1. Human Communication: The Basic Course Twelfth Edition
PowerPoint™ Presentations prepared by:
Naomi Young
University of California, San Diego
Joseph A. DeVito
Hunter College of the City University of New York

2. Chapter Two: Culture and Communication
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3. Culture and Communication
Learn About
Culture’s role in human communication
The ways cultures differ from one another
The forms and principles of intercultural
communication
Learn To:
Send and receive messages with a recognition
of cultural influences and differences
Communicate effectively in intercultural
situations
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4. What Is Culture? Specialized lifestyle of a group of people
Values, beliefs, artifacts, behaviors
Ways of behaving and thinking
Passed from one generation to the next through enculturation
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5. What Is Culture? Cont… Sex/Gender Enculturation Acculturation
Biological/socially constructed
Enculturation
Acculturation
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6. Importance of Culture in Communication
Demographic changes
Cultural sensitivity
Economic interdependency
Communication technology
Politeness
Communication competence
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7. Aim of a Cultural Perspective
Distinguish what is universal vs. relative
Influences communication of all types
Effectively communicate with persons who are culturally different from yourself
Helps us understand spectrum of acceptable communication
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8. Cultural Differences Orientation (individualist or collectivist)
Contexts (high or low)
Power structure
Masculinity-Femininity
Tolerance for ambiguity
Long- and short- term Orientation
Indulgence and Restraint
Cultural Differences
Tolerance for ambiguity
Long- and short- term Orientation
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9. Individualist Cultures
Individual goals
High competition
Success—surpassing others
Individually responsible
Leaders and followers
Power, achievement, hedonism, stimulation
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10. Collectivist Cultures
Group goals
Cooperation
Responsible for entire group
Leadership (shared and rotated)
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11. High-Context
Information is known by all participants but is not explicitly stated in verbal message
Collectivist cultures
Japanese, Arabic, Latin American, Thai, Korean, Apache, and Mexican are examples
Emphasis on personal relationship
Oral communication
Getting to know one another interpersonally and socially
Face-saving
Avoiding arguments
Criticism should take place only in private
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12. Low-Context Information explicitly stated, often written
Individualist cultures
German, Swedish, Norwegian, and American are examples
Less emphasis on personal relationships
Everything has to be stated explicitly
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13. Power Distances High-power-distance cultures
Low-power-distance cultures
Friendship and dating relationships
Selection influenced by the power distance
Confrontation
View of direct confrontation and assertiveness
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14. Masculine Cultures Material success and strength
Socialized assertive, ambitious,
and competitive
Competitiveness and aggressiveness
Stress the bottom line
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15. Feminine Culture Modesty Quality of life Tenderness
Utilize compromise and negotiation
Emphasize worker satisfaction
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16. High- Tolerant Ambiguity Cultures
Tolerant of uncertainty
Minimize rules of communication
Encourage cultural difference
Welcomes change
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17. Low-Ambiguity Tolerant Culture
Avoid uncertainty
High anxiety
Adhere to strict rules in communication
Prefer highly structured experiences
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18. Long- term Orientation
Promotes the importance of future rewards
Marriage as practical vs. emotional
Believe in humility as a virtue
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19. Short-term Orientation
Focus is on the ‘past’
Marriage is a moral agreement
Humility only for women
Values profiting in the future
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20. Indulgence Emphasizes gratification of desires Greater optimism
Focus on fun and enjoying life
More people in this culture exhibit ‘happiness’, based on two factors:
Life control and leisure
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21. Restraint Foster regulation of gratification
Have more people who are unhappy
Cynical and pessimistic
Value thrift
Place minimal importance on friendship
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22. Recognize Ethnocentrism
Tendency to see others and their behaviors through your own cultural filters
Ethnic identity
Commitment to the beliefs and philosophy of your culture
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23. Intercultural Communication
Communication among people who have different cultural beliefs, values, or ways of behaving
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24. Effective Intercultural Communication
Recognize and reduce ethnocentrism
Confront stereotypes
Increase mindfulness
Avoid overattribution
Recognize differences
Adjust your communication
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25. Culture and Communication
Knowledge to Action:
What values, beliefs, artifacts, and behaviors would you use to introduce a friend to your culture?
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