Chapter 6 Culture & Communication

Question 1

Ethnocentric bias

Answer 1

believing that the way one’s own culture does things is the right and normal way to do them

Question 2

Cross-cultural communication

Answer 2

compares the communication styles and patterns of people from very different cultural/social structures, such as nation-states

Question 3

Intercultural communication

Answer 3

examines how people from different cultural/social structures speak to one another and what difficulties or conflicts they encounter, over and above the different languages they speak

Question 4

coded system of meaning

Answer 4

a set of beliefs, a heritage, and a way of being that is transacted in communication

Question 5

High-context culture

Answer 5

a culture that places a great deal of emphasis on the total environment (context) where speech and interaction take place, especially on the relationships between the speakers rather than just on what they say

Question 6

Low-context culture

Answer 6

assumes that the message itself means everything, and it is much more important to have a well-structured argument or a well-delivered presentation than it is to be a member of a royal family or a cousin of the person listening

Question 7

Collectivist

Answer 7

subscribing to a belief system that stresses group benefit and the overriding value of working harmoniously rather than individual personal advancement

Question 8

Individualist

Answer 8

one who subscribes to a belief system that focuses on the individual person and his or her personal dreams, goals and achievements, and right to make choices

Question 9

Monochronic culture

Answer 9

a culture that views time as a valuable commodity and punctuality as very important

Question 10

Polychronic culture

Answer 10

a culture that sees time not as linear and simple but as complex and made up of many strands, none of which is more important than any other - hence such culture’s relaxed attitude towards time

Question 11

Conflict

Answer 11

Real or perceived incompatibilities of processes, understandings, and viewpoints between people

Question 12

Conflict-as-opportunity culture

Answer 12

1. Conflict is a normal & useful process
2. All issues are subject to change through negotiation
3. Direct confrontation and conciliation are valued
4. Conflict is a necessary renegotiation of an implied contract
   - -> Redistribution of opportunity, release of tension & renewal of relationships

Question 13

Conflict-as-destructive culture

Answer 13

1. Conflict is a destructive disturbance of peace
2. Social system should not adjust to meet members needs, member need to adapt to established values
3. Confrontations are destructive and ineffective
4. Disputants should be disciplined

Question 14

5 styles of conflict management

Answer 14

1. Dominating
2. Integrating
3. Compromising
4. Obliging
5. Avoiding

Question 15

Co-cultures

Answer 15

smaller groups of culture within a larger cultural mass

Question 16

Speech communities

Answer 16

Sets of people whose speech codes and practices identify them as a cultural unit, sharing characteristics values through their equally characteristic speech

Question 17

Speech (communication) codes

Answer 17

sets of communication patterns that are the norm for a culture, and only that culture, hence defining it as different from the others around it

Question 18

Cultural persuadables

Answer 18

the cultural premises and norms that delineate a range of what may and what must be persuaded (as opposed to certain topics in society that require no persuasive appeal because the matters are taken for granted)