Communication and Diversity

Adapting to Others

Agenda

Perception and Perception Checking Cultures in Communication Cultural Ethnocentrism Values in Communication

Steps in Perception Checking

Describe behavior Identify one’s own feeling or

interpretation Ask for clarification

Elements Not in Perception Checking

Using evaluative language

Interrupt Talk excessively

Agenda

Perception and Perception Checking Cultures in Communication Cultural Ethnocentrism Values in Communication

Culture is Learned and Shared

What is your cultural background? Material Culture Social Institutions Individual Beliefs Aesthetic Considerations Language

High Context Communication

Most information is in physical context or is internalized to the person

Indirect or abstract message Listener is expected to know what is

on the speaker’s mind

Low Context Communication

Most information is in the explicit code Direct and unambiguous language The speaker is expected to get the

message across to the listener

Lower Context

Higher Context

Cultural Contexts

Information provided explicitly, by words• Nonverbal cues are

ignored• Need detailed

background information

• Consider knowledge a commodity

Information drawn from surroundings• Nonverbal cues are

important• Free flow of

information• Maintain strong

information networks

Agenda

Perception and Perception Checking Cultures in Communication Cultural Ethnocentrism Values in Communication

Cultural Ethnocentrism

Is a Sure Way to Create

Interpersonal Barriers

How Does Ethnocentrism Affect Our Language?

Distance of Disparagement (encourages others to think less highly of themselves)

Distance of Indifference (shows a lack of thought about others feelings)

Distance of Avoidance (use of language that excludes others)

Vs. the Distance of Sensitivity

Develop Knowledge to Enhance Understanding

Seek Information about the Culture Ask Questions and Listen Develop a Third Culture

• Create Common Ground • Seek a Culture that is More

Comprehensive and Inclusive

Can You Accept Others?

Do You Take Your Time and Expect Some Uncertainty?

Are You Conscious of Cultural Differences?

Can You Imagine that Your Culture Doesn’t Have All the Answers?

Cultural Diversity Enhances Interpersonal Communication

Remain Mindful Tolerate Ambiguity Avoid Negative

Judgments Develop Flexibility Become Other Oriented Adapt Communication

to Others

Agenda

Perception and Perception Checking Cultures in Communication Cultural Ethnocentrism Values in Communication

American ValuesAmerican Values

Meridian House International, 1984

Personal ControlPersonal ControlChangeChangeTimeTimeEqualityEqualityIndividualismIndividualismSelf-HelpSelf-HelpCompetitionCompetition

FutureFutureActionActionInformalityInformalityDirectnessDirectnessPracticalityPracticalityMaterialismMaterialism

Man Should Control NatureMan Should Control NatureHumans Can Achieve AnythingHumans Can Achieve AnythingLook Out for Own Self InterestsLook Out for Own Self Interests

Personal ControlPersonal Control

We Value ChangeWe Value Change

DevelopmentImprovementProgressGrowth

Utmost ImportancePunctualityUse WiselyDelayed Gratification

Time and Its ControlTime and Its Control

Devalue PastDevalue Past Unconscious of Unconscious of

PresentPresent Planning the Planning the

FutureFuture Someday...Someday...

Future-OrientedFuture-Oriented

““Created Equal”Created Equal” No Deferential No Deferential

TreatmentTreatment

Equality/EgalitarianismEquality/Egalitarianism

IndividualismIndividualism

PrivacyPrivacy We See We See

Ourselves as Ourselves as Unique Unique

““Time to Myself”Time to Myself”

AccomplishmentsAccomplishments Self-Made ManSelf-Made Man Born Poor; Made Born Poor; Made

GoodGood

Self HelpSelf Help

Action-OrientedAction-Oriented

WorkaholicsWorkaholics ““Don’t Just Sit Don’t Just Sit

There…”There…” Identify Self Identify Self

by Professionby Profession Value LaborValue Labor

InformalInformal Casual with

Authority First Names Shorts “Hi” Familiarity

CompetitionCompetition

Free EnterpriseFree EnterpriseBe the BestBe the BestProgressProgress

DirectnessDirectness

OpennessOpenness HonestyHonesty AssertivenessAssertiveness Above-BoardAbove-Board

Practical

EfficientEfficient PragmaticPragmatic RationalRational ObjectiveObjective EffectiveEffective

MaterialisticMaterialisticWe Own

• Color Television Sets• Automobiles• Telephone, Answering

Machines, Pagers, Cell Phones

• Personal Computers…

Is this Enough?Is this Enough?

Values of Communicators

Isolating Values Determining

Values in Others’ Messages

Methods to Extract ValuesListen for words that openly state valuesListen for negative wordsFind unstated values behind stated beliefsLook for unexpected omissionsLook for connotative languageLook at sources of evidenceNote proportions

Background September 15, 1962 Birmingham, Alabama:

• 4 children killed in Sunday School bombing January 1963:

• Governors Orville Faubus and George Wallace oppose integration of public schools arguing for nullification and interdiction

March 1963:• Sheriff Bull Conner turns fire hoses turned on young people to

prevent their registering to vote July 1963:

• FBI spreads rumor of planned riots during the march on Washington planned for August 28, 1963

Values Analysis of the“I Have a Dream” Speechof Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

Look for words actually used

Compare to expectations for such a message

Positively Stated Values Negatively Stated Values Total

Freedom , free 22 Not free, oppression 3 25

Brotherhood 7 Exile, discord 7 14

Pursuit of happiness 6 Poverty, default 6 12

Life 1 Physical violence 10 11

Justice 6 Injustice 3 9

Equality 2 Segregation 6 8

Faith, pray, God 7