Week 6

1. Week 6 Intercultural Communication

2. Assigned Group Work • Choice A: Prepare to informally discuss and analyze a 2-3 minute video or group of images you find related to what we have discussed thus far in IC (i.e. intercultural competence, the staircase model, surface level culture, intermediate level culture, deep level culture, universal human needs, symbols, meanings, norms, traditions, beliefs, values, the IC process, and value patterns). Make sure you know the hyperlink to the video or that you have the images saved on a USB stick. You do not need to prepare a presentation; I only want you to discuss and analyze, trying to connect examples outside the realm of the textbook to the abstract concepts found within the text.

3. Assigned Group Work • Choice B: Prepare to informally discuss and analyze one or two (depending on your group's size) East meets West image(s). Since we've dealt with quite a number of them already, I expect that you and your group has more thoughtful discussion and analysis to contribute. Consider the following questions: Is the red side an accurate representation of "Chinese culture?" If not, identify how it's changed. Is it a symbol, meaning, norm, belief, tradition, value or from surface-level culture? Where does it come from or where is it deeply rooted, if applicable (deep-level culture)? Is it telling about the culture or just merely a generalization or stereotype? Does it reveal something about the value patterns of Chinese society? You can also attempt to answer the same questions for the blue side?

4. British perceptions of Americans • http://v.youku.com/v_show/id_XNDg1NDYzNDQ0.html

5. 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

6. 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

7. 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

8. 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

9. 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

10. Additional Value Orientation Patterns • Human beings in all cultures face common human problems or existential questions • Know Thyself 3.3 p. 68 • Figure 3.1 p. 69

11. Value Orientations: Background Info • Universal questions that human beings, consciously or unconsciously try to answer • Activity value orientation • Destiny, people-nature relation “” • Temporal “” • Spatial

12. Meaning: Doing-Being-Activity Value Orientation • doing = achievement-oriented activities • Middle-class African Americans, Asian Americans, Latino/a Americans, European Americans • manifests itself differently p.70, paragraph 3 • being = living with emotional vitality • traditional Africans and African Americans • being-in-becoming = living with an emphasis on spiritual renewal and connection, more concerned with spiritual well-being • Native Americans (broad-based term)

13. Destiny: Controlling-Yielding People-Nature Value Orientation • controlling the environment • European Americans • harmony-with-nature or “flowing” value solution • Buddhist cultures in places like Laos or Thailand; ethnocultural groups in the US (i.e. Native Americans) believe in living harmoniously with nature • subjugation-to-nature or “yielding” value solution = nature is a powerful force beyond the control of individuals • Polynesian, Middle Eastern and Indian cultures • Another example: karma, involves fatalism, which has shaped the Indian philosophical view of life over the centuries; things happen because they are destined to happen • p.72-3 “People who tend to believe in controlling nature would have a...”

14. Time: Future-Past Temporal Value Orientation • future-oriented time sense = planning for desirable short-to medium-term developments and setting out clear objectives to achieve them • middle-class European Americans • present “” = valuing the here and now • Latino/a Americans • past “” = honoring historic and ancestral ties plus respecting the wisdom of elders • Asian immigrants and Native Americans • The French, African Americans, and Africans tend to embrace a combination of past-present value solution • p. 74, first full paragraph

15. Space: Privacy-Communal Spatial Value Orientation • related to boundary regulation issues • high spatial privacy, moderate, or low • European Americans like about 20 inches of space • Latin American and Caribbean cultural groups is 14-15 inches • Saudis like 9-10 inches • All four additional value orientations- meaning, destiny, time, and space - all shape our outlook on intercultural verbal and nonverbal communication.

16. Individual Socialization Development • Personal identities exist because of unique life histories, experiences, and personality traits

17. Independent versus Interdependent Self-Construal • independent = see themselves as separate, unique from others and from the context • value personal achievement, self-direction, and competition • when communicating with others, they strive for personal goals, being in control of their environment and expressing their needs assertively • interdependent = emphasis on fitting in with relevant others and ingroup connectedness • strive to fit in with others, act in a proper manner, value conformity, and emphasize relational connections • when communicating, they aim for relational harmony, avoid direct conflicts, and interact in a diplomatic, tactful manner

18. Horizontal versus Vertical Self-construal • horizontal self-construal individuals prefer informal-symmetrical interactions, or equal treatment regardless of people’s position, status, rank, or age • approach an intercultural problem directly and use impartial standards to resolve it • vertical self-construal individuals prefer formal-asymmetrical interactions, or differential treatment, depending on people’s position, titles, life experiences, or age • apply a “case by case” standard to assess the right or wrong behaviors according to the roles occupied in the hierarchal network

19. Internal versus External Locus of Control • reflects the destiny value orientation • internal locus of control individuals emphasize free will, individual motivation, personal effort, and personal responsibility over the success or failure of an assignment • external locus of control individuals care more about external determinism, karma, fate, and external forces shaping a person’s life happenings and events • p.81 first full paragraph

20. General Cultural Differences • http://v.youku.com/v_show/id_XNDkwMzQ3Mzcy.html

21. 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.

22. 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.

23. 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.

24. 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.

25. 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.

26. 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.

27. 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.

28. 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.

29. 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.

30. 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.

31. 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).

32. 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.

33. 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.

34. American Cultural Values • 13) They 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.

35. Class Group Work • Feel free to choose a new cultural community if your group feels you have exhausted all avenues of discussing and analyzing the previously selected one; the textbook’s index is a good place to start researching. Feel free to use the power of your phones, too. • You are choosing a cultural community (ethnocultural group, ethnic group, ethnicity, national cultural group). • You will be given time to prepare for informally discussing and analyzing cultural values as well as the levels for your chosen cultural community. • Identify at least one cultural value pattern, norm, symbol, belief, and tradition. You may also identify surface-level culture that is either stereotypically inaccurate or that truly does reveal intermediate-level or deep-level culture. • In addition, identify the four additional value orientations of your cultural community. • If you have interacted with individuals from your cultural community, you can also identify the three personal identities.

36. Class Group Work • The Amish • Identify at least one cultural value pattern, norm, symbol, belief, and tradition. • You may also identify surface-level culture that is either stereotypically inaccurate or that truly does reveal intermediate-level or deep-level culture. • In addition, identify the four additional value orientations of your cultural community. • Three areas of focus: the iceberg, cultural value patterns, and additional value orientation patterns