Cross-Cultural Communication

Diversification of the US Current immigration rates are the highest in

US history; birthrates of White Americans are declining in comparison to ethnic minorities

“A group never becomes a community unless it develops the habit of deep, respectful listening to one another”

Common listening barriers On-Off listening

Symptoms Solutions

Red flag listening Symptoms Solutions

Open ears—closed mind listening Symptoms Solutions

Common listening barriers Glassy-eyed listening

Symptoms Solutions

Too-deep-for-me listening Symptoms Solutions

Don’t rock-the-boat listening Symptoms Solutions

Dialogue cannot exist without humility

“How can I enter into a dialogue if I always imagine that others are ignorant, and never become conscious of my own ignorance? How can I enter into dialogue if I see myself as a person apart from others?...”“If I am closed to, and even offended by, the contribution of others; if I fear being displaced, how can I hold a dialogue?”

--Paulo Freire

Cultural Chauvinism Belief that one’s culture is the best, superior

to all other cultures Feeling no need to learn about other cultures

Tolerance Awareness of cultural differences Recognition that differences stem from

ethnicity No judgment of cultural differences as inferior

Minimalization Minimizing cultural differences by

emphasizing universality of human needs and behaviors

Understanding Recognizing that reality is shaped by culture No judgment of different cultural realities Accepting and respective cultural differences

Nothing is so simple that it cannot be misunderstood.

--Freeman Teague, Jr.

Checking our perceptions When someone’s behavior is ambiguous, it is

crucial to check your perceptions rather than make assumptions.

Steps: State what you’ve observed. Offer possible interpretation(s). Ask for clarification.

Proxemics Perception and the use of personal and

interpersonal space Personal space US society norms

Kinesics Bodily movements, facial expressions,

posture, eye contact, etc. Smile Eye contact Nodding

Paralanguage Vocal cues such as volume, pauses, rate of

speech, inflections

High-low context communication Low context—explicit verbal message High context—nonverbal or situational aspects

of communication

Degree of Directness

Role of Context

Importance of Face

Task or the Person

We have a personal and professional responsibility to:

confront, become aware of, and take actions in dealing with our biases, stereotypes, values, and assumptions about human behavior

become aware of the worldviews , values, biases, and assumptions of clients who differ from us

develop appropriate help-giving practices, intervention strategies, and structures that take into account the historical, cultural, and environmental experiences and influences of our clients, and

change the policies, practices, programs, and structures of the institutions that oppress groups in our society