reflection essay(1-2pages)
lym503829712
COM101Summer_2020_Week5.pptx
Intercultural Communication
Environment, Boundaries, & Interactions
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Defining Culture
Culture —(Ting-Toomy) A complex frame of reference consisting of patterns of traditions, beliefs, values, norms, symbols, and meanings, shared (to varying degrees) by members of a community
“Culture” is a broad concept with many different forms
National
Ethnic
Generational
Lifestyle
Interest-based
Religious
Organizational
Gender
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Alright! In terms of culture, nowadays, we are living in a global world. When we talk about culture, many of us have the first impression that culture is all about nationality.
Actually it’s not a proper assumption according to communication scholars.
It is about a group of people, who might have some identical biological characteristics, either nationality, race or ethnicity, gender, or social roles, students, instructors, piano players, they share patterns of beliefs, values, norms, and they have the tendency to perform consistent behavior in certain contexts. We say UB has a culture of diversity, because it encourages students from different cultural background to apply and study here. Or sometimes we say, communication department at UB has a culture of corporation. Because many of the faculties, students, they work like cohorts and always work together to get publications out.
Aspects of Culture
Culture is complex & pervasive. 3 central components:
Behavioral influence
Perceptual filter
Expressed products
Iceberg metaphor—both internal & external dimensions
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We always use the iceberg metaphor to describe culture. Only a small part of the iceberg is visible and tangible, this represents the aspect of culture that are explicit, visible and taught. How people pronounce certain letter, how they furnish their house, the conformity in how they dress. Those are all visible, belong to the part above water line.
However, the rest of the iceberg, which is huge, is below the water line, it represents the “hidden culture”, including attitudes, assumptions, understandings, values and judgements. That we might be aware of, but do not or just cannot articulate. Usually these aspects are not taught directly.
Culture also can be viewed as a product. These expressed components are rooted in the behavioral patterns and shared perception which define a culture. We can see a certain language, symbol are the products of a culture. Another typical example of a culture is cultural artifacts.
Links between Culture & Communication
To better understand the link between comm & culture, recall the transactional model of comm. Culture is tied to all components :
Environment
Communicator
Communication: verbal & nonverbal codes
Culture is also learned & shaped through comm
Communication
Communicator
Communicator
Environment
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Recall the transactional model of communication understand the relationship between culture and communication better
Defining Intercultural Communication
Intercultural Communication —any communication occurring between members of different cultures where comm is influenced by their differing:
Cultural perspectives
Culturally influenced perceptions
Cultural communication codes
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Definition of intercultural communication
Cultural perspectives represent the typical baseline values, through patterns and behavioral norms of the collective membership of a cultural group.
Their conscious and unconscious culturally influenced perceptions;
Cultural-specific codes in communication
Cultural Influences
Cultural influences are shifting & overlapping
Each of us is influenced by multiple cultural memberships
There is significant variation in how much influence each membership has in a given situation
E.g. organizational culture has the most influence while in the workplace, male gender norms may be most influential when “out w/ the guys”
There is significant variation in influence among the members of a particular cultural group
Cultural information should be considered as a matter of central tendencies rather than as absolute rules
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In terms of cultural influences:
We are assigned to different groups, naturally or socially. Thus, each of us is influenced by multiple cultural memberships. Student v.s. daughter/son
The influence is context based. Depends on where you are, what you are doing.
The influence of culture also depends on which cultural group you are in. salient; superficial not so salient
Cultural Differences
Hi vs. Low context – direct or implicitly expressed meaning?
U.S. is a low context culture – meaning is directly expressed, relies more on what is said in the specific message.
China is a high context culture – meaning is implicitly expressed, relies on nonverbal and background information.
Can you think of other specific examples within these cultures?
Brining boyfriend home to meet parents
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_t82eWkb_tM
High-context cultures are those that communicate in ways that are implicit and rely heavily on context. In contrast, low-context cultures rely on explicit verbal communication. High-context cultures are collectivist, value interpersonal relationships, and have members that form stable, close relationships.
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High Context
Low Context
Long term relationships;
Less verbally explicit comm,
more internalized understanding
Decisions and activities around personal face-to-face relationships, often around central person who has authority
Short term relationships;
More verbally explicit comm,
less internalized understanding
Task-centered: decisions and activities focus around what needs to be done, rules are external and explicit
General differences between low and high context
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Cultural Differences
Individual vs. Collective – differ in extent to which they promote individual or collective values.
U.S. is individualistic (for the most part)
Korea is collectivistic (for the most part)
Individuals within a culture can have more or less of this trait, however.
My big fat Greek wedding
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cQC6cLJhTek
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In individualistic value orientation, people are primarily concerned about themselves and their immediate family. In collectivistic value orientation, people's major concern is their ingroup or community.
Collectivistic
Individualistic
Identification with larger group
Loyalty to group is rewarded with being taken care of
High context: implicit, close connections over a long time
Individual identity and uniqueness
Look out for the self and immediate family
Low context: explicit, more shorter connections for specific reasons
Cultural Differences
General differences between collectivistic and individualistic cultures
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Cultural Differences
Power distance – degree to which members of a society accept an unequal distribution of power; influences things such as questioning authority.
