𝐂𝐮𝐥𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐚𝐥 𝐃𝐢𝐟𝐟𝐞𝐫𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞𝐬, 𝐆𝐫𝐨𝐮𝐩 𝐁𝐞𝐡𝐚𝐯𝐢𝐨𝐫 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐠𝐞 - 𝐋𝐞𝐰𝐢𝐧'𝐬 𝐋𝐞𝐠𝐚𝐜𝐲

One of my personal heroes is Kurt Lewin. Lewin suggested a collaborative approach among psychology, sociology, and economics to develop methods for analyzing and influencing group behavior and societal change.

 

𝘊𝘶𝘭𝘵𝘶𝘳𝘢𝘭 𝘋𝘪𝘧𝘧𝘦𝘳𝘦𝘯𝘤𝘦𝘴 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘙𝘦𝘤𝘰𝘯𝘴𝘵𝘳𝘶𝘤𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯

Lewin wrote that cultural differences are influenced by political, social, and economic factors; they are not immutable and can evolve with intentional effort. Long before Geert Hofstede developed his six dimensions model of national culture, Lewin explored how cultural differences influence societal structures. He observed that:

- U.S. education focused on independence and freedom for children, while pre-Hitler Germany's system focused on authority and submission.

- In the U.S., sharply defined social boundaries created specific areas of freedom and restriction, while Germany's social atmosphere was more homogeneous and less differentiated.

- Americans were pragmatic and action-oriented, while Germans valued philosophical depth.

Post-World War II reconstruction presented an opportunity for Germany's cultural transformation. Lewin argued that rebuilding a democratic culture required an integration of democratic practices into daily life through group work, leadership training, and cooperative projects.

 

𝘊𝘩𝘢𝘯𝘨𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘎𝘳𝘰𝘶𝘱 𝘗𝘳𝘢𝘤𝘵𝘪𝘤𝘦𝘴 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘝𝘢𝘭𝘶𝘦𝘴

Lewin also wrote that sustainable change requires altering group practices and values, not just superficial sentiments. For democracy to thrive, it must be learned through active participation and responsible leadership. Leadership reforms, especially changes from autocratic to democratic styles, were important to change group culture and ensure societal alignment with democratic ideals.

Lewin applied this thinking to post-Nazi Germany. Nazism had instilled power as a supreme value; this was visible even in family life and social interactions. Lewin warned against piecemeal reforms, and suggested teaching democratic followership. People could act responsibly and participate rather than just be obedient.

 

𝘚𝘰𝘤𝘪𝘢𝘭 𝘚𝘱𝘢𝘤𝘦 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘐𝘥𝘦𝘯𝘵𝘪𝘵𝘺

Lewin used the idea of social space to understand behavior in interdependent collections of people. Democratic atmospheres, he found, encourage cooperation and creativity, whereas autocratic settings lead to aggression or apathy.

Lewin also addressed minority experiences, by showing how crossing social boundaries creates tension and insecurity. For minorities, supporting a strong, positive sense of identity is needed. Parents and communities play a critical role in balancing heritage pride with broader societal participation. Internalized prejudice can be resolved by promoting group loyalty, mutual interdependence, and positive education.

𝘚𝘰𝘶𝘳𝘤𝘦:

Lewin, K. (1997), Resolving Social Conflicts & Field Theory in Social Science, American Psychological Association.