Difference in Communication

1
Difference in Communication

• Chapter 4

2
Questions

• Some believe that most communication occurs
  nonverbally. What are some nonverbal cues that
  you rely on in communication?
• Describe some differences you have observed
  involving persons of different ethnic groups or
  genders.
• Why do you believe ethnic minorities often rely
  more on nonverbals than verbal communication when
  assessing bias and prejudice?
• How did this method of assessment develop?

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Communication Styles

• Aspects of communication that transcend the
  written or spoken word
• Proxemics
• Kinesics
• Paralanguage
• High-low communication

4
Questions

• Do conversational dynamics differ
  inter-culturally? If so how and why?
• Personal expressiveness speaking from the heart
  not from the head
• Acceptance the feeling that one is accepted as
  an equal in the conversation

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Inter-cultural conversational dynamics

• Negative stereotyping
• Typical cast diverse groups in a negative light
• Indirect limits discussions to diverse topics
  (music, etc)
• Code switch
• Switching from one form of English to another due
  to the perceptions of power dynamics

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Nonverbal Communication

• Nonverbals oftentimes occur outside of our level
  of awareness.
• 1. Proxemics Perception and use of personal and
  interpersonal space.
• 2. Kinesics Bodily movements (i.e., facial
  expressions, posture, characteristics of
  movement, gestures, eye contact).

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Nonverbal Communication

• 3. Paralanguage Other vocal cues that
  individuals use to communicate (e.g., loudness of
  voice, pauses, silences, hesitations, rate,
  inflections).
• High-Low Context Communication Refers to the
  weight placed on either the verbal message or the
  situational aspects of the communication.
• High context- communication in which the context
  conveys much of the meaning
• Low context- Language-dependent communication, in
  which words carry most of the meaning and context
  plays a lesser role

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Misunderstood Communication

• We may misunderstand others communications if we
  solely focus on the explicit, coded part of the
  message.
• Low-context (LC) cultures place a greater
  reliance on the verbal part of the message.
• LC cultures have been associated with being more
  opportunistic and individualistic and as
  emphasizing rules of law and procedure.

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Why are Nonverbal Cues Important?

• Nonverbal cues are important because they often
• Unconsciously reflect our biases
• Trigger stereotypes that we have of other people

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Implications for Therapy

• Counselors should shift their therapeutic styles
  to meet the cultural dimensions and developmental
  needs of their clients.

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Recognizing the Limitations of Ones Helping
Style

• A counselor may
• Seek additional training or education
• Consult with a more experienced counselor
• Consider referring the client to another
  therapist
• Become more aware of her/his communication style
  limitations and try to anticipate their possible
  impact upon culturally diverse clients