high and low context cultures examples high and low context cultures examples

Hall and Hall proposed a "spectrum" of national cultures from "High-Context cultures" to "Low-Context Cultures. Relationships are easy to build, can start very quickly but end just as soon. low-context communication is "the mass of information is vested in the explicit code". An experiment performed by the University of Glasgow shows that different cultures have different understanding of the facial expression signals of the six basic emotions, which are the so-called "universal language of emotion"happiness, surprise, fear, disgust, anger and sadness. Culture is a combination of our thoughts, roles, manners, values, etc. Conclusion The dynamics of relationships within High and Low context cultures are very different. A simplified example mentioned by Hall is that scientists working in "hard science" fields (like chemistry and physics) tend to have lower-context cultures: because their knowledge and models have fewer variables, they will typically include less context for each event they describe. Unlike low-context cultures, high-context cultures prioritize the group over the individual (Hofstede, 1984). Most notably, members of either culture must recognize and make an effort to understand the values and characteristics of other cultures so that miscommunications may be avoided. In contrast, low-context cultures rely on explicit verbal communication. If you want to appear polite, you need to be willing to greet strangers and thank . Low-Context Culture Communication & Examples | What Is Low-Context Culture? In high-context cultures (such as those in Japan, China, Korea, and Arab countries), communication relies heavily on non-verbal, contextual, and shared cultural meanings. [31], Between each type of culture context, there will be forms of miscommunication because of the difference in gestures, social cues, and intercultural adjustments; however, it is important to recognize these differences and learn how to avoid miscommunication to benefit certain situations. Because directness may be thought of as disrespectful, discussions in high-context cultures can be circuitous, circling key issues rather than addressing them head-on. Cultures and languages are defined as higher or lower context on a spectrum. 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[5], These concepts were first introduced by the anthropologist Edward T. Hall in his 1959 book The Silent Language. Gudykunst, W. B., & Ting-Toomey, S. (1988). 1. Strategies to work effectively with people from high context and low context cultures Follow these 4 key strategies to communicate effectively across cultures: 1. [2], Website design among cross-cultural barriers include factoring in decisions about culture-sensitive color meanings, layout preferences, animation and sounds. High-context cultures are built on a sense of shared experiences and history. A high-context culture is a culture or society that communicates dominantly through the use of contextual elements, such as specific forms of body language, the status of an individual, and the tone of voice employed during speech. Your email address will not be published. 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Body language, tone of voice, and personal status are a few notable characteristics that are valued in a high-context culture. All other trademarks and copyrights are the property of their respective owners. "[27] This implies that communication is quite direct and detailed because members of the culture are not expected to have knowledge of each other's histories, past experience or background. We cite peer reviewed academic articles wherever possible and reference our sources at the end of our articles. They place a high value on interpersonal relationships and group members are a very close-knit community. Masculine vs. Feminine Cultures: Distinctions & Communication Styles. It is important to note that no culture is completely high-context or low-context, since all societies contain at least some parts that are both high and low. The results show significant differences between the American, Chinese, and Korean samples on 15 out of 16 items, with 11 items significant at the .01 level, one at the .05 level, and three at the .10 level. Meaning is determined not by what is said but by how it is said and by how social implications such as the communicators status and position come into play. This concept was introduced by Edward T. Hall, an anthropologist back in 1976. Many aspects of cultural behavior are not made explicit because most members know what . Rules are not directly or explicitly written or stated. [18], Therefore, higher-context cultures tend to correlate with cultures that also have a strong sense of tradition and history, and change little over time. [42] The images found on the websites used in the study promoted individualistic and collectivist characteristics within the low-context and high-context websites, respectively. Low-context countries, on the other hand, relied more on linear processes and verbal communication. High-context communications, as well as low-context interactions, are important to understand from many perspectives. Low context can describe situations, environments and cultures. Low context implies that a lot of information is exchanged explicitly through the message itself and rarely is anything implicit or hidden.People in low context cultures such as the UK tend to have short-term relationships, follow rules and standards closely and are generally very task-oriented. A first step in achieving this goal is to identify one's own culture before delving into the rigors of another. On the other hand, certain intercultural communication skills are unique for each culture and it is significant to note that these overlaps in communication techniques are represented subgroups within social interactions or family settings. Generally, high-context cultures prefer oral communications, while low-context cultures favor written communications. They rely less on context & non-verbal cues and instead convey meaning more directly. For example, the body language and methods of communication experienced by a group of close friends in a casual setting differs greatly from a group of peers presenting at a professional business meeting. From each culture, 96 business managers were surveyed for the American and Chinese sample and 50 managers were surveyed from Korea. The tools are used to establish context by adding additional information as personal and social cues are not as presentable as they are in face-to-face negotiations. Meanwhile, in low-context cultures, more explicit speech is needed in order to allow the listener to fully understand the message. High-context cultures promote the development of ingroups. Getting the message across. Bernstein, B. Both the speaker and listener act under the assumption that all relevant information has been explicitly stated. [36], Individualistic cultures promote the development of individual values and independent social groups. Individualism may lead to communicating to all people in a group in the same way, rather than offering hierarchical respect to certain members. Messages can be contextualized by assuming that the audience would think in the same manner and will follow the underlying meaning implied in someone's speech or writing as a result of these common experiences. Guffey, M. E., Lowey, D., Rhodes, K., & Rogin, P. (2013). We also make strong distinctions between