Understanding the Mindset of People in
the Developing World
Many Westerner speakers enter the Developing World unaware of
the world view and perspectives of the people who live there. It never occurs
to them that the people in their audience might not understand the things they
are saying. Even when we meet people who appear to have a reasonable grasp of English, our meaning of the
words we use and their understanding of those same words frequently differ
greatly. Recognizing these differences is not a matter of education verses
lack of education. Rather it is a matter of a different world view.
The comparative table below is intended to highlight the
differences between the Western World View and the Developing World’s world
View. This comparison is must not be seen as a value judgment. It is most
certainly not saying that one is better than the other. Rather, the purpose of
this comparison is to highlight the ‘differences’ between the Western view
of the world and that of many in the Developing World. All cultures have their
intrinsic value. One is not better than another. They are simply different.
Effective communication means that we must recognize those differences.
| Western Perspective: |
Developing World Perspective |
|
World View
·
Global and
Universal
·
Constantly
expanding due to the input of education, media and internet
·
We travel a
great deal. |
World View
·
Local and
National
·
Largely
static. Little outside resource
·
Most travel
little further than their home town or national capital |
|
Values
·
Focus on
the individual
·
We live in
abundance
·
We value
accumulation
·
We save for
the future. |
Values
·
Focus on
Community
·
They live
in subsistence/ survival
·
Use what
you have
·
Little
future planning. Survive today |
|
History:
·
Well
documented - Written
·
Widely
understood
·
Extensive
in nature (most have a concept of ancient history)
·
Taught from
infancy
·
Linear in
understanding |
History
·
Oral base
history. The story
·
Power of
the Legend
·
Living
memory is key
·
Time frame
is not important
·
Little
knowledge of historical flow
·
History by
event / point |
|
Time:
·
Time is
important and valuable
·
‘Time is
money’
·
Time
management is valued
·
Punctuality
is prized and required |
Time
·
Time is
largely irrelevant
·
“I have
little control of time …”
·
Relationships
are important
·
Lateness is
anticipated. |
|
Learning
·
Knowledge
is important
·
We learn
for learning sake
·
We learn in
a linear fashion
o
Say it once
and move on
o
Don’t
repeat yourself
·
We learn by
research and discovery |
Learning
·
Learn what
is needed to survive
·
Retain what
I can use
·
Learning is
cyclic
o
Repetition
emphasizes
o
Repetition
is important
·
Learning is
largely by ‘rote’. |
|
Theoretical
·
We process
theories and principles
·
We
understand the unseen world.
o
Microbiology,
germs etc
o
Vitamins
& Minerals |
Practical
·
What use is
this to me?
·
The visible
is important.
o
Can I eat
it?
o
Can I use
it?
o
Is it of
practical benefit? |
|
Spiritual
·
The reality
of the spiritual is questioned by many
·
People
think they can do without a spiritual reality in their lives. |
Spiritual
·
The
spiritual is all around all the time
·
The
spiritual is essential to life and inescapable. |
