The Impact of Culture on Interaction and Effective Communication - Essay Example

?COMMUNICATION IN A CULTURAL PERSPECTIVE The norms of interaction and communication are to a large extent culturally determined. Human beings conform to what is considered to be the norm in a specific society. This is because it is one’s culture that determines what is real or usual. The situation is often not realized by people until they come in contact with others whose cultural norms are different. For example a culture which considers cows as food makes people believe it is the norm up until they come in contact with others who consider them as sacred. Communication in organizations is the standard which measures success. However this communication is normally disturbed when people from divergent cultures interact. This happens because what is considered normal by one individual may be absolutely conflicting to another person from a different culture. This essay gives a critical discussion of communication and how its effectiveness is affected by cultural diversity within an organization or the society in general. Culture is defined as a group of assumptions that are learned and which determine the manner in which people perceive the world around them. 1 This includes the attitudes, norms, behaviors and values which shape the interaction that people engage in when communicating with others. From the cultural norms of an individual, the attitudes that are developed about age, social class and gender inevitably affect the process of communication especially in a culturally diverse environment.2 The process of communication is to a large extent determined by culture. What is perceived as normal therefore determines how people converse. Cultural biases such as ethnicity, race, sexual orientation, religious beliefs, ability, physique and national and regional characteristics shape the approach and direction of communication. However, people can learn to accommodate diverse values within an organization with a view of enhancing communication. It is hypothesized that cultural diversity is not restricted to ethnicity alone. Therefore the process of communication is affected by a wide variety of cultural norms. The contemporary society is characterized by culturally diverse work environments and thus is crucial that the process of communication is enhanced regardless of the differences in beliefs and norms. Communication within an organization or institution occurs both professionally and informally. During the process of communication, there are cultural expectations or assumptions that people develop. When an individual diverts from the norms or assumptions, conflicts in the communication process normally arises.3 However, a certain degree of understanding and accommodative attitude would contribute to the removal of communication conflict among people from divergent cultures. The communication style that people develop is to a significant extent determined by the cultural beliefs and values. 4 As a result, it is expected that disturbance of the communication process would arise among people within institutions and organizations. The communication process would follow ether a written or an oral channel. The oral channel is commonly characterized by conflicts which arise from cultural diversity as compared to the written channel of communication. This is because the written channel is usually formal and may remove cultural biases for the sake of developing a good relationship between the sender and receiver of the massage. However, it is argued that it is the organizational culture which shapes the style of communication and not the ethnicity, religion or race of an individual. 5 This argument is convincing to a large extent because an organization which encourages unbiased communication is free from communication disturbance among people of divergent cultures. What disturbs communication among people of different cultural orientations and beliefs is said to be what is considered to be normal behavior. For example the values that are attached to social class may affect the manner people interact or communicate within an institution or organization. On the other hand, it is hypothesized that in an organization set up, the level of employment or management shapes the direction of communication. However, a communicative leader or manager through a transformational leadership trait would remove conflict is communication and thus enhance intercultural communication and interaction.6 Disturbed communication is expected when one culture is dominant over another.7 Both professional communication and informal conversations among individuals is a concept of cultural dominance. As a result, a culture that is considered less dominant may feel alienated and thus make people to have negative attitudes and perceptions about each other. However, professional discourse does not demonstrate cultural conflicts in communication openly. Informal communication about various issues on the other hand may cause open conflicts among individuals. These conflicts results from divergent viewpoints about issues and ideas. It is also possible that communication is reduced to a situation of complete non-communication among people when their cultural divide is evident from the differences in social class. The responses that individuals have for different issues are often constructed by beliefs and values which stem from the sub consciousness.8 Therefore it is possible that one develops biases in communication without a conscious realization. However, the general norms of the society such as fairness may make people to endeavor communicating without any biasness. In this sense, conflicts in communication are prevented by application of fairness. It is common to find that a certain group of individuals is treated as special. Preferential treatment of people is an adjunct of cultural beliefs such as social class and race. This makes it hard for people to communicate and relate fairly. It is thus recommended that due fairness should be practiced in an organization so that communication barriers are broken. On the other hand, it is arguable that full fairness is difficult to achieve because the society categorizes people according to cultural points of references such as ethnicity, social class and education level. Points of reference in a communication process are normally