CH.

2
CULTURE
AND COMMUNICATION

Done by Mrs. Maram Miralam

CULTURE AND COMMUNICATION

Learn About
 Culture’s role in human communication
 The ways cultures differ from one another
 The forms and principles of intercultural

communication
Learn To:
 Send and receive messages with a recognition

of cultural influences and differences

 Communicate effectively in intercultural

situations
?WHAT IS CULTURE
 Specialized lifestyle of a
group of people such as ….

 Passed from one generation to

the next through enculturation
 …WHAT IS CULTURE? CONT
 Sex: and *Gender:
Socially constructed-
-Biological and physiological

 The Transmission of Culture: 2

ways

-1. Enculturation: Native

culture

-2. Acculturation: “Host”

culture
IMPORTANCE OF CULTURE IN
COMMUNICATION
 Demographic changes

 Communication technology
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xvT0MCugb58

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5TrZ8vhYuv8

 Politeness
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VeZtujYNq9g
CULTURAL DIFFERENCES
1. Individualist or Collectivist Orientation
2. Emphasis on context (low or high )
3. Power Distances
4. Masculinity- femininity
5. Ambiguity Tolerance
6. Long and short term orientation
7. Indulgence and restraint
CULTURAL DIFFERENCES:
:1.INDIVIDUALIST OR COLLECTIVIST ORIENTATION
 Individual Orientation
 Teaches members the

importance of individual values

,such as power, achievement
.hedonism, and stimulation

 Emphasizespersonal goals;
members are responsible for
themselves and perhaps their
.immediate families
CULTURAL DIFFERENCES
 Collective Orientation
 Teaches members the importance
,of group values such as benevolence
.tradition, and conformity
 Emphasizes group goals; members

.are responsible for the entire group

 Cooperation is important.

http://
www.youtube.com/watch?v=4uFa0hBPqOY
 ACTIVITY 1

 Time: One class period (15 minutes to discuss in groups and 15 minutes to present
responses to class)
 Group Size: Small groups of 4 or 5

 Q:How can an individualistic or collectivist

orientation make cultures different? Define those
terms, and then explain how they apply to the
differences in cultures

 Description of Activity:
Students should be asked to discuss the topic within their groups and then come to
agreement on an answer. After the students have come to agreement, the group should
elect a member to present their response to the class. Discussion with the other groups
may follow
 Cultural Differences:
2.High- and low-context cultures:
 High context cultures
 Much of the information in
communication is in the context or in
the person. Not explicitly stated.
 Most high-context cultures are also

collectivist cultures.
 Spend time getting to know one

another interpersonally and socially

before important decision-making.
 Emphasize face-saving. “Criticism

would take place in private”

CULTURAL DIFFERENCES:

2.HIGH- AND LOW-CONTEXT CULTURES

 Low context cultures
 Most of the information is explicitly stated in the verbal message.
 Most low-context cultures are also individualistic cultures.

 Less concern with public face-saving.

CULTURAL DIFFERENCES:
3. AMBIGUITY TOLERANCE

 2. High- and low- Ambiguity Tolerant Cultures:

CULTURAL DIFFERENCES
 3. High- and low- Ambiguity Tolerant Cultures:
* High –Ambiguity- Tolerant Cultures:
_ Members do not feel
threatened by unknown situations.

_Rules that govern

communication aren't as rigidly followed.

_There is plenty of freedom for creativity

or change.
.CULTURE DIFFERENCES: CONT
 Low- Ambiguity- Tolerant Cultures:
_Avoiding uncertainty causes anxiety and is
seen as threatening.

_ Clear-cut rules for communication are

important, and they cannot be broken.

_Very structured culture.

CULTURAL DIFFERENCES:
4. POWER DISTANCES:
 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=je7uh4TH0JY

 High-power-distance cultures
 Power is concentrated in the hand of a few.
 Direct confrontation and assertiveness with
friends, partners, or supervisors likely to be
viewed negatively.
 Students: modest, polite and totally
respectful.
 Low-power-distance cultures
 Power is more equally distributed
among citizens.
 Likely to confront friends, partners, or
supervisors assertively.
 Students participate in discussions
 ACTIVITY 1

Browse through the following site:

http://geert-hofstede.com/countries.html

Select a country in the dropdown menu found in the link above to see the
values for the 6 dimensions.

Present your answer to class.

INTERCULTURAL COMMUNICATION
 Refers to communication between
persons who have different
cultural beliefs, values, or ways
of behaving
IMPROVING INTERCULTURAL
COMMUNICATION: (7 GUIDELINES)
 1.Prepare yourself
 2.Recognize and reduce ethnocentrism
 3.Confront stereotypes
 4.Increase mindfulness
 5.Avoid over attribution
IMPROVING INTERCULTURAL
COMMUNICATION: (7 GUIDELINES)

 6.Recognize differences
 7.Adjust(change) your communication

See Table 2.3/P.47

CULTURE AND COMMUNICATION
Activity 2
Time: 15 mts

 What values, beliefs, artifacts, and behaviors

would you use to introduce a friend to your
culture?