In high power distance cultures, how do people generally react to authority?

In high power distance cultures, the general tendency is for individuals to defer to authority figures with little or no resistance. This cultural orientation emphasizes hierarchy and the acceptance of unequal distribution of power and authority. In such societies, authority figures are often viewed as having legitimate power and their decisions are respected without much challenge from subordinates.

Individuals in these cultures understand that questioning authority may disrupt social harmony and could lead to negative consequences. As a result, there is a strong expectation to comply with hierarchical structures, making dissent or challenging authority rare. This cultural characteristic is significant in understanding workplace dynamics, governance, and social interactions in high power distance environments, where obedience and respect for authority are predominant.

The other options reflect behaviors that are characteristic of low power distance cultures, where questioning, negotiating, or openly challenging authority is more acceptable and frequently observed. In these cases, individuals feel empowered to voice their opinions and engage in dialogues about authority, which contrasts sharply with the responses typical in high power distance cultures.