U.S. is a low power distance culture – we tend to distribute decision making among various ‘statuses’
Power distance concept:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sqaa42gbqhA
Power distance index:
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Power distance: simply, people in some cultures accept a higher degree of unequally distributed power than do people in other cultures.
Its not depending on whether the inequality is existing or how pervasive the phenomenon is, its about the degree of whether people accept or are willing to tolerate the inequality.
Cultural Differences
Achievement vs nurturing – similar to masculine vs feminine
High achievement orientation
Assertiveness
Competitiveness
Materialism
High nurturing orientation
Relationships
Other’s well-being
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Achievement-nurturing orientation reflects a competitive versus cooperation view of relations with other people. People with high achievement orientation value assertiveness, competitiveness, and materialism. ... In contrast, people in nurturing oriented cultures emphasize relationships and the well being of others.
Cultural Differences
Uncertainty tolerance varies:
High uncertainty avoidance means the particular culture does not want ambiguity, is less likely to take risks.
Low uncertainty avoidance is the opposite – cultures can be anywhere on a range of this characteristic.
Uncertainty tolerance – ambiguity tolerance
Uncertainty tolerance, or avoid ambiguous, chaotic or changing situations.
While no culture tends to maintain a strong preference for social ambiguity or chaos, there is considerable difference in the level of discomfort .
Difference between uncertainty tolerance and uncertainty avoidance
Individuals from high levels of uncertainty avoidance experience considerable unease when placed in situations that lack clear rules, or under conditions in which they must quickly adapt or change in response to uncertainty.
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Cultural Differences: Culturally Influenced Perceptions
Culture influences our specific individual judgments & perceptions
Generalizations & Cultural Stereotypes
Generalization: inductions or inferences drawn about characteristics
Stereotypes: persistent generalizations associated with a cultural group
Often associated with devaluing or stigmatizing aspects
Sometimes stereotypes can even seem ‘positive’ (e.g. model minority myth)
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Cultural perspectives describe the central tendencies in outlook which typify the collective membership of a particular cultural group.
Cultural influenced perceptions are more narrowly focused, individually generated assessments.
Cultural Differences: Culturally Influenced Perceptions
Cultural Outlooks
Implicit superiority
Tendency to view our own cultural perceptions as ‘correct’
Natural reaction
Ethnocentrism/Cultural Prejudice
Other cultures perspectives/members are seen as inferior or flawed
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Implicit superiority: tendency to view our own cultural perceptions as “correct” and “best”
Cultural Differences: Culturally Influenced Perceptions
Acculturation: process by which individuals acquire the norms, values & other elements of a particular culture
Often studied w/ respect to immigrating individuals/groups
A cyclical process (Triandis)
Accommodation, overshooting, ethnic affirmation
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How individuals adapt themselves into a difference culture
Cultural Differences: Communication Codes
Different Verbal Codes
Obvious differences:
Different languages
Dialects
Culturally unique words/phrases
Subtle differences:
Differences in using words/language
Ex.—Self-references
Culturally distinct associations for shared words
Taboo topics/words
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Note the differences between obvious differences and subtle differences
Cultural Differences: Communication Codes
Different Nonverbal Codes:
Significant, but not absolute.
Some NV cues seem to be universally expressed/recognized to some degree (Ekman at al. 1969)
Happiness; Disgust; Sadness; Anger; Fear
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UTE0G9amZNk
Differences in NV codes generally manifested in 2 areas:
Different interpretations for specific nonverbal cues
Different nonverbal norms : e.g., proximity, touch, eye contact, dress/appearance
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2xJ_hbD4TQA (first example)
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Different culture have different interpretations for specific nonverbal cues; and have different nonverbal norms.
Cultural Differences: Communication Codes
Cultural Communication Styles—Culturally defined rules governing comm. Reflects differences in issues such as:
Topic: what is appropriate for discussion & what is taboo
e.g., age
Context: appropriateness of time & place
Normative communication behaviors: general and situation-specific; how communication related interactions ‘should’ take place
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Cultural communication styles : topic & context
Think about person-centeredness
Tactics for Intercultural Communication Competence
Open-mindedness/Cultural relativism — be willing to accept another’s cultural perspectives as valid to them to the some degree as your own perspectives are to you
Does not necessitate agreement/endorsement
Focusing on what/who is ‘right’ is rarely productive
Often must adapt to the situation, compromise, or agree to disagree
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Be open-minded
Tactics for Intercultural Communication Competence
Practicing Mindful Communication : Make an effort to remain alert & involved during comm interactions. Many elements:
Awareness & evaluation of your own comm behaviors
Close attention to the comm behaviors of the other party
Monitoring your cognitive responses for bias
Avoid assuming similarity
Engaging in active listening & perception checking
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Remain alert and involved during the conversation
Tactics for Intercultural Communication Competence
Expect & Tolerate uncertainty
Some degree of uncertainty is inevitable
Work to overcome it, don’t let it escalate to frustration
Understand that the other party is likely experiencing similar uncertainty
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Expect and tolerate a certain level of uncertainty
Tactics for Intercultural Communication Competence
Acquire cultural knowledge and skill : gain knowledge of a culture & learn how to practically apply it.
