Homogenous (Tight) Culture

Abstract

Abstract One of the cultural dimensions that Hofstede (1980) identified was uncertainty avoidance, which stimulated research on the differences between tight and loose cultures. Homogenous or “tight” cultures have strong values and strict rules regarding what they consider to be acceptable or unacceptable behavior. Moreover, tight cultures tend to punish members who do not adhere to the norms. The opposite of a homogenous or tight culture is a heterogeneous or loose culture. However, cultures differ in the extent to which they are tight or loose. In cultures that are extremely tight, members may be punished with death for disobeying a norm while in cultures that are not as tight, members may be criticized for not following a rule. Additionally, some cultures are characterized as being tight in certain contexts (e.g., religious beliefs, child‐rearing practices) and loose in other contexts (e.g., education, political orientation).