Here is a brief explanation--all too brief probably--of cultural sensitivity as it applies particularly to communication. Cultural sensitivity is an attitude and way of behaving in which you’re aware of and acknowledge cultural differences; it’s crucial for such global goals as world peace and economic growth as well as for effective interpersonal communication (Franklin & Mizell, 1995). Without cultural sensitivity there can be no effective interpersonal communication between people who are different in gender or race or nationality or affectional orientation. So be mindful of the cultural differences between yourself and the other person. The techniques of interpersonal communication that work well with European Americans may not work well with Asian Americans; what proves effective in Japan may not in Mexico. The close physical distance that is normal in Arab cultures may seem too familiar or too intrusive in much of the United States and northern Europe. The empathy that most Americans welcome may be uncomfortable for most Koreans, Japanese, or Chinese.
Increasing Cultural Sensitivity. Only a few suggestions:
< Prepare yourself. Read about and listen carefully for culturally influenced behaviors.
< Recognize your fears. Recognize and face your own fears of acting inappropriately toward members of different cultures.
< Recognize differences. Be mindful of the differences between yourself and those from other cultures.
< Recognize differences within the group. At the same time that you recognize differences between yourself and others, recognize that there are often enormous differences within any given cultural group.
< Recognize differences in meaning. Words don’t always mean the same thing to members of different cultures.
< Be rule conscious. Become aware of and thinking mindfully about the cultural rules and customs of others.
7 comments:
Nice post - I think a great rule is also to treat individuals as individuals. What I mean by this is to also appreciate that each person has their own cultural identity, and it may not be the one that you assign to them. Treat others with respect and be aware of their emotional reaction through verbal and nonverbal communication. Using these observations will help us make choices that lead to effective communication (shared meaning).
I find that having this attitude towards all people helps with more foreign encounters.
It is big thing which always create problem while dating.
Our attitudes, traditions, beliefs and values together define who we are and when these values are shared by a social group, it forms our culture. This social group can be as small as a family or as large as a nation. Culture influences how we think, what we do and how we look at the world, just as we would wear a particular color of sunglasses. Culture is learned and is influenced by the people around us and the interactions that we have over time, until it becomes like the water all around us.Once we know and understand culture and how it shapes all of us, we need to look at how to address the issues that come up because of cultural differences.
It is actually very simple and that is why that is a great place to
start. About three quarters of these are done through Google
and Yahoo, and almost a third of those are people related searches.
Those wanting to try earning money could not resist asking what is the easiest way to earn money over the internet.
Here is my weblog easy ways to make money
Do a bit of research to see which are the more reputable
ones, and then sign up for those to better increase your chance
of landing a job interview. From finance to education, this is one way of shifting your skills to a more acceptable career at this point in time.
I want to see you start a job search accountability group to keep everyone motivated.
Feel free to surf to my homepage - how to find a job
Nice! Here is more information for you - http://www.walttari.fi/palvelumme/isannointi It could be interesting!
Can I ask a question? How does cultural sensitivity influence the communication?
Post a Comment