Week 5Week 5Intercultural Communication Intercultural Communication

TED Discussion

http://v.youku.com/v_show/id_XMzgwNzU0OTA0.html

Discuss your overall response, thoughts, or observations about the video.

Do you think music has the power to positively influence IC? to connect cultures? Why or why not?

She concludes by talking about one particular area of the iceberg. What part of the iceberg is Washburn talking about?

Washburn said “US-China relations does not need another lawyer.” What do you think US-China relations needs to improve IC?

Infographics

• What first comes to mind when you think of America?

• What country is China’s most important partner?

• How do you receive news about the US?

• What is your top goal in life? ---------------------------------------------------------------------

• What cultural level do these perceptions come from?

• What are some differing cultural values? similar cultural values?

• Can you identify some cultural differences?

http://bbs.chinadaily.com.cn/thread-833879-2-1.html

The U.S. uses “soft power” to export its culture - ex. VOA

Chapter 2 explained the importance of learning about a culture’s values, beliefs, and traditions. How can China export its culture to promote IC?

Think about all the levels of culture.

Forum Discussion

Think about an ethnicity/group/country you think you have at least some cultural knowledge of.

What do you know about their surface-level culture? intermediate-level? deep-level?

surface-level = pop culture

intermediate-level = symbols and their meaning, norms

deep-level = traditions, beliefs, values

Writing

Cultural Value Patterns

• Case study p.53

• identifying cultural and personal value differences helps us understand why people behave the way they do in a new cultural setting

• our sense of self is also infused with cultural, ethnic, gender, spiritual, professional, relational, and personal values

Functions

• Identity Meaning

• Sense-making Explanatory

• Boundary Regulation

• Adaptational

Analyzing Cultural Values

• Values - shared ideas about what is right and wrong, what is fair and unfair, what is important or not important

• act as guidelines for our motivations, expectations, perceptions, interpretations, and communicative actions

• also set the emotional tone for interpreting the behavior of cultural strangers

Identity Meaning Function • provide a frame of reference

• Example: U.S. middle-class values emphasize individual initiative and achievement

• result: recognition and rewards

• The American Dream p.54 “A person who can realize his or her dreams...”

• comes from Judeo-Christian belief system

• each person is seen as unique, having free will, responsible for his or her growth and decisions

• therefore, the concept of being a “successful,” “competent,” or “worthwhile” person and the meanings attached to such words come from the fundamental values of a given culture

British perceptions of Americans

• http://v.youku.com/v_show/id_XNDg1NDYzNDQ0.html

Explanatory Function

• in our own group, we experience safety and acceptance

• on the other hand, when we interact with dissimilar groups, we have to be on the alert and sometimes need to explain or defend our behaviors or underlying values with more effort

• we need to also use more mental energy to try to figure out why they behave the way they behave

• ex.: public displays of affection or strange phrases

• have not mastered the value-based explanatory system of that culture

• cannot come up with a reasonable guess or interpretative competence as to why people do certain “strange” things in that “strange” culture

Boundary Regulation Function • Culture creates a comfort zone in which we experience ingroup

inclusion and ingroup/outgroup differences

• attitude - a learned characteristic that influences our behavior

• Ingroups - groups we feel emotionally close and with whom we share an interdependent fate

• family, extended family, or people from our own cultural or ethnic group

• Outgroups - no emotional ties; we may experience great psychological distance from them and even feel competitive against them

• Value patterns often create ingroup consensus concerning what is valued and devalued within a culture

• provides a clear reward and punishment system for behaviors

Adaptational Function

• Values evolve due to people’s needs and desires, and vice versa

• Surface-level changes at a faster pace than deep-level culture

• Ecologies, or the environment also facilitates adaptation

• ex.: agricultural societies emphasize dependability and cooperation

Week 5 Assignments

• Outside reading/prepare for discussion

• to be emailed and posted to the class site

• Contribute to blog discussion

• entry will be posted this afternoon

Week 6Week 6Intercultural Communication Intercultural Communication

• Comments, observations, responses, or feedback about this article.

• What are the three components of soft power? Do the authors advocate that China follow this model?

• Think back to your answer for how China can export its culture. Is it similar or different from the article?

Cultural Soft Power Wrap-up

• Why do you think Chinese students want to study abroad? If applicable, why do you want to study abroad?

• After reading this article and thinking about acquaintances you have who are studying abroad/studied abroad, do you agree or disagree with the overall position of this article?

