Exam 2: The Cultural Context

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High-context cultures generally have restricted code systems.Users of a restricted code system rely more on the contextual elements of the communication setting for information than on the actual language code.In restricted-code cultures,communication is not general across individuals in content but is specific to particular people,places,and times.Within a high-context transaction,the interactant will look to the physical,sociorelational,and perceptual environment for information.Of particular importance is the social relationship between the interactants.In a low-context culture,the verbal code is the primary source of information.Low-context cultures generally rely on elaborated codes.Unlike users of restricted codes,users of elaborated codes rely extensively on the verbal code system for creating and interpreting meaning.Information to be shared with others is coded in the verbal message.Although persons in low-context transactions recognize the nonverbal environment,they tend to focus more on the verbal context.Moreover,the rules and expectations are explicitly outlined.Users of elaborated codes are dependent on words to convey meaning and may become uncomfortable with silence.In low-context transactions,the communicants feel a need to speak.

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The most relevant feature of individualism is valuing personal independence,an emphasis on personal responsibility and freedom of choice,personal autonomy,and achieving self-fulfillment.Individualists strive to maintain distinctive personal attitudes and opinions and prefer self-directed behavior and independence of groups.Individualists tend to see themselves as unique from others.Collectivism is linked to a sense of duty to group,interdependence,harmony,and working with the group.In collectivistic societies,group goals take precedence over individual goals.Collectivistic cultures stress values that serve the in-group by subordinating personal goals for the sake of preserving the in-group.Collectivistic societies are characterized by extended primary groups such as the family,neighborhood,or occupational group.

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Cultures with a smaller power distance emphasize that inequalities among people should be minimized and that there should be interdependence between less-powerful and more-powerful people.In cultures with small power distance family members are generally treated as equal and familial decisions are reached democratically.In cultures with a larger power distance,inequalities among people are both expected and desired.Less powerful people should be dependent on more powerful people.In many larger power distance cultures,there is a strict hierarchy among family members where typically the father rules authoritatively.