Cultural Variation in Style of Thinking

Extra compact note taking:

Culture effects

1. Different cultures = different ways in which people approach a task
2. Each Culture Þ bring diff purposes Þ way of thinking Þconsequently finishes with different results  
3. Traditions have specific implications Þ not just WHAT to think Þ but also HOW to think.

Different systems of educations in different countries:

Conserving systems of education	Extending systems of education
Questioning is not welcomed	Asking questions is encouraged
Information is exclusively limited to what teachers dictate	Students get supports to search for information by themselves
Students are obliged to imitate exactly what they are taught	Students are encouraged for further exploration
Memorization	Critical thinking
keep a preserving behaviour	Attitude to extend knowledge
Learning approach results in repeating the existing knowledge	Learning approach oriented toward  speculation

Different approach Þ emphasize on particular disciplines Þ distinctive styles of writing.

Robert Kaplan: Five distinct patterns for structuring expository writings.

In Western cultures:

English = linear Þ stick to the idea Þ strict on relevance Þ moving right to the point.  Romance & Russian = similar linear Þ moving a bit around the main idea permitted. Semitic = parallelism Þ repeats variations of the same sentences, either reflect or contradict the main idea. Oriental = circles around the topic, defining ideas in the opposite way.   

Each academic discipline Þ happens in a specific discourse Þ create a subculture

Subcultures Þ presenting their contents in their own applicable approaches.

Sub cultures Þ different criteria for determining relevance.

Common rules: Brevity + clarity + reliability

Same materials used in different ways in different disciplines. i.e. statistics, formula, graphics and illustrations. 

Different disciplines lead to think differently and advise (flexibility)

 Cultural background interferes studying abroad. 

Asian students need to develop analytical and critical ways in order to study successfully.