Cross Culture Understanding

Cross Culture and Understanding:

CHAPTER 2: INTERCULTURAL COMMUNICATION: Building Blocks and Barriers

I. Define CULTURE: learned patterns of perception, values, and behaviors shared by a group of people. Culture is dynamic and heterogeneous.

A. Culture is learned – how and what we eat for example, but also how we Show love, affection. We embrace the culture we live in – consider Children of one country adopted by families in another country

B. Culture involves perception and values: Perceptions = ways of looking at the world A sort of lens through which we view the world
Values = what is judged to be good or bad, right or wrong, in a culture
Culture is like a computer program of the mind, telling us subconsciously How to conduct our lives C. Culture involves feelings - we feel more comfortable in our own culture (Our own “comfort zone”) The stronger your identification with your own Cultural situation, the greater your feelings of discomfort when you are Removed from this situation/ space (culture shock)

D. Culture is shared – implies a group of people – a home, a neighborhood, A school, club or other group. Culture becomes a group experience because it is shared with people who live in and experience the same social environments. involuntary associations:

voluntary associations:

E. Culture is expressed as behavior Example: young people in U.S. typically socialized to make their own decisions about dating, marriage, career. Young person in Mexico expected to be more responsible for caring for other family members and make career choices, etc. more in response to family wishes and needs.

F. Culture is dynamic (changing) and heterogeneous (varied) Note changes in American culture as portrayed in remakes of old movies Note also changing roles of women in society Heterogeneous aspect of culture obvious since any culture has intercultural struggles. There is diversity in any culture. Consider for example “American” culture or “French” or “Chinese” culture and the diversity just from one region to another

II. COMMUNICATION: - a symbolic process whereby meaning is shared and negotiated. Sending and receiving messages between people or groups.

A. Communication is symbolic. Symbols here refer to words or gestures we use to communicate. Symbolic meanings are conveyed both verbally and nonverbally. Communication occurs when meanings are shared by both sender and receiver B. Communication is a process involving people, a message, a channel through which message is communicated, and a context (physical or social setting)

C. Communication involves sharing and negotiating meaning – people have to agree on the meaning, but a message can have more than one meaning

D. Communication is dynamic (ongoing, not a single event) We are actively involved in communication process; we are creating and sharing meaning

E. Communication does not have to be intentional. Sometimes we are not even aware we have sent a message (by our appearance, behavior, etc.)

F. Communication if receiver-oriented, depends on how receiver may interpret the message.

III. CULTURE AND COMMUNICATION

A. Cultural worldviews and values: Values have to do with what is judged to be good or bad, right or wrong. Collectively these values represent worldview or a particular way of looking at the world. Concept of values includes attitudes toward (see table 2.3 in text,p.38) 1. nature of human nature (good or bad, mixture)

2. relationship between humans and nature

3. relationship between humans

4. preferred activity (doing, growing, or being)

5. orientation toward time