World Affairs Journal: Ukraine’s ‘loose’ culture

Here’s a finding that may surprise you. According to a recently published multi-author study, Ukraine’s culture is the “loosest” of 33 countries examined by an international team of psychologists, including the Psychology Department of Odessa National University. Loose cultures have weak “social norms” and evince “tolerance of deviant behavior.” In contrast, tight cultures have strong social norms and are intolerant of deviance. If the study is to be believed, a few extant stereotypes about Ukraine may have to be revised. So, too, will some expectations by the Yanukovych regime. Read the story here.