High uncertainty avoidance cultures belong to Edward Hall’s framework theory for intercultural communication. There are many words in English for classifying cultures. One way is by how they treat uncertainty. Cultures that score high on uncertainty avoidance try to minimize uncertainty by strictly adhering to rules, laws, and social norms. Ambiguity is avoided, and security is paramount. In contrast, low uncertainty avoidance cultures accept uncertainty and are more tolerant of change. They are also more likely to take risks.
People from high uncertainty avoidance cultures tend to be more structured and organized. They may also be more likely to follow routines and traditions. In addition, they may be more likely to avoid taking risks and prefer stability over change. As a result, they tend to be more resistant to change and may be more likely to view new ideas with suspicion.
