Powerpoint Lecture 1 - Communication and Culture

Chapter 1Chapter 1

Communication: Essential Human Behavior

Communication: Essential Human Behavior

Real Communication, Second Editionby Dan O’Hair and Mary Wiemann

Why Study Communication?Why Study Communication?

Formal study can−Improve our skills−Help us make sense of what

happens in our lives−Increase our personal impact−Enhance our relationships with others

Communication Enables Us to…

Communication Enables Us to…

Express Affiliation Express Affiliation Affiliation is the affect, or feelings,

you have for others; emotion.

It can be expressed in many ways; both verbal and non verbal

Achieve GoalsAchieve Goals We need communication to

accomplish particular objectives

Goal or task oriented communication can be both direct and indirect

Influence OthersInfluence OthersControl; ability of one person, group, or organization to influence others.

Describing CommunicationDescribing Communication

Communication is the process by which individuals use symbols, signs, and behaviors to exchange information.

Characteristics of CommunicationCharacteristics of Communication

Symbolic−Symbols are arbitrary

constructions that refer to people, things, and concepts

−Symbols stand for things, but they are not the “thing.” There is no relationship between symbols and the “thing” they stand for.

SymbolsSymbols

Tree

Features (cont’d)Features (cont’d)

Meaning−the significance we bestow

on phenomena—what they signify to us

−We negotiate the meaning of symbols with others through communication

Characteristics of CommunicationCharacteristics of CommunicationRequires a shared code

−A code is a set of symbols joined together to create meaning

−Involves encoding and decoding


Need not be intentional−Giving information vs. giving off information


Occurs through various channels−A channel is a method

through which communication occurs

Modeling Communication

http://youtu.be/Btj94IHVc6I?t=22s



Components of Communication (cont’d) Components of Communication (cont’d)

Feedback is the verbal or nonverbal response to communication. +/-

The Channel is the medium by which the message travels; “the medium is the message”

Context or a specific environment that involves several situational factors; Culture

− People simultaneously send and receive messages

− Changes over time

− Occurs within systems

Components of Communication (cont’d) Components of Communication (cont’d)

Noise is any interference that occurs as we communicate. Internal or External.

Chapter 3Chapter 3

Communication and CultureCommunication and Culture

Real Communication, Second Editionby Dan O’Hair and Mary Wiemann

Copyright ©2012, 2009, 2006 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.



Culture DescribedCulture Described

Culture is a…learned system of thought and behavior that belongs to and typifies a relatively large group of people; it is the composite of their shared beliefs, values, and practices.

How do we learn culture?How do we learn culture?

listening and observing others' communication

worldview—the framework through which we interpret the world

Learn Culture through communication

Express Culture through communication


Intercultural Communication

Communication between people from

different cultures who have different

worldviews.

Why does it matter?


Intercultural Communication

We live in a diverse society.

The world is mobile.

Computer mediated

communication

Global market place


Cultural Variation

1. High Context vs. Low-Context2. Collectivist vs. Individualist 3. Uncertainty Tolerance4. Masculine vs. Feminine5. Power Distance6. Time Orientation7. Emotional Expression


High-Context vs Low-Context

High-context cultures use contextual cues (such as time, place, relationship, and situation) to interpret meaning and send subtle messages.

Low-context cultures use very

direct language and rely less on situational factors to communicate.


Collectivist vs IndividualistCollectivists tend to perceive

themselves as members of larger groups first and communicate from that perspective.

People from individualist cultures value individuality, autonomy, and privacy.

Power Distances

Way in which a culture accepts

and expects the division of

power among individuals



Masculine vs Feminine

Masculine cultures place value on assertiveness, achievement, ambition, and competitiveness.

Feminine cultures place value on nurturance, relationships, and quality of life

Comfort with uncertainty

Cultures differ in the degree of anxiety that members feel about the unknown. The ability to adapt behaviors in order to reduce uncertainty and risk, is referred to as uncertainty avoidance.

Time Orientation

The way that cultures communicate with and about time Monochronic cultures treat time as a

limited resource that can be saved or wasted.

Polychronic cultures are less concerned with making every moment count and time is a much more fluid concept.

Value of Emotional Expression

Hyperbole, vivid language with great emotional intensity, is often used by collectivist cultures. Individualist cultures tend to use more understatement, language that downplays the emotional intensity or importance of events.

What Co-Cultures do you belong to?What Co-Cultures do you belong to?

Groupings with unique characteristics; race, sex, gender religion, common interests, activities.

Generational cultures

Barriers to Competent Intercultural CommunicationAnxietyEthnocentrismDiscriminationCombat with…Intercultural sensitivity Intergroup contactAccommodation

Powerpoint Lecture 1 - Communication and Culture

Education

study communication

culture real communication

communication express

task oriented communication

modeling communication

pearson education

meaning of symbols

set of symbols