Final answer:
The 'specific vs. diffuse' cultural dimension does not directly refer to societal rules and relationships governing behavior, so the statement is false. it relates to the boundaries between different kinds of relationships in a culture. the notion of separate spheres and the Cult of Domesticity is true as it was a part of middle-class identity in the 19th century.
Step-by-step explanation:
The question "Specific vs. diffuse refers to the cultural dimension that either general societal rules or relationships with others govern people's behavior" seeks to determine whether the statement is true or false. However, the notion of 'specific vs. diffuse' actually comes from the cultural dimensions of sociologist Geert Hofstede, which describe how a culture handles ambiguity, privacy, and interpersonal relationships. It does not directly refer to how general societal rules or relationships govern people's behavior, but rather, it explores the extent to which a society maintains distinct boundaries between different kinds of relationships.
The statement provided in the question slightly misrepresents these dimensions and thus the answer to the question would be false. In a 'specific' culture, individuals have large public spaces that they share with others and small private spaces they guard closely. In contrast, in a 'diffuse' culture, public and private spaces have similar sizes, meaning an individual's work life and personal life might be closely interconnected.Regarding the provided reference information, the notion of separate spheres and the Cult of Domesticity is part of American middle-class identity and values during the 19th century, which distinguishes themselves from the working class. This leads to the answer to the reference statement also being true, as the American middle class did indeed use these social concepts to set themselves apart and claim a higher social status.