Intercultural Communication in a Changing World

Some DefinitionsCultural Similarities and Differences

Social Media

Definitions

• Culture: The language, values, beliefs, traditions and customs people share and learn. (Samovar, 2007).

• Culture is a matter of perception & definition.• In Groups: Those groups we identify with.• Out Groups: Those groups we see different.• Co-Cultures: Groups within a culture. (i.e.

age).

Culture

Historically, a culture was shared by a society of people who inhabited a particular geographic area.

Intercultural Communication

• The United States is a nation of immigrants from all over the world.

• Therefore, you will interact with many people whose cultures are different than yours.

• This makes communication with them challenging.

Cultural Similarities and Differences

• Individualism-Collectivism- the extent to which people in a culture are integrated into groups.

Individualistic Culture

• Defined- a culture that emphasizes personal rights and responsibilities, privacy, voicing one’s opinion, freedom, innovation, and self-expression.

Collectivist Culture

• Defined- a culture that emphasizes community, collaboration, shared interests, harmony, the public good, and avoiding embarrassment.

Power Distance

• Defined- amount of difference in power between people, institutions, and organizations in a culture.

High Power Distance Culture

• Defined- a culture in which power is distributed unequally

• Inequality is natural for all, even the less powerful

Low Power Distance Culture

• Defined- a culture in which power is distributed equally, or at least mostly equally.

“Please call me Cliff”

Uncertainty Avoidance

• Defined- the extent to which the people in a culture avoid unpredictability regarding people, relationships and events.

Low Uncertainty Avoidance Culture

• Defined- a culture characterized as being accepting and having a low need to control unpredictable people, relationships, and events.

• Accept the unusual, take risks, want as few rules as possible.

High Uncertainty Avoidance Cultures

• Defined- a culture characterized as having a low tolerance for and a high need to control unpredictable people, relationships and events.

• “cautious”, “anxious”, “structured”

Achievement vs. NurturingAchievement

Focus on achievement, competition, strength and material success.Mexico, Italy, Japan

NurturingFocus on nurturance, quality of life, support and affection.

Finland, Norway, Thailand

High Context vs. Low ContextEdward T. Hall

High ContextUses language to maintain social harmony and uses subtle nonverbal and verbal cues.Middle Eastern, Asia

Low ContextUses language to express thoughts as directly and logically as possible.US, Canada, Europe

Language and Identity

• We use language to help communicate our culture.

• Examples:– When asked to “Identify Yourself…” US, said their

names, Hindus said their caste/village name.– There is no equivalent word for “I” in the Chinese

written language.

Intercultural Communication Competence

In order to become a better interculturalcommunicator, you need to observe the

following:

1. Motivation and Attitude2. Tolerance for Ambiguity3. Open-Mindedness/Avoid Ethnocentrism4. Knowledge and Skill

Social Media

• A generation ago, face to face communication was essential. Now a days, we have social media (phones, text, emails etc.) to start and maintain relationships.

• By 2010 75% of Americans under 30 used social networking sites.

Characteristics of Social Media

1. Message Richness: The abundance of nonverbal cues to add clarity to a verbal (written) message.

Characteristics of Social Media

2. Synchronicity– Synchronous: Two way communication that

occurs in real time (i.e. phone communication).– Asynchronous: Two way communication that has

a gap in in (i.e. email, texting)

Characteristics of Social Media

3. Permanence: Information in face to face conversation can be forgotten, but social media persists indefinitely.

Social Media and Relational Quality: Negative Side

• Older studies show that heavy internet users spend less time talking in person and over the phone.

• Excessive internet use has also been linked to depression, loneliness and problems at school/work.

Social Media and Relational Quality: Positive Side

• Internet users were 20% more likely to communicate daily with a friend.

• 66% said their contact with friends increased because of email.

• Couples who communicate via cell reported feeling more loving and confident about their relationship.