What is uncertainty avoidance?

Uncertainty avoidance describes a society's tolerance for uncertainty and ambiguity. High-uncertainty-avoidance cultures tend to dislike and avoid uncertain, novel, or unusual situations. Low-uncertainty-avoidance cultures are more open to uncertain events and outcomes. Japan, Arab countries, and some South and Central American countries (such as Chile, Uruguay, and Guatemala) are relatively high in uncertainty avoidance; Singapore, Vietnam, and Malaysia are relatively low.