messages fifth Canadian edition

Lesson 2

Culture and Interpersonal

Communication
Part 1/3
 • What is Culture?
• Role of culture in interpersonal
communication
• Encultration
• Accultration
• Cultural Differences Influencing
Intercultural/Interpersonal
Learning Communication
• Hofstede’s model cultural
Objectives dimensions
• 8 Ways to Improve
Intercultural/Interpersonal
Communication
• Culture Shock
Why is it important to have understanding between different
cultures when communicating?

• To understand people’s behaviour

• To prevent misunderstanding
• To respect differences between cultures
• To communicate the right message to the right people

“my culture” “their culture”

What are the elements that contribute to
culture?
It includes the following:
Culture is the lifestyle of a group of • Values
people. • Beliefs
• Artifacts
Culture is passed on from generation to • Ways of behaving
generation through socialization
• Ways of communicating
Not synonymous with race or nationality, • Language
or any features that are passed on • Ways of thinking
genetically,
• Art
• Laws
• Religion
 Culture
• What you see is not really what it is.

• The images you formed about a

specific culture are greatly
influenced by your sub-
Concept of time
consciousness which is like a hidden & space; sense of
part of an iceberg, success; pattern of
communication; family
relationship; world outlook
• Though invisible and unaware of, Viewpoint of friendship;
social relationship; attitude to
dominating the size, shape and the position and relationship
even the nature of what you have between each other according
to age, sex, class, occupation, and
seen above the sea. kinship；attitudes to the social
control such as leadership, law,
regulations , value & beliefs，etc.

e.g. Sense of beauty

How Would You Learn a

Country/Culture?
 Encultration
Encultration

• The process of learning

one’s culture from one
generation to another.

• The process of developing

a cultural identity . . . A
commitment to the
beliefs and philosophies
of your culture
Nydailynews.comr

• How do we learn our own

culture?

Everything we do and are, is modified by this cultural learning which gradually sinks below the
surface of the mind to appear as innate . . . Thus one’s own culture appears natural and right
and as the only way to act. (Hall, 1976)
 Accultration

• The processes by which a

person’s culture is modified
through direct contact with or
exposure to another culture.

Accultration • How you learn the rules and

norms of a culture different
from your native culture.

• When an immigrant moves to a

new country, which culture is
affected through accultration?
Accultration

Migration.uni-jena.de
 Interpersonal Competence

• Refers to your ability to communicate effectively.

• Includes knowledge that in certain contexts and with certain listeners, one
topic is appropriate and another is not.

• Includes the rules of nonverbal communication such as personal space

(physical proximity), volume of speech, and appropriateness of touching.

• Varies by culture, therefore, you need to adjust accordingly.

 The speed and success of accultration
depends on several variables:
1. Immigrants who come from cultures
more similar to the host country will
Accultration 2.
accultrate more quickly
Younger and better educated
of New immigrants will accultrate more quickly
3. Consideration such as climate,
Immigrants rural/urban settings, and societal laws
4. Personality factors → people who are
open-minded, and risk-takers will
accultrate more easily
5. Level of familiarity with the host
country before immigration
 • Culture influences every aspect of your
communication experience
• You receive messages through the
filters imposed by a unique culture
• Cultural filters colour the messages you
Intercultural receive
Communication • They also influence what you receive
and how you receive it
• Cultures differ in their tendencies to
trust different sources of messages
(religious leaders, elders, news
reporters)
messages fifth Canadian edition

Lesson 2

Culture and Interpersonal

Communication
Part 2/3
How Cultures Differ:

Cultural Dimensions
1. Individualist vs Collectivist Orientation
2. Context → High vs Low
3. Masculinity vs Femininity
4. Power Distance
5. Ambiguity Tolerance (Uncertainty Avoidance)
6. Long or Short Term Orientation
7. Indulgence vs Restraint
 Individualism
vs
Collectivism

Indulgence High vs Low

vs Restraint Context

How Cultures
Differ Cultural
Differences
Masculinity
Long Term
vs.
Orientation
Femininity

Ambiguity
Power
(Uncertainty)
Distance
Avoidance
 How Cultures Differ
Cultures differ in terms of:
Individualism
vs
1. Individualist vs Collectivist Orientation → Collectivism
whether individual or group goals are given
greater importance Indulgence vs
Restraint
High vs Low
Context

2. Context → whether high or low

3. Masculinity vs Femininity
Cultural
4. Power Distance → high or low power distance Differences
Masculinity
Long Term
5. Ambiguity Tolerance (Uncertainty Avoidance) Orientation
vs.

→ high or low ambiguity tolerance Femininity

6. Long or Short Term Orientation → focus on

future or present rewards Ambiguity
Power
7. Indulgence vs Restraint → level of focus on (Uncertainty)
Avoidance
Distance
gratification or needs/desires
It is important to remember that this research focused on a central tendency in societies. It does not assume to
simply individual behaviour or beliefs.
Individualistic vs. Collectivist Cultures
• The distinction between the two revolves around the extent to which the individual’s goals or the
group’s goals are given greater importance.
• The individualistic or collectivist tendency in a culture is not necessarily mutually exclusive, but
rather a matter of emphasis.

