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Intercultural Communication: Some key dimensions. American Culture & Society Scott. Assumptions. Over time, groups of people develop truths that help to bind them as a culture. These cultural values lead to certain styles of social behavior.
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Intercultural Communication: Some key dimensions American Culture & Society Scott
Assumptions • Over time, groups of people develop truths that help to bind them as a culture. • These cultural values lead to certain styles of social behavior. • Some of that behavior involves communication strategies. • As cultures vary, so do these strategies.
Cultures are not uniform Members within cultural groups also have varying behaviors -- but intercultural studies seek cases where variance is greater between groups than within groups. Culture A Culture B
Classifying cultures • Social scientists have identified specific communication approaches that help to distinguish one culture from another. • In seeking classifications, they often refer to these approaches as dimensions. • We’ll summarize nine here. • You’ll recognize some.
Might help to . . . Imagine these are dimensions that describe cross-cultural communication activities such as: • Media interviews • Diplomatic talks • PR & ad campaigns • Discussions within an international organization.
9 dimensions • Context • Space • Time • Information flow • Power distance • Uncertainty avoidance • Individualism • Masculinity index • Long-term orientation
Context • Amount of information needed to make sense of a message. • High-context societies need little explanation because people know the rules. • Often requires strong leader • No need to say the obvious • Low-context: People can make the rules as they go. Rules and goals are negotiable. • There is no obvious until it’s articulated. • “Put it in writing.”
Space • Describes amount of personal space that separates speakers. • Describes person-to-person communication styles. • Ex: North America vs. South America
Time • Two styles of organizing: • Monochronic – One at a time. Ordered and obvious. • Polychronic – Not in order, all at once, simultaneous or intuitive. • Next we’ll board all passengers in group four. • All parents with small children board first. • Line? What line? Just get on the plane.
Information flow • Structure of speed of information between people. • Direct address -- Blunt, to the point. Based on assumption that listener needs clear message. • Indirect address -- Nuanced, polite, aimed at preventing loss of face. • How do people in a culture say no?
Power distance • Extent to which people in culture accept an unequal distribution of power. • Often expressed in communication strategies. • Deferential choice of syntax (verb endings) in speaking to those higher up the hierarchy. • Ex: Use of first names in Australia vs. China
Uncertainty avoidance • Degree to which people in society are willing to deal with risk. • Expressed in ways people prefer to work with long-term acquaintances rather than strangers. • Seen in methods for interacting with strangers and maintaining “face.” • Ex: Self-introductions Brazil vs. S. Korea
Individualism • Refers to extent to which participants see themselves as separate or part of a larger group. • Big issue: pressure to conform/ freedom from conformity. • Also: Need to associate personal identity with group. • Ex: Honolulu locals -- Where did you go to high school?
Masculinity Index • Degree of assertiveness in action and communication. • Seen as a male trait that varies from one culture to another. • Female traits, interestingly, do not vary as greatly, according to Hofstede. • Reflected in men’s approach to life.
Long-Term Orientation • Degree to which people calculate their actions for results over long periods. • Long-term vs. immediate gratification. • Often captured in willingness to sacrifice for education. • Media application: Degree of loyalty to organization. • Interpersonal: Hold your tongue; don’t burn bridges; exercise ‘island spirit.’ • Is this an Asian value?
Analyzing ‘Your’ Countries • You may find material describing your country on some of these dimensions. • Can also try to infer some dimensions from media content (e.g., context, information flow, uncertainty avoidance, individualism).
Multiple choice Which intercultural communication dimension best describes this quotation: “She who knows does not speak; she who speaks does not know.” a. Information flow b. Individualism c. Time d. Context
Credit Some of this information came from: Gannon, Martin J. (2004) Understanding Global Cultures, 3rd ed. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage. Hofstede, Gert (in many texts)