• Do you agree or disagree with Jocelyn Jia’s position? Should international students, wherever they are studying, integrate and take advantage of all opportunities, inside or outside the classroom?

• American college students also struggle with the “social-school balance.” If you or a friend were to go abroad, what advice/tips would you give? Think about what the article presented as far as what is an American college experience.

WSJ Article Wrap-up

• As stated in this article, foreign language proficiency does not equal culture fluency. Although it is a teacher’s job, what can students do to improve culture fluency?

• What is a “stereotype?” What is “stereotyping?” Why are there examples of positive and negative stereotypes? Does this matter for IC?

• Do you agree that the “media is responsible for creating stereotypes?” Can you provide an example? Could be from any culture.

• What did you observe from the author’s study about your own stereotypes?

• According to the author, which group(s) need to improve their cultural knowledge?

“ Stereotyped or not”Article Wrap-up

Analyzing Cultural Value Dimensions

• Value comparison on a cultural group membership level acts as a critical first step toward better understanding both cultural differences and similarities

Discovering Cultural Values

• Cultural-level characteristics do not explain the behaviors of all members in a single culture

• Family socialization, individual life experience, pop culture, and immigration or intergroup contact experience all have various effects on the value formation processes of an individual in a society

• Ex.: U.S. and Vietnam

• individualistic vs. collectivistic only implies the average characteristics of the two cultures

• p.58 Know yourself

Identity

• Individualism-Collectivism value pattern

• individualism - emphasizing the importance of individual identity over group identity, individual rights over group rights, and individual needs over group needs

• promotes self-efficiency, individual responsibility, and personal autonomy

• collectivism - “we” identity, group rights, and ingroup needs

• promotes relational interdependence, ingroup harmony, and ingroup collaborative spirit

• takes place in everyday family, school, and workplace interaction

• Table 3.1; examples on p. 62

Power • small power distance cultures - value equal power distributions,

equal rights and relations, and equitable rewards and punishments on the basis of performance

• strive for equality

• children may contradict their parents and speak their mind; democratic family decision-making

• large power “” - tend to accept unequal power distributions, hierarchal rights, asymmetrical role relations, and rewards and punishments based on age, rank, status, title, and seniority

• power hierarchy is a fundamental way of life

• children are expected to obey their parents; punishment; parents and grandparents assume authority roles

• Table 3.2 and ex. on p. 64

Uncertainty

• weak/low uncertainty avoidance - encourage risk taking and conflict-approaching modes

• roles and behavioral expectations are actively negotiated; children are given more freedom to explore their own values and morals

• strong/high uncertainty avoidance - clear procedures and conflict-avoidance behaviors

• prefer formal structure and rules

• better off without conflict

• manager should have precise answers to subordinates questions

• detailed job descriptions are essential

Feminine-Masculine Value Patterns

• femininity - social gender roles are fluid and can overlap

• whatever a woman can do, a man can do

• both men and women should be modest, observant, and tender

• masculinity - social gender roles are clearly complementary and distinct

• men should be assertive, tough, and focused on task-based accomplishment and material success

• women should be more modest, feminine, tender, and concerned with the quality of life

• Table 3.4

• Human beings in all cultures face common human problems or existential questions

• Figure 3.1

Additional Value Orientation Patterns

General Cultural Differences

http://v.youku.com/v_show/id_XNDkwMzQ3Mzcy.html

American Cultural Values

Warning! These are generalizations.

But in this case, a generalization is a pattern that is rooted in data and research. Generalizations only become stereotypes if you assume that each and every American you meet will follow these patterns. They won't!

So take note of these trends but also take the time to get to know people as individuals.

Intercultural trainer and researcher, Robert Kohls discovered that there are 13 core values that many Americans fall back on when making decisions, doing work and socializing in their daily lives.

American Cultural Values

1) We believe that we are in control of our own success (or failure)

In some countries, people place a lot of weight on luck or fate.

In U.S. culture, people hold a very strong sense that they can create their own success through hard work and dedication.

This also means that some people in the U.S. will often try to manipulate the natural environment around them to suit their needs.

American Cultural Values

2) We embrace change

While some cultures remain centered on tradition and stability, American culture embraces change and considers it natural.

Progress and innovation are important and many Americans are often looking for the next best thing.

I think this is one of the reasons that the U.S. has been a good place for entrepreneurs with big ideas in the past.

American Cultural Values

3) We view time as a commodity

Time is valuable in the U.S. and it shouldn't be wasted.

