This chapter introduces the concepts of intercultural communication and culture. It provides practical reasons for studying intercultural communication, such as adjusting to a global workplace, adapting to domestic diversity, and enhancing intercultural relationships. The chapter defines culture as a learned meaning system consisting of patterns of traditions, beliefs, values, norms, meanings, and symbols shared within a community and passed down between generations. Culture is compared to an iceberg, with surface-level culture being popular culture and deeper levels including cultural norms and shared traditions.

1. Understanding Intercultural
Communication Second Edition
Chapter 1
Why Study Intercultural
Communication?
Stella Ting-Toomey & Leeva C. Chung
OXFORD UNIVERSITY PRESS
PowerPoint Slides Designed by Alex Flecky and Noorie Baig

2. TODAY’S MENU
I. Practical Reasons to Study
Intercultural Communication (ICC)
II. What is Culture?

3. I. Why Study Intercultural
Communication?
•
•
•
•
•
•

4. I. Some Practical Reasons to Study
ICC
A. Adjust to Global Workplace
Heterogeneity
B. Adapt to Domestic Workforce
Diversity
C. Engage in Creative Multicultural
Problem Solving
D. Comprehend the Role of
Technology in Global
Communication

5. I. Some Practical Reasons to Study ICC
cont’d.
E. Facilitate Better Multicultural
Health Care Communication
F. Enhance Intercultural Relationship
Satisfaction
G. Foster Global & Intrapersonal
Peace
H. Deepen Cultural Self-Awareness
and Other-Awareness

6. Jeopardy Time !
~ To see some facts related to the historical
landmark of reaching 7 billion people on
planet Earth, click here.
~ To see a video called “Seven Billion: Are
You Typical?” click here.

7. II. What is Culture?
•
•
•
•
•
•

8. II. Culture: A Learned Meaning System
Culture is: a learned meaning system
• consists of patterns of …
• traditions, beliefs, values,
• norms, meanings, and symbols
• that are passed on from one
generation to the next & are shared to
varying degrees
• by interacting members of a
community.

9. Culture is like an Iceberg:

10. Culture: An Iceberg
Metaphor
Surface-level culture: Popular culture
Can you give examples of current U.S. popular
culture icons that are different from the ones listed
in the textbook?
•
•
•
•

11. Culture: An Iceberg Metaphor
Intermediate-level culture: Cultural norms
How would you introduce yourself:
To your professor?
To your romantic partner’s friends?
Deep-level culture: Culturally shared
traditions
How would you explain common U.S. traditions to a
visitor from another culture unfamiliar with them?

12. Parting Thoughts…
Culture is the widening
of the mind and spirit.
~ Jawarhalal Nehru