COMT 4/510 Advanced Interpersonal

Communication

Perception and Culture

culture = an accumulated pattern of values, beliefs and behaviors, shared by an identifiable group of people who share 1) a common history, and 2) a verbal and nonverbal symbol system.

microculture = exists within a culture but has its own distinct norms.

co-cultures = several microcultures existing within the framework of a culture.

Some Chicago Neighborhoods

Different cultures have different world views.

One difference = searching for the truth vs. waiting for the truth to become known.

America’s favorite categories

Some cultures are more feminine, others more masculine.

Some cultures are highly individualistic, while others are collectivistic.

Do Ho Suh, Some/one, 2004

High context vs low context cultures. Do you pay attention to setting as communication?

Time differences

• be on time

• each thing has its own time

• hanging loose

• spacetime

Perceived cultural differences

•high/low context

•individualistic/collective

•challenge authority

•different norms

•tendency to approach/avoid others

•content

•relational differences

Strategies for Passing• Dissociating

• Dodging

• Distancing

• Distracting

• Denying

• Deceiving

So, after the enlightenment in our culture we expect equality and a life of family and production. What is the downside of having no elite?

Some socialite

James - look at family narratives to understand views on race. Any stories?

What is likely to happen when an American female (into physical appearance, capitalist, autonomous self) interacts with a male from Iran (Muslim, dependent self, overt male dominance)?

What does it mean to say that each culture is trapped in its own language?

Aëëåò ÐçãÝò.

What do you think the impacts might be upon self for people who are multilingual?

How do you think America is generally perceived elsewhere in the world?

Any change with the new administration?What is the impact of this upon a particular intercultural interaction involving an American?

Culturally variance related to uncertainty about . . .

•feelings

•attitudes

•politics

•activities

England suggests that equality is not so much “we are all the same” as it is we are in this together. How our community turns out depends upon all of us.

•Cultures generate their own symbols, rituals, customs, formats . . .

•every culture has its own communication style . . .

Communication and Culture are inseparable; they are reflexive

End of Perception and Culture Session