COMMUNICATE!

Verderber, Verderber, Sellnow Chapter 3 Intercultural Communication

Learning Outcomes

LO1 Examine what a culture is and the role of communication in it LO2 Discuss relationships between dominant and co-cultures LO3 Analyze how cultural identity affects communication LO4 Explain the inherent barriers in intercultural communication LO5 Explore how to improve intercultural competence

LO1

Examine what a culture is and the role of communication in it

Culture

• System of shared values, beliefs, attitudes, and norms that guide what is considered appropriate among an identifiable group of people.

LO 1

Values

• Values – Commonly accepted standards •Ideal values –Ones members profess to hold •Real values –Ones that guide actual behavior

LO 1

Intercultural Communication

• Intercultural communication – Interactions between people whose cultures are so different that communication between them is altered • Culture shock – Psychological discomfort when engaging in a new cultural situation

LO 1

Intercultural Communication

Communication is both way culture is transmitted and way it is modified

LO 1

LO2

Discuss relationships between dominant and co-cultures

Dominant Culture

Learned system of norms held by the majority group of empowered people in a society. LO 2

Co-Culture

• Group comprised of smaller number of people whose values, attitudes, beliefs, and customs differ from the dominant culture.

–Members sometimes code switch LO 2

LO3

Analyze how cultural identity affects communication

Cultural Identity

Part of self-concept based on how closely we associate with both the dominant culture and the various co-cultures.

LO 3

Co-Cultures Formed Around

LO 3

Shared Beliefs and Values

• Race/Perceived Race • Ethnicity • Native Language • Sex and Gender • Sexual Orientation • Religion • Socioeconomic Status • Age/Generation • Disability

How Cultures Differ • Individualism-Collectivism – Individualistic • Values personal rights and responsibilities – Collectivistic • Values community and collaboration LO 3

How Cultures Differ • Context – Low-context • Speakers use words to convey the meaning of a message – High-context • Much of message understood from context LO 3

How Cultures Differ • Chronemics – Monochronic cultures • View time as series of small units that occur sequentially – Polychronic cultures • View time as continuous flow LO 3

How Cultures Differ •

Uncertainty avoidance

•

Low uncertainty-avoidance

•

Extent to which people desire to predict what is going to happen

•

High uncertainty-avoidance

•

Have low tolerance for uncertainty and need to control

LO 3

How Cultures Differ

• Power Distance • High power distance •Unequal distribution of power is accepted • Low power distance •Member prefer power to be more equally distributed LO 3

How Cultures Differ • Masculinity-Femininity • Masculine Culture • Men and women are expected to adhere to traditional sex roles • Feminine Culture • People assume variety of roles regardless of sex LO 3

How Cultures Differ • Long-Term/Short-Term Orientation • Short-Term Orientation • Values static rewards in the here and now • Long-Term Orientation • Emphasizes potential future rewards LO 3

Cross-Cultural Adaptation Understanding how cultures differ becomes critical when we interact because it helps us empathize and adapt our communication patterns.

LO 3

LO4

Explain the inherent barriers in intercultural communication

Potential Barriers to Effective Intercultural Communication •Anxiety • Assumed similarity or difference • Ethnocentrism •Stereotyping • Incompatible communication codes • Incompatible norms and values LO 4

LO5 Explore how to improve intercultural competence

Acquire Accurate Knowledge • Formal study • Observation • Immersion – Participant observation • Use diverse resources LO 5

Adopt an Appropriate Attitude • Tolerate ambiguity • Be open-minded • Be altruistic –Egocentricity LO 5

Develop Culture-Centered Skills • Practice listening • Practice intercultural empathy • Develop flexibility LO 5