Running head: THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN HIGH AND LOW CONTEXTS CULTURE 1

THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN HIGH AND LOW CONTEXTS CULTURE

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Introduction

Edward T. Hall stated that the most proficient way one learns about oneself is by seriously

taking other people's culture. Thus, forcing an individual to pay attention to life details which

differentiate them from you. In regards to culture, it encompasses human activities sets and

behavioural patterns that tend to occur in a society with symbolic structures that draw the

meaning and significance of the behavioural patterns. Moreover, it entails social elements such

as laws, literature, morals, traditions, religious, believes and customs. Culture influences the way

one views the world, engages it and experience it. Thus, it’s a subconscious entity that tends to

exert an invisible control over people. Consciousness is attained when an individual interacts

with another culture, whereas cultural differences allow an individual to appreciate the special

features found in each culture.

Burgoon’s Expectancy Violation theory states that each culture has its customs and

expectation for its people, meaning that such expectations have been passed over the culture

creating a dome environment (Burgoon, 1993). Hence, the differences in culture may create

misunderstandings among diverse cultural people. In regards to contextual differences, it tends to

be divided into high and low contextual cultures which react differently from each other. To

effectively differentiate high and low context culture, it would be vital to understand the two

cultures in detail before laying out the differences.

High Context Culture

In his book “Beyond Culture” Edward T. Hall states that high context culture is those that

follow the standards of communication, and are transmitted utilizing logical components

(manner of speaking, non-verbal communication and individual's status) they are not explicitly

stated. Individuals with high contextual cultures tend to have a close relationship that lasts for a
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longer period. And, due to these years of interaction they effectively know the rule, how to

behave, how to think, so there is no need for the rules to be explicitly stated (Hall, 1971). Hence,

it becomes challenging to navigate high context culture for those who can’t understand the

cultural unwritten rules.

In regards to characteristics that make-up high context culture, they include:

 Trust must be developed before the transaction.

 Interpersonal relationships tend to be emphasized by members.

 The people, situation and non-verbal elements tend to be critical than words

communicated.

 The use of non-verbal methods plays a critical role in relaying meaningful information

e.g. tone, facial expression, and eye movement.

 People prefer to solve problems and learn as a group.

Low Context Culture

Low context culture depends on explicit communication. Here, more of the information

found in a message is spelled out and defined. This means that the communication of information

happens in a direct way that fundamentally depends on words (Hall, 1971). Besides, it also

doesn’t depend on contextual elements to effectively communicate information. Individuals from

a low context culture develop many relationships that don’t last a long time. Additionally, it’s

critical to spell out the guidelines and standards so people who aren't acquainted with the cultural

rules know what’s expected of them. Therefore, communication is straightforward, and the use

of words proficiently conveys the entire message.

In regards to low context cultural characteristics, they include:

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 Members tend to be individualistic, meaning that individuals achievements tend to be

valued compared to group achievement.

 Members tend to be independent and are expected to look out for themselves.

 Privacy and personal space tend to be valued.

 The building of relationships is not important compared to the accomplishment of a task.

 They welcome risk.

 Members tend to put a high emphasis on facts and logistics when making a decision.

 Words in a verbal message tend to be explicit and direct.

 Less use of body language in communicating a message.

Differences between High and Low Cultural Contexts

Hall (1971) states that human communication, which includes language tends to be

affected by context. Empirically, he indicated that without setting, images are futile, since it just

contains a little piece of the message, setting never has a particular significance, however, the

importance of passed on message relies upon the unique situation, and the significance will

general be inseparably connected to the specific circumstance. Hence, context plays a vital role

in all aspects of communication, as is the use of language which isn’t an exception. Therefore,

this implies that individuals in low setting society are subject to language use to accomplish

correspondence reasons. While those in the high setting don't give so a lot of consideration yet

are delicate to traces of their unpretentious condition. The African culture, Chinese culture, and

culture of South Korea are viewed as high context society. While, Canada, Sweden, the United

States, and Nordic culture can be categorized as low context culture (Semnani-Azad & Adair,

2011).
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To effectively show the differences between high and low cultural contexts, our focus will

be on the concept of the context, association, interaction, territoriality, temporarily and learning.

High Context Culture Low Context Culture

 Information is mostly  Information gathering

Concept conveyed physically tends to be vested on

or can be initialized in explicit code

the person. (message).

 Relationships are built  Relationships tend to

slowly on mutual trust be short-lived.

and are often stable.  No clear boundaries

 There is a clear allowing many people

boundary to take part in a

differentiating particular social

Association between individuals group.

inside and outside the  Task are completed

group of friends. using predetermined

 Completion of tasks procedures and

relies upon connection protocols, with

among individuals attention being mostly

and consideration paid on the end goal.

made to the group  Social structure is

procedure. rarely incorporated

 One’s identity tends to and powers are

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be established based circulated at different

on the group one levels. Every level is

belong to (friends, constantly responsible

family, culture, work, for something.

etc.).

 There is always a

hierarchy in social

structure and

authority. It is the

obligation of the

individual at the top to

search for benefits of

those below him/her.

