16. Dynamic Decision Making Across Cultures

Decision making is a key cognitive process in all aspects of human life, professional as well as private life. The goals of this chapter are threefold. First, the chapter provides a short theoretical background on decision-making research highlighting the need for more comprehensive models of decision making. Whereas decision-making research has focused for a long time on simple choices, recent research has investigated the decision-making process in complex, uncertain, and dynamic situations. Second, the chapter discusses one methodology especially suited for the study of dynamic decision making. The methodology consists of situations that have been simulated on the computer and have been called, for example, microworlds, virtual environments, or serious strategy games. Third, and most importantly, the chapter will discuss new empirical research on how culture influences dynamic decision making both in microworlds and in the real world. Such findings contribute to a more comprehensive theory of decision making and allow for a better understanding of decision-making conflicts. Finally, applications of these findings are discussed, and can be utilized for cultural competence training programs or international work teams.