Impact of Cultural Diversity on Communications Lecture 6: Effective Communications Skills

Diversity in our Communities U.S. populations is getting older More women are now in the workforce Hispanics and Asians are fastest growing minorities in our nations Immigration adds hundreds of people from other cultures Many languages spoken (few in common) Cultural values differ Family, society & work ethics may vary depending on country of origin Lifestyles now play a role in our communties

Prejudice Definition: An adverse judgment or preconceived opinion formed beforehand or without knowledge or examination of the facts, not based on reason or actual experience Creates barriers to communications by setting up negative assumptions, without supporting facts, about the intelligence, capabilities, background, knowledge, and experience of the individual(s) Blocks listening by creating negative expectations about what the speaker will say. Blocks speaking by creating a negative expectation that what is said will not be understood or accepted

Stereotyping Definition: a widely held but fixed and oversimplified image or idea of a particular type of person or group and applying this conventional, formulaic, and conception, opinion, or image to that group or an individual Although not always negative, creates barriers to communication by making judgments about the intelligence, capabilities, background, knowledge, and experience of the individual based on assumed knowledge about the group to which the speaker or listener belongs. Ignores unique capabilities of the individual in favor of assigning him or her the assumed characteristics of the group

Tips for communicating with people different from you Accept cultural differences Withhold judgment Show respect Empathize Tolerate ambiguity Look beyond the superficial     Be patient and persistent Recognize your own cultural biases Be flexible; emphasize common ground Deal with the individual (not the group or culture)

Values Values are: The enduring regard that something is held to as deserving for its importance, worth, or usefulness Values are: Principles that guide day-to-day lives of individuals Values are: Guides that provide direction in ambiguous situations and offer a rationale for decisions and actions

How People Communicate Personal Values Through words and by modeling desired behaviors. For example: Honesty Openness Communications Thrift Through the questions they ask (questions show peoples’ focus)

People communicate their personal values: Through their reactions to problems and crises (the behavior of people under stress reinforces their commitment to their personal values and the values themselves) Through what they reward in others Through what they punish in others

People’s role in creating an ethical communications climate in their relationships Relationship ethics: Applying ethical principles to: How people conduct their relationships with others How people treat others in their lives How through their relationships, people interact with others in their surrounding community The implementing of a relationship’s mission, goals and values into daily practice in their interpersonal relationships

Ethical communications requirements Be knowledgeable about ethical issues and understand relationships values Participate in the decision-making process regarding ethical issues in your relationships Communicate decisions regarding ethical issues to people with whom you maintain relationships Keep communications channels open for feedback information without fear of reprisals Ensure relevant information is passed on to people in relationship with you so they can act on it

Stimulus Questions What new communications skills do you think you will need to develop to function effectively in an increasingly diverse community? How do you feel the globalization of communities and their citizens will affect interpersonal relationship ethics and values?

Stimulus Questions What are some of the relationship “costs” when people do not handle prejudiced and/or stereotypical behavior appropriately? What action do you think people should take when a relationship-value conflicts with a personal value? It has been said that a relationship cannot be any more ethical than its least ethical member. If you agree with this statement, what kinds of responsibilities do you have to ensure ethical standards are maintained in your relationships?