Speech 1311 Chapter 3 - Intercultural Communication Competency Video Series

1

Name: Qian Chen

Video Notes – “Understanding and Respecting Diversity”

VIDEO #1

What is Culture?

· A collection of values and assumptions that shape the way a group of people perceive and relate to their environment.

· We understand culture through behavior.

· “Culture is EVERYTHING.”

Above surface Culture (Big “C”)

· Music, Literature, Heroes, Painting, Dance, Architecture, Food, Drink, Clothing

Below Surface Culture (Little “c”)

· Concept of self, truth, friendship, fairness, approaches to work, concept of time, communication preferences, tolerance for risk

Challenge: A common mistake is to assume sameness and misread behaviors.

Result: Cultural incidents occur which cause unnecessary misunderstanding and conflict.

Understanding “the other” minimizes risk.

· How people think = Worldview

· How thinking informs behavior = Culture

Interpreting Behaviors

· Universal

· Eating, sleeping, speaking mother tongue

· Cultural

· Dios de los Muertos, Thanksgiving

· Individual

· Sleeping with bedroom window open, wearing UT orange suit to work

DANGER:

· Misreading behaviors leads to stereotypes : “A commonly-held, often accusatory assumptions about a group of people.”

· Stereotyping reduces communication effectiveness.

NOTE: THIS IS NO SHORT ESSAY ASSIGNMENT AT THE END OF THIS FIRST VIDEO.

VIDEO #2

Building Blocks of Culture

#1 Individualism and Collectivism

· Individualism

· People identify primarily with self, not group .

· The needs of the individual are met before the group.

· Group membership is not essential to one’s identity, survival, success.

· Independence and self-reliance are greatly valued and is goal of parenting.

· People are judged by individual achievement and not the group they belong to.

· Collectivism

· Who you are is a function of the group (e.g. the family, the work team)

· The immediate family is the smallest unit of survival

· “The nail that sticks up must be hammered down.”

· Harmony and interdependence of group members are stressed and valued.

Short Essay Question #1 –

Are you more individualistic or collectivist in terms of how you view yourself and your responsibility to others? Give at least two examples. Worth 5 points

Type your answer here:

VIDEO #3

#2 Monochronism vs. Polychronism

· Monochronism

· Time is limited .

· Deadlines and schedules are sacred.

· Plans are not easily changed.

· People may be too busy to see you.

· Needs of people are subservient to demands of time.

· People expect undivided attention.

· Interruptions are to be avoided.

· To be late, to be kept waiting is rude .

· People stand in line!

· The goal is to stick to the schedule.

· Polychronism

· Time is bent to meet needs of people

· There is always more time!

· Schedules and deadlines are easily changed.

· Plans are fluid .

· People always have time to see you.

· People may do several things at once and split time between several people/tasks.

· Interruptions are normal part of life. The goal is to enjoy life.

· People don’t stand in line!

· To be late or kept waiting is O.K.

Short Essay Question #2–

Are you more monochronic or polychronic in terms of how you understand and manage time?

Type your answer here:

Worth 5 points; Your answer should be a minimum of 4 full sentences. You must give at least two examples to support your answer.

VIDEO #4

#3 Direct vs. Indirect Talk

Concept of giving Face

· Directness

· People “say what they mean and mean what they say.”

· There is no need to read behind the lines.

· It is best to “tell it like it is.”

· People are less likely to imply and say exactly what they are thinking.

· Yes means Yes !

· Indirect

· People don’t always say what they mean.

· One must read between the lines.

· People are more likely to suggest or imply than to come out and say what they think.

· One cannot always tell it like it is.

· Yes may mean “ maybe ” or even “ no ”

· The importance of “ face ”

· To give face to another person to preserve dignity and respectability of another

· To lose face to feel embarrassment or to have self-worth questioned

· Face less Important

· Telling the truth is more important than sparing someone’s feelings.

· Honest is the best policy.

· It is o.k. to say no and to confront people.

· Getting/giving information is primary goal of the communication exchange.

· Face is more Important

· Preserving harmony and saving face are key concerns,

· Truth should be adjusted when it threatens someone’s face.

· One says what one thinks the other person wants to hear so as not to disappoint.

· It is not always proper to say no, disagree, or confront

· Preserving personal bond is goal of communication exchange.

Short Essay Question #3 –

Are you more direct or indirect in terms of how you communicate with others? Are you sensitive to the concept of face-giving and face-saving when communicating with someone who is older or of higher status?

Type your answer here: Worth 5 points; Your answer should be a minimum of 4 full sentences. You must give at least two examples to support your answer.

VIDEO #5

#4 Locus of Control

· Internal or External

· The view of self and one’s place vis-à-vis the external world

· “Is life what happens to you?” ( External )

· “Is life what you make of it?” ( Internal )

· Locus of Control-Internal

· Life what you make of it.

· There are no limits to what one can do or become.

· Your success is your own achievement.

· You are responsible for what happens to you.

· Life is what you DO (a more activist culture)

· Locus of Control-External

· Life is largely predetermined – control external to the individual.

· There are limits to what one can do or become.

· Your success is combination of effort and good luck.

· Life in large part is what happens to you.

· Fatalistic view = “It wasn’t meant to be.”

Short Essay Question #4 –

Do you relate more to the Internal Locus of Control of External Locus of Control (who is in control of your life?)

Type your answer here:

Worth 5 points; Your answer should be a minimum of 4 full sentences. You must give at least two examples to support your answer.

VIDEO #6

#5 Power Distance

· How a society deals with inequality between people.

· The distinctions between people in their access to power and their level of status

· High Power Distance

· Corporate structures are authoritarian; power is centralized.

· One defers to authority .

· Managers hold on to power.

· Subordinates do not take initiative but wait for explicit instructions.

· Rank has privileges .

· Manager/subordinate relations are formal.

· Decisions are made at the top .

· One does not openly disagree with/say no to the boss.

· Low Power Distance

· Democratic management style

· Managers share some power with subordinates.

· Subordinates do not like to be micromanaged.

· Decision making tends to be consultative.

· Rank has few privileges.

· Manager/subordinate relations are fairly informal .

· It is o.k. to disagree with/say no to the boss.

Cross Cultural Lessons

· Most people behave rationally . What is rational in one culture may not be in another.

· One should try to understand a behavior even if they don’t like it.

· Not all behavior is tied to culture.

· Be willing to ask for clarification when YOU don’t understand.

· Don’t assume sameness .

· Be willing to listen and suspend judgment.

Short Essay Question #5–

Are you more comfortable with a High Power Distance or Low Power Distance orientation when interacting with other people?

Type your answer here:

Worth 5 points; Your answer should be a minimum of 4 full sentences. You must give at least two examples to support your answer.