“Time is money.”

We are constantly thinking about how to save, not waste, gain, plan or fill their time.

Some cultures attend an event until it comes to a natural end.

We attend an event such as a meeting, until the clock indicates that the meeting is over and they move on to the next thing.

American Cultural Values 4) We value equality and fairness

This is a bit ironic.

Although the U.S. has more than its share of problems with racism, homophobia, sexism, etc., the U.S. is a society that does not recognize hierarchies as much as other countries.

If you are a member of the upper class in your home country and you visit the U.S., you will most likely be spoken to just like everyone else by waiters in a restaurant, taxi drivers or hotel staff.

Fairness is a core value that is very important to many American people. Speaking to you or treating you differently because you come from an upperclass family would go against what many Americans believe is right.

American Cultural Values 5) They want to be unique, different, individual

From a young age, Americans from Generation Y have been told that they are special and different from everyone else.

Americans believe that it is important to be unique and stand out from the group.

Some will express their opinions even if they disagree with the rest of the group.

Having a unique idea or doing things differently is praised. Conformity is looked down upon.

Because Americans value individualism, we also value our privacy. In the workplace, American colleagues may be "cold" when they do not invite anyone for a coffee or out on the weekends.

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American Cultural Values 6) They believe they can improve themselves

Robert Kohls noted that there are 100 words that begin with the word "self" as a prefix in the English dictionary.

These include self-improvement, self-aware, self-conscious, etc.

Americans believe that they can and will make themselves successful by working on their skills and abilities and by improving their knowledge.

Being born into a wealthy family and remaining in the same place is not as admirable as being born into a poor family and working your way up the ladder to achieve success.

Just look at the narrative in so many American movies. There is often a "rags to riches" story. Many Americans love to see this kind of story because this is what they aspire to and value.

American Cultural Values

7) They are competitive

With the free market system, there is intense competition in every aspect of American life including education, athletics, business, art, and even hobbies.

Kids' sports events often become extremely competitive as parents can get heavily involved.

It is relatively easy to start a business as an entrepreneur in the United States. With the internet today, the barriers to entry have been lowered and this has only increased competition as anyone with an idea can compete with large corporations.

American Cultural Values 8) They are more interested in the future than the past

Many Americans tend to be constantly working toward the future.

For this reason, we sometimes miss what is happening in the present and they place little value on the past.

These days, parents start investing in their child's college savings funds before the child is even born.

Kids are taught that they need to achieve high grades as young as elementary school because college is down the road.

For many Americans, it's all about the future.

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American Cultural Values

9) They like to take action

In the United States, taking any action is seen as better than doing nothing.

It is common for American kids to take part in tons of different hobbies and after-school activities like sports, music, dance or drama.

Because Americans value action, the American society has become very oriented toward "work".

A typical work week in many professions goes beyond 40 hours. Many professionals become "work-aholics" and identify themselves based on their career or the company that they work for.

American Cultural Values 10) They are casual and informal

In the workplace, many bosses or managers like to be addressed by their first name. However, you should wait until you are invited to do this.

The informality that is so common in my culture is probably related to our sense of equality, fairness and belief in treating everyone the same way.

Americans are also quite informal in the way they dress. In large U.S. cities, you might see Americans attending a famous play in blue jeans whereas in Europe, this might be unacceptable. You will also see college students attending class in their pajamas (something you wouldn’t see in Europe unless American students were present).

American Cultural Values

11) They are direct

While some cultures will avoid telling you exactly what they think in order to "save face", in the United States, many Americans believe that it is important to offer an honest opinion and to communicate your point directly and openly.

In China, are there very specific ways of delivering negative feedback to avoid offending someone?

If so, try not to be surprised if Americans do not make an effort to "tone down" their feedback.

American Cultural Values

12) They are practical

In American culture, there is sometimes a rejection of things that are "overly theoretical" and are not immediately applicable or useful.

Academic fields like philosophy are not as valued as engineering. Social sciences like anthropology are looked at as being less valuable than a medical or law degree.

Being objective and less emotional is encouraged when forming an opinion about something.

American Cultural Values

13) We like to acquire material things

Although this might be changing in U.S. culture today due to the recent recession, the U.S., which values hard work, also values acquisition of material things as a reward for the hard work.

People buy or lease new cars every two to three years.

It’s not a status symbol so much as a personal reward.

Questions?

Week 6 Assignments

• Ch. 4 - pages 84-107 (stop prior to “Typological Model”)

• TBA via email