Key differences between weak and strong uncertainty avoidance societies.

I: general norm, family, school, workplace, shopping

Weak uncertainty avoidance Strong uncertainty avoidance

1. Uncertainty is a normal feature of life and 1. The uncertainty inherent In life as a

each day is accepted as it comes continuous threat which must be fought

2. Low stress; subjective feeling of wellbeing 2. High stress; subjective feeling of anxiety

3. Aggression and emotions should not 3. Aggression and emotions may at proper times be shown and places be ventilated

4. Comfortable in ambiguous situations and 4. Acceptance of familiar risks; fear of

with unfamiliar risks ambiguous situations and of unfamiliar risks

5. Lenient rules for children on what is dirty 5.Tight rules for children on what is dirty

and taboos and taboo

6. What is different, is curious 6. What is different, is dangerous

7. Students comfortable with opened learning 7. Students comfortable in structured learning

situations and concerned with good discussions situations and concerned with the right

answers

8. Teachers may say 'I don't know' 8. Teachers supposed to have all the answers

9. There should not be more rules than is 9. Emotional need for rules, even if these

is strictly necessary will never work

10. Time is a framework for orientation 10. Time is money

11. Comfortable feeling when lazy; 11. Emotional need to be busy; inner urge to work hardworking only when needed hard

12. Precision and punctuality have to be learned 12. Precision and punctuality come naturally

13. Tolerance of deviant and innovative ideas 13.Suppression of deviant ideas and behavior; and behavior resistance to innovation

14. Motivation by achievement and esteem or 14. Motivation by security and esteem or

belongingness belongingness

15. In shopping, the search is for convenience 15. In shopping, the search is for purity

and cleanliness

16. Used cars, do-it-yourself home repairs 16. New cars, home repairs by experts

UNCERTAINTY

Key differences between weak and strong uncertainty avoidance societies.

II: politics and ideas

Weak uncertainty avoidance Strong uncertainty avoidance

1. Few and general laws and rules 1. Many and precise laws and rules

2. If rules cannot be respected, 2. If rules cannot be respected, we are sinners

they should be changed and should repent

3. Citizen competence versus authorities 3. Citizen incompetence versus authorities

4. Citizen protest acceptable 4. Citizen protest should be repressed

5. Citizens positive towards institutions 5. Citizens negative towards institutions

6. Civil servants positive towards political process 6. Civil servants negative towards political process

7. Tolerance, moderation 7. Conservatism, extremism, law and order

8. Positive attitudes towards young people 8. Negative attitudes towards young people

9. Regionalism, internationalism, attempts 9. Nationalism, xenophobia, repression of

at integration of minorities minorities

10. Belief in generalists* and common sense 10. Belief in experts and specialization

11. Many nurses, few doctors 11. Many doctors, few nurses

12. One group's truth should not be imposed 12. There is only one Truth and we have it

on others

13. Human rights: nobody should be persecuted 13. Religious, political, and ideological fundamentalism

for their beliefs and intolerance

14. In philosophy and science, tendency towards 14. In philosophy and science, tendency towards

relativism** and empiricism*** grand theories

15. Scientific opponents can be personal friends 15. Scientific opponents cannot be personal friends

* persons competent in several different fields or activities.

**Relativism is the concept that points of view have no absolute truth or validity, having only relative, subjective value according to differences in perception and consideration.

***Empiricism is a philosophical perspective based on experience and observation.

Uncertainty avoidance Index and its importance for various countries.