Lecture - Culture In Communication

Question 1

Be able to identify reasons for studying culture and communication.

Answer 1

1. Advances in communication technologies-they allow us access to all sorts of places and all sorts people.
2. Advances in transportation technology-1959-access to jet travel.
3. Changing population-you just have to exist; increased diversity; one of the most linguistically diverse on the planet.
4. Globalization-the economies are becoming increasingly interdependent; euro zone in Europe; this one is a big reason.

Question 2

What is the definition of culture used in lecture and in text?

Answer 2

A complex system of symbolic resources worldviews values and norms of appropriate enactment.
-Culture is learned; some sources of cultural transmission include: families, peers, media, and other societal members.

Question 3

Where do we learn culture?

Answer 3

Some sources of cultural transmission include:

families; peers; media; other societal members.

Question 4

What is enculturation?

Answer 4

The process of learning one’s native culture.

Question 5

What is acculturation?

Answer 5

The process of learning a different/another cultural system.

Question 6

Be able to recognize examples of the mean world syndrome.

Answer 6

The mean world syndrome: FEAR - cultivates that attitude of fear.
For example: when asked how many homicides were in the county, they said there was more than there actually was.
-The believe that the world is a much more “meaner” place than it actually is because of heavy exposure in the media.

Question 7

Why was the example of inukshuk used?

Answer 7

-The example of Inukshuk was used to highlight the importance of an important deeply felt cultural symbol that is used to make the world meaningful or The importance of the idea of symbolic resources.
Inukshuk - “Looks like person” Is a pile of rocks that was used as a place to mark safety, but it is also treated as a Inuit identity. It also symbolizes values.

Question 8

Be able to recognize examples of the stages of cross-cultural adjustment in the U curve model.

Answer 8

1. The honeymoon stage: this is the time when the traveler first arrives and finds everything new and exciting.
2. The crisis stage: over time, the foreignness of the different cultural framework becomes difficult to cope with on a continual basis. This is the stage where cultural shock is most profoundly felt. People often get sick. This is where many foreigners leave.
3. The recovery stage: is characterized by a slow realization on the part of the traveler that the host culture isn’t so bad after all. Maybe even able to use the language with more ease. They also begin to develop relationships with host cultural members. People start to develop negative attitudes toward their own cultural system.
4. Adaptation or acculturation stage: the traveler has fully adapted to the new cultural system. The person is likely fluent in the local language and is able to get through daily life with relative ease. Attitudes in this stage are more realistic concerning host culture and the travelers own culture. Recognizes both good and bad aspects of both cultures. This stage is the most difficult to achieve.