UNIT 1: EFFECTIVE INTERCULTURAL COMMUNICATION

Communication

The dynamic, symbolic, and continuous process through which individuals create, exchange and interpret meaning. It is the negotiation of shared understanding between people.

Samovar et al. 2017 statement about communication

Communication is inevitable, irreversible, and contextual, so we can not avoid communicating

Communication relies on?

It relies on symbols (words, gestures, sounds, and images) where meanings are agreed-upon

The basic components of communication

Source or Encoder - the one who originates and sends the message

Message - what the sender wants you to understand which contains verbal and non-verbal cues

Channel - medium (like a tool) used to send the message

Receiver or Decoder - the person who interprets and receive the message

Feedback - the response based on the interpretation of message which confirms the understanding

Noise - any physical, psychological, semantic, or cultural background that distorts understanding

Encoding means?

Translating thoughts into symbols

Decoding means?

Interpreting symbols through one’s own frame of reference

Shared meanings means?

The bridge between the senders intent and receivers interpretation

Global Communication Context

People communicate even if they have different cultural, national, and organizational background which requires awareness of differing norms, values, and expectations

Culture

Culture acts as a lens through which all communication is filtered; it consists of feeling, thinking and behaving that is passed down across generations

Ethnocentrism

Viewing one’s culture as superior to other culture

Cultural Relatavism

The practice of understanding behavior within its own cultural context rather than imposing external standards

Language is?

Language is the primary tool of communication, which is deeply intertwined with culture

Sapir-Whorf Hypothesis

It states that language shapes how we perceive and categorize the world.

Hofstede Cultural Dimensions

It highlights how society vary in key values

Collectivism

Emphasizes group harmony, relationship, loyalty, and respect

Individualism

Having independence, self autonomy, and self decision

Highly Masculine Culture (Japan, Hungary)

Values competitions, achievements, ambitions, success, and gender roles

Highly Feminine Cultures (Sweden, Norway)

Prioritize cooperation, quality of life, equality, work-life balance

Who created High Context and Low Context Theory?

Edward T. Hall (1914-2009)

High Context Culture

Cultures that are inexplicit about meanings, nonverbal cues, and relies on context

Low Context Culture

Explicit and verbal communication, direct and detailed meaning of what they said

Hindrances in having an effective communication

Biases, ignorance, social attitudes

Biases and cancel culture

It distorts and hinders constructive communication

Stereotypes

Oversimplified beliefs applied to all members of a group

Prejudice

A negative attitude formed without personal experience

Cancel Culture

Rejecting or ostracizing individuals with different opinions or actions

Ageism

Judging people based on their age

Sexism

Treating everyone unfairly based on gender

Cultural Ignorance

The lack of knowledge about other cultures

Cultural Awareness

The ability to recognize and respect differences

Diversity

Acknowledging that groups have distinct characteristics, backgrounds, and culture

Individuation

Seeing each person as a unique individual rather than thinking of who they are according to their culture

Cultural Silence

People prefers to stay silent or quiet with their thoughts to avoid misinterpreting that they are challenging someone’s authority

Cultural Silos

Groups completely remain isolated from one another

Uncertainty Reduction Theory

Suggests that when we are communicating and interacting with people from different culture, we experience anxiety and uncertainty

Communication Accommodation Theory

Speaker adjust their tone, speech, and style accordingly to whom they are talking to

Convergence

Involves adapting to others to be more similar and build rapport

Divergence

Maintaining differences to emphasize each identity

Face Negotiation Theory

Suggests that each culture has their ways on managing their “face” or social image

Collectivist Culture

People prioritize maintaining group harmony and protecting other’s face

Individualist Culture

Protecting one’s autonomy and self-image

Westerns have what kind of communication?

Linear and direct

Asian and Latin have what kind of communication?

Circular and contextual

Transcending Messages

Process of moving meaning