Intercultural Communication || Intercultural Sensitivity || Oral Communication

Summary

This video delves into intercultural communication, exploring how people draw from their cultural identities to understand others and make sense of diverse experiences. It introduces the Developmental Model of Intercultural Sensitivity, which includes six stages ranging from denial to integration. The video highlights real-life examples to illustrate these stages, like an American tourist's interaction with a Filipino vendor. It also discusses the importance of cultural competence in communication and offers tips to avoid bias, emphasizing flexibility, open-mindedness, and respect for cultural differences in creating effective communication.

Takeaways

• 😀 Intercultural communication is about understanding and interpreting values, attitudes, and behaviors across different cultures.
• 😀 The Developmental Model of Intercultural Sensitivity (DMIS) has six stages: Denial, Defense, Minimization, Acceptance, Adaptation, and Integration.
• 😀 Stage 1: Denial involves not recognizing cultural differences, like assuming all cities are the same.
• 😀 Stage 2: Defense acknowledges cultural differences but reacts negatively, often elevating one's own culture over others.
• 😀 Stage 3: Minimization involves recognizing cultural differences but focusing on the universality of human values.
• 😀 Stage 4: Acceptance appreciates important cultural differences in behaviors and values, fostering learning from others.
• 😀 Stage 5: Adaptation requires adjusting one's approach based on new cultural perspectives to address issues effectively.
• 😀 Stage 6: Integration is the highest level, where individuals can navigate and understand multiple cultural viewpoints.
• 😀 An example of intercultural sensitivity is the American tourist learning about a Filipino cultural practice of pointing with lips.
• 😀 Competent intercultural communicators possess traits like flexibility, open-mindedness, and the ability to think divergently.
• 😀 Key tips to refrain from bias include avoiding stereotypes, respecting gender norms, and being sensitive to others' religious practices.

Q & A

What is the developmental model of intercultural sensitivity?

The developmental model of intercultural sensitivity consists of six stages: Denial, Defense, Minimization, Acceptance, Adaptation, and Integration. These stages represent the progression from not recognizing cultural differences to integrating multiple cultural perspectives.

How does the Filipino vendor’s gesture illustrate intercultural communication?

The Filipino vendor's gesture of pointing with his lips demonstrates how cultural differences can lead to misunderstandings. In Filipino culture, this gesture is a common way of pointing directions, but to the American tourist, it initially seemed unfamiliar and confusing.

What does the 'Denial' stage in the developmental model of intercultural sensitivity represent?

In the 'Denial' stage, individuals do not recognize cultural differences and assume that all cultures are similar, often thinking that cities or societies share the same characteristics like tall buildings and fast food chains.

How does the 'Defense' stage affect an individual’s view of other cultures?

In the 'Defense' stage, individuals start to recognize cultural differences but feel intimidated by them. They may view their own culture as superior or develop an unjustified admiration for the new culture.

What is the significance of the clock gift incident between Shannon and Mayling?

The clock gift incident highlights how cultural differences can lead to misunderstandings. In Chinese culture, giving a clock as a gift symbolizes the end of time or relationships, which caused Mayling to feel offended, although Shannon did not know about this cultural belief.

What are the key traits of a competent intercultural communicator, according to the World Bank?

Key traits of a competent intercultural communicator include flexibility, open-mindedness, sensitivity, adaptability, mindfulness, politeness, and the ability to engage in divergent thinking.

What is the importance of understanding cultural practices, as shown in the gift-giving scenario?

Understanding cultural practices is crucial to avoid unintentional offenses. In the gift-giving scenario, Shannon’s lack of knowledge about the cultural meaning behind gifting clocks could have easily damaged her friendship with Mayling.

How can individuals advance from the 'Minimization' stage to the 'Acceptance' stage in intercultural sensitivity?

To move from 'Minimization' to 'Acceptance,' individuals need to shift from focusing on universal similarities to appreciating the significant cultural differences in behaviors and values. This requires a deeper understanding of and respect for the diversity in cultural expressions.

What role does adaptability play in intercultural communication?

Adaptability is essential in intercultural communication because it allows individuals to adjust their behavior and communication styles based on the cultural context they are engaging with, ensuring effective and respectful interactions.

What are some tips for avoiding bias when communicating with people from different cultural backgrounds?

To avoid bias, individuals should avoid stereotypes, challenge gender norms, respect religious practices, be polite at all times, and refrain from belittling others based on perceived social class, age, or background.