These concepts are related to one another because they affect individuals and the societies that they find themselves. Proper understanding of these concepts will also help people to adapt better to their environments.
C.
Let us imagine that an employee from African named Andrea has just joined an organization in the United States. He will experience
Cultural universals when he sees that there are patterns, traits, and institutions that are common to all cultures. Language is a cultural universal that he might notice in his new workplace. But unlike the African setting where local languages are spoken, the language and accent will be different in this new environment.
Norms are socially acceptable behaviors. Andrea might notice that shaking hands is a norm in American society.
Values are principles that guide our choices of right and wrong. Honesty is an important value that Andrea will understand as vital to succeed in his workplace environment.
Cultural shock is the anxiety and disorientation Andrea will feel when he notices that some things are in sharp contrast to what is obtainable in African society. For example, he might discover that in communicating with superiors personal names as against titles are preferred in the Western workplace.
D.
I have learned that when employees from different backgrounds are adequately trained and helped to adapt to understand the prevalent culture in their workplace, they will feel at ease and become more productive.
