Inter-Act, 13th Edition Chapter 3 Intercultural Communication

Chapter 3 Objectives Describe the role of communication in defining, transmitting, and changing culture Discuss the relationships between dominant and co-cultures List and discuss the ways in which cultures differ and how that affects intercultural communication Explain how one develops intercultural competence

The psychological discomfort of adjusting to a new cultural situation Culture Shock The psychological discomfort of adjusting to a new cultural situation

Intercultural Communication Interactions that occur between people whose cultures are so different that the communication between them is altered

Culture The system of beliefs, values, and attitudes shared by a particular segment of the population

Dominant Culture Culture within a society whose attitudes, values, beliefs, and customs hold the majority opinion

Co-Cultures Groups of people living within a dominant culture who are clearly different from the dominant culture

Co-Cultures Gender Race Ethnicity Sexual orientation and gender identity Religion Social class Generation

Self-image based on cultural group or groups you associate with Cultural Identity Self-image based on cultural group or groups you associate with

How Cultures Differ Individualism-Collectivism: extent to which people in a culture are integrated into groups Uncertainty Avoidance: extent to which people in a culture avoid unpredictability regarding people, relationships, and events Power Distance: amount of difference in power between people, institutions, and organizations in a culture Masculinity-Femininity: extent to which notions of "maleness" and "femaleness" are valued in a culture Time Orientation: differences in how cultures perceive time Cultural context: differences in how cultures share meaning

Individualism-Collectivism Individualistic cultures value: Personal rights and responsibilities Competition and personal achievement Self-expression Privacy Collectivist cultures value: Community, strong connection to groups Harmony and cooperation Avoiding embarrassment Group interests over self-interests

Uncertainty Avoidance Low Uncertainty Avoidance Comfortable with unpredictability Takes risks Few rules Accepts multiple perspectives of “truth” High Uncertainty Avoidance Creates systems of formal rules Believes in absolute truth Less tolerant of deviant ideas or behaviors

Power Distance High Power Distance Power distributed unequally Power imbalances seen as natural Power is respected Low Power Distance Power is distributed equally Inequalities are downplayed People with power are not feared Democracy is valued

Masculinity-Femininity Masculine Cultures Traditional sex-based roles followed Men are assertive and dominant Women are nurturing, service-oriented Male traits valued over female traits Feminine Cultures Roles not based on one’s sex People free to act in nontraditional ways Feminine traits valued Both men and women demonstrate both masculine and feminine behaviors

Time Orientation Monochronic Value punctuality Follow plans Polychronic Value flexible schedules Multitasking

Cultural Context Low-Context Direct verbal messages Speakers expected to say what they mean High-Context Indirect meaning Understood by referring to unwritten cultural rules and subtle nonverbal behavior “Read between the lines”

U.S. Rankings (among 53 Countries/Regions) 15th 38th 43rd

Intercultural Communication Competence effective and appropriate behavior and communication in intercultural situations

Barriers to Effective Intercultural Communication Anxiety Assuming similarity or difference culture Ethnocentrism Stereotyping Incompatible communication codes Incompatible norms and values

Pyramid Model of Intercultural Competence

Intercultural Communication Competence Internal outcomes: Informed frame of reference, filter shift Adaptability, flexibility Ethnorelativism: point of view that allows you to see value in other cultural perspectives Empathy

Intercultural Competence External outcome: Behaving and communicating effectively and appropriately to achieve your goals

Homework Analyze your own intercultural communication skills. Which skills are strong? What barriers most hinder your ability to communicate interculturally? Write down a goal and a plan to improve one specific intercultural goal this semester. Review your Assignment Rubric!!