Lecture by: Chris Ross

*Please have book handy for we will consult it through this lecture.

Culture => learned set of shared interpretations about beliefs, values and norms that affect the behaviors of relative large group of people.

Co-Cultures => groups that have a clear identity within the majority of a culture. Race, ethnicity, social class, gender, generation, religious affiliation, etc…

Race & Ethnicity What are some differences you see each day?

Social Class What are some differences you see each day?

Generational differences Baby Boomers (Born 1945 -1964) Generation Xers (1965 -1980) Millennials (1980-2000)

Regional Differences What are some you see each day?

Disabilities What are some you see each day?

Customs & Behavior Formality

(ex) Can you use first names or must you use titles?

Social Customs (ex) Do they shake hands, kiss or bow when

greeting? Styles of Dress

(ex) Is it appropriate for a woman to expose skin?

Customs & Behavior Time

Monochronic => view of time seeing it as an almost tangible substance. (USA)

Polychronic => see time as more fluid. (Latin America)

Tolerance for Conflict (ex) Does the notion of harmony over conflict

rule? Gender Roles

(ex) Is it possible for a female to be a leader?

Complete the Self-Assessment on page 42 for your own personal records.

Low-Context Culture => uses language primarily to express thoughts, feelings and ideas as clearly and logically as possible. (Ex: USA)

High-Context Culture => relies heavily on subtle, often nonverbal cues to convey meaning, save face and maintain social harmony. (Ex: Chinese)

Individualism Individualistic culture => inclined to put their

own interests and those of their immediate family ahead of social concerns.

Collectivist cultures => have tight social frameworks in which members of a group feel primary loyalty toward one another and the group they belong.

Power Distance Power Distance => refers to attitudes toward

differences in authority. Some cultures you are not allowed to

challenge or speak to a superior.

Uncertainty Avoidance Uncertainty Avoidance => measure of how

accepting a culture is of a lack of predictability.

Those cultures that value tradition and formal rules have less tolerance for different ideas. Those that embrace the uncertainty allows for greater risks, also tolerate behaviors outside of the norm.

Masculinity Masculine/feminine => Not biological traits

but cultures values expressed in terms of the stereotypical gender roles.

More masculine cultures want to just ‘get the job done’

More feminine cultures focus on feelings and working together as a team.

Future Orientation Long-term orientation => defer gratification in

pursuit of long-range goals.

Short-term orientation => look for quick payoffs.

Pages 47-48 discuss responses to cultural differences. Lets review those.

Become Culturally Literate Develop Constructive Attitudes

View Diversity as an Opportunity Avoid Ethnocentrism

Ethnocentrism => inclination to see all events from the perspective of your own culture and to evaluate your own culture as superior.

Adapt Your Behavior Don’t condescend Create dialogue

Select one form of disability/exceptionality. Collaborate with several of your classmates to create two role plays, illustrating effective and ineffective communication with a person who is challenged by the disability. Act out your role plays in front of the class.

Assume the administration of your school asked you to brief newly hired faculty members about your school’s academic culture from an student’s perspective. Describe how communication practices at the school shape and reflect its culture. Be sure to make your remarks clear and interesting and include examples.