LL250: Intercultural Communication

Prof. Bauer-Ramazani Name _________________

Chapter 2: Understanding Culture--Alternative Views of Reality
Worksheet for Chapter 2, Part 2--pp. 50-78 (Studying Cultural Patterns, Dominant American Cultural Patterns, Diverse Cultural Patterns)

Directions: Use the information in this chapter to support your answers to the following questions.

I. Studying Cultural Patterns

A. Obstacles in studying cultural patterns

What factors/considerations should we be aware of when studying cultural patterns and making cultural generalizations?

II. Dominant American cultural patterns
Do you agree with these? Give examples of how they are exhibited in American behavior. Are there contradictions? Contrast them with the patterns of other cultures you know about.

a. Individualism

b. Equality

c. Materialism

d. Science and technology

e. Progress and change

f. Work and leisure

g. Competition

Do you agree with these? Give examples of how they are exhibited in American behavior. Contrast them with the patterns of other cultures you know about.

III. Diverse Cultural Patterns
Some dimensions in which cultures can differ in their beliefs, attitudes and values are listed below. Discuss each and give examples of extreme positions on the continuums.

a. Hofstede’s Value Dimensions (pp. 59-68)

(1) Individualism-Collectivism

Examples:

(2) Uncertainty avoidance

Examples:

(3) Power distance

Examples:

(4) Masculinity-Femininity

Examples:

b. Long- and Short-Term Orientation (Confucian Dynamism) (p. 68)

c. Kluckhohn and Strodtbeck’s Value Orientations (p. 68-72)

(1) Human Nature Orientation (evil, good and evil, goodness)

(2) Person-Nature Orientation (subjected to, in cooperation with, controlling nature)

(3) Time Orientation (past, present, future)

(4) Activity Orientation (being, being-in-becoming, activity/doing)

(5) Relational (social) Orientation (authoritarian, collective, individualism)

d. Hall’s High-context and Low-context Orientation (pp. 79-82)

(1) High-context cultures

(2) Low-context cultures