1. Communication Across Cultures
Dan Pratt
Josh Fernandez
Charles Rath
Laura Thomas
Lindsey Hughes

2. “…the values, attitudes, beliefs, orientations, and underlying assumptions prevalent among people in a society”
- Dominant Cultures
- Co-Cultures

3. Intercultural communication occurs when interactions are affected by the differences between those cultures.
-Culture Shock

4. Factors that effect differences in culture:
Age
Religion
Race and Ethnicity
Social Class
Sex and Gender

5. Age and Communication
Age has a strong impact on communication due to the large difference in experiences.
Differences in technology have created some of the largest communication issues.
“…the conceptual world of the two generations are very different. And so are the ways in which they have learned to learn: the young people of today understand instinctively that their games are their very best teachers.” – Marc Prensky

6. Age and Communication
Have you ever had to introduce a parent or grandparent to a smartphone?

7. Religion
Religion is frequently the most controversial topic among individuals when opinions differ.
In communication, religion not only can cause argumentative situations, but it can also simply be the source of a common misunderstanding.

8. According to the World Almanac, only 6
According to the World Almanac, only 6.6 million people are non-religious or atheist.
Over 10 major religions and over 25 sects are listed in the Encyclopedia of Religious Practices

9. Stereotypes and Prejudice

10. Race and Ethnicity
Different racial and ethnic groups are parts of different cultures.
Communication is largely affected by the ethnic group you belong to.
The major barriers are verbal and non-verbal communication
Ethnocentrism plays a big part in misunderstandings. The larger countries tend to think the whole world operates the same way they do.

11. Verbal
Each culture has it’s own language, so communication between different ethnic groups and cultures can be difficult.
“To do so [translating], one has to have deep understandings of both cultures and both languages.” – Lim
Basically the key to understanding language is understanding the culture.

12. Non-verbal
Just like words, gestures also have different meanings across cultures.
Max Kirch, in The Modern Journal of Language, states that the use of foreign gestures can cause just as much confusion as the use of foreign words.
It creates a “foreign accent” if you will

13. Social Class
Determined by income, education, occupation, and social habits
Often determines where one lives, therefore who associates with one another.

14. Types of Social Classes
Capitalist
Upper-Middle
Middle
Working

15. Sex and Gender

16. Masculine and Feminine Cultures
Masculine Cultures
(Mexico, Italy, Japan)
Maintain traditional sex roles
Often value masculine traits more highly
Hofstede (2000)
Feminine Cultures
(Norway, Denmark, Sweden)
Fewer sex-role expectations
Men and women take on a variety of roles dependent on context

17. Gender Traits Masculine Traits Performance Ambition Assertiveness
Emphasis on:
Performance
Ambition
Assertiveness
Competitiveness
Material success
Feminine Traits
Emphasis on:
Service
Nurturing
Investment in relationships
Helping behaviors

18. Communication in Masculine and Feminine Cultures
In masculine cultures:
Men less likely to be nurturing or caring
Women less likely to be assertive or argue persuasively
In feminine cultures:
Both men and women tend to have a mix of traits
Tend to be more flexible in the way they communicate

19. Examples of Differences in Communication
When women have a problem or need to make a decision, they are more likely to talk to other women
Women are relationship oriented
Look for things in common to relate with other women
Men keep their problems to themselves
Don’t see the point in sharing their personal issues
Status and dominance are important to men
Lieberman “Differences in Male and Female Communication Styles”

20. Examples of Differences in Communication
“Women get things done at work by building relationships”
Women focus on bonding by sharing experiences and asking questions
“Men build relationships when they are working on tasks with each other”
Men like to tell and give information rather than ask questions
Men share experiences as a way of establishing dominance