Editing Uncertainty avoidance (section)

{{short description|Societal concept}}
{{about|the societal concept|the similar concept that relates to individuals|Ambiguity aversion}}
In [[cross-cultural psychology]], '''uncertainty avoidance''' is how cultures differ on the amount of tolerance they have of unpredictability.<ref name="McCornack2017">{{cite book|last1=McCornack |first1=Steven |first2=Joseph |last2=Ortiz |title=Choices & Connections: An Introduction to Communication |edition=2nd |publisher=Bedford/St. Martin's |year=2017|isbn=9781319043520}}</ref> Uncertainty avoidance is one of five key qualities or ''dimensions'' measured by the researchers who developed the [[Hofstede's cultural dimensions theory|Hofstede model of cultural dimensions]] to quantify cultural differences across international lines and better understand why some ideas and business practices work better in some countries than in others.''' <ref name="HofstedeInsights">{{cite web|last=Hofstede|first=Geert|title=National Culture|url=https://www.hofstede-insights.com/models/national-culture/|website=Hofstede Insights}}</ref> '''According to [[Geert Hofstede]], "The fundamental issue here is how a society deals with the fact that the future can never be known: Should we try to control it or just let it happen?"<ref name="McCornack2017" />

The uncertainty avoidance dimension relates to the degree to which individuals of a specific society are comfortable with uncertainty and the unknown. Countries displaying strong uncertainty avoidance index (UAI) believe and behave in a strict manner. Individuals belonging to those countries also avoid unconventional ways of thinking and behaving. Weak UAI societies display more ease in regards to uncertainty.<ref name="HofstedeInsights" /> People in cultures with high uncertainty avoidance try to minimize the occurrence of unknown and unusual circumstances and to proceed with careful changes step by step by planning and by implementing rules, laws and regulations. In contrast, low uncertainty avoidance cultures accept and feel comfortable in unstructured situations or changeable environments and try to have as few rules as possible. People in these cultures tend to be more pragmatic and more tolerant of change.<ref name="TenMinutes">{{cite web|last1=Hofstede|first1=Geert|title=10 minutes with Geert Hofstede on Uncertainty Avoidance 01032015|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=88&v=fZF6LyGne7Q|website=Youtube|access-date=10 December 2017|date=7 March 2015}}</ref>

When it comes to the tolerance of unpredictability, the areas which uncertainty avoidance deals with the most are technology, law, and religion. Technology assists with the uncertainty done by nature with new developments. Law defends the uncertainty of behavior by the people with rules that are set. Religion accepts the uncertainty people cannot get protected from. Individuals use their beliefs to get through their uncertainties.<ref name="Hofstede2001">{{cite book|last=Hofstede |first=G. |year=2001 |title=Culture's consequences: Comparing values, behaviors, institutions, and organizations across nations |edition=2nd |pages=79–123 |location=Thousand Oaks, CA |publisher=Sage}}</ref>