Our values compel all our actions. This is indisputable. One the best starting points to grasp this assertion is through Kluckholm and Strodbeck’s model on understanding values specific to cultures. No value orientation functions in isolation. One of the greatest agents in our world today: change is important in analyzing how cultures treat it based on time-orientation.
Some cultures are oriented to the past. This means that they value their experiences which make them largely reluctant to change. Some cultures are oriented to the present; interested in everyday living and welcomes change as it gradually occurs. Other cultures support an orientation to the future. Such cultures regard change optimistically since it sees possibilities for improvement from both the past and present. Cultures that are oriented to the past support the belief that the relationship between humans and nature is one of subjugation. Correspondingly, they feel as though they cannot impose change and thus accept things as they are; unavoidable and without complaint. On the converse, cultures oriented to the future believe that mankind can master nature and so behave differently under similar circumstances. They are anxious about change as a means of taking charge of their surroundings. According to Edward T Hall, the patterns of behavior for each type of culture is the surface realization of the deep, below-the-surface, cultural value. Moreover, cultural communications are deeper and more complex than spoken or written messages. The essence of effective cross-cultural communications pertains to producing a “right” response as opposed to sending a “right” message.
Intercultural Communication
A popular concept and major explanation; intercultural communication surfaced after World War II as research significantly inspired by studying the military and recounting the experience of people studying in and living among foreign cultures. With the global expansion of businesses and increased networking opportunities, people needed to understand how cultures were driven and functioned. The discipline of Intercultural Communication thus became a central pillar and contributor to boosting success throughout the world. Even today, the field of Intercultural Communication is becoming more and more popular and necessary as our world emerges into a borderless sphere and is assimilated into a global culture. Dealing effectively across cultures is a tool of success in almost any discipline and field of study or practice. Much of the activities we involve ourselves in today demand that people work across cultural lines and this must be done effectively for us to accomplish our goals. For instance, we operate alongside many international non-governmental organizations, development agencies and leadership positions and we must be compatible with people of different cultures.
Intercultural Communication speaks to a major issue: diversity. The history on the United States is replete with immigration and immigrant groups being incorporated into US culture and adapting to their ways and customs. Intercultural communication can therefore allow us to understand the essentials of crossing national boundaries worldwide as well as boundaries among sub-cultures within a single country.Our values compel all our actions. This is indisputable. One the best starting points to grasp this assertion is through Kluckholm and Strodbeck’s model on understanding values specific to cultures. No value orientation functions in isolation. One of the greatest agents in our world today: change is important in analyzing how cultures treat it based on time-orientation.
Some cultures are oriented to the past. This means that they value their experiences which make them largely reluctant to change. Some cultures are oriented to the present; interested in everyday living and welcomes change as it gradually occurs. Other cultures support an orientation to the future. Such cultures regard change optimistically since it sees possibilities for improvement from both the past and present. Cultures that are oriented to the past support the belief that the relationship between humans and nature is one of subjugation. Correspondingly, they feel as though they cannot impose change and thus accept things as they are; unavoidable and without complaint. On the converse, cultures oriented to the future believe that mankind can master nature and so behave differently under similar circumstances. They are anxious about change as a means of taking charge of their surroundings. According to Edward T Hall, the patterns of behavior for each type of culture is the surface realization of the deep, below-the-surface, cultural value. Moreover, cultural communications are deeper and more complex than spoken or written messages. The essence of effective cross-cultural communications pertains to producing a “right” response as opposed to sending a “right” message.
Intercultural Communication
A popular concept and major explanation; intercultural communication surfaced after World War II as research significantly inspired by studying the military and recounting the experience of people studying in and living among foreign cultures. With the global expansion of businesses and increased networking opportunities, people needed to understand how cultures were driven and functioned. The discipline of Intercultural Communication thus became a central pillar and contributor to boosting success throughout the world. Even today, the field of Intercultural Communication is becoming more and more popular and necessary as our world emerges into a borderless sphere and is assimilated into a global culture. Dealing effectively across cultures is a tool of success in almost any discipline and field of study or practice. Much of the activities we involve ourselves in today demand that people work across cultural lines and this must be done effectively for us to accomplish our goals. For instance, we operate alongside many international non-governmental organizations, development agencies and leadership positions and we must be compatible with people of different cultures.
Intercultural Communication speaks to a major issue: diversity. The history on the United States is replete with immigration and immigrant groups being incorporated into US culture and adapting to their ways and customs. Intercultural communication can therefore allow us to understand the essentials of crossing national boundaries worldwide as well as boundaries among sub-cultures within a single country.