IPC and Culture Culture is like water for fish: We are in it and a part of it but we do not see it… -Felipe Korzenny

Take Away Points Definitions: culture, co-culture, micro-culture Six components dimensions of culture Know each of the two subcategories of each Be able to identify examples of each (e.g., high and low context) How these dimensions function at the interpersonal level with communication competence How do they relate to you being seen as an effective communicator?

Culture The set of values and beliefs, norms and customs, rules and codes, that socially define groups of people Culture helps us answer the questions: Who am I? What is my place in the world? How do I live my life?

Co-Culture Cultural groups and norms that exists within larger cultural systems Micro-Culture Small group norms, such as communication among individuals within a family. There are cultural groups nested within cultures.

6 Dimensions of Cultural Difference Locus of control Action orientation Connections to others Individualism/Collectivism Communication style Power distance

Control Cultures believe that people can control their own destinies Constraint Cultures believe that people have very little control over their lives; events are controlled by external sources, fate Locus of Control pertains to whether people or fate control destiny.

Doing Cultures self-worth is measured by ability to accomplish tasks Being Cultures self-worth is measured by ability to maintain relationships Action orientation pertains to how we measure our self- worth.

Individualism “I” cultures; basic unit is the individual, working in his or her own best interests Collectivism “we” cultures; basic unit is the group, individuals sacrifice for the group Individualism and Collectivism refers to connection to others.

High Context Context is an important source of information Low Context Meaning is conveyed explicitly in words Discussion Question Which would prize accuracy, subtlety, and directness/indirectness? How would silence be viewed in each? Another cultural distinction is the extent to which we view the context of communication.

Low Power Distance Treat people of higher status as different only when expertise matters High Power Distance Always treat people of higher status as appropriate to someone of higher status The last cultural distinction is how we treat people who are of higher and lower power or status.

American Cultural Patterns Have a control, can-do orientation Effort optimism: idea that if people work hard, they can achieve their goals Value doing over being Individualistic Use direct, low-context communication

Example Joy Luck Club clip: Demonstrates High/Low Context Collectivism/Individualism Chinese-American immigrant families

Joy Luck Club

Discussion What are aspects of individualism/collectivism from the film? What are aspects of low context/high context from the film? How could this situation have been avoided?

Perception Competence Which line is longer?

Role Competence What it means to be a Georgian wife vs. American wife Cooking Time spent together Working BABIES

Self Competence Social psychologist Solomon AschSolomon Asch Line test Americans least likely to conform

Take Away Points Definitions: culture, co-culture, micro-culture Six components dimensions of culture Know each of the two subcategories of each Be able to identify examples of each (e.g., high and low context) How these dimensions function at the interpersonal level with communication competence How do they relate to you being seen as an effective communicator?