1

ISTANBUL BILGI UNIVERSITYPRESENTED BY

C.M. HERRINGTON, MAA, MAT

Hall’s Classification of Cultures

2

Introduction

This lecture is about the views of Dr. Edward Hall, an anthropologist who has specialized in how cultures related to one another. Some of

his work has focused on the different assumptions that people have regarding such basic belief systems as attitudes toward time,

space, and other people.

3

The Personal Space Test

1. Two people have a conversation during which Person A continues to move gradually closer to Person B, whole Person B remains standing in the same spot. Person A continues to move closer until Person B says that he or she is uncomfortable with the closeness.

2. The conversation *test should begin with the participants approximately three feed apart, and Person A should move closer at increments of 3 inches.

3. Measure the distance between Persons A and B when Person B says that he or she is uncomfortable. The experiment should be repeated , by the two people switching roles.

4

Discussion-post activity

Discuss with the class how you felt during this experiment

How did you feel when your conversation partner was too close?Too far?

Did you notice difference between how people judged what was too close or too far?

Do you think that culture has anything to do with people’s expectations of personal space?

Try this experiment with someone from a different culture than you outside the class and see what happens .

5

Personal Space

6

Attitudes toward Time

Circle the number that corresponds to your feelings about each statement. Use the following scale. 1-disagree strongly2-disagree somewhat3-neither agree nor disagree4-agree somewhat5- agree strongly

A. I get impatient when someone is late.

B. I am rarely lateC. I would be insulted if someone was

suppose to meet me at 10 and arrived at 10:15 and didn’t apologize or give me a good excuse.

D. If I have a party and invite people for 7, I expect them to really show up at 7, not 7:30.

E. I believe the expression “Time is money” has some truth to it.

F. I get upset when I feel as if I’m wasting time.

G. I always wear a wristwatchH. I try to do as much as possible in

one day and I get frustrated if something (e.g. traffic) prevents me from doing what want.

7

Calculate Your Score

What does your score tell you about your attitude toward time?

Do you think there are great variations in scores in the class/Turkey/world?

Do you think any of the variations are due to cultural attitudes?

8

Attitudes toward Interpersonal Relationships

Circle the number that corresponds to your feelings about each statement. Use the following scale.

1-disagree strongly2-disagree somewhat3-neither agree nor disagree4-agree somewhat5- agree strongly

Share your responses and justify your reasons.

A. If I enter into a verbal contract with someone, I always keep my word.

B. If someone enters into a verbal contract with me, I trust them and do not feel it is necessary to get it all on paper.

C. I would not marry a person who came from a disreputable family.

D. I would never do something that would shame my family, even if I believed it was right.

E. If there is corruption in a company, I believe that the head of that company should take responsibility , even if she or he was not involved.

F. In decisions involving what is best for me as an individual versus what is best for my family as a whole, I will always decide on the side of my family.

9

Discussion

What do the following two statements mean? Do you agree or disagree? Why?

A. All human beings are captives of their culture.B. What we think of as mind is really internalized culture.

10

Prediction

The title of the reading/lecture is “Hall’s Classification of Cultures.” What do you expect it to be about?

11

Listening to the Lecture- Hall’s Classification of Cultures

As you listen take notes using the note taking template provided.

Link to listeningWe will be doing this in chunks with tasks at

each part. Note taking template next slide.

12

The speaker will sum up everything he has covered so far in his lecture. As he does so, fill in the blanks.

[You may refer to the notes you’ve taken in previous sections, if necessary.]

Introduction

High Context cultures

A. Definition

B. Examples/interpersonal relationships

C. Examples/attitudes toward time

D. Examples/attitudes toward personal space

Low Context cultures

A. Definition

B. Examples/interpersonal relationships

C. Examples/attitudes toward time

D. Examples/attitudes toward personal space

Conclusion/final thoughts

13

Hall’s Classification of Culture

List the 10 nationalities you hear and place them on the continuum.

Share on the white board.Instructor will repeat this section

and ss’s will do the task while listening. Answers on next slide.

14

Hall’s Continuum

Low contextHigh context

Germ

an

/Swiss

Germ

a

n Scand

inav

ian

USA

Frenc

h Englis

h

Ital

ian

Span

ish

Greek

Arab

15

Comprehension-Based on the reading/listening, discuss/ note down your answers to the following

questions in pairs.

1. In your own words, explain what you think the terms high context and low context culture mean?

2. Explain how time is viewed by people in high context and low context cultures?

3. Explain how space is viewed by people in high and low context cultures?

4. Explain how interpersonal relationships are viewed by people in high and low context cultures?

16

Answers:

1. A. High context culture is a culture in which the context of the message, action , or event carries a large part of its meaning and or significance.

B. A low context culture is one in which the message, event or action is seen as something separate , having meaning unto itself.

2. Time-A. High Context- polychronic attitude. People believe that people , things, and

events each have their own time.

B. Low Context –monochronic attitude. Linear attitude about time. Emphasize punctuality. No waste of time,

3. Space-C. High- people stand closer when talking, touch a lot, pay more attention to

body language.D. Low- personal space is needed , minimal distance around one’s body .

Tendency to feel violate when personal space is invaded.

4. Interpersonal Communication-E. High- less focus on legal contracts and more on social relationships, one

depends more on the power and influence of established networks than on the individual characteristics.

F. Low- contracts are more important than spoken words and everything is usually written . Legal means are more relied upon that social bonds. People sometimes “pass the buck”

17

Defining Vocabulary

The following words we used in the lecture. You will hear an example of each word in

context. After listening, circle the letter of the definition that most closely matches what you think the

word or expression means. Pages 11-13 of your course pack.

18

Post Reading Discussion

Apply Hall’s theories to the following:1. How might culturally different

expectations explain the different reactions and perspectives of business executives/teachers from Turkey and North American or the UK?

a. Would you consider Turkey a high or low context culture ? Why? Explain your answer.

b. Do you think that Hall’s classification system is valid? Do you see any problems with it. If so, what are they?

19

Do NOWIn pairs, compare notes.

What information do you have that your classmate doesn’t? What information do they have that you don’t?

Rewrite your notes on a clean A4 sheet of paper using the same format of the note taking template. You should write a summary of the notes in one paragraph as the conclusion. MUST be in YOUR own WORDS!