatives or neighbours.How many of them are housewives？

A.0-3 B.4-6 C.7-9 D.9-12 E.13-15

We got C and E for the first question， B and D for the second question. From these answers we can see that there is a big difference between samples. Some answers indicate that one family are democratic while other answers seem to indicate the other family is relatively masculine. Attempts to classify Samoan culture into clearly masculinity or femininity actually failed.

2.3 Power distance

（1） In Samoan schools， do students often challenge their teachers authority？

A. Seldom B.A few times C. Often

（2） In Samoa， priests are：

A.As same as common people B. Respected C. Highly respected D.Highly worshiped

We got both B for the first question and both C for the second question.From answers to the first question we can see that teachers authority does not often face challenge in Samoa. Finally the answers to the two questions indicate that Samoa has a high power distance culture.

2.4 Uncertainty avoidance

Two questions are designed as following：

（1） In your country， what kind of job is highly prefered among people who have the same age with you？

A. War correspondent B. Sailor C. Overseas worker for multinational company D. Government official

（2） In your country， nude swimming or sunbath on beach is：

A. Common B. Acceptable C. Unacceptable D. Strongly unacceptable E. Forbidden

We got C and D for the first question， both E for the second question. People in high uncertainty avoidance cultures always pursue job and life security， avoid risk taking.From the two answers to the first question we can see that the two participants perfer to chose the job with low risks.The second question aims to test their reaction to deviant behavior， and the feedback is this kind of behavior is forbidden in Samoa.Thus these answers to the two questions indicate that Samoa has a high uncertainty avoidance culture.

3. Conclusion

The contact person is Leufa Tufaia， born in Samoa， 23 years old， the only child of her family. From her answers， we can conclude that Samoa has a collectivistic， high power distance and high uncertainty avoidance culture.

Questions 1&2 are based on individualism and collectivism. Her answers indicate that group need is highly emphasized and indirect speech is preferred. Questions 3&4 failed to analyze masculinity or femininity. Questions 5&6 indicate that Samoa has a high power distance culture. Questions 7&8 indicate that Samoa basically has a high uncertainty avoidance culture.

References：

[1]Hofstede，G.（1980）.Cultures Consequences：National Differences in Thinking and Organizing.Beverly Hills，Cal.：Sage.