1. Interpersonal Communication and Diversity Chapter 4

2. The Empathic Civilization

3. What is Culture?
Culture is a learned system of knowledge, behaviours, attitudes, beliefs, values, and norms that is shared by a group of people.
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4. Cultural Elements* Material culture: things and ideas
Social institutions: schools, government, religious organizations
Individuals and worldview: system of beliefs and Values
Aesthetics: music, theatre, art, dance
Language: verbal and non-verbal communication systems
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5. Barriers to Effective Intercultural Communication
Ethnocentrism: The belief that your traditions and assumptions are superior to others’.
Different communication codes
Stereotyping and prejudice
Assuming similarity
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6. Improving Intercultural Competence*
Develop knowledge: strategies to understand others who are different from us
Develop motivation: strategies to accept others who are different from us
Develop skill: strategies to adapt to others who are different from us
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7. 3 1. Developing Knowledge One Two Seek information about the culture
Ask questions and listen effectively
Develop a “third culture”
One
Two 3
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8. 2. Developing Motivation
Tolerate ambiguity
Develop mindfulness
Avoid negative judgments about another culture
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9. 3. Develop Skills Develop flexibility Become other-oriented
Socially de-centre
Develop empathy
Adapt your communication to others
Adapt predicatively
Adapt reactively
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