Cultural and

Worldview Value

United States Culture

Host Culture: Peru

My Asian-American
Culture

Individualism /
Collectivism

The U.S. is individualistic.

The society is loosely-knit
which means American are
often

Peruvians show more

collectivism than
individualism due to their
value of family, togetherness,
and customs.

Collectivism. We have
high individualistic goals
but do them for the sake
of collectivism/family.

Gender Role
definition

U.S. scored a 62 on
masculinity. Americans
value competition and have
high individualistic drive.

Peru received a score of 42

indicating more of a feminine
society that values caring for
others and quality of life.
Success is determined by
enjoying and liking what you
do rather than achievement.

We value family but are

competitive against others
outside the family. We
have high individualistic
drive.

Power Distance
Respect of
Authority

Ideally Americans value

equality. This is influenced
by the American ideal
liberty and justice for all.

Peru has a high score of 64

possibly due to centralized
structural arrangements that
can be traced back to the Inca
Empire. History of
authoritarian governments and
church power in Peru add to
its centralized structure.

I am probable
intermediate because in
my culture we respect
authority, rules, and elders
but I am also influenced
by American culture to
speak my mind and stand
up for what I believe in.

Long-term Shortterm Orientation

Americans are not very

pragmatic, thus lack in
preparation for the future.

Peru is more normative than

pragmatic. They rather honor
traditions than explore new
possibilities. Due to their focus
on achieving quick results,
there is lack of desire and
ability to save for the future.

I am more normative than

pragmatic. I think quick
results whereas my
parents think of
preparation and process.

Indulgence vs.
Restraint

Americans lack the ability

to restrain and often
indulge. They are
consumerist society.

Peru is intermediate between

indulgence and restraint. They
indulge due to their lack of
ability to plan for the future.

I am intermediate between
indulgence and restraint.
The Asian side of me can
restrain and plan for the
future but the American
side of me often likes to
consume things.

Human Nature

For U.S. human nature is

defined by personal
choices. America is built on
the idea of freedom and

Balancing honoring traditional

Inca Culture with the
principles of Catholicism.

A big part of our human

nature is emphasis on
obedience. We are defined
by how well we are

liberties, thus there is

emphasis on doing things
that we desire.

obedient to our parents.

Cognition /
Knowledge

U.S. places emphasis on the

school system and
graduating college. Not
having a degree limits your
ability of obtaining a high
paying job.

They value education and Inca

culture. There is an emphasis
on dance. They require
children to stay in school and
learn dance to honor Inca
tradition.

Emphasis on education
because older generation
believes that its the key to
success

Time Orientation

U.S. values punctuality.

Lateness can be
misconstrued as rudeness.

They have a bad sense of time.

Always late to things. For
instance, they believe it is rude
to arrive on time to a party. It
is better to be 30min-1hr late.

We are intermediate in
earliness or lateness. We
tend to be on time, neither
early or late.

Sexuality

U.S. more open about sex;

it tends to be more for
pleasure than for
procreation. U.S. tends to
talk about sex in terms of
prevention of STDs.

Conservative. Guys cannot

greet one another with a kiss.
Guys need to show a certain
level of machismo, cannot be
sad in public. Girls are
generally covered and wellmannered.

We are timid/conservative
in our sexuality. We often
dont discuss it in our
family. Growing up in a
Christian household, I was
taught to believe that sex
should be enjoyed when
married.

Justice

We have justice system

where justice is determined
by courts; the highest level
being the supreme court.

Similar to U.S. in that there

are separation of power, and
different hierarchical branches
of systems. Judicial branch
tainted by corruption. They
believe to always seek
counsel.

I believe we do have a
justice system but do not
find the justice system to
be fair because it is based
off a corrupt racist system.

Ontology: Spiritual
Materialism

We are governed as a
Christian country, though
theres a huge diversity of
religion in the U.S..
America is highly
materialistic.

Peru is a Catholic country.

I am governed by my faith
They are more spiritual than
than my need to have
materialistic. Catholic
things.
principles influence the way of
life in Peruvian culture (i.e.
conduct and behavior)

Deity

Due the ideal of freedom

of religion, America is
diverse in its religion.
However, overall, America
still has a prominent
Christian presence.

Believe in one God Catholicism. Peru is heavily

influenced by the church.

Believe in one God - grew

up in a Christian
household.

Purpose in Life

Americans are driven

individuals. Their purpose
in life is to be successful
and success is measured by
the American Dream
which is the ideal that
America is the place to
achieve whatever you want
- money, security, etc.

Peruvians are more simplistic

in nature and value quality of
life over prosperity. Peruvians
seek enjoyment that can be
shared rather than
individualistic gain.

Immigrating to the US for

a better life, my parents
seek the American
Dream for me but for me
I value the life of others
over individualistic gain
and success. My purpose
is to enjoy life and serve
others.

References:
Corbitt, J. N. (n.d.). World view basics. Retrieved from:
https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1abq61QW2DiRfAKHeKvcjOSqw7trXqms32rOxWOwmYk/edit#slide=id.p
itimInternational. (n.d.). Country comparison: Peru. The Hofstede Center. http://geerthofstede.com/peru.html
itimInternational. (n.d.). Country comparison: United States. The Hofstede Center. http://geerthofstede.com/united-states.html