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Communicating Across Cultures

A problem solving approach

DriversHow can we communicate effectively with our

students?How can we best prepare our students for

success in a Canadian academic context?

How can we help our students?How can we help ourselves?

What do we mean by ‘problem’?Ineffective communicationLeading to, for example,

misunderstanding, conflict, compromised performance/outcomesDissatisfaction

What do we mean by culture?Culture as Art – kultureCulture as Civilization – EvolutionCulture as social structure – Structural

FunctionalismCulture as Relativistic Differences – Cultural

RelativityEdward T Hall

People see the world in different waysPerceptionConceptionlanguage

Objective vs. Subjective Culture

Working definition: shared meanings, values, and beliefs developed among groups of interacting people (see Bennett, M.)

What about cultural Stereotypes?

Ignoring cultural differences

Generalizations

Cases: Discussion GroupsTianYiAhmedMiho

RebeccaRachelJakeJakobDan

DMISDevelopmental Model of Intercultural

Sensitivity (Milton Bennett)

DMIS

Denia

l

Min

imiz

ati

on

Adapta

tion

DenialCharacteristics:

Not aware of cultural differencesAvoidance, lack of interestUndifferentiated view of differences

Developmental Task:Recognize existence of cultural differences

Defense (Reversal)Characteristics:

Polarize – us/them; good/badStereotypesFeel threatened by differencesAssume superiority

Developmental Task:Develop appreciation of commonalities

(humanity)

MinimizationCharacteristics:

Cultural differences seen within own worldview“Deep down, we’re all basically the same (ie –

like me)”Focus on universals – psychological, moral,

political . . .Developmental Task:

Develop awareness of cultural context – one’s own and that of others

AcceptanceCharacteristics:

Non-judgmental Respects behaviour and value differences

Takes into account cultural context/perspectiveDevelopmental Task:

Learn to shift perspective (how to think, see, and act from a different perspective)

AdaptationCharacteristics:

Ability to behave and communicate in other cultures

Developmental Task:Deal with identity issues associated with

cultural flexibility

Case ReviewCases and DMISPossible strategies

Thank you