 Conversations  Extensive of verbal

includes utilization of components rather

gestural components than nonverbal

(e.g. facial expression, components during

body language, voice conversations.

tone, etc.).  Explicit convey of

Interaction  Conveying of information which is

information is implicit exact and

and heavily depends straightforward. It

on context compared generally relies upon

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to actual words. the words utilized

 Communication is contrasted with the

regularly extensive, unique situation.

indirect and spins  Communication is

around the point. immediate and to the

 Communication is a point.

workmanship, and is  Communication is

considered as means seen as methods for

used in the data trade, facts and

establishment and ideas.

nurturing of  People don’t take

relationships. disagreement

 Conflict and personally, but tends

disagreement are to be chalked up to

taken personally, and differences that don’t

differences in opinion affect individuals

as viewed as personal personal relationships.

threats meaning that Thus, both individuals

conflicts need to be in such a scenario

avoided or resolved tend to focus on

quick. developing a rational

solution.

Territoriality  People do not have  Privacy is very

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the privilege of crucial; thus, every

individual space, person is given his

rather it is seen as a own space which will

mutual element, in general be rigidly

where individuals characterized. In this

remain close to one way, individuals are

another and share a isolated from each

similar areas. other.

Temporality  • Time is seen

as a characteristic  Time is seen as an

procedure having a item, thus it very well

place with nature, and may be spent or

not people, for spared. Here, the

example there is no possibility of

understanding of individual time exists.

individual time.  Changes in the society

 Changes in the society can be rapid, also, any

are often slow, reason influenced change

being the society is will in general have

shares societal quick outcomes.

practice and is  Time is plans for

established in their different obligations,

history and has a to such an extent that

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steady base. an assignment can be

 Time calendar isn't done inside a specific

watched, and time allotment in the

obligations are done most capable manner.

when it’s appropriate

as long as their

undertaking is

finished.

 Thinking tends to be  Thinking is inductive

deductive in nature. in nature.

 Several sources are  A singular source of

utilized in the information is used in

attainment of the development of

knowledge. knowledge.

Learning  Knowledge is attained  Knowledge attained is

from a specific subject to an

circumstance or individual’s

signals. perception.

 Members learn  Members learn by

through initial following a set of

observation, followed direction and

by coping and explanation from

practicing. others.
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 Learning and critical  Learning and solving

thinking is done as a of problems is viewed

group. as an individual task.

 The quality and  Speed and efficiency

exactness of attaining tends to be valued in

knowledge tends to be the attainment of

valued. knowledge.

From the above table, it’s clear there is a large difference between high and low contexts culture,

as John (2010) indicates high context culture primarily depends on present programs that

members ought to convey messages, such as unspoken value, the societal accepted pattern of

behavior and unwritten traditions. On the other hand, low context culture emphasizes logic

which forms the basis of transferring information through language. In an actual enterprise, the

two cultures have a mutual fusion and penetration which tend to complement each other, help

create harmony in the development of society (Moran et al., 2007).

Overall, the differences between high and low context cultures depend on the

characteristics portrayed by each culture (McLean, 2010). Therefore, to make this research more

sufficient, perhaps we could consider the context of two cultures; China’s culture (high context

culture and Sweden culture (low context) to show how cultural difference differs.

China’s Cultural Context (High Context Culture)

As a result of a high cultural context, Chinese people live in a fixed place for quite a while, their

life-pace is deliberate as their social change is moderate and individuals live a simple life (Kim et

al., 1998). How the Chinese people express themselves is fuzzy and implicative, thus the vast
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majority of information isn't clearly communicated. Their use of words is mostly found in

language, leaving wiggles in the room as they also utilize face expressions. The use of gestures

and sometimes silence conveys ideas and communication of feelings. Hence, they tend to be

sensitive to their surroundings, and as Kim et al., (1998) point out, members of high culture

context are progressively needy and acquainted with nonverbal communication.

Sweden’s Culture (Low Context Culture)

Sweden’s culture tends to be the opposite of Chinese. They directly show their attitude (Kim et

al., 1998). In Sweden, people are proficient in using verbal expressions. During conflicts, it does

not mean they are dissatisfied, they have a perception that during disagreement airing of views is

critical to problem-solving. Sweden’s culture has a linear concept of time, whose aim is speed

and efficiency, they will always follow the schedule strictly with the pursuit of speed and

efficiency. They also convey their messages simple and straight to the point using an easy

language.

Conclusion

From the above discussion, it’s evident that the concept of high and low cultural context entails

the methods people communicate in different structures. The differences, in this case, tends to be

derived from ways meaning is transmitted through actual word or context implied. Besides, the

main difference between the two cultures is how information is implied. For instance, in high

context, information tends to be implicitly transferred, while in low context information is

explicitly exchanged through the message itself. Therefore, one needs to understand the

difference between the two cultures as it would enable them adapt their communication styles

and build concrete relationships with people from other cultures.

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References

Kim, D., Pan, Y., & Park, H. S. (1998). High-versus low-context culture: A comparison of.
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Moran, R. T., Harris, P. R., & Moran, S. (2007). Managing cultural differences. Routledge.

McLean, J. (2010). Communicating across cultures. Manager, 30.

Edward, T. (1971). Hall, Beyond Culture. New York: Anchor.

Semnani-Azad, Z., & Adair, W. L. (2011, July). Nonverbal cues associated with negotiation

“styles” across cultures. In International Association of Conflict Management

Conference, Istanbul, Turkey.

Burgoon, J. K. (1993). Interpersonal expectations, expectancy violations, and emotional

communication. Journal of Language and Social Psychology, 12(1-2), 30-48.