CHAPTER 2

• Cultural patterns


  Unseen but shared expectations about what people say and do
• Cultural patterns are primarily in people's mind but the consequences of cultural patterns can be seen in people's communication behaviors
• Cultural patterns


  Invisible differences that characterize cultures
• Cultural patterns


  The basis for interpreting the symbols used in communication
• Intercultural communication competence


  Develop by understanding differences in cultural patterns
• Six fundamental patterns of cultural differences

  • Different communication styles
  • Different attitudes towards conflict
  • Different approaches to completing tasks
  • Different decision-making styles
  • Different attitudes towards disclosure
  • Different approaches to knowing
• Cultural Taxonomy


  A description of cultural patterns, an approach to understanding the range of cultural differences
• Edward T. Hall


  An American anthropologist and cross-cultural researcher who made early discoveries of key cultural factors
• Context


  The information that surrounds an event; it is inextricably bound up with the meaning of that event
• High-context communication


  Meaning is in the situation and the background, roles, and relationships of the speakers

  
• Low-context communication


  Meaning is in the actual words
• Cultures differ on a continuum that ranges from high to low context
• Characteristics of high-context cultures

  • Have a strong sense of tradition & history
  • Change little over time
• Characteristics of low-context cultures

  • Many overt and explicit messages
  • Prefer clear descriptions, unambiguous communication and are highly specific
  • More focus on verbal communication than body language. Rely on the spoken or written words
• Characteristics of high-context cultures

  • Many covert and implicit messages
  • Use of metaphor and reading between the lines
  • Much nonverbal communication. What's not said is often more important than what is said
• Characteristics of high-context cultures


  • One distinguishes between people inside and people outside one's circle
  • One's identity is rooted in groups (family, culture, work)
  • Loyalties to families and to one's social & work groups are long-lasting and unchanging
• Characteristics of low-context cultures


  • Many people can be inside one's circle; circle's boundary is not clear
  • One's identity is rooted in oneself and one's accomplishments
  • The extent of involvement and commitment to long-term relationships is lower
• Characteristics of high-context cultures

  • Relationships depend on trust, build up slowly, are stable
  • The commitment between people is very strong and deep
  • How things get done depends on relationships with people and attention to group process
• Characteristics of low-context cultures

  • Relationships begin and end quickly
  • The bonds between people are very fragile. Group memberships change rapidly
  • Things get done by following procedures and paying attention to the goal. People do not rely or trust relationships in business communication
• Chronemics


  The study of human tempo in communication (how we use time to communicate)
• Characteristics of Monochronic (M-time)

  • Time is money
  • Time is a commodity and can be gained or lost
  • Structure and order are central
  • Strict schedules and plans
  • One task at a time, linear order, no interruptions
  • Emphasis on punctuality, task-orientation
• Characteristics of Polychronic (P-time)

  • Time is the servant of people
  • Time is not a commodity; there is always more time
  • Relationships and people are central
  • Flexible schedules and plans
  • Multi-tasking, cyclical order, priority adjustable
  • Emphasis on a harmonious relationship
• High context people tend to be polychronic (flexible with time)
• Low context people tend to be monochronic (strict with time)
• Every individual uses both high-context and low context communication. Often, the types of relationships we have with others and our circumstances will dictate the extent to which we rely more on literal or implied meanings
• Geert Hofstede


  A researcher in the fields of organizational culture who surveyed the employees at the multinational company IBM in more than 70 countries and identified 5 dimensions or characteristics of national culture that affect communication
• Hofstede's cultural dimensions

  • Power distance
  • Uncertainty avoidance
  • Individualism vs. Collectivism
  • Masculinity vs. Femininity
  • Long-term vs. Short-term orientation to time
• Power Distance


  The way a society handles inequality among its members (how power should be distributed and the decisions of the power holders should be challenged or accepted)
• Uncertainty Avoidance


  The extent to which cultures prefer and can tolerate ambiguity and change
• Individualism/Collectivism


  The degree to which a culture relies on and has allegiance to the self or group
• Masculinity/Femininity


  Expectations surrounding achievements and gender differences (people prefer achievement and assertiveness or nurturance and social support)
• Time Orientation


  How much importance a culture places on values associated with future orientation or past and present orientation
• Indulgence vs. Restraint


  The extent to which people try to control their basic human desires related to enjoying life
• Monumentalism vs. Self-effacement

  Prideful stability and humble adaptation
• Dimensions of cultural variation

  • Power Distance
  • Uncertainty Avoidance
  • Individualism/Collectivism
  • Masculinity/Femininity
  • Time Orientation
  • Indulgence vs. Restraint
  • Monumentalism vs. Self-effacement
• Societies with low power distance

  • Austria
  • Israel
  • Denmark
  • New Zealand
  • Ireland
  • England
  • Australia
  • U.S.A.
• Societies with high power distance

  • Malaysia
  • Slovakia
  • Panama
  • Philippines
  • Russia
  • Venezuela
  • Arab countries
  • China
• Low power distance societies


  • Use of power should be legitimate and is subject to criteria of good and evil
  • Parents treat children as equals
  • Older people are neither respected nor feared
  • Student-centered education
  • Hierarchy means inequality of roles, established for convenience
  • Subordinates expect to be consulted
  • Pluralist governments based on majority vote and changed peacefully
  • Corruption rare; scandals end political careers
  • Income distribution in society rather even
  • Religions stressing equality of believers
• High power distance societies


  • Power is a basic fact of society antedating good or evil: its legitimacy is irrelevant
  • Parents teach children obedience
  • Older people are both respected and feared
  • Teacher-centered education
  • Hierarchy means existential inequality
  • Subordinates expect to be told what to do
  • Autocratic governments based on co-optation and changed by revolution
  • Corruption frequent; scandals are covered up
  • Income distribution in society very uneven
  • Religions with a hierarchy of priests
• Individualism


  • Everyone is expected to look after him/herself and his/her immediate family
  • Individuals are more concerned with their own goals, needs, and interests than with those of the group
  • Ties between individuals are loose