What does uncertainty avoidance measure?

What does uncertainty avoidance measure?

• A. The degree to which members of a society feel uncomfortable with uncertainty and ambiguity.
• B. The extent of individualism in a society.
• C. The level of power distance in institutions.
• D. The level of long-term orientation.

Answer: (A)

Uncertainty avoidance measures how comfortable a culture is with ambiguity and incomplete information, and how strongly it relies on rules and formal procedures to create predictability. In societies with high uncertainty avoidance, people feel uneasy about uncertain situations, prefer clear structures, and favor explicit rules, planning, and risk-averse behavior. In cultures with lower uncertainty avoidance, ambiguity is more tolerable, rules can be looser, and people adapt more readily to change. The statement describing discomfort with uncertainty and ambiguity directly captures this tendency, making it the best choice. The other dimensions reference different cultural traits—individualism versus collectivism, power distance, and long-term orientation—that do not measure tolerance for uncertainty.

Uncertainty avoidance measures how comfortable a culture is with ambiguity and incomplete information, and how strongly it relies on rules and formal procedures to create predictability. In societies with high uncertainty avoidance, people feel uneasy about uncertain situations, prefer clear structures, and favor explicit rules, planning, and risk-averse behavior. In cultures with lower uncertainty avoidance, ambiguity is more tolerable, rules can be looser, and people adapt more readily to change. The statement describing discomfort with uncertainty and ambiguity directly captures this tendency, making it the best choice. The other dimensions reference different cultural traits—individualism versus collectivism, power distance, and long-term orientation—that do not measure tolerance for uncertainty.