Ch 9 Flashcards
What is the title of the chapter?
Chapter 9 - Communication and Culture.
What is the definition of communication?
Communication is the exchange of thoughts, messages, or information through signals, writing, speech, or behavior.
What are the main types of communication?
Verbal: Communication using words. Non-verbal: Makes up 93% of most communication (e.g., body language, gestures).
What is culture?
Culture is the way of life of a group of people, usually passed from one generation to the next through the socialization process.
What are the reasons for multicultural communities?
Jobs. Marriages. Education. Tourism. Immigration.
Why is it important to understand cultural differences?
To avoid misunderstandings or problems in communication.
How do cultures differ and affect communication?
- Conversational styles. 2. Narrative styles. 3. Stance and attitudes. 4. Personal responsibility.
How do conversational styles differ between cultures?
Tone of voice (soft vs. loud). Pace of speech (slow vs. fast). Use of gestures (gestural vs. motionless). Acceptable topics of conversation (e.g., weather, news, sports).
How do narrative styles differ between cultures?
Cultures may differ in the ideal way to tell a story (e.g., the ideal story, channel, or medium).
How do stance and attitudes affect communication between cultures?
Eye contact: In some cultures, it signifies interest or honesty; in others, it may be seen as challenging or rude. Smiling and nodding: These may be interpreted differently in other cultures.
How do gestures differ between cultures?
Egypt: ‘Be patient.’ Italy: ‘What do you mean?’ Greece: ‘That’s just perfect!’
What is the importance of traditional clothing in cultures?
Traditional clothing is an important part of a region’s history and identity.
How do greetings differ between cultures?
Greetings vary significantly from one culture to another, affecting communication.
How do concepts of personal responsibility differ between cultures?
Cultures differ in the limits of expressing one’s views and acceptable actions.
What are the consequences of failing to understand cultural differences?
It may lead to miscommunication or misunderstanding.
How can we adapt well to a new community?
Research the basic communication and cultural norms of the new environment. Learn some basic words and sentences if the language is different. Be tolerant and patient. Understand the likes and dislikes of the people. Observe and identify more differences.
What are the key points to remember about culture and communication?
The world is becoming more diverse. Cultures differ in many ways. Most forms of communication reflect culture. We should take steps to understand people from other cultures.
What essential communication skill was mentioned?
Breaking bad news is an essential communication skill.
