Chapter 8:Adapting Communication to

Cultures and Social CommunitiesMegan Gratzer

Morgan OglesbyErin Flowers

Is it more important for society to be ordered or to provide personal freedom

to its members?

Discussion Questions

Does winning a medal or honor reflect more on the receiving individual or the

person’s family?

Discussion Questions

What are some key characteristics of our

society?

Discussion Questions

Definition: A way of life- a system of ideas, values, customs, and language that is passed from one generation to the next

It’s a part of everything we do, feel, and believe

Interconnected parts affect whole No change is isolated from overall system

Culture

We learn culture through communication Communication expresses, sustains, and

alters culture Shapes how you communicate We acquire attitude as we interact with

others, then reflect cultural teachings in the way we communicate

How Communication Relates to Culture

Begins at Birth Learn both Verbal & Nonverbal Exposed to Mass Communication to learn

Language We both consciously and unconsciously

internalize our culture People from different cultures communicate

differently http://

www.youtube.com/watch?v=C-c_9yIbIx0

Learning Culture

We can distinguish cultures by level of individualism

Communication reflects, expresses individualistic or collective values

2 types of Societies individualistic – Low-context communication Collective- High-context communication

Individualism in Culture

Everyone belongs multiple social groups and minimum of one culture

Each identification we hold affects how we communicate

Most Societies have dominant mainstream way of life

Social Community: group of people who live in dominant culture, but belong to different social groups

Standpoint Theory

Social Groups

Communication sustains culture, perpetuates values

Communication is a source of cultural change

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NbMJ1JFMMSM

Effects of Communication on Culture

Engage in Person-Centered Communication Respect others feelings and Ideas Resist Ethnocentric Bias Recognize adapting to cultural diversity is a

process *Resistance – rejection of beliefs *Assimilation – give up ways, adapt to dominant culture*Tolerance – acceptance of differences*Understanding – No cultural teachings are best or right*Respect – No longer judge, respect *Participation – Incorporate values and practices

Adapting Communication to Diversity of Culture

http://www.factmonster.com/quizzes/countries/1.html

Class Activity

PLEASE NOTE:

Chapter summarized from information found in:

Wood, Julia T. (2014). Communication Mosaics: An Introduction to the Field of Communication. 7th Edition. Boston, MA: Wadsworth.

These student lecture notes provide a brief summary of Wood’s discussion on verbal communication (chapter 4) while providing additional commentary and examples. The information in this slideshow is based on the work (content and organization) of Wood (2014).