Culture

1
Culture

• A groups specialized values, beliefs, artifacts,
  ways of behaving and communicating passed through
  communication, not genetics

2
Learning Cultures

• Enculturation learning the culture into which
  you were born (through parents, peers, schools,
  religion, government, media, internet, etc.)
• Acculturation learning a culture different from
  your native culture (mutual influence occurs)
• Ethnocentrism the belief ones culture is
  superior to that of others cultures
• Stereotypes a fixed impression of a person or
  group of people based mainly on physical
  characteristics

3
Communication Styles

• Low Context
• majority of information carried in explicit
  verbal messages, with less focus on the
  situational context.
• Self-expression valued. Communicators state
  opinions and desires directly and strive to
  persuade others to accept their own viewpoint.
• Clear, eloquent speech considered praiseworthy.
  Verbal fluency admired.

• High Context
• Important information carried in contextual cues
  time, place relationship, situation. Less
  reliance on explicit verbal messages.
• Communicators abstain from saying no directly
• Communicators talk around the point allowing
  others to fill in the missing pieces. Ambiguity
  and use of silence is admired.

4
Individualistic and Collectivist Cultures

• Individualistic Cultures
• Self is separate, unique individual independent,
  self-sufficient.
• Individual take care of themselves/family
• many flexible group memberships friends based on
  shared interests activities.
• Reward individual achievement initiative
  individual decision encouraged, credit/ blame
  assigned individually

• Collectivist Cultures
• People belong to extended families we or group
  orientation.
• Cares for extended family before self.
• Emphasis on belonging to a very few permanent
  in-groups with strong influence over person.
• Rewards contribution to group goals well-being
  cooperation with in-group members group
  decisions valued credit/ blame shared.