John Cosby

Four Overarching Patterns of Culture

“There are many books available that focus on cultural and intercultural issues. However, there are only a few that deal with these issues as comprehensively as Four Overarching Patterns of Culture. A study of culture is a study about the commonalities within communities of people, in terms of inward assumptions of reality and outward expressions of behavior. With intellectual expertise, out of a wealth of experience, Dr. Strauss and his son Christopher carry the reader first through a journey exploring the underpinnings of these community commonalities, then the construction of a framework to facilitate success when everything is common within the community but different to me. An abundance of diagrams and figures showing the nature and relationships of their observations provide clarity and understanding in the journey. Through the years, others have noted broad overarching patterns in culture. This book expands and deepens observations and connections within those patterns, providing the reader access to invaluable intercultural expertise to understand, live, and work comfortably within a variety of cultural contexts. The reader may simply desire to gain a greater understanding of why people from other cultures seem so different, and the discomfort felt by being the ‘outsider.’ Or the reader may be searching for insights to hone intercultural skills applicable for successful intercultural negotiation and navigation. Whatever the case, this book is a valuable must read.”