Lesson 5: Intercultural Communication | Oral Communication in Context

Summary

This lesson delves into intercultural communication, defining culture and its impact on communication. It introduces Dr. Milton Bennett's Developmental Model of Intercultural Sensitivity (DMIS), outlining stages from denial to integration, reflecting a person's cultural awareness. The video addresses barriers like ethnocentrism and stereotyping, emphasizing the need for flexibility, tolerance, and open-mindedness in cross-cultural interactions. It also touches on how factors like gender, age, social status, and religion influence communication, advocating for a mindful and respectful approach.

Takeaways

• 🌐 Culture is defined as the learned characteristics common to a particular group of people, including values, beliefs, attitudes, norms, traditions, and behaviors.
• 🌟 Intercultural communication refers to the ability to communicate, interact, and work with people from different nationalities, backgrounds, cultures, and languages.
• 🔍 The Developmental Model of Intercultural Sensitivity (DMIS) by Dr. Milton Bennett outlines stages of cultural difference interpretation, from denial to integration.
• 🙅‍♂️ Ethnocentrism is a barrier to intercultural communication, characterized by the belief in the superiority of one's own culture over others.
• 🚫 Stereotyping, or over-simplifying characteristics of others, can lead to ethnocentrism and hinder effective intercultural communication.
• 🚫 Prejudice and discrimination are negative outcomes of ethnocentrism and stereotyping, leading to harmful attitudes and actions towards different cultural groups.
• 🌱 Adaptation in intercultural communication involves becoming more competent in interacting with people from different cultures by considering and respecting their differences.
• 🤝 The ability to be flexible, tolerant of uncertainty, and reflective are key to developing intercultural competence.
• 🌈 Recognizing and respecting differences in gender, age, social status, and religion are crucial for successful intercultural communication.
• 🌟 The script emphasizes the importance of understanding and navigating cultural differences to improve intercultural communication skills.

Q & A

What is the definition of culture according to the script?

Culture is defined as all the characteristics common to a particular group of people, which are learned and acquired rather than innate. It includes values, beliefs, attitudes, norms, traditions, and ways of behaving.

How is intercultural communication defined in the script?

Intercultural communication is the ability to communicate, interact, and work with people of varying nationalities, backgrounds, cultures, and languages across the world.

What is the Developmental Model of Intercultural Sensitivity (DMIS) and who developed it?

The Developmental Model of Intercultural Sensitivity (DMIS) is a model developed by Dr. Milton Bennett to understand how individuals interpret and make sense of cultural differences. It outlines various stages that people go through in their understanding and acceptance of other cultures.

What are the stages of DMIS mentioned in the script?

The stages of DMIS mentioned in the script are Denial, Defense, Minimization, Acceptance, Adaptation, and Integration.

How does ethnocentrism act as a barrier to intercultural communication?

Ethnocentrism is a barrier to intercultural communication as it involves the belief that one's own cultural group is superior to others, leading to a lack of understanding and respect for other cultures.

What is stereotyping and how does it hinder intercultural communication?

Stereotyping is the oversimplification and distortion of views about another race, ethnic group, or culture, which hinders intercultural communication by promoting assumptions and generalizations rather than understanding individuals as they are.

What is the difference between prejudice and discrimination as discussed in the script?

Prejudice is a negative attitude towards a cultural group based on preconceptions without direct experience, while discrimination involves taking action to exclude or distance oneself from a group based on prejudice.

Why is flexibility important in intercultural communication?

Flexibility is important in intercultural communication because it allows individuals to adapt to different situations and cultural norms, facilitating smoother interactions and understanding.

How can reflectiveness or mindfulness enhance intercultural communication?

Reflectiveness or mindfulness enhances intercultural communication by encouraging individuals to think carefully about the messages they receive and to interpret them without jumping to negative conclusions, promoting deeper understanding.

What factors other than culture can affect intercultural communication as mentioned in the script?

Factors such as gender, age, social status, and religion can affect intercultural communication, as they influence communication styles and expectations within different cultural contexts.