Module Three Communication and Culture 1. Culture: the lifestyle of a group of people Culture: a learned set of shared interpretations about beliefs,

1

Module ThreeCommunication and Culture

2

Culture: the lifestyle of a group of people Culture: a learned set of shared

interpretations about beliefs, values, and norms which affect the behaviours of a relatively large group of people.

Co-cultures: coexist within the mainstream society yet remain connected to one another.

3

Cultureo values

o beliefso artifacts o ways of

behavingo ways of

communicating

o languageo ways of

thinkingo arto lawso religion

4

Intercultural Communication

Enculturation: the process of learning one’s culture from one generation to another

Acculturation: the process by which a person’s culture is modified through direct contact with or exposure to another culture

Intercultural Communication: between people of different cultures; influenced by enculturation and acculturation which can create barriers

5

Your Turn Complete Test Yourself: How

Ethnocentric Are You? In your EZ Guide

6

Ethnocentrism

We all tend to see others and their behaviours through our own cultural filters and think our culture is better than other cultures in every way.

7

Barriers to Understanding Each Other Stereotypes:

generalizations about a group of people that oversimplify the group’s characteristics;

Exaggerated beliefs to make judgments about an entire group of people

8

Stereotypes

are a fixed impression of a group of people

may be influenced by nationality, religion, sexual orientation, or any other characteristic that defines a group

distort accurate perceptions prevent seeing someone as an

individual

Stereotype the following groups:◦ Women drivers◦ Jocks ◦ Blacks◦ Gays and lesbians◦ Jews◦ Francophones

3-9

Stereotype the other group

Stereotype each person in yourgroup

3-10

11

Barriers to Understanding Each Other Prejudice

Positive or negative attitudes about an individual or cultural group based on little or no direct experience with that person or group

Making a judgment about someone before you get to know that person and learn whether your opinions and feelings are justified

12

Discrimination How we act out and express

prejudice Exclude groups of people from

opportunities granted to others

Barriers to Understanding Each Other

13

Racism Emerges from ethnocentrism,

stereotyping, prejudice, and discrimination

Racist people assume that a person with a certain inherited characteristic also has negative characteristics and abilities; they believe in the superiority of their own race above others

Can lead to the abuse of power

Barriers to Understanding Each Other

14

Understanding Cultural Diversity

Social identity Our self-concept as derived from the

social categories to which we see ourselves belonging

Part of social identity is derived from the cultural groups to which you belong as well as the groups to which you do not belong

15

To understand cultural diversity you should first understand your own culture then broaden your mind to understand other cultures Religion is a very important aspect of a

culture; in many countries and for many groups, religion is the culture; occasionally when religious groups attempt to practice their culture in a secular country, they encounter intolerance

Understanding Cultural Diversity

16

Understanding Cultural Diversity Regardless of your individual

religious beliefs, you must remember that people feel strongly about their religion, and that difference between religious beliefs and practices do matter

17

Understanding Cultural Diversity We live in a pluralistic society; the

more knowledge you gain about the people around you and the more you learn to respect others, the better you will be able to communicate

Your willingness and ability to work in a diverse environment will likely increase your opportunities for success in any career choice you make

18The Dimensions of Culture

1. Individualism/Collectivism

2. Power Distance3. Masculine/Feminine

Values4. High/Low Context5. Monochronic/

Polychronic

19

Intercultural dimension: an aspect of culture that can be measured relative to other cultures

The Dimensions of Culture

20

Your Turn Complete Test Yourself – How

Individualistic Are You? In your EZ Guide

21

Individualism/Collectivism may be the most important factor distinguishing one culture from another

The Dimensions of Culture

Individualistic Culture-You are responsible for yourself and

perhaps your immediate family; you are responsible to your own conscience: independence

Collectivist Culture-You are responsible for the entire group;

responsibility is largely an individual matter: interdependence

22

Power Distance: refers to the physical and psychological distance between those who have power and those who do not in relationships, institutions, and organizations High Power Distance: individuals accept

differences in power as normal; accepted that the privileged have more power and us it to control lives of those with less power; you accept and do not challenge authority

Low Power Distance: power distinctions are minimized: supervisors work with subordinates

The Dimensions of Culture

23

Masculine/Feminine Values: the terms masculine and feminine are used to describe whether masculine or feminine traits are valued by a culture; the terms are used to describe a societal perspective rather than individuals

The Dimensions of Culture

A masculine culture: typically views men as assertive, tough, oriented to material success and strong; women modest, tender, oriented to maintaining quality of life

A feminine culture: both men and women are supposed to be modest, tender and oriented to maintaining the quality of life

24

High/Low Context: High-context culture: very little

meaning is expressed through words; gestures, silence, facial expressions and relationships among communicators have higher meaning; also through status (age, gender, education, family, etc.)

Low-context culture: meaning is expressed primarily through language

The Dimensions of Culture

25

Intercultural Communication Strategies

1) Recognize and reduce your ethnocentrism2) Be mindful: involves being fully aware of the

present moment without making hasty judgements; mindlessness occurs when you allow rigid categories and false distinctions to become habits of thought and behaviour

3) Face fears4) Avoid over-attribution5) Identify uncertainty and ambiguity6) Be receptive to new information7) Respect others’ perspectives

26

Strategies continued

8) Recognize differences-between yourself and culturally different people-within the culturally different group

8) Recognize meaning differences in verbal & nonverbal messages

9) Recognize culture shock

27

Recognize That Culture Shock Is Normal

Stages of Culture ShockHoneymoon Fascination with new cultureCrisis Differences between your own culture and

the new one creates problemsRecovery Gain the skills to function effectivelyAdjustment Adjust and come to enjoy the new culture

28

Adjust Your Communication

Learn the other culture’s signals; avoid violating cultural rules

Share your own system of signals with others

Avoid evaluating differences negatively: see others as different but equal

29

Your Turn Complete Check Your Ability: in your EZ

Guide

30

Thanks for coming!