Question

What can be said about the relationship between assertiveness and culture?

1) People tend to be more assertive in low-context cultures
2) People tend to be more nonassertive in low-context cultures
3) There is no relationship between assertiveness and the high or low-context cultures
4) Assertiveness is common in collectivistic cultures

Answer 1

Assertiveness is more common in individualistic, low-context cultures where direct communication is valued, while nonassertiveness is often observed in collectivistic, high-context cultures that prioritize social harmony and indirect communication.

Step-by-step explanation:

The relationship between assertiveness and culture is influenced by whether a culture is individualistic or collectivistic. In individualistic cultures, such as those in Western nations like the United States, assertiveness is often viewed as a positive trait that aligns with values of independence and personal achievement. Conversely, in collectivistic cultures, which are prevalent in many Asian, African, and South American countries, the emphasis is on social harmony and group needs, which can lead to a tendency toward nonassertiveness, as conforming to group norms and maintaining relationships are given priority over individual expression. Thus, assertiveness is more common in low-context, individualistic cultures where direct communication is valued, whereas nonassertiveness tends to be observed more in high-context, collectivistic cultures where indirect communication is often the norm to preserve social harmony.