Hofstede and Armstrong

3 Levels of mental programming (Hofstede)

Hofstede explains that human behaviour is shaped by: (Click on each colored level to learn more)

Armstrong’s Definition of Culture

Culture is the pattern of norms, beliefs, attitudes, and assumptions that shape how people behave and how work gets done.

• Values = what people believe is important. For example: “Always greet guests politely.”

• Norms = unwritten rules. For example: “Customer service is a priority.”

It is shared by groups such as nations, families, or organizations. Culture encompasses learned social behavior and values, and it fundamentally shapes thinking, communication, and norms within that group.

Culture

Human nature refers to the level of mental programming that is universal to all humans. This fundamental layer consists of biological, inherited patterns, such as emotions and instincts, and is considered the foundation of all behavior.

Human Nature

It refers to the unique and relatively stable set of characteristics that are specific to the individual. It is considered a result of both inherited (genetic) and learned (environmental) traits, which combine to shape a person's characteristic patterns of thinking, feeling, and behaving.

Personality