Cross-Cultural Communications Practice Flashcards

These flashcards cover the core vocabulary and theoretical frameworks of the Cross-Cultural Communications course, based on the Geert Hofstede, Erin Meyer, and Taiye Selasi models.

Culture (Hofstede definition)

The collective programming of the mind distinguishing the members of one group or category of people from others.

Multicollective

The concept that individuals are automatically members of several cultural groups at the same time, making national or ethnic backgrounds a narrow basis for understanding.

Cultural Repertoires

A toolkit or collection of skills, habits, and styles formed by knowledge, values, norms, language, heroes, traditions, and rituals.

The 3R’s (Taiye Selasi)

A framework for multi-local identity consisting of Rituals (routine actions), Relationships (regular interactions), and Restrictions (limitations like passports or racism).

Diversity Competence

The ability to transform an experience of strangeness into normality (familiarity) to allow people to pursue their interaction goals.

Availability Bias

A cognitive bias where what comes to mind more easily is mistakenly thought to be more frequent or true.

Cognitive Bias

A logical shortcut the brain takes to process information faster, often leading to errors in judgment or favoring familiar information.

Implicit Preference

An automatic, hidden stereotype about certain groups of people shaped by society rather than facts, often felt as a "gut feeling."

Individualism vs. Collectivism

The degree of interdependence a society maintains; whether self-image is defined as "I" (individual rights) or "We" (loyalty to the in-group).

High Context Communication

Implicit and indirect language where smooth interpersonal relations are highly valued; often linked with collectivist cultures.

Low Context Communication

Unlayered, direct, and straightforward communication; often linked with egalitarian and individualistic cultures.

Power Distance Index (PDI)

The extent to which a society accepts inequality and hierarchy, influencing decision-making and the relationship between bosses and subordinates.

Uncertainty Avoidance Index (UAI)

How a society deals with the fact that the future can never be known and the extent to which they try to avoid ambiguity.

Motivation towards Achievement & Success (MAS)

A dimension measuring whether people are motivated by wanting to be the best (high MAS) or liking what they do and caring for others (low MAS).

Principles First (Deductive Thinking)

A persuasion style that develops the theory or complex concept first before reaching a conclusion, asking "How?" based on laws or physics.

Applications First (Inductive Approach)

A persuasion style that begins with facts, statements, or successful cases and adds concepts later to support the point.

Linear Time (Monochronic)

A scheduling approach where projects are executed step-by-step, focusing on deadlines, promptness, and completing one task at a time.

Flexible Time (Polychronic)

A scheduling approach where tasks are executed fluidly as opportunities emerge, multitasking and valuing adaptability over organization.

Backchanneling

Feedback signals provided by a listener to communicate they are listening and understand the message.

Emblems

A category of hand gestures and body movements that act as a substitute for words and phrases.

Haptics

The study of the language of touching in communication.

Proxemics

The study of interpersonal distance, such as how far people stand or sit from one another.

Ethnocentrism

The idea that one's own culture is superior to others.

Universalism

The search for human values that are shared by everyone; however, most anthropologists agree no substantial values are truly universal.

DIE Framework

An intercultural tool consisting of three steps: Describe, Interpret, and Evaluate, used to suspend judgment and reframe situations.

White Privilege

Implicit or systemic advantages possessed by white people in a society where whiteness is considered the norm.

Polarization

A process where groups define themselves along different boundaries, creating "us against them" poles; it can lead to conflict or societal renewal.