中西文化之鉴期末复习

Cross-cultural Communication  What is culture？ 1. a system of meaning 1) Culture is like an iceberg (objective and subjective) 2) Culture is our software (fade into the background, just know that we can be) 3) Culture is like the water a fish swims in (a part of who we are and what the world it like for us, taken for granted) 4) Culture is the story we tell ourselves about ourselves (to show who we are and what the world is like) 5) Culture is the grammar of our behavior (rules to behave appropriately) --Culture is the total accumulation of beliefs, customs, values, behaviors, institutions and communication patterns that are shared, learned and passed down through the generations in an identifiable group of people. --As participants, we are meaning makers --Cultures are always changing

2. Four levels of cross-cultural awareness 1) Cultural differences are exotic 2) Cultural differences are frustrating 3) The different culture is believable 4) The different culture is believable as lived experience *P31*(a diagram!)

 Stereotype 1. Definition: A generalization that goes beyond the existing evidence, an inaccurate or over generalization, is a stereotype.

2. Negative stereotypes --A generalization that goes beyond the existing evidence, an inaccurate or over generalization, is a stereotype. (positive vs. negative) --Prejudice: stereotypes including negative feelings and attitudes toward a group

Forms: 1) severe prejudice (e.g. Women are inferior to men.) 2) symbolic prejudice (e.g. People from Xinjiang are thieves.) 3) tokenism 4) subtle prejudice 5) real likes and dislikes 6) preference for the familiar

3. Differences: 1) Stereotyping: A stereotype is an overly simplified/generalized way of thinking about a person, group, etc. Anyone can stereotype and can be the target of stereotyping. Stereotyping is a complex form of categorization that mentally organizes your experiences and guides your behavior toward a particular group of people. 2) Prejudice: Prejudice refers to the irrational dislike, suspicion, or hatred of a particular group, race, religion, or sexual orientation. Learned beliefs and values that lead an individual or group of individuals to be biased for or against members of particular groups are prior to actual experience of those groups. 3) Relations between them: Both are a stumbling block to ICC. Prejudice usually refers to the negative aspect when a group inherits or generates hostile views about a distinguishable group based on generalization. These generalizations are invariably derived from inaccurate or incomplete information about the other group. The generalizations are called stereotyping.

 Context 1. Definition: The meanings that people exchange in ways other than language are usually referred to as context.

2. Low context: 1) tends to prefer direct verbal interaction 2) tends to understand meanings at one level only 3) is generally less proficient reading nonverbal cues 4) values individualism 5) relies more on logic; employs linear logic 6) saying no directly 7) communicates in highly structured messages 8) provides details, stresses literal meanings 9) gives authority to written information (Characteristics: impersonal, effective to transmit information, not necessary to have relationships) E.G. contracts between companies

3. High context: 1) tends to prefer indirect verbal interaction 2) tends to understand meanings embedded at many socio-cultural levels 3) is generally more proficient reading nonverbal cues 4) values group membership 5) relies more on context and feeling 6) employs spiral logic 7) talks around point 8) avoids saying no 9) communicates in simple, ambiguous, noncontexted messages 10) understands visual messages readily (Characters: economical, fast and efficient, take long time to learn, bring people together) E.G. communication between close friends and family members *P58 Figure3*

4. How people use words LC: pay little attention to messages sent non-verbally HC: have no difficulty understanding the meaning of contextual messages 5. Responsibility for successful communication LC communicators: the speakers and writers of words are responsible for the success of communication HC communicators: expect listeners to take more responsibility for interpreting the meaning of messages

 Verbal Communication vs. Non-verbal Communication 1. Contextual framework Expectant behavior 期待行为 Expectant norms 行为规范 Expectant identity 身份 (E.G. p74) Chinese westerner Expectant behavior excuses facts Expectant norms harmony honesty Expectant identity Authority knows the fact. Everyone knows the fact