Cultural Similarities and Differences between the US and Italy

Topic Similarity Difference

Gender There were no differences in math ability Gender differences were found in math attitudes in
between the U.S and Italy. both the U.S and Italy.
Both masculine norms contribute to less Gender stereotype were different between U.S and
traditional attitudes. Both U.S and Italy men Italy men. Italians are stereotyped to be with the
pursuit status as important and resulted in a play- Mafioso.
boy norm with low endorsements of Assessed sex differences are stronger in highly
homosexuality. developed, egalitarian, and Western context.
Gender stereotypes develop both in U.S and Italy.
Emotions Both the U.S and Italy understand the concepts Jealousy is more accepted in Italy; therefore, there
on emotions. is more communication between Italians.
Similarity were found between U.S and Italians Italians are able to mention more different emotion
react with less non-verbal and facial reactions. words than other countries.
Both females from U.S and Italy express their Italians experience different and more intense
emotions and feel threatened by the potential loss emotions.
of their partner. Italians expects the kissing sessions to be less
frequently, and more flirting.
The men in Italy do not experience more intense
emotions during a potential threat of their romantic
relationship. In contract,
they feel more activated and aroused.
Personality Age tends to make individuals better adjusted, Americans stereotype that they are brash.
more altruistic and better organized for both U.S
and Italy.
Females are portrayed with more of (N) & (A).
While men are more of (E) & (O).
Self & Identity Both are assumed being less collective with U.S is more complex; therefore, theres more options
oneself. in joining different ingroups.
They both deal with child-rearing patterns, America has different races which can be a factor of
emphasizing conformity to family norms in the identifying oneself.
 lower classes/ independent of upper social classes Americans are more open to oneself and expression.
Social Behavior Ingroups and outgroups affect both social Italians strongly stand by Roman Catholics; while
behavior. Social behavior both deals with each United States involve themselves with mostly
individual self-concept Christianity due to their social norms

Note for Personality

*Neuroticism (N), Extraversion (E), Openness to Experience (O), Agreeableness (A), and Conscientiousness (C) is the Five- Factor