This document discusses cultural aspects of communication and behavior between groups. It notes that elements regulating interpersonal behavior, like non-verbal cues, vary between cultures and are often implicit. Effective communication involves mastering the conventions of a given society. Differences exist between high and low context cultures in how direct or indirect communication styles are. Non-verbal cues like gaze, proximity, and gestures also differ across groups. Understanding these cultural variations can help sojourners adapt to new social environments.

1. Culture
Learning
Behavioral Aspects
of Culture Contact

2. Culture Learning
A process whereby sojourners
acquire culturally relevant social
knowledge and skills in order to
survive and thrive in their new
society

3. Elements that regulate
interpersonal behavior
•Vary between cultural groups and
are ‘hidden’ in that people are not
fully aware of them.
* non-verbal communication
(proxemics, touch & gestures)

4. The social behavior of persons
interacting with each other constitutes a
mutually organized, skilled performance.
* includes expression of attitudes, ritual
routines etc.

5. Relational Communication
Implicit messages that vary across
cultures and define the tenor of the
relationship by indirectly conveying
feelings of liking, friendliness, dominance
and trust
*communication style/competence

6. The socially inadequate individual
may not have mastered the conventions
of their society, ether because they are
unaware of the rules of social behavior
that regulate interpersonal conduct or, if
aware of the rules, are unable or
unwilling to abide by them.

7. Socially Unskilled Persons
• Behave like strangers in their own land, a
similar position to socially inadequate
indigenous individuals
• Tend to be highly skilled in the customs
of their own society and find their
sudden inadequacy in the new culture
frustrating

8. Cross-Cultural differences in
Communication
•Low Context Cultures: direct; rely on
verbal communication
•High Context Cultures: indirect &
ambiguous; convey limited
information in coded messages,
more influenced by situational cues

9. Differences in Cultural
Communication
•Variability in self-disclosure, face
negotiation and proxemics
•More difficulty with differing
‘codes,’ particularly when share the
same linguistic form (“Would you
like to…?” US vs. Australia)

10. Etiquette
•Direct/indirect
•Requests
•Turn distribution
•Voice volume
•Linguistic forms such as ‘Thank you’

11. Resolving Conflict
•Reprimands
•Affected by power-distance
(status inequality) and the I-C
dimension

12. Resolving Conflict
• Managers in low power distance cultures
rely heavily on their own training and
experience and involve subordinates and
co-workers.
• In high power and collectivist countries
formal rules and procedures are given
precedence.
• Negotiating Styles

13. Non-Verbal Communication
•Communicate attitudes and express
emotions (supports speech,
provides feedback and synchronizes
turn-taking)
•Elements studied include face, eyes,
spatial behavior, bodily contact and
gestures

14. Mutual Gaze
•Levels vary across cultures
•Low gaze participant may be seen
as impolite while high gaze
participant may be seen as
disrespectful, threatening or
insulting
•Spatial behavior

15. Bodily Contact & Gestures
•Contact cultures versus non-contact
cultures
•Low-touch culture seen as aloof, cold
and unfriendly to high-contact cultures
•Psychological closeness/immediacy

16. Rules and Conventions
•Approaches to lateness and success
•Differences in attitudes towards
pace of life
Social rules operate beneath the level
of consciousness and one becomes
aware of a rule only after it’s been
broken

17. Forms of Address
•Titles are tied to variations in power-
distance across cultures
•Rules for exchanging business cards
•Forms of address (surname/given
name combinations)

18. Social Relations in
Multicultural Societies
•Despite policies based on
integration, minority groups are
expected to assimilate to the
dominant ethos
•‘code switching’ linguistic styles

19. Social Situations
Questionnaire
Culture learning approach
suggests skills deficits be included
in the study of intercultural
contact.