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Inter-Act, 13th

EditionChapter 3Intercultur

al Communicati

on

Intercultural

Communication

Chapter 3 ObjectivesDescribe the role of communication in

defining, transmitting, and changing culture

Discuss the relationships between dominant and co-cultures

List and discuss the ways in which cultures differ and how that affects intercultural communication

Explain how one develops intercultural competence

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The psychological discomfort of adjusting to a new cultural situation

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Culture Shock

Intercultural Communication

Interactions that occur between people whose

cultures are so different that the communication between

them is altered

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The system of beliefs, values, and attitudes shared by a particular

segment of the population

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Culture

Dominant Culture

Culture within a society whose attitudes, values,

beliefs, and customs hold the majority opinion

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Co-Cultures

Groups of people living within a dominant culture who are

clearly different from the dominant culture

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Co-Cultures

1. Gender

2. Race

3. Ethnicity

4. Sexual orientation and gender identity

5. Religion

6. Social class

7. Generation8

Cultural Identity

Self-image based on cultural group or groups you

associate with

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How Cultures Differ Individualism-Collectivism: extent to which people in a

culture are integrated into groups Uncertainty Avoidance: extent to which people in a culture

avoid unpredictability regarding people, relationships, and events

Power Distance: amount of difference in power between people, institutions, and organizations in a culture

Masculinity-Femininity: extent to which notions of "maleness" and "femaleness" are valued in a culture

Time Orientation: differences in how cultures perceive time

Cultural context: differences in how cultures share meaning

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Individualism-Collectivism

Individualistic cultures value:

Personal rights and responsibilities

Competition and personal achievement

Self-expression Privacy

Collectivist cultures value:

Community, strong connection to groups

Harmony and cooperation

Avoiding embarrassment

Group interests over self-interests

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Uncertainty Avoidance

Low Uncertainty Avoidance

Comfortable with unpredictability

Takes risks Few rules Accepts multiple

perspectives of “truth”

High Uncertainty Avoidance

Creates systems of formal rules

Believes in absolute truth

Less tolerant of deviant ideas or behaviors

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Power Distance

High Power Distance

Power distributed unequally

Power imbalances seen as natural

Power is respected

Low Power Distance

Power is distributed equally

Inequalities are downplayed

People with power are not feared

Democracy is valued

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Masculinity-Femininity

Masculine Cultures Traditional sex-

based roles followed

Men are assertive and dominant

Women are nurturing, service-oriented

Male traits valued over female traits

Feminine Cultures Roles not based on

one’s sex People free to act

in nontraditional ways

Feminine traits valued

Both men and women demonstrate both masculine and feminine behaviors

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Time Orientation

Monochronic Value punctuality Follow plans

Polychronic Value flexible

schedules Multitasking

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Cultural Context

Low-Context Direct verbal

messages Speakers expected

to say what they mean

High-Context Indirect meaning Understood by

referring to unwritten cultural rules and subtle nonverbal behavior

“Read between the lines”

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U.S. Rankings(among 53 Countries/Regions)

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15t

h

43r

d

38t

h

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Intercultural Communication

Competenceeffective and appropriate

behavior and communication in intercultural situations

Barriers to Effective Intercultural Communication

Anxiety

Assuming similarity or difference culture

Ethnocentrism

Stereotyping

Incompatible communication codes

Incompatible norms and values

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Pyramid Model of Intercultural Competence

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Intercultural Communication Competence

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• Internal outcomes: • Informed frame of reference, filter shift• Adaptability, flexibility • Ethnorelativism: point of view that allows you

to see value in other cultural perspectives• Empathy

Intercultural Competence

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External outcome: Behaving and communicating effectively and appropriately to achieve your goals

HomeworkAnalyze your own intercultural

communication skills. Which skills are strong? What barriers most hinder your ability to communicate interculturally?

Write down a goal and a plan to improve one specific intercultural goal this semester.

Review your Assignment Rubric!!

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