Topics 5: Understanding_Communication_Style

30 vocabulary flashcards covering key terms, theories, styles, barriers, and examples from the Week 5 lecture on intercultural communication and negotiation.

Communication Style

The characteristic way people transfer meaning from sender to receiver, shaped by cultural norms.

Visible Behavior

Outward verbal and non-verbal actions that can be seen in cross-cultural communication.

Hidden Behavior

Beliefs, attitudes, and values that influence communication but are not immediately observable.

Context (Communication)

The physical, social, political, historical, or virtual situation surrounding a message that helps convey meaning.

High-Context Communication

Style that relies heavily on non-verbal cues, shared experiences, and implicit messages; relationship-focused (e.g., Japan).

Low-Context Communication

Style that emphasizes explicit, direct verbal expression and spelled-out meanings; task-focused (e.g., United States).

Direct Communication Style

Verbal messages reveal the speaker’s true intentions, needs, and desires; common in low-context cultures.

Indirect Communication Style

Messages are hinted or implied to preserve relational harmony; common in high-context cultures.

Elaborated Communication Style

Use of rich, expressive, often metaphorical language in everyday conversation (e.g., Arabic discourse).

Understated Communication Style

Prefers simple assertions and silence; “if you can’t say anything good, don’t say anything at all.”

Worldview

A cultural group’s collective way of looking at the world, influencing what is judged good or bad.

Values (Cultural)

Deeply held beliefs about what is right or wrong that guide communication behaviors.

Verbal Cues

Spoken elements such as word choice, tone, pitch, volume, and directness that convey meaning.

Nonverbal Cues

Unspoken signals including body language, gestures, posture, eye contact, and facial expressions.

Ethnocentrism

Belief that one’s own culture is superior to others, creating barriers to cross-cultural understanding.

Stereotyping

Generalizing about a group of people; a cognitive shortcut that can distort perception.

Prejudice

A negative attitude toward a cultural group based on little or no direct experience.

Discrimination

Behavior that results from prejudice or stereotyping; actions that exclude or harm other groups.

Interpersonal Communication

Sending and receiving simultaneous verbal and non-verbal messages between two or more people to negotiate meaning.

Shared Meaning

Outcome of effective interpersonal communication where participants reach the same understanding.

Encoding

Process of converting thoughts and feelings into words and non-verbal signals for transmission.

Decoding

Interpreting received messages to derive meaning from others’ words and non-verbal cues.

Physical Noise

External environmental distractions (e.g., loud sounds) that make a message difficult to hear.

Physiological Noise

Internal physical conditions (e.g., illness, hearing problems) that impede message reception.

Semantic Noise

Interference caused by different interpretations of words or phrases, especially under strong emotions.

Psychological Noise

Interference from attitudes, moods, or emotions present during an interaction.

Cross-Cultural Communication Barriers

Obstacles such as ethnocentrism, stereotyping, prejudice, and discrimination that hinder effective interaction.

High-Context Corporate Example: Toyota

Japanese company valuing silence and long-term relationships; communication is implicit and relationship-oriented.

Low-Context Corporate Example: Google

U.S. company emphasizing open expression and direct feedback; communication is explicit and task-oriented.

Adaptive Communication Example: McKinsey

Global consultancy that modifies its style based on host-country culture to ensure effective interaction.