Intercultural and Global Communication
Ethnocentric Bias- believing that your culture is the benchmark of all others.
Cross-cultural Communication- generally compares the communication styles and patterns of people
from one nation to another.
Intercultural Communication- generally compares the communication styles and patterns of people
within a nation.
Dimensions of Culture
1. Context
HIGH CONTEXT SOCIETY LOW CONTEXT SOCIETY
Association Relationships build slowly and depend on Relationships begin and end quickly. Productivity
trust. Productivity depends on relationships depends on procedures and paying attention to
and the group process. An individual’s identity the goal. The identity of individuals is rooted in
is rooted in groups (family, culture, work). themselves and their accomplishments. Social
Social structure and authority are centralized. structure is decentralized.
Interaction Nonverbal elements such as voice tone, Nonverbal elements are not significant. Verbal
gestures, facial expression and eye movement messages are explicit, and communication is
are significant. Verbal messages are indirect, seen as a way of exchanging information, ideas
and communication is seen as an art form or and opinions. Disagreement is depersonalized;
way of engaging someone. Disagreement is the focus is on rational (not personal) solutions.
personalized, and a person is sensitive to An individual can be explicit about another
conflict expressed in someone else’s person’s bothersome behavior.
nonverbal communication.
Territoriality Space is communal. People stand close to Space is compartmentalized. Privacy is
each other and share the same space. important, so people stand farther apart.
Temporality Everything has its own time, and time is not Events and tasks are scheduled and to be done
easily scheduled. Change is slow, and time is at particular times. Change is fast, and time is a
a process that belongs to others and nature. commodity to be spent or saved. One’s time is
one’s own.
Learning Multiple sources of information are used. One source of information is used. Thinking
Thinking proceeds from general to proceeds from specific to general. Learning
[Link] occurs by observing others occurs by following the explicit directions and
as they model or demonstrate and then explanations of others. Individual orientation is
practicing. Groups are preferred, and preferred, and speed is valued.
accuracy is valued.
2. Collectivism & Individualism
A. Collectivism/togetherness
-Emphasizes the importance of your place in a system.
-Places greater emphasis on the whole group.
-Stresses common concerns
-Gives importance to the value of acting not for oneself but for the common good.
B. Individualism/Individuality
- The interest of the individual prevails over the interest of the group.
- People look after themselves and immediate families.
- Personal achievement is very important.
3. Time
Monochronic People Polychronic People
Do one thing at a time Do many things at once
Concentrate on the job Are easily distracted
Take time commitments seriously Consider time commitments casually
4. Conflict
A. Conflict as Opportunity
- Conflict is normal, useful process.
- All issues are subject to change through negotiation.
- Direct confrontation and conciliation are valued.
B. Conflict as Destructive
- Conflict is a destructive disturbance of the peace.
- Confrontations are destructive and ineffective.
- Disputants should be disciplined.
Conflict Management Styles
1. Dominating Styles – involve forcing one’s will on another to satisfy individual desires regardless of
negative relational consequences.
2. Integrating Styles – necessitate a great deal of open discussion about the conflict to reach a solution
that satisfies everyone involved.
3. Compromising Styles – involve giving up everyone’s position to reach a solution.
4. Obliging Style – involve giving up one’s position to satisfy another’s.
5. Avoiding Styles- (People avoid conflict by: ) withdrawing from a situation when a conflict arises.
Masculinity Versus Femininity
Masculine Society
Cultures that place high value on masculine traits stress assertiveness, competition and
material success.
Feminine Society
Cultures that place high value on feminine traits stress quality of life, interpersonal relationship
and concern for the weak.
Uncertainty Avoidance – fear of something unknown.
Ethics Across Culture (Kale,1997)
• We should not belittle the cultural identity of others through verbal or non-verbal communication.
• What is perceived to be truth may vary from one culture to another.
• Respect the right of people to expression regardless of how popular or unpopular their ideas may be.
• Emphasize the commonalities of cultural beliefs and values rather than their differences.
Two Areas of Addressing People of other Culture with Respect
1. The Language and Ethics of Prejudice and Racism
Prejudice – an irrational hate.
Racism – poor treatment or violence against people because of their race.
2. The Language and Ethics of Othering
Othering – refers to the labelling or degrading of cultures and subgroups outside one’s own.
Communication Approach to Intercultural communication
1. Personality Strength
a. Self-concept – refers to the way in which a person views the self.
b. Self-disclosure – refers to the willingness of individuals to openly reveal information about
themselves.
c. Self-monitoring – refers to using social comparison information to modify your self-presentation.
d. Social relaxation – refers to the ability to reveal a little anxiety in communication.
2. Communication Skills
a. Message Skills – the ability to understand and use the language and feedback.
b. Behavioral flexibility – the ability to select an appropriate behavior in diverse context.
c. Interaction Management – the ability to interaction such as assertiveness and responsiveness.
d. Social Skills – involves empathy and identity maintenance.
3. Psychological Adjustment
-The ability of effective communicators to acclimate to new environments.
- Effective communicators must be able to handle the feelings of “culture shock”.
4. Cultural Awareness
Individuals must understand the social customs and the social system of the host culture.
BARRIERS TO INTERCULTURAL COMMUNICATION
1. Anxiety
High Anxiety is the first barrier. When you are anxious because of not knowing what you are expected
to do, it is only natural to focus on that feeling and not be totally present in the communication
transaction.
2. Assuming Similarity instead of Difference
When you assume similarity between cultures, you can be caught unaware of importance differences.
3. Ethnocentrism
Ethnocentrism is the act of negatively judging aspects of other culture by the standards of one’s own
culture. To be ethnocentric is to believe in the superiority of one’s culture.
4. Stereotype and Prejudice
The term stereotype is the broader term commonly used to refer to negative or positive judgements
made about individual based on any observable or believed group membership.
Prejudice refers to the irrational suspicion or hatred of a particular group, race, religion or sexual
orientation.