• E.g. Basketball players may compete with team members for scoring, and MVP, but will work
together in the best interest of the team to win the game.
Individualist and Collectivist Summary
Individualist Culture
• Responsibility is for the
individual
• Focus on individual goals
• Success measured by
individual accomplishment
• Competitive
How would you define a “hero” in each of these two types of cultures?
Collectivist Culture
• Responsibility is for the
entire group
• Focus on group goal
• Success measured on
contributions to the whole
and success of the whole
• Face-Saving
Which countries are considered individualist? And collectivist? Why?
 High and Low Context

• Refers to how people communicate in different cultures

• Specifically, refers to the degree to which speakers rely on factors other than
explicit speech to convey their message

• Differences can be derived from the extent to which meaning is

transmitted through actual words used vs. meaning implied by
context
 High vs Low Context Summary
High Context
• Close and long-term
relationships - Relationships very
important in communication
• Values implicit communication
• Values indirect communication
• Messages can be vague because
of shared knowledge
• Oral Agreements
Low Context
• Many connections but of shorter
duration and often for a specific
reason
• Values explicit communication
• Values direct communication
• Messages are Direct and Specific
• Rely on verbal Cues
 Masculine and Feminine Cultures
Masculine Culture
• Value assertiveness, ambition &
competitiveness
• Work prevails over family
• Admiration for the strong
• Clear distinction of gender roles
• Men valued for: aggressiveness, material
success & strength
• Women valued for: modesty focus on
quality of life, & tenderness
• Win-Lose Conflict Strategies
Cultures differ in the extent to which gender roles are distinct or overlapping
Feminine Culture
• Value quality of life, caring, concern for
relationships, and modesty from both males and
females
• Balance between family and work
• Sympathy for the weak
• Less Distinction between gender roles
• More gender equality
• Win-Win conflict strategies
High- & Low- Power-Distance
High-Power-Distance
Culture
• Power held by a few
• Ordinary citizens have less
power
• Parents teach children
obedience
• Teacher-centered education
• Hierarchy means existential
inequality
Low-Power-Distance
Culture
• Power is more evenly
distributed
• Parents teach children about
equality
• Student-centered education
• Hierarchy means inequality of
roles, established for
convenience
How could this difference impact the classroom environment? Relationships?
Uncertainty Avoidance –
High- & Low-Ambiguity Tolerance
High-Ambiguity Tolerant Low-Ambiguity Tolerant
Culture Culture
• Uncertainty normal and • Avoid uncertainty
expected
• Want details and specifics
• Comfortable with the • Uncertainty is seen as a
unknown threat
• Minimize the importance • Clear rules for communication
of rules for relationships and relationships
and communication • Timelines are important
• Okay with vague or
ambiguous details

Exemplify how this might affect interactions in a classroom . . .

Long- vs Short-Term Orientation

Long-term Orientation Culture Short-term Orientation Culture

• Importance of future • Focus on the past and present
• Planning and preparing for future • Expect quick results
results
Indulgence vs Restraint
Indulgent Cultures
• Emphasize gratification of desires
• Focus on fun and enjoying life
• Life control
• Leisure
• Value individual desire
Restraint Cultures
• Limit gratification
• Value on thrift
• Social norms regulate and reinforce
• Focus on group social norms
messages fifth Canadian edition

Lesson 2

Culture and Interpersonal

Communication
Part 3/3
8 Ways of Improving Intercultural
Communication
• Recognize and Reduce Your Ethnocentrism
• Be Mindful
• Face Fears
• Avoid Overattribution & Stereotyping
• Identify Uncertainty and Ambiguity
• Recognize Differences
• Adjust Your Communication
• Recognize Culture Shock
Recognize and Reduce Your Ethnocentrism

• The tendency to evaluate the values, beliefs, and behaviours of your own
culture as more positive, superior, logical, and natural than those of other
cultures.
• The tendency to view and evaluate others and their behaviour through
your own cultural lens.
• Ethnocentrism is one of the biggest obstacles to intercultural
communication.

