Interpersonal Communication Chapter 2

Questions and Answers

What does the term 'culture' encompass?

Only language

Values, beliefs, traditions, and customs (correct)

Only beliefs and traditions

None of the above

Culture is a matter of perception and definition.

True

What are in-groups?

Groups with which we identify.

What are out-groups?

Groups that we view as different. Signup and view all the answers

Define social identity.

The part of the self-concept based on group membership. Signup and view all the answers

What is co-culture?

Perception of membership in a group that is part of an encompassing culture. Signup and view all the answers

What is intercultural communication?

Process of exchanging messages between cultures. Signup and view all the answers

What does salience describe?

How much weight we attach to a person or phenomenon. Signup and view all the answers

What characterizes low-context cultures?

Langauge primarily expresses thoughts directly. Signup and view all the answers

What characterizes high-context cultures?

Rely heavily on nonverbal cues. Signup and view all the answers

What is an individualistic culture?

Where individuals prioritize personal success. Signup and view all the answers

What are collectivistic cultures?

Cultures that prioritize loyalty to in-groups. Signup and view all the answers

Define power distance.

Degree of acceptance of unequal power distribution. Signup and view all the answers

What do cultures with low power differences believe?

Minimizing distinctions between social classes. Signup and view all the answers

What do cultures with high power differences exemplify?

Employees have less input in their work. Signup and view all the answers

What does uncertainty avoidance reflect?

Degree of threat felt toward ambiguous situations. Signup and view all the answers

What is achievement culture?

Values material success and task focus. Signup and view all the answers

What characterizes nurturing cultures?

Support of relationships is key. Signup and view all the answers

What are three important types of cultural differences in verbal style?

Directness or indirectness, elaborate or succinct, formality and informality. Signup and view all the answers

How can a communicator acquire culture-specific information for competence?

Mindfulness of self and others' behavior. Signup and view all the answers

What does social media refer to?

Channels for remote personal communication. Signup and view all the answers

What is richness in communication terms?

The abundance of nonverbal cues enhancing verbal messages. Signup and view all the answers

What is synchronous communication?

Occurs in real time. Signup and view all the answers

What is asynchronous communication?

Involves a time gap between message sent and received. Signup and view all the answers

List characteristics of social media.

Message richness, synchronicity, permanence. Signup and view all the answers

What is netiquette?

Rules for communication on social media. Signup and view all the answers

What should netiquette maintain?

Respect for others' need for attention. Signup and view all the answers

What is disinhibition in communication?

Transmitting messages without considering consequences. Signup and view all the answers

What is flaming?

Extreme disinhibition characterized by aggressive communication. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Culture

Encompasses language, values, beliefs, traditions, and customs shared and learned by people.
Perception and definition of culture can vary, making it subjective.

In-groups and Out-groups

In-groups refer to groups individuals identify with, fostering belonging.
Out-groups label those perceived as different, often leading to differentiation.

Derived from group memberships, influencing the self-concept of individuals.

Co-culture

Refers to a perceived membership in a group that coexists within a larger cultural context.

Intercultural Communication

Occurs when message exchange happens between members of different cultures or co-cultures, influenced by diverse cultural perceptions and nonverbal cues.

Salience

Concerns the importance or weight assigned to a particular person or phenomenon in communication.

Cultural Contexts

Low-context cultures prioritize direct expression of thoughts, commonly found in the U.S., Canada, Northern Europe, and Israel.
High-context cultures rely on subtle, often nonverbal cues to maintain social harmony, typical in Asian, Middle Eastern, and Latin American contexts.

Individualism vs. Collectivism

Individualistic cultures emphasize personal responsibility and self-reliance.
Collectivistic cultures value loyalty and obligations to in-groups over individual desires.

Power Distance

Reflects acceptance of unequal power distribution within a society.
Low power distance cultures minimize social class distinctions, viewing all individuals equally.
High power distance cultures display hierarchical structures where lower-status individuals have less input in decision-making.

Uncertainty Avoidance

Indicates how cultures respond to ambiguous situations, reflecting comfort levels and avoidance strategies.

Achievement vs. Nurturing Cultures

Achievement cultures prioritize material success and task completion.
Nurturing cultures value supporting relationships as a primary objective.

Cultural Differences in Verbal Style

Differences include directness vs. indirectness, elaboration vs. succinctness, and varying levels of formality.

Developing Intercultural Communication Competence

Essential elements: motivation and attitude, tolerance for ambiguity, open-mindedness, and knowledge/skill acquisition.

Ethnocentrism and Prejudice

Ethnocentrism involves an attitude of cultural superiority over others.
Prejudice consists of unfairly biased attitudes toward out-group members.

Acquiring Culture-Specific Information

Mindfulness is key to becoming aware of personal behavior and that of others, facilitating cultural competence.

Encompasses various channels enabling remote personal communication.
Characteristics include message richness, synchronicity, and permanence.

Communication Dynamics

Synchronous communication occurs in real-time, allowing for immediate interaction, as seen in phone conversations.
Asynchronous communication features time gaps between message sending and receiving, such as emails and voicemails.

Netiquette

Digital communication necessitates specific rules for respectful interaction, including:
- Respect for undivided attention
- Maintaining a civil tone
- Being mindful of bystanders
- Balancing mediated and face-to-face interactions.

Disinhibition

Refers to the tendency to share messages without forethought about potential repercussions.

Flaming

An extreme form of disinhibition, involving aggressive and harmful communication, typically through emails, texts, or blogs.

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Explore key concepts from Chapter 2 on interpersonal communication within the context of a changing world. This quiz will help reinforce your understanding of culture and group dynamics. Test your knowledge through definitions and true or false questions.