Not all info is equal. Some elements (e.g. displaying respect) are more important than others
Knowledge is useless without a working understanding of how to put it to use
This endeavor is a long term process
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Do some research to gain knowledge of a culture
Tactics for Intercultural Communication Competence
Engage in Person-centered communication —keep the other party’s perspective & level of knowledge about your culture in mind
Requires perspective taking
Avoid language/symbols that are unlikely to be understood (e.g. idioms)
Remember cultural knowledge is best understood as information about central tendencies of the members of a particular culture
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Adapt your verbal communication to a specific person
Tactics for Intercultural Communication Competence
Adopt a Long-term Outlook:
Many of the previously described tactics require repeated interactions & significant time and commitment to be implemented effectively
Over time, they generally pay off:
Consider the Convergence model of comm
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Think about a long-term relationship
Reflection Paper
You must choose 2 of the following 4 discussion questions to answer and provide a substantive discussion for each. Each is worth 30 points.
Question 1:
In our discussion of intercultural communication, we stated that cultural influences are dynamic, shifting, and overlapping. Additionally, we suggested that the characteristics associated with the members of a cultural group should be considered as indicators of central tendency—not every member will be influenced to the same degree by their cultural memberships or display precisely the same characteristics or behaviors. Using an example from your personal experience, discuss two people that would be considered members of the same cultural group yet who differ significantly from one another. Discuss their similarities and differences and speculate as to the underlying reasons for their existence.
Question 2:
In the presentation and chapter on intercultural communication, several tactics for intercultural communication competence are described. Choose an intercultural communication interaction from the film Crash where you feel the communication between parties was ineffective. Explore how their interaction might be improved by specifically applying two of the tactics for intercultural communication competence mentioned in the chapter and presentation. Alternately, you may choose to apply two of the tactics to an event from your personal experience that you feel is an appropriate example of an ineffective intercultural interaction.
Question 3:
One of the themes explored in the film Crash was the use of cultural stereotypes. Choose 3 specific stereotypes referenced in the film and discuss how they impacted the events portrayed in the film. If you had hypothetically switched places with one of the characters in the film discuss whether or not you might have (even unknowingly) been influence by some of the same stereotypical perceptions and explain the reasoning behind your answer.
Alternately, you may choose to discuss in detail 3 situations where you erroneously applied stereotypes in an interaction with someone else or were affected by another inaccurately stereotyping you.
Question 4:
One area of difference in communication codes discussed in the unit on intercultural communication are differences in cultural communication styles—culturally defined rules governing communication that can affect how members of a cultural group approach particular communication tasks—including the topics are acceptable for discussion in a given situation, and those that are taboo, what contexts are appropriate for a given communication task (e.g. sharing personal information), and other norms that influence their expectations for how a given communication interaction should take place. Choose an interaction in the film Crash that you believe was influenced by differences in cultural communication styles. Elaborate on what you believe those differences to be, how you feel they influenced the interaction, and how the parties might have been able to more effectively communicate with one another. Alternately, you may choose to discuss in detail (along the same lines as elaborated above) a personal experience where you believe differences in cultural communication styles contributed to ineffective communication.
Health Communication
Health Communication
“The study of communication as it relates to health” (Ratzan, Payne, & Bishop, 1996)
4 Broad Areas:
Patient/Provider Communication
Health Communication Campaigns
Evaluative Health Studies
Health/Medical Informatics
Scope and Focus
Scope includes
Health promotion
Health policy
Business of health care
Enhancement of quality of life
Health of individuals within the community
Promotion - adapting certain health behaviors, whether thru public health campaigns or preventative medicine.
Policy - advocating for certain policies, often involving public health initiatives such as Clean Air Act, Clean Water Act, Vaccinations
Business of health care - could consist of organizational communication in health companies, or in patient-provider communication.
Enhancement of life/community - voluntary health measures such as diets, exercise, eliminating stigma, etc.
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Areas of Concern
Patient provider communication
Unique because quantitatively interpersonal, but consists of professional relationships
Creating shared meaning about health care and conditions in the patient and provider encounter.
P-P Relationship— level of trust, willingness to engage in comm
Provider comm skills— active listening, probing, ensuring patient comprehension
Comm between H.C. providers— even in a routine doctor or hospital visit a patient typically exchanges info w/multiple personnel
Patient provider communication
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Areas of Concern
Health and medical informantics
Role communication technology plays in transferring information between people and information sources.
Overabundance of information is often a problem in today’s media environment.
Quality issues – misleading or dangerous information on the web.
Explores the impact of (comm) technology in health care & the issues surrounding it, particularly w/ respect to information access
E.g. Cheong & Wilkin’s (2005 study) exploring usage of the internet for health purposes within the Hispanic community in L.A. county
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Areas of Concern
Campaigns
Health communication campaigns – persuading individuals regarding health through mass media channels.
Fundamental goals include awareness and education and behavioral changing or reinforcing
Rely on appeals to both logic and emotion
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