Cross-cultural Communication

Intercultural Communication

Objectives

Describe and overview of the concepts

of intercultural communication
Differentiate between high and low
context cultures
Identify common differences in
nonverbal communication styles
Describe effective communication
strategies

Communication: one definition

Encompasses language & the context in

which words are interpreted, including:

gestures
posture
spatial relationships
concept of time
Status and hierarchy of persons
The role of the individual within a group
The setting

What are possible consequences

if communication is ineffective or
misunderstood?

Ways in which misunderstandings

occur in communication

Cannot fully know the others thoughts,

attitudes, emotions
Must depend on verbal & non-verbal
signals to learn what the other believes
Use of our own cultural understanding of
communication to interpret
communication
State of mind may bias interpretation of
communication and behavior
Misunderstanding of meaning

Intercultural challenges

Race
Gender
Age
Nationality

________________________________________________________

Acculturation/Assimilation
Socio-economic status
Occupation
Health condition
Religion

Components of messages

Content
Relationship between the speaker &
receiver

Levels of communication

Societal
Organizational
Group
Interpersonal
Intrapersonal

Barriers to communication

Language
Loudness/pitch
Degree of directedness
Facial expressions/gestures, eye
contact
Touch

Low- & high-context cultures

Low-context
cultures

High-context
cultures

Linear sequence of ideas

Precise wording
Objective language
Words most important

Words vague, circuitous

Personal content
Relationship dependent
Attitudes & feelings
important
Non-verbal
communication
important

Examples

Low context: professional

presentation
High context: dad getting a toddler
to eat spinach

Connections with culture

Low context: individual is important

High context: individual defined by

their group

Application: Health care

High context: group involvement

Greater participation by members

Expect relatives to be involvement

U.S. health professionals

Consequences???

Time perception

Low context: monochronistic

High context: polychronistic

Monochronic People

Polychronic People

Do one thing at a time

Do many things at once

Concentrate on the job

Can be easily distracted and

manage interruptions well

Take time commitments

seriously

Consider an objective to be
achieved, if possible

Are low context and need

information

Are high context and already

have information

Are committed to the job

Are committed to people and

human relationships

Adhere religiously to plans

Change plans often and easily

Are concerned about not

Are more concerned with
disturbing others; follow rules those who are closely related
of privacy and consideration
than privacy
Show great respect for private
Borrow and lend things often
property; seldom borrow or
and easily
lend
Emphasize promptness

Base promptness on the

relationship

Are accustomed to short term Have strong tendency to build

relationships
lifetime relationships

Non-verbal communication

Touching
Facial expressions, posture,
gestures
Eye contact

Successful intercultural
communications

Understanding cultural
communication expectations

Examples

Name traditions
How

does a person expect to be

addressed
Name order

Appropriate language

Culturally sensitive approach

Klienmans Questions

What do you call the problem?

What do you think caused the problem?
Why do you think it started when it did?
What do you think your sickness does?
How does it work?
How severe is the sickness? Will it have
a short or long course?
What kind of treatment do you think
you should receive?

Cont.

What are the most important results

you hope to receive from this
treatment?
What are the chief problems the
sickness has caused?
What do you fear most about the
sickness?

Case study

Yvonne Jones, an African American woman in her

50s, has come in to the clinic for her yearly physical
examination. Her usual doctor is not available so she
will be seeing Dr. Hancock, whom she has never met.
The doctor, a Caucasian, introduces himself, saying,
hello, Yvonne, Im Dr. Hancock. Its nice to meet
you. He continues the exam and notices that Mrs.
Jones is quiet and unresponsive to many of his
questions, although she had been smiling and friendly
when he first walked into the room. He is concerned
that he might have missed important information
about her health history, but no matter how friendly
he tries to be, she remains reluctant to talk.