A Brief Analysis on the Conflict Between Chinese and Western Cultures in the Film The Treatment-- Based on Hofstede's Cultural Dimensions Theory

Feng Qingqing(Yunnan Normal University)

Abstract

The Treatment is an excellent film that reflects the cultural differences between China and the United States. The film tells the story that Dennis’ grandfather, who was brought to the United States from China, uses traditional Chinese Gua Sha to help his grandson, Dennis, when he is sick. But then the couple Datong is subsequently charged with child abuse, and conflicts arising from the fact that the cultural differences between the United States and China, and Western doctors are unable to understand this traditional Chinese treatment. Using Hofstede's cultural dimensions theory, this paper analyses the contradictions and conflicts between Xu Datong's family and the American children's welfare agency after Gua Sha, reveals the deep-rooted reasons for the differences between the Chinese and American cultures in the six dimensions of individualism/collectivism, power distance, uncertainty avoidance, masculinity/femininity,long-term orientation/short-term orientation, and indulgence/restraint, and explores cross-cultural communication strategies to achieve better communication. 

Keywords

The Treatment, Cultural Differences, Hofstede’s Cultural Dimensions Theory, Cross-cultural Communication Strategies

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DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.12345/ret.v8i2.33855