CULTURE

 is linked to communication and a wide range of human experience including feelings

identity and sense making.
 provides people with different ways of thinking, seeing, hearing and interpreting.
 involves a number of man made, collective artifacts and is shared by the member of
social group.
 is something that shapes one’s behavior or structures ones perception of the world.

Culture and Communication

Culture is often defined in Culture is communication
Interrelation to communication and communication is culture
It means that culture is passed on via communication reflects one’s culture “We may say
that intellectual communication is communication among those people who have different
cultural references that they perceive themselves as pertaining to different culture.

The Shortest way

between two
people is a smile
Non-verbal language may have the following basic function
A. to communicate attitudes and emotions.
B. to support the sense of words
This may take place in different ways

 completing the sense of words

 cotrolling synchronization
(among different speakers of the group)
 producing feedback
 maintaining the behavior
C. substitution of verbal language

 body language, gesture

 gaze behavior

Non-verbal language, depending on authors, makes from 50% to 70% of direct communication
among human beings.
 STEROTYPES
Stereotypes often, reflect the differences in socio-economic status, region or dialect
 It is important to suspend judgement avoid misconception, narrow perspectives and
immature reactions.
 Stereotypes often contain a grain of truth but not characterized an entire culture.
 Setting the whole picture of culture needs active participation.
IDENTITY

 Identity is the relationship between the “I” and the “other”.

 There is no identity without the “other”
 So when talking with the own identity we also have to consider the foreign-identity

TWO KINDS OF IDENTITY

Two kinds of identity
1. Personal Identity
Based on the culture in which we were socialized.
2. Cultural Identity
Founded on the sense of belonging to a community with certain characteristics.
TIME BEHAVIOUR
THE CONCEPT OF “TIME”
Monochronic Cultures

 Also called Rigid time culture

 Do only one thing at the same time.
 Appointments (time) are inescapable.
 Punctuality is the norm of conduct.
 Time money.
Polychronic Cultures

 Also called: fluid time cultures.

 Do several thing at the same time engagements are more flexible
 Work is considered less important than being polite, nice, helpful, etc. with other people.
 Time is an opportunity.
 It means that
Two people, participating at the same task , one monochromic and the other polychronic.

 Will consider the whole process from very different points of view.
 Will have different objectives
 Will have different priorities

The developmental Model of Intercultural Sensitivity

Stage 1: Denial- the individual does not recognized cultural differences
An individual in the denial stage might be heard saying ”All cities have the same they all have tall
buildings, fast food chains and coffee shops”
Stage 2: Defense – the individuals starts to recognize cultural differences and is intimidated by
them resulting in either a superior view on own culture or an injustified high regard for the new
one. An individual in the defense stage might be heard saying “ This culture does not view life
the way we do; our culture is certainly better”.
“Their ways are better than my own, I wish I were one of them.
Stage 3. Minimization – individuals see cultural differences they bank more universality of ideas
rather than on cultural differences. An individual in the minimization stage might be heard
saying “ Once we see through the cultural differences we really are just the same.
Stage 4. Acceptance: the individuals begin to appreciate important cultural differences in
behavior and eventually in values.. An individual in the acceptance stage might be heard saying “
these people and I have different values and experiences, and I think we can learn from one
another.
Stage 5. Adaption: the individuals is very open to world views when accepting new perspectives.
An individual in the adaption stage might be heard saying "To address our issue. I have to adjust
my approach to consider both my own and my counterparts background".
Stage 6. Integration: Individuals start to go beyond their own cultures and see themselves and
their actions based on multifarious cultural viewpoints. An individual in the integration stage
saying."I can look at things from the perspectives of various cultures".