Table 2
Ten Differences Between Weak- and Strong- Uncertainty Avoidance Societies
Weak Uncertainty Avoidance
-The uncertainty inherent in life is accepted and each day is taken as it comes
-Ease, lower stress, self-control, low anxiety
-Higher scores on subjective health and well-being
-Tolerance of deviant persons and ideas: what is different is curious
-Comfortable with ambiguity and chaos
-Teachers may say ‘I don’t know’ Teachers supposed to have all the answers
-Changing jobs no problem
-Dislike of rules - written or unwritten
-In politics, citizens feel and are seen as competent towards authorities
-In religion, philosophy and science: relativism and empiricism
Strong Uncertainty Avoidance
-The uncertainty inherent in life is felt as a continuous threat that must be fought
-Higher stress, emotionality, anxiety, neuroticism
-Lower scores on subjective health and well-being
-Intolerance of deviant persons and ideas: what is different is dangerous
-Need for clarity and structure
- Teachers supposed to have all the answers
- Staying in jobs even if disliked
-Emotional need for rules – even if not obeyed
-In politics, citizens feel and are seen as incompetent towards authorities
-In religion, philosophy and science: belief in ultimate truths and grand theories