Communication+and+Culture

toc =How are cultures different from one another?=

They can be different in at least four ways: high and low context, power distance, masculine and feminine cultures and individual and collective orientation (Devito 2003, 41).

=Edward Hall=

-Silent language of culture: -Underlying principles that shape our lives -Unspoken rules of each culture:
 * which exists outside of people's conscious awareness
 * speed of mseeage: fast (a headline, cartoon), slow (a complex book, art)

=High and Low Context Cultures=
 * //Edward Hall//**


 * ==High Context Culture== || ==Low Context Culture== ||
 * Most of the informationis already in a person and little is in the transmitted part of the messages. || Most of the information is in the explict code; detail given ||
 * Indirect verbal mode, ambiguous talk, and nonverbal subtitles || Direct verbal mode, straight talk, nonverbal immediacy, and sender- oriented value ||
 * The listener or the interpreter of the message is expected to read "between the lines" to infer accurately the implicit intent of the verbal message || The speaker is expected to construct a clear persuasice message ||
 * Japanese || USA, Swiss ||

Power Distances

 * //Joseph A. Devito//**

Power is not always held equally by the citizens. Cultures can be divided into “high-power-distance cultures” and “low-power-distance cultures” (Devito 2003, 43).

In these cultures there is a great difference between ordinary citizens and those who held power. Examples of such cultures include: Brazil, India and Philippines. In these cultures students are expected to be polite, modest and treat their teachers with total respect. Confrontation and assertiveness is viewed as negative especially towards the superiors. Friendships are expected to occur only in one’s own cultural class.
 * High-Power-Distance cultures**

Power is more evenly distributed in these cultures. Examples: United States, Denmark and Sweden. In contrast with the high-power-distance cultures, students are encouraged to demonstrate their knowledge and involve in discussions with teachers. People are expected to be assertive and challenge ideas. Friendship and relationships are selected freely.
 * Low-Power-Distance cultures**

Masculine and Feminine Cultures

 * //Joseph A. Devito//**

Different cultures have different views towards gender roles. Cultures can be divided into “masculine cultures” and “feminine cultures” (Devito 2003, 45).

These cultures value material success, strength and aggressiveness in male. Tenderness, the quality of life, modesty and concern for relationships are valued in female in these cultures. Members are emphasized on success and they are expected to be ambitious, competitive and assertive. They are more likely to involve in conflicts and fights to solve problems. According to a research done by Hofstede, the ten countries with the highest masculinity scores starting with the highest are as follow: (Devito 2003, 45)
 * Masculine Culture**
 * 1) Japan
 * 2) Austria
 * 3) Venezuela
 * 4) Italy
 * 5) Switzerland
 * 6) Mexico
 * 7) Ireland
 * 8) Jamaica
 * 9) Great Britain
 * 10) Germany

These cultures value tenderness, the quality of life, modesty and concern for relationships in both male and female. They emphasize the quality of life, members are expected to be modest and value interpersonal relationships. They are likely to employ negotiation and compromise to solve conflicts. According to a research done by Hofstede, the ten countries with the highest femininity scores starting with the highest are as follow: (Devito 2003, 45)
 * Feminine Culture**
 * 1) Sweden
 * 2) Norway
 * 3) Netherlands
 * 4) Denmark
 * 5) Costa Rica
 * 6) Yugoslavia
 * 7) Finland
 * 8) Chile
 * 9) Portugal
 * 10) Thailand

=Individual and Collective Orientation=

The extent to which cultures promote individual and collectivist values varies. The major difference between these orientations is how they value individual and group’s goals. The two orientations can be viewed as located in two opposite ends of a continuum but they are not mutual exclusives. (Devito 2003, 41)

The followering are characteristics of the two orientations:

It is important to note that these are dominant orientations. There can be individual variations and situations can also affect how people react, they are simply tendencies and not strict rules.
 * ===Individualistic Cultures=== || ===Collectivist Cultures=== ||
 * Value individual identity over group identity || Identity vested strong cohesive group (family, ethnic, or religious groups) ||
 * Strong self identity invested in individual || Conflicts represent collective opinions or goals ||
 * Expectation of independence and self care || Expression of emotions is restrained by oneself ||
 * Ex: United States || Ex: China ||

=Reference=

Benick. G (2005) Intercultural Communication. Blackwell Publishers

Devito, Joseph A. //Human Communication: The Basic Course.// 9th Edition. New York, Allyn and Bacon.