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Characteristics and Complexity of Cultural Values

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Abstract

The chapter begins by furnishing the general characteristics of culture and then with concrete and thorough comprehension of its definitions. This core analysis is further clustered into two subareas to be investigated—namely, general cultural concept and cultural values. Thereafter, a section is explicitly allocated to discuss the theoretical models of culture where the word ‘culture’ is examined with much deeper intensity to have a clear understanding of the term. This discussion on the theoretical frameworks of culture enables deeper insights and appreciation of the overview of the cultural dimensions. Thereafter, an analysis of Chinese culture follows, thereupon focusing on the concept of Confucianism. This section develops further by categorizing the two traditional Chinese value systems of Yi and Li, followed by the classification of Chinese culture. Next, the chapter examines the distinctive and explicit cultural differences between Singapore and China to address the diversity present in cultural values. The chapter finalizes the discussion on the differences between the different types of educational programmes offered in Singapore and ends with the last section that provides insights on the revolutionization and effects of culture.

This chapter is improved from K. Rajaram, 2014. East versus West: The Descendants of Confucianism vs. Evidence-Based Learning Mainland Chinese Learners in Pursuit of Western-Based Education in Singapore. Journal of Education & Human Development, 3(1): 239–281

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Rajaram, K. (2020). Characteristics and Complexity of Cultural Values. In: Educating Mainland Chinese Learners in Business Education. Springer, Singapore. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-15-3395-2_2

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