Who Am I?
Cultures in America
Culture
• Values and perspectives shared by people
who are “conditioned by similar education
and life experience”
– Regional: country, area, community
– Religion: sects, variations, etc...
– Corporate: industry, company, department
– Other groups: schools, clubs, etc...
Values & Perceptions
That Differ Within & Across
CULTURES
• Individualism and
collectivism
• Nature of change
• Perception of gender
roles
• Criteria/definitions of
success
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Perception of space
Nature of authority
Perception of time
Nature of humor
Importance of
hierarchies
Communication Practices (norms)
That Differ Within & Across
CULTURES
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Role of written communication
Role of meetings
Patterns of reasoning and argumentation
Level of formality in inter-personal
communications
• Oral presentation style
• Non-verbal communication behaviors
Characteristics of CULTURE
• Culture is not inherent, but learned
• Cultures are rooted in deep seated beliefs
• Culture is the basis for self-identity and
community
• Cultures are dynamic
Tips for Approaching Cross Cultural
Communications
• Avoid ethnocentrism
– Is the belief or attitude that one's own group is superior
• Look beyond stereotypes
– is a generalized perception of a first impression: behaviors
presumed by a group of people judging with the eyes &
criticizing ones outer appearance (or a population in general) to
be associated with another specific group.
• Seek common ground
• Observe non-verbal cues
• Study your own and other cultures
Identify Your Own
Cultural Orientation
• Nationality
• Gender
• Age
• Race
• Ethnicity
• Urban-suburban-rural
• Economic status
• Geographic region
Write a paragraph on some area of
cultural discrimination that you have
observed in school
– Remember a paragraph includes:
• 4-5 sentences
• Correct grammar and punctuation
• Answer the question