Comparison and Contrast Paper
Aires310
West6e_PPT_Ch27.pptxIntroducing Communication Theory: Analysis and Application 6th edition
Richard West, Lynn H. Turner
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Chapter 27
Face-negotiation Theory (FNT)
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Chapter Overview
About face
Face and politeness theory
Facework
Assumptions of FNT
Individualistic and collectivistic cultures
Face management and culture
Managing conflict across cultures
Integration, critique, and closing
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FNT at a Glance
Cultures manage conflict negotiation differently due to differing face concerns
Face, as an extension of one’s self-concept, is negotiated in interactions
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Introduction
Face-Negotiation Theory combines principles of:
Intercultural communication
Conflict
Politeness
Facework
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About Face
Face: A metaphor for the public image people display
Pervades all aspects of social life
Can be maintained, lost, or strengthened
Can be interpreted in two ways
Face concern: Interest in maintaining one’s face or the face of others
Face need: Desire to be associated or disassociated with others
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Face and Politeness Theory
People will use a politeness strategy based on their perceptions of face threat
A single message can simultaneously threaten and/or support multiple face needs
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Face and Politeness Theory (continued)
Types of universal face needs
Positive face: Desire to be liked and admired by others
Negative face: Desire to be autonomous and free from others
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Facework
Actions used to deal with face needs or wants of self and others
Types of facework
Tact: Extent to which a person respects another’s autonomy
Solidarity: Accepting another as a member of an in-group
Approbation: Focusing on the positive aspects of another
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Assumptions of FNT
Self-identity is important in interpersonal interactions, with individuals negotiating their identities differently across cultures
Self-identity: Personal attributes of an individual
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Assumptions of FNT (continued 1)
The management of conflict is mediated by face and culture
Conflict can damage face and reduce relational closeness
U.S. culture values the open airing of differences
Other cultures handle conflict discreetly
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Assumptions of FNT (continued 2)
Certain acts threaten one’s projected self-image (face)
Face-threatening acts (FTAs)
Face-saving actions
Face restoration actions
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Individualistic and Collectivistic Cultures
Cultural variability
Individualism: A cultural value that places emphasis on the individual over the group
Collectivism: A cultural value that places emphasis on the group over the individual
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Face Management
Protection of one’s face
Face management in individualistic cultures
Self-face-oriented
Negative face
Face management in collectivistic cultures
Preserving one’s face and the face of others
Adaptability
Positive face
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Managing Conflict across Cultures
Primary conflict management strategies
Avoiding
Obliging
Compromising
Dominating
Integrating
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Managing Conflict across Cultures (continued)
Examples of preferred conflict management styles across cultures
The Americans use more dominating styles than the Japanese and the Koreans
The Taiwanese use integrating styles
The Chinese and the Taiwanese use more obliging styles than the Americans
The Chinese use more avoiding and compromising styles than other cultures
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Integration
Communication tradition
Socio-psychological
Communication context
Cultural
Approach to knowing
Positivistic/empirical
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Evaluating FNT
Logical consistency
Differences of individualistic and collectivistic cultures are not enough
This cultural dimension may not fully explain cultural differences
Positive and negative face labels are too general
Heurism
Several key concepts and features of the theory have been studied
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