Usa and Mexico a Comparison of Two Cultures
USA &Mexico
Running Head: USA &MEXICO: A COMPARISON OF TWO CULTURES
USA & Mexico
A Comparison of Two Cultures
Andrew Klupsch
Cultural Psychology
Ishler 2-4
Texas in it self is a highly diverse multicultural society. It takes on many aspects of many different cultures. One very noticeable culture that has a great impact on Texas would be that of the Mexican culture. Because Mexican culture is so apparent in Texas, that it is easy to compare and contrast some cultural aspects between Mexican and American cultures. This attempt to compare and contrast these two different yet similar cultures will increase awareness and acceptance of cultural differentiation. In order to examine these two cultures closely, I will use Hofstede's cultural layers and cultural dimensions to categorize their different facets as well as compare and contrast them.
To begin, one of the most visual characteristics of culture are the many various symbols that represent things of significance or importance in one's culture. "Symbols are words, gestures, pictures, or objects that carry a particular meaning within a culture." (Hofstede, 1990, p. 291). One symbol that both Mexican and American cultures hold to a very high esteem is the nation's flag. The Mexican flag is tri-colored; these colors independently are very common and highly recognizable in the Mexican culture as colors of independence and patriotism. The Mexican flag also contains an eagle on a pear tree that is representative of the Aztec heritage. The American flag also contains symbols of importance like the colors and the stars. The stars are obviously representative of the fifty states and American patriotism, and the three colors in the American flag are also widely noticeable and represent the patriotic hard working nature of the American culture. Though not on the American flag, the eagle is also a symbol in American culture. In American culture the eagle represents strength and independence. Another symbol
Running Head: USA &MEXICO: A COMPARISON OF TWO CULTURES
USA & Mexico
A Comparison of Two Cultures
Andrew Klupsch
Cultural Psychology
Ishler 2-4
Texas in it self is a highly diverse multicultural society. It takes on many aspects of many different cultures. One very noticeable culture that has a great impact on Texas would be that of the Mexican culture. Because Mexican culture is so apparent in Texas, that it is easy to compare and contrast some cultural aspects between Mexican and American cultures. This attempt to compare and contrast these two different yet similar cultures will increase awareness and acceptance of cultural differentiation. In order to examine these two cultures closely, I will use Hofstede's cultural layers and cultural dimensions to categorize their different facets as well as compare and contrast them.
To begin, one of the most visual characteristics of culture are the many various symbols that represent things of significance or importance in one's culture. "Symbols are words, gestures, pictures, or objects that carry a particular meaning within a culture." (Hofstede, 1990, p. 291). One symbol that both Mexican and American cultures hold to a very high esteem is the nation's flag. The Mexican flag is tri-colored; these colors independently are very common and highly recognizable in the Mexican culture as colors of independence and patriotism. The Mexican flag also contains an eagle on a pear tree that is representative of the Aztec heritage. The American flag also contains symbols of importance like the colors and the stars. The stars are obviously representative of the fifty states and American patriotism, and the three colors in the American flag are also widely noticeable and represent the patriotic hard working nature of the American culture. Though not on the American flag, the eagle is also a symbol in American culture. In American culture the eagle represents strength and independence. Another symbol
References: 1.Hofstede ,G.; Neuijen, B.; Ohayv, D.D.; Sanders, G, (1990). Measuring organizational cultures: A qualitative and quantitative study across twenty cases. Administrative Science Quarterly, 35, 286-316