This document discusses the relationship between culture, communication, and conflict. It defines culture as shared interpretations that affect group behavior and is expressed through communication patterns. Communication can be high or low context depending on the relationship, situation, and purpose. Cultural fluency and self-knowledge are important for resolving conflict, which is often cultural in nature. Cultures also differ in their emphasis on community versus individual autonomy and how this impacts responses to conflict.

1. CULTURE & COMMUNICATION

2. Culture is communication… …communication is cultureCULTURECOMMUNICATIONIs a learned set of shared interpretationsIs about beliefs, values, and normsAffects the behavior of a relatively large group of peopleIs the vehicle by which culture is expressedIs directly effected by communication patterns

3. CULTURE AND CONFLICTIntractable conflict is almost always, at least in part, cultural conflict. Thus cultural fluency and self-knowledge are imperative to resolving conflict. Cultural Fluency consists of understanding…What culture is

4. How it works

5. The inter - relationship of:

6. Culture

7. Communication

8. ConflictSelf – Knowledge- understanding one’s own cultural lenses

9. Communication can be:High Context - uses implied meanings which arise from the setting

10. Low Context - focuses on literal meanings of words, independent of setting

11. Everyone engages in both, depending on:

12. The relationships involved

13. The situation

14. The purpose of communicationContext Differences Low-context communicators dealing with high-context communicators should remember:Nonverbal messages/gestures are importantStatus and identity may be communicated nonverballyFace-saving and tact are importantBuilding a good relationship may be essentialIndirect routes and creative thinking may be important

15. Context Differences II High-context communicators dealing with low-context communicators should remember:Statements may be taken at face valueRoles and functions may be decoupled from statusA sustained focus on tasks may be necessaryDirect questions are not meant to offend

16. Community/AutonomyCultures differ as to the degree of emphasis placed on community versus individual autonomyIn Communitarian SettingsPeople see themselves as part of a circle of relationships

17. Identity is as a member of a group

18. In conflict, response is chosen jointly In Individualistic SettingsPeople see themselves as independent and autonomous

19. Identity is individual

20. In conflict, response is individualIn Communitarian SettingsMaintaining group harmony and cohesion is important

21. Choices are made in consultation

22. People are part of a hierarchy

23. People are accountable to the groupIn Individualistic SettingsAchievement involves individual goal-setting and action

24. Everyone is capable of making their own choices

25. People are autonomous

26. People are accountable to themselves