Culturally Based Learning Style Matrix

Societal Patterns	Field Dependence vs Independence	Cooperation vs Competition	Trial & Error vs Watch then Do	Ambiguity Tolerance
o Lower Context, Individualistic, Lower Power Distance Societies o Dominant American and Western/Northern European Cultures	o Field Independent o Prefer to work alone, task-oriented, individual rewards o Respect highly organized planning and approaches o Prefer not to ask for help	o Competitive o Expect to work alone, resent group work, hate being dependent on the work of others for grades o Are comfortable with mediated communication o Evaluate results in comparison with classmates	o Trial & Error o Taught to “think outside the box” and create new solutions o Encouraged to Speak Up and contribute	o Low Tolerance for Ambiguity o They like schedules and right or wrong answers o Value an organized approach
o Higher Context, Collective, Higher Power Distance Societies o Collective Cultures; Asia, Latin America, Africa, Pacific Islanders, most American Co-Cultures	o Field Dependent o Prefer to work w/others, seek guidance from instructors, favor group rewards o See learning as something to be approached collectively, not task driven o Will approach instructors for help	o Cooperative o Expect to work with others and share in the rewards/consequences o Greatly prefer face-to-face communication o Do not liked to be singled out for praise or criticism	o Watch then Do o Value tradition and doing it the “right” way (same as everyone else) o Value harmony, humility, and agreement in communication o Value silence over speaking	o High Tolerance for Ambiguity o Ambiguity is less likely to create conflict o Are comfortable with “winging it” o Harmony is more important than accuracy or effectiveness