Social sciences – it examine society and how people interact and develop as a culture

Social sciences - deals with the institutions and functioning of human society and with the interpersonal
relationships of individuals as members of society
Body language, verbal communication and cultural formalities vary around the world. The same
word or gesture that is innocuous for some may be considered offensive by others and can
negatively affect a workplace by potentially damaging relationships. Misunderstandings can
occur, as workplace associates from different cultures make differing assumptions about what is
meant by the eye contact, body language and unfamiliar phrases.
According to Chosak, a limp handshake “sends the message that you want to avoid contact or
making a real connection with the other person.” Whether this is a result of general discomfort,
dislike of the person or viewing any form of touching as intrusive to yourself or the other person,
its meaning is clear: You don’t want any part of that handshake.

The same effect can be achieved, says Chosak, by not making eye contact with the person when
shaking — in both instances, you’re indicating that you don’t really care about making a true
connection with that person.

Cultural variation refers to the differences in social behaviors that different cultures
exhibit around the world. What may be considered good etiquette in one culture may be
considered bad etiquette in another.

There are many differences between the various cultures across the planet. These differences
include the way people interact, what they wear and what they eat. Many cultural differences can
be explained by the environment and resources of the region. For example, Japanese people eat
more fish than residents of the United States because fishing is far more practical than raising
land animals in Japan. Cultural variations become obvious when put side by side in large
multicultural cities.

So yes, culture plays a big role in influencing behavior.

Culture shock is the feeling of uncertainty, confusion that people experience when visiting,
living in a society that is different from their own.

Research on intercultural communication is conducted using primarily three different

methodological approaches: social scientific, interpretive, and critical. Each of these approaches
reflects different philosophical assumptions about the world and how we come to know it. Social
scientific methods often involve quantitative data collection and research approaches such as
surveys and experiments. From this perspective, intercultural communication is seen as patterns
of interaction, and we seek to explain and understand these patterns through clear measurement
and identification of key independent variables. Interpretive methods often involve qualitative
data collection and research approaches such as interviews and ethnographic observation. From
this perspective, intercultural communication and meaning is created through interaction, and we
seek to understand these meanings by exploring the perspectives of people who participate as
members of cultural communities. Critical methods often involve qualitative data collection and
research approaches such as interviews and textual critique. From this perspective, intercultural
communication involves inequalities that can be attributed to power and distortions created from
(mis)use of this power. Critical scholars seek to unmask domination and inequality. Most
scholars utilize one of these primary approaches given the consistency with their world views,
theories, and research training. However, there are creative possibilities for combining these
approaches that have potential for fuller understanding of intercultural communication.