those who are a part of our family and those who are not. A few predominantly high-context cultures include Japan, China, Brazil, Argentina, and South Africa. Low-context cultures (such as those in North America and Western Europe) depend less on the environment of a situation to convey meaning than do high-context cultures (such as those in Japan, China, and Arab countries). Teachers can share their own experiences and examples with their students. The high and low context cultures in this concept refers to how important contextual cues are in interpreting a message. Low-context cultures can seem slightly more formal due to the explicit & precise nature of their messages. [32] Awareness of miscommunication between high- and low-context cultures within the workplace or intercultural communication settings advocates for collected unification within a group through the flexibility and ability to understand one another. Ramos, D. C. (2014). Their communication is often indirect and requires a nuanced understanding, so outsiders might find it more difficult to enter their culture. Cultural communications are highly important to understand for a number of reasons and the concept of high-context vs. low-context culture was first elaborated by anthropologist Edward T. Hall in 1976. [14] However, understanding the broad tendencies of predominant cultures can help inform and educate individuals on how to better facilitate communication between individuals of differing cultural backgrounds. Seekprofessional input on your specific circumstances. [30], Punctuation marks and emojis are more often used by high-context users than low-context users. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Guffey, D. Lowey, K. Rhodes, K., & P. Rogin. Examples of High Context Small religious gatherings, party with close friends, family functions, dining out with family or friends, and sleep over at friend's place, etc. Low-context cultures are less stable than high-context cultures as they are not founded upon any shared background. Negotiators basically say what they mean. While in high context cultures, communication is done primarily through nonverbal mediums and gestures, in low context cultures, information is vested explicitly so that there is no risk of confusion. High-context cultures rely heavily on non-verbal cues, such as facial expressions, body language, tone of voice, etc. The answer is simple. Discover high context culture examples, and identify the importance of high context vs. low context communication. People from low-context cultures value logic, facts, and directness. the study of body movement including gestures, hand, arm, and leg movements, facial expressions, eye contact, and stance or posture Low-context message a message where the message is encoded in the words used or in the verbal expression and not as much in the context Masculinity-Femininity This makes high-context cultures difficult to navigate for those who do not understand the culture's unwritten rules. But the fact that contexting has not been empirically validated should not necessarily be construed as a failure of the theory. Both often take many aspects of the other's cultural communication abilities and strengths into account. Data was gathered in India, Ireland, Thailand, and the United States where the results confirm that "high-context nations (India and Thailand) prefer the avoiding and obliging conflict styles more than low-context nations (Ireland and the United States), whereas low-context nations prefer the uncompromising and dominating communication style more than high-context nations."[16]. Researchers today are using it greatly to study different cultures all over the world. The Nine Competencies that Characterize an IEP, Diversity in the Workplace: Benefits and Obstacles, Intercultural Communication in the Workplace, Additional Resources to Help you Format your Paper in APA Style. These countries are quite explicit and elaborate without having prior knowledge to each member's history or background. Traditionally, Western cultures are known for being more individualistic or communicating with a low context style. Published: 2020/12/03. Verbal message is direct; one spells things out exactly. Japan and China are some of the best examples of high-context cultures, in addition to Brazil, Argentina, Spain, and many nations throughout Africa and the Middle East. References Gudykunst, W. B., & Ting-Toomey, S. (1988). The American sample scored the lowest compared to the two "Oriental samples," which aligns with Hall's concept. High vs. Low Power Distance Cultural Communications | What are High and Low Power Distance Cultural Communications? Low context cultures emphasize individuality and tasks. They often use written contracts and agreements to clarify expectations (Gudykunst & Ting-Toomey, 1988). Some common characteristics of high-context cultures include: Though the United States has a low-context culture, we have all been placed in situations that are considered high-context. Low-context cultures tend to focus more on the individual than the group, which is why they value individualism and autonomy. Low-context communicators dont need to be provided with much background information, but they do expect messages to be professional, efficient, and linear in their logic. In high-context cultures (such as those in Japan, China, and Arab countries), the listener is already contexted and does not need to be given much background information[3]. Reviewers ensure all content reflects expert academic consensus and is backed up with reference to academic studies. Create your account. Anchor Press/Doubleday. Hall notes a similar difference between Navajo-speakers and English-speakers in a United States school.[18]. ), Hall, E. T.; Hall, M. R. (1990). High-context cultures are those in which the rules of communication are primarily transmitted through the use of contextual elements (i.e., body language, a person's status, and tone of voice) and are not explicitly stated. The Encyclopedia of Diversity and Social Justice states that, "high context defines cultures that are relational and collectivist, and which most highlight interpersonal relationships. The following chart will compare the main differences between high-context vs. low-context cultures and a discussion of example cultures will follow: While nations such as the United States have many low-context situations, it is important to recall that all societies experience high-context events as well. Examples of low-context cultures include the United States, Australia, and many European countries. Instead, many cultures tend to have a mixture or at least some concepts that are shared between them, overlapping the two context cultures.[26]. This can be quite confusing to an outsider, especially someone from a low-context culture who is used to communicating via explicit messages. Leaders in high-context cultures, such as Ethiopia, tend to communicate more implicitly, using more nonverbal communication and expressing more vague verbal messages (at least from the viewpoint of a low-context culture). Examples of high context cultures include many Asian, African, and Latin American countries, as well as some European cultures such as Spain and Italy. [33] Conversely, in cultural groups with low context, where people share less common knowledge or 'value individuality above group identification', elaborated codes are necessary to avoid misunderstanding. Hall, E. T. (1976). 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