Module 1
What is culture?
A group of people that share the same beliefs, values, attitude, religion and practices. It is not genetic but learned and helps make up ones identity.
What is cultural Intelligence?
the ability to adapt to cultural differences. Understand other points of view and let yours reflect theirs while still maintaining your own values to allow respect and trust in a relationship.
What is Enthocentrism?
The belief that ones culture is superior to anothers. Often leads to misunderstanding and poor communication.
What is cross-culture competence?
The ability to be able to communicate effectively with different cultures. Cultual knowledge, understanding, skill and attitude contribute to being effective.
What is intercultural communication?
the managment of messages between different cultural groups or people. Guided by principles that help exchange meaningful information clearly while maintaining a mutual respect.
Things to consider before communicating across cultures. 9 possible answers.
-Attitudes to individualism and collectivity
- Reliance on logic and feeling
- The directness of communication styles
- Attitudes to the relational role of communication in business transactions (expressions and interpretations)
- Attitudes toward elderly, life partners and gender roles
- Time orientation
- Propensity for risk and uncertainty (hand shake vs. written contract)
- The degree of formality and protocak that governs social interactions (when to use last names or titles like cheif)
- Interpretations of non-verbal communication and body language (ex: eye contact can sometimes be rude)
What are the 5 key "dementions" of cultural difference? Explain meaning in seperate questions.
1. Power Distance
2. Uncertainty avoidance
3. individualism vs collectivism
4. Masculinity vs femininity
5. Short-term vs long-term orientation
What is Power distance when refering to 5 key demensions of culture differences?
How much each person in a group accepts that power is unequal. Less powerful members in one culture may be encouraged to take initiative but in another it could be considered insubordinate.
What is uncertainty avoidance when refering to the 5 key "demensions" in cultural difference?
Tolerance and comfort level when new, unstructured or unknown practices are used. Such as sealing an agreement with a handshake vs written agreement.
What is individualism vs collectivism when refering to the 5 key "demensions" in cultural difference?
in relation to how self motivated or group orientated you are when refering to taking care of others. In one culture a male may be responsible for the care and logistics of elders or female family members and would place this of higher importance and take time off work. self motivated may be goal driven with hopes of climbing organizations ladders.
What is masculinity vs famininity when refering to the 5 key "demensions" in cultural difference?
does not refer to individuals but the stereotypical emotional roles and values between genders. Masculine roles are know to be competitive and use force, a feminine role is if a woman asked for time off to watch her childs activity, a masculine role would refuse to complete a project ahead of schedule.
What is short-term vs long-term orientation when refering to the 5 key "demensions" in cultural difference?
Short-term is based in past or present while long-term is based in the future regarding practices that can improve the workplace. Short-term may be considered buying lavish gifts to woo other organizations in the relationship while long-term may be considered having a long stanging goal to aid in this organizational relationship
What is a high context culture?
When a culture relies on more than what is said. They take into consideration the wording, context, expressions, gestures and voice inflection, this may have different meaning in different cultures so focusing on politeness strategies, increased formality and rules to social etiquite can help maintain respectful, trustworthy relationships.
What is low context culture?
Only taking in what is said directly. Not taking into consideration outside factors, they value individualism and self-assertion to achieve success meaning the possiblity of misinterpretation or misunderstanding is lowered.
What are the 6 best practices for Oral Messages: Speaking?
1. Pay attention to what is not being said by watching non-verbal behaviours
2. Use simple english, enunciate clearly, avoid idioms and slang.
3. Adjust the level of formality to what is considered culturally acceptable- Concider how to address someone (last-name/title)
4. Be mindful or cultural expectations and protocols by researching pronunciation, community and how to respectfully address specific people
5. Excuse misunderstanding- clearify without causing embarassment
6. Encourage feedback and test their comprehension by pausing to ask if anything needs clarification and inviting them to sum up your message.
What are the 3 best practices for Oral Messages: Listening?
1. Don't interupt and allow speaker to finish their thought
2. Practice active listening by concentrating and ask questions or repeat the message to focus your listening
3. Be sensitive and Patient- Understand speakers challenges or language barriers and dont assume automatic comprehension.
What are the 8 best practices for writing interculturally?
1. Adopt formats used in readers country- used diacritical marks(métis) and study recieved communication to adapt your correspondence.
2. Consider forms of address and pronouns- first names can be too informal, use a title and surname.
3. Use terms that can be found in english-language dictionaries- avoid jargon, slang, idioms, colloquialism (gunna), figures of speech, abbreviations, sports references (slamdunk)
4. Keep sentences direct and simple as possible- use relative pronouns (that) that readers can easily determine who its refering to. Don't use contractions (don't)
5. Use correct grammar - Dont insult reader by using simplified english.
6. Include politeness strategies where required- including manners "I really appreciate it"
7. Avoid humour, irony and sarcasm- doesn't translate well.
8. Use international measurement standards - metric system