• To achieve effective interpersonal communication, you need to see both

yourself and others as different, but neither as inferior or superior!
The Ethnocentrism Continuum
5 major communication attitudes that demonstrate level of ethnocentrism

Degree of Communication Communication

Ethnocentrism Distances
Low Equality Treats others as equals, evaluates other
ways of doing things as equal to own ways

Sensitivity Wants to decrease distance between self

and others
Indifference Lacks concern for others but is not hostile

Avoidance Avoids and limits interpersonal

interactions with others; prefers to be
with own kind
High Disparagement Engages in hostile behaviour; belittles
others; views own culture as superior to
other cultures

Table 2.3, textbook pg. 38

Be Mindful and aware
• Use intellectual scrutiny
• Use logic
• Use critical thinking
• Avoid being “mindless”
• Recognize that other cultural systems may be different, but not superior
or inferior
• Become unconsciously competent
Conscious Continuum

Unconsciously Consciously Consciously Unconsciously

Incompetent Incompetent Competent Competent
Conscious Continuum
• Completely unaware of cultural differences
Unconsciously • Deeply affects our ability to communicate
Incompetent

• Aware of cultural differences

Consciously • Struggle with how to communicate effectively across those barriers
Incompetent

• Competent intercultural communication

Consciously • Work hard to communicate better and often worry that we’ll offend or make mistakes
Competent

• Comfortable with many forms of intercultural communication and communicate freely

• Comes naturally
Unconsciously • Open to continually learning about other cultures and revising our communication skills to be more
Competent effective

Figure 2.1, Textbook pg. 38

 Fear can create sufficient anxiety to make one avoid
holding effective intercultural communications.

Fear can stand in the way of effective intercultural

communication.

Face Fear can include:

• Fear or worry about your own level of discomfort

Fears • Fear of being taken advantage of by a member of

this other culture
• Fear of being lied to, or made fun of
• Fear that you will offend members of another
group
• Fear that your own group will react negatively if
you communicate with others
 • Overattribution refers to the tendency to attribute too
much of a person’s behaviour to one of that person’s
characteristics (e.g. race, gender, religion, age, socio-
economic status).
Avoid
Overattribution • Stereotype: a fixed impression of a group of people (can
be positive or negative)

• E.g. Not all students from China excel at math, and not
everyone from India is a Hindu vegetarian.
 Identify Uncertainty and Ambiguity
• Being specific reduces ambiguity and the chances of misunderstandings.
• Keep in mind that words can mean different things to people depending on age,
gender, and culture.
• Consider how we use slang, and that people for whom English is a second
language might not understand

What You Say What You Mean

How are you? Hello
Let’s have lunch sometime. I’m just being polite.
I’ll have to think about it. The answer is no.
You might want to consider doing ___. You must do ____.
Sounds great. It’s fine.
It’s not bad. It’s bad.
That’s a great idea but . . . It’s not a good idea.
Table 2.4, Textbook pg. 41

Always seek feedback to make sure you have understood, and are being understood!
e.g. Does that make sense? Did you mean _______?
 • Differences between yourself and culturally different
people
• It is easy to accept outward differences (e.g. appearance,
hairstyles, clothing, food, etc.)
• It is more difficult to understand differences in values and
beliefs.
Recognize • It is easy to assume that deep down we are all similar, but
we aren’t.
Differences • Values, attitudes, and beliefs can vary dramatically from
culture to culture.
• When we assume similarities, and ignore differences, you
may implicitly communicate to others that you feel your
ways are the right ways or better, or superior.
• The result is always confusion and misunderstanding on
both sides.
 Verbal Messages:
• Meaning does not exist in the words we use, rather it
Recognize exists in the person using the words.
• E.g.
Meaning • The word “woman” to someone in Canada vs. Afghanistan
Differences in • The word “lunch” to a Chinese rice farmer and a Bay
Street executive
Verbal and • The word “religion” to a Christian fundamentalist and an
Nonverbal atheist
• The terms “security”, “future”, and “family” to a college
Messages student in Vancouver and a homeless teenager in
Toronto.
 Important to adjust communication to
compensate for cultural differences.

Symbols such as: the use of silence, a smile,

Adjust Your avoidance of eye contact, etc. mean different
Communication things to different cultures

It is important to learn a culture’s symbols and

to allow them to learn yours in order to
communicate effectively.
Culture Shock
Recognizing Culture Shock
The 4 Stages of Culture Shock
Reverse Culture Shock
 The normal psychological reaction you experience upon entering a
new and different culture.

Basic things a person in a new culture may not understand

include:
Recognize • How to ask someone for a favour or pay someone a compliment
• How to extend or accept an invitation

Culture • How early or how late to arrive for an appointment or how long
to stay

Shock • How to distinguish seriousness from playfulness and politeness

from indifference
• How to dress for an informal, formal, or business function
• How to order a meal in a restaurant or how to summon a waiter
 • Stage 1 – The Honeymoon Stage
• Experiences of fascination or enchantment with the
new culture and its people

4 Stages • Stage 2 – The Crisis Stage

• Differences between your own culture and the new

of culture create problems

• Often results in depression
• Stage 3 – The Recovery Stage

Culture • You gain the skills necessary to function effectively in

the new culture
• Your feelings of inadequacy subside

Shock • Stage 4 – The Adjustment Stage

• You adjust and come to enjoy the new culture and
experiences
Culture Shock
Reverse Culture Shock
• People may also experience culture shock upon
their return to their original culture after having
lived in a foreign culture long enough.

• Many people returning from developing nations

struggle with feelings of guilt about our excesses
and waste.

(https://www.state.gov/m/fsi/tc/c56075.htm)
QUESTIONS?

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