1. Chapter 2
Culture
Culture is defined as the relatively specialized lifestyle of people that is passed on from one generation
to the next through communication not through genes.
• In social group’s culture is everything that members of the group have developed – their values,
beliefs, artifacts and language: theirs ways of behaving, their art, laws, religion and of course
communication theories, styles and attitudes.
• Culture
– An accumulation of values, forms of expression, beliefs, and language
– Shapes one's interpretations of what events mean
– communication problems can be caused by conflicting cultural assumptions
Culture in Interpersonal Communication
Reviewing
This unit explored the nature of culture and identified some key concepts and principles that explain the
role of culture in interpersonal communication.
Nature of Culture and Interpersonal Communication
What is culture and how is it transmitted?
Culture: The relatively specialized lifestyle of a group of people (values, beliefs, artifacts, ways of
behaving) that are passed from one generation to the next by means of communication (not
genes).
Enculturation: The process through which you learn the culture into which you're born.
Acculturation: The process by which you learn the rules and norms of a culture that is different
from your native culture and that modifies your original or native culture.
How Cultures Differ
How do cultures differ from each other? How do these differences affect interpersonal communication?
In high-power-distance cultures, power is concentrated in the hands of a few and there is a great
difference between those with and those without power. In low-power-distance cultures, the
power is more equally shared throughout the citizenry.
In highly masculine cultures, men are viewed as strong, assertive, and focused on being
successful, whereas women are viewed as modest, tender, and focused on the quality of life. In
highly feminine cultures, men and women are viewed more similarly.
A collectivist culture emphasizes the group and subordinates the individual's goals to those of the
group. An individualist culture emphasizes the individual and subordinates the group's goals to
the individual's.

2. In high-context cultures, much of the information is in the context; in low-context cultures,
information is explicitly stated in the verbal message.
Different cultures view time very differently.
o Displaced and diffused time orientations identify how accurately and specifically time is
viewed and defined.
o Monochronic people do one thing at a time; polychronic people do several things at the
same time.
Intercultural Communication
What is intercultural communication and what are its central principles?
Intercultural communication refers to communication between people who have different cultures,
beliefs, values, and ways of behaving.
Some intercultural communication principles include: prepare yourself, reduce uncertainty,
recognize differences (between yourself and others, within the culturally different group, and in
meanings), adjust your communication, and recognize culture shock.
Cultural Differences in Non-verbal Communication
Non-verbal communication or body language is an important part of how people
communicate and there are differences from culture to culture. Hand and arm gestures,
touch, and eye contact (or its lack) are a few of the aspects of non-verbal communication
that may vary significantly depending upon cultural background.
Gestures:
There are a number of gestures commonly used in the United States that may have a
different meaning and/or be offensive to those from other cultures. One common
example is the use of a finger or hand to indicate “come here please”. This is the gesture
used to beckon dogs in some cultures and is very offensive. Pointing with one finger is
also considered to be rude in some cultures and Asians typically use their entire hand to
point to something.
Touch:

3. While patting a child’s head is considered to be a friendly or affectionate gesture in our
culture, it is considered inappropriate by many Asians to touch someone on the head,
which is believed to be a sacred part of the body. In the Middle East, the left hand is
reserved for bodily hygiene and should not be used to touch another or transfer objects.
In Muslim cultures, touch between opposite gendered individuals is generally
inappropriate.
Eye contact/gaze:
In mainstream Western culture, eye contact is interpreted as attentiveness and honesty;
we are taught that we should “look people in the eye” when talking. In many cultures,
however, including Hispanic, Asian, Middle Eastern, and Native American, eye contact is
thought to be disrespectful or rude, and lack of eye contact does not mean that a person is
not paying attention. Women may especially avoid eye contact with men because it can
be taken as a sign of sexual interest.
Of special note when working with babies:
Although it is common in Western culture for adults to admire babies and young children
and comment upon how cute they are, this is avoided in Hmong and Vietnamese cultures
for fear that these comments may be overheard by a spirit that will try to steal the baby or
otherwise cause some harm to come to him or her.
Principles for effective intercultural communication
Intercultural communication is communication between people who have different cultures beliefs,
values and ways of behaving.
Some intercultural communication guidelines include
Educate your self
Recognize differences (between yourself and others, with in the culturally different group and in
meaningS0

4. Confront your sterotypes
Reduce your ethnic centrism and adjust your communication.
Cultural Barriers
Acceptable styles of communication vary between cultures. In some societies physical
gestures are extravagant, and touch is more acceptable. In these societies, it is generally
acceptable to hug and touch a person's arm when you are speaking to him. In other societies
this would be unacceptable. Some religions have a taboo about members of the opposite
sex communicating and particularly touching. Casual hugging and kissing would be
completely unacceptable.
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