intercultural communication Flashcards
COMMUNICATING ACROSS CULTURES
define intercultural communication
process of exchanging symbolic messages between individuals from different cultural background.
what are the key components in intercultutal communication
- verbal & non-verbal communication
- shared meanings
- cultutal expectations
what is the importance of intercultural communication
- helps avoid misundertandings, inclusion, improves relationships in diverse settings.
define culture
- dynamic, complex system of beliefs, traditions, values, and communication patters shared by a group.
learned, transmitted across generations and shapes behavior.
describe the ice-berg metaphor
- surface level culture–> visible aspects in culture: eg clothing, food, language
- intermediate-level culture–> norms and symbolic meanings (hand-gestures, tone)
- deep-level culture–> core values, beliefs, taraditions (cant be clearly seen)
the difference between generalizations and steryotypes
- generalizations–> based on research and patterns but open to revision.
- steryotypes–> rigid assumptions, often inaccurate assumptions of an entiire group.
describe the functions of culture
- identity meaning-> helps define who each individual is
- explanatory frame–> explains behaviors and norms within society.
- integroup-boundary regulation–> shaped attitides towards ingroups and outgroups, may lead to ethnocentrism (beleiving ones culture is superior)
- ecological adaptation–> helps societies adpat to their enviorment
- cultural communication–> facilititates shared norms/values
describe the key concepyts in intercultural communication
- symbolic exchange: spoken words and unspoken cues
- negotiationof shared meaning–> people interpret messages differently
- intergroup perception–> the way we view other cultutal groups affects our comm.
- content and situations–> formal vs informal settings change how people interact.
define the five assumptions of interculltural communication
- Sociocultutal differences exist—-> culture norms affect how we communicate
- encoding &decoding messages–> people interpret body language very different.
- well-meaning clashes–> polite intentions can cause misundertsanings.
- context matters–> setting, situation affect communicatiomn style.
- embedded in systems–> cultutal comm is shaped by society, history, politics.
describe the challenges in intercultutal communication
- ethnocentrism–> beleiving ones culture is superior to others
- sterutypes: making assumptions based on cultutal bacjground
- language bariers: ministerpreattions
- non-verbal communication differences–> gestures, expressons mean different things for different cultures.
how to become a more competent intercultutal communicator
- mindful communicator
- develop an ethnorelative mindset–> understand that no culture is right or wrong
- active listeting and empathy
- flexibility and adaptability
application of intercultural communication
Interpersonal Relationships:
Understanding cultural differences improves friendships and family relationships.
Workplace Communication:
Businesses need cross-cultural competence to operate internationally.
Social Media & Globalization:
Digital communication follows different cultural norms.
