Who Am I? Cultures in America

Culture

• Values and perspectives shared by people who are “conditioned by similar education and life experience” – Regional: country, area, community – Religion: sects, variations, etc... – Corporate: industry, company, department

– Other groups: schools, clubs, etc...

Values & Perceptions That Differ Within & Across

CULTURES • Individualism and

collectivism • Nature of change • Perception of gender

roles • Criteria/definitions of

success

• Perception of space • Nature of authority • Perception of time • Nature of humor • Importance of

hierarchies

Communication Practices (norms) That Differ Within & Across

CULTURES• Role of written communication

• Role of meetings

• Patterns of reasoning and argumentation

• Level of formality in inter-personal communications

• Oral presentation style

• Non-verbal communication behaviors

Characteristics of CULTURE

• Culture is not inherent, but learned

• Cultures are rooted in deep seated beliefs

• Culture is the basis for self-identity and community

• Cultures are dynamic

Tips for Approaching Cross Cultural Communications

• Avoid ethnocentrism – Is the belief or attitude that one's own group is superior

• Look beyond stereotypes – is a generalized perception of a first impression: behaviors

presumed by a group of people judging with the eyes & criticizing ones outer appearance (or a population in general) to

be associated with another specific group.

• Seek common ground • Observe non-verbal cues

• Study your own and other cultures

Identify Your Own Cultural Orientation

• Nationality 

• Age 

• Ethnicity

• Economic status

• Gender

• Race 

• Urban-suburban-rural

• Geographic region

Write a paragraph on some area of cultural discrimination that you have

observed in school– Remember a paragraph includes:

• 4-5 sentences• Correct grammar and punctuation • Answer the question