3. What is Culture
“Beliefs, values, patterns
of thinking, behavior and
everyday customs that
have been passed on
from generation to
generation” (Shusta, p.
19)
Or a group or community
with which we share
common experiences that
shape the way we
understand the world.
4. What is Culture
It includes groups that we are born into,
such as gender, race, or national origin. It
also includes groups we join or become
part of:
For example, we can acquire a new culture by
moving to a new region, by a change in our
economic status, or by becoming disabled.
5. Communication
Process by which
information is
exchanged and
understood by two or
more people, usually
with the intent to
motivate or influence
behavior
Means to share, not
"to speak" or "to
write"
12. But, Wait, there’s more!
Sender Encode Transmit Decode Receiver
Feedback
A response by the
receiver to the sender’s
communication
Encode Transmit Decode
13. And More
Sender Encode Transmit Decode Receiver
Encode Transmit Decode
Noise Any barrier to
communication
14. Culture and Communications
Messages are constructed from culture, or
“beliefs, values, patterns of thinking,
behavior and everyday customs that have
been passed on from generation to
generation” (Shusta, P. 97)
Both the sender and the receiver use their
cultural perceptions of encode and decode
messages.
15. A little more about perception
Perception = Process
used to sort out the
environment
Perceptual selectivity =
objects/stimuli are
screened in or out and
then selected
- Certain stimuli catch
our attention
- We tend to see what
we want to see.
16. Perception and Communication
Cultural organization = Categorizing
according to our Cultural frame of
reference
Stereotyping is the most common form of
perceptual organization
Words can mean different things to different
people.
17. Nonverbal Communication
Facial expression
Voice
Mannerisms
Posture
Dress
Sometimes more
believable and forceful
Defined as actions,
behaviors and intonation
rather than words
20. Context
“all the factors which systematically
determine the form, meaning,
appropriateness or translation of linguistic
expressions. One can distinguish between
linguistic context (provided by the
preceding utterances or text) and non-
linguistic context (including shared
assumptions and information).” (Arnold,
D).
21. Understanding the Difference
Low-context
communication:
“My words speak for
themselves,"
Prefer to be less
direct, relying on what
is implied by the
communication.
High-context
communication
Prefer indirect
messages from others
Verbal and nonverbal
cues help me
understand the
meaning
22. Different Context – Different
Meaning
I’m sorry.
What did you
say?
I’m fine.
Others?
23. Low Context communicating with
High Context
“nonverbal messages and gestures may be as important
as what is said;
status and identity may be communicated nonverbally
and require appropriate acknowledgement;
face-saving and tact may be important, and need to be
balanced with the desire to communicate fully and
frankly;
building a good relationship can contribute to
effectiveness over time; and
indirect routes and creative thinking are important
alternatives to problem-solving when blocks are
encountered. “ (LeBarron, M.)
24. High Context communicating with
Low Context
“things can be taken at face value rather than as
representative of layers of meaning;
roles and functions may be decoupled from
status and identity;
efficiency and effectiveness may be served by a
sustained focus on tasks;
direct questions and observations are not
necessarily meant to offend, but to clarify and
advance shared goals; and
indirect cues may not be enough to get the
other's attention” (LeBarron, M.)