Transcript http://www.msubillings.edu/commfaculty/coffman/410 online/410

COMT 4/510 Advanced
Interpersonal Communication
Perception and Culture
culture = an accumulated
pattern of values, beliefs
and behaviors, shared by
an identifiable group of
people who share 1) a
common history, and 2) a
verbal and nonverbal
symbol system.
microculture = exists within a
culture but has its own distinct
norms.
co-cultures = several
microcultures existing
within the framework of a
culture.
Some Chicago Neighborhoods
Different cultures have
different world views.
One difference = searching for
the truth vs. waiting for the
truth to become known.
America’s favorite categories
Some
cultures are
more
feminine,
others more
masculine.
Some cultures are highly
individualistic, while
others are collectivistic.
Do Ho Suh, Some/one, 2004
High context vs low context
cultures. Do you pay
attention to setting as
communication?
Time differences
• be on time
• each thing has
its own time
• hanging loose
• spacetime
Perceived cultural differences
• high/low context
• individualistic/collective
• challenge authority
• different norms
• tendency to approach/avoid others
• content
• relational differences
Strategies for Passing
• Dissociating • Distracting
• Dodging
• Denying
• Distancing
• Deceiving
So, after the
enlightenment in
our culture we
expect equality
and a life of
family and
production. What
is the downside
of having no
elite?
Some socialite
James - look at family
narratives to understand
views on race. Any stories?
What is likely to happen when an
American female (into physical
appearance, capitalist, autonomous
self) interacts with a male from Iran
(Muslim, dependent self, overt male
dominance)?
What does it mean to say
that each culture is trapped
in its own language?
Aëëåò ÐçãÝò.
What do you think the impacts might
be upon self for people who are
multilingual?
How do you think America is generally
perceived elsewhere in the world?
Any change with the new
administration?
What is the impact of this upon a
particular intercultural interaction
involving an American?
Culturally variance related to
uncertainty about . . .
• feelings
• attitudes
• politics
• activities
England suggests
that equality is not
so much “we are
all the same” as it
is we are in this
together. How our
community turns
out depends upon
all of us.
Communication and Culture
are inseparable; they are
reflexive
• Cultures generate their own
symbols, rituals, customs,
formats . . .
• every culture has its own
communication style . . .
End of Perception and
Culture Session