Communication, Culture, and Identity CMN 125

Chapter Goals Recognize and Understand the Complexity of Culture Identify Reasons for the Importance of Intercultural Communication Explain the Obstacles to Achieving Intercultural Effectiveness Employ Strategies to Improve Intercultural Communication

Intercultural Communication Defined “...communication between and among individuals and groups whose cultural backgrounds differ.” Microsoft Image Journal of Intercultural Communication http://www.immi.se/intercultural/

Defining Culture Culture is Learned Culture Creates Community Co-Cultures Culture Clash Culture is Multileveled Microsoft Image

Why Study Intercultural Communication? Technological Imperative Demographic Imperative Economic Imperative Global Village Outsourcing

Why Study Intercultural Communication? Peace Imperative Self-Awareness Imperative

Dimensions of Culture Individualism-Collectivism High Context Cultures Low Context Cultures

Dimensions of Culture Masculinity-Femininity Masculine Cultures Feminine Cultures

Dimensions of Culture Distribution of Power High Power Distance Cultures Caste Systems Low Power Distance Cultures

Dimensions of Culture Uncertainty Avoidance

Challenges to Intercultural Communication Ethnocentrism Stereotyping Anxiety and Uncertainty In-Group Out-Group Microsoft Image

Choices for Intercultural Communication Know Your Biases and Stereotypes Tolerate the Unknown Practice Cultural Respect Cultural Empathy Cultural Relativity Microsoft Image

Choices for Intercultural Communication Educate Yourself Be Prepared for Consequences Relate to the Individual, Not the Culture Reevaluate and Eliminate Your Prejudices

Challenges to Intercultural Communication Misinterpretation of Nonverbal and Verbal Behaviors Assumption of Similarity of Differences Microsoft Image