Читать книгу The Communication Playbook - Teri Kwal Gamble - Страница 106

Although culture is a tie that binds, the creation of a global village makes it essential that you leave the comfort of your cultural niche, become more knowledgeable of other cultures, and strive to be culturally aware.

Familiarize yourself with the communication rules and preferences of members of different cultures so that you can increase the effectiveness of your interactions. Act on these suggestions.

 Seek information from people whose cultures are different from your own.

 Try to understand how the experiences of people from different cultures lead them to develop different perspectives.

 Pay attention to the situation and context of any intercultural communication.

 Make efforts to become a more flexible communicator; don’t insist that people from other cultures communicate on your terms.

Diversity is about all of us, and about how to figure out how to walk through this world together.

Jacqueline Woodson

Complete This Chapter 2 Checklist

 2.1 I can explain the significance of intercultural communication in the global community. □Globalization is the increasing economic, political, and cultural integration and interdependence of diverse cultures. Diversity is the recognition and valuing of difference. Multiculturalism is the practice of respecting and engaging with people from different cultures. Through intercultural communication, we interpret and share meanings with individuals from different cultures.

 2.2 I can explain how and why U.S. society has moved away from a melting pot philosophy, which advocates the assimilation of different cultures into the dominant culture. □As demographics changed and minorities gained visibility in all areas of society, cultural pluralism, or acknowledging that other cultural groups are equal in value to one’s own, has gained prominence. Respect and appreciation for difference are key in today’s society.

 2.3 I can analyze various attitudes toward diversity. □Ethnocentrism is the tendency to see one’s own culture as superior to all others. Cultural relativism is the opposite of ethnocentrism. Stereotypes are mental images or pictures we carry around in our heads; they are shortcuts we use to guide our reactions to others. A prejudice is a negative or positive prejudgment that leads to the creation of in- and out-groups.

 2.4 I can explain influences on cultural identity, distinguishing the difference between cultures and co-cultures. □Among the groups that influence cultural identity, and on which cultural identity is based, are those defined by gender, age racial, ethnic, religious, socioeconomic, national, and generational identities. A culture is a system of knowledge; beliefs, values, customs, behaviors, and artifacts that are acquired, shared, and used by members. A co-culture is a group of people who differ in some ethnic or sociological way from the parent culture.

 2.5 I can illustrate the five main dimensions of cultural variability. □Cultures vary in five general ways: (1) individualism versus collectivism, (2) high versus low context, (3) high versus low power distance, (4) monochronic versus polychronic, and (5) masculine versus feminine. Individual cultures stress individual goals. Collectivistic cultures stress group goals. High-context communication cultures are bound to tradition and value indirectness. Low-context communication cultures encourage directness in communication. High power distance cultures view power as a fact of life with subordinates deferring to superiors. Low power distance cultures believe power should be used only if legitimate. Monochronic cultures schedule time carefully. Polychronic cultures refuse to be time’s slaves. Masculine cultures value aggressiveness, strength, and material success. Feminine cultures value relationships, tenderness, and high quality of life.

 2.6 I can discuss how technology brings diversity into our lives. □For many of us, the Internet facilitates this task. By enabling us to join a wide range of online communities and interact with people who hold different worldviews, the Internet enhances our ability to communicate within and across cultural boundaries. We also risk becoming more isolated or insulated from other viewpoints if we are not careful.

 2.7 I can apply communication skills to reduce the strangeness of strangers. □Although the lessons taught by culture influence our communication style preferences, there are techniques we can use to reduce the strangeness of strangers. By adding to the storehouse of knowledge that underscores our communication competence, we increase our ability to handle communication challenges.