Final answer:
The dimension of culture representing the values of a culture is Individualism vs. Collectivism. It reflects whether a society emphasizes personal achievement or values the group's needs, with differences exemplified by Western individualistic and Eastern collectivist societies. Values and beliefs are central to shaping societal norms and behaviors.
Step-by-step explanation:
The dimension of culture that represents the values of a particular culture is Individualism vs. Collectivism. This dimension reflects whether a society values personal achievement and independence, as seen in individualistic cultures, or whether it places a higher value on social harmony, respectfulness, and the needs of the group over those of the individual, as seen in collectivist cultures. Examples of individualistic cultures include Western nations like the United States, England, and Australia, where there is a strong belief in independence, competition, and personal success. In contrast, many Asian and Middle Eastern societies are considered collectivist, emphasizing the welfare of the group and societal relationships.
Values and beliefs are core elements of culture and are integral in shaping a society by suggesting what is considered good and bad, beautiful and ugly, desired or avoided. These concepts are associated not just with material culture, referring to the physical objects of a culture, but also with nonmaterial culture, which encompasses the values, norms, language, and symbolic meanings inherited by members of a society.
It is important to recognize that cultural values are not static; they can differ widely across cultures and can change over time. Sociological approaches such as functionalism, conflict theory, and symbolic interactionism offer different perspectives on how these values interact and influence the behaviors within a society.