DIFFERENCE AND DANGER CULTURAL PROFILES OF NATIONS AND LIMITS TO TOLERANCE

In spite of internal differences, most nation‐states display a common mental programming of a majority of their inhabitants. This programming consists of shared symbols, heroes, and rituals that provide a national identity, and shared values that serve to stabilize the national society. Dominant values in nation states around the world have been classified according to four dimensions. One of these is Uncertainty Avoidance, which among other things stands for the degree of tolerance for whatever or whoever is different, for the strength of the feeling that what is different, is dangerous. The counselling process is affected by the mental programming of counsellor and client. Effective counselling of persons not sharing the same cultural profile demands special efforts, especially if the level of Uncertainty Avoidance for either or both parties is high.