Cross Cultural Differences on Human Rights between Germans and Americans
Abstract (300 words maximum)
This project examines the similarities and differences in cultural perspectives on human rights issues between the United States and Germany, focusing on qualitative data from college students. While both American and European cultures are often considered part of the Western world, they exhibit distinct cultural and moral traits. This study aims to identify those distinctions and areas of agreement. By conducting a cross-cultural analysis, we interviewed American and German college students using identical interview questions that addressed various aspects of human rights. The interviews were administered in person in Germany and virtually in the United States. The responses were analyzed to uncover commonalities and differences in how human rights are perceived across the two cultures. The findings reveal that American and German students hold divergent views on issues such as technology, the death penalty, and gun control. German students generally expressed more progressive opinions, while American students showed more divided perspectives. In conclusion, this project highlights the nuanced differences in a human rights perspective between American and German college students, revealing how cultural, political, and social influences shape their view on key issues such as technology, the death penalty, and gun control.
Academic department under which the project should be listed
Other
Primary Investigator (PI) Name
Amy Buddie
Cross Cultural Differences on Human Rights between Germans and Americans
This project examines the similarities and differences in cultural perspectives on human rights issues between the United States and Germany, focusing on qualitative data from college students. While both American and European cultures are often considered part of the Western world, they exhibit distinct cultural and moral traits. This study aims to identify those distinctions and areas of agreement. By conducting a cross-cultural analysis, we interviewed American and German college students using identical interview questions that addressed various aspects of human rights. The interviews were administered in person in Germany and virtually in the United States. The responses were analyzed to uncover commonalities and differences in how human rights are perceived across the two cultures. The findings reveal that American and German students hold divergent views on issues such as technology, the death penalty, and gun control. German students generally expressed more progressive opinions, while American students showed more divided perspectives. In conclusion, this project highlights the nuanced differences in a human rights perspective between American and German college students, revealing how cultural, political, and social influences shape their view on key issues such as technology, the death penalty, and gun control.