cultural. These are beliefs, values and practices that are expected of a specific individual or group. However, economic and political affiliations may also contribute to a disturbed communication processes among people. This is illustrated by the affiliation of success to specific cultures or social class. In return, the manner in which one individual is treated would vary depending on the social categorization or stratification. In this case, it is evident that some people fail to converse to others effectively because they consider some social classes less significant or unsuccessful. However it is important to note that legal prohibitions in some societies may limit the participation of some ethnic group or gender in the society and thus prohibiting them from active communication.9 The values of a society such as group decision making or individualism are points of reference for a communication process.10 For example some societies value the ability of achieving goals without help. On the other hand other cultural values involve consensus in solving problems. In this logic, the level of communication and the associated conflict a conduit of what is valued by the society. This fact can be illustrated by an institution which discourages students from seeking help in doing assignments because it is considered as a form of cheating. This limits the level of communication. On the contrary, an organization which believes in team work is characterized a lot of interaction and communication among people and decisions which are based on shared ideas. The power of culture in determining communication processes is also demonstrated by the diverse leadership styles in organizations. Some leaders make decisions without consultation while others value consulting the subordinates before reaching a decision. And as such, the level of communication and conflicts vary from one organizational culture to another. Stereotyping is described as a course of disturbed communication. 11 Some cultures for example have formed gendered stereotypes and as such the contribution of women in a communication process especially in a formal setting is limited. Stereotyping is also seen in situations where a specific ethnic group is considered lesser and thus not involved in active conversations. Discriminatory tendencies are not new concepts in any diverse community. Minorities may be discriminated as they are stereotyped as being inferior and as a result cut out of the communication processes. Social prejudices may therefore be a point of reference for a communication process which leads to evident conflicts. However, it is critical to note that stereotyping, social prejudice or discrimination may not necessarily translate to non communication. Communication may be active in a station of social prejudice or discrimination. However such communication is full of conflicts or disagreements and animosity. Culture as a point of reference in a communication process would be related to social stigma which emanates from various attributes which are not considered to be part of the societal norms.12 For example attitudes and perceptions about a specific illness may cause stigma and thus lack of active communication among individuals. Such stigma may also emanate from differences in skin color or race. This is illustrated by the fact that some ethnic groups may be associated with social ills such as crime and substance abuse or dealing. Because of the stigmatization of individuals, disturbance of the communication process are expected. Stigma often arises from dominance of one social group over another. The customs of a specific social group for example may be associated with the stigma that is developed against such as group. The contemporary society is characterized by glorification of the media in all of its forms. In return, the media has contributed significantly towards to the social norms which determine the communication processes among individuals.13 This is a case which illustrates how the media as a framework of reference has affected how people relate in terms of communication. Social issues such as race, gender, age, social class, crime and literature are common themes within broadcast, electronic and print media. The media has thus shaped the values and beliefs of the society. This has affected the relationship that one group of people develops with another group. However, it can be argued that the media has unified cultural beliefs and thus promoted interaction and communication among people from diverse cultural orientations. Cultural identity should be positive for an active communication process to be achieved. 14 It is through the legal, social and educational systems that the cultural identity is achieved. Social systems limit the process of interaction and communication in scenarios where the identity of one group is considered to be superior to the other. A positive social identity means that individuals identifies with others without bias. In such a case, communication is not inhibited. The role of social identity in communication can be illustrated by negative attitudes which are developed against some social identities such as immigrants. It is the awareness of the social identity which leads to a situation where communication processes become conflicting. 15 Otherwise, individuals would communicate effectively when they are not aware of the social identities of the people they relate with. However, it is difficult to hide the social identity of a person and a thus disturbed communication among people of divergent social or cultural identities are expected. Non verbal communication has a strong implication in the process of interaction among people. Conflicts in communication often arise when there is a misinterpretation of the non verbal cues which people demonstrate during the process of interaction.16 Because of the cultural beliefs or values that people have developed and learned, it is expected that they would show non verbal expressions towards situations which fall out of what is considered as the norm. In an organization for example, employees may misinterpret the non verbal expressions of their leaders or superiors. In such cases, negative attitudes result and thus arrest effective communication. However, non verbal cues usually reflect the actual feelings of a person. Therefore, it can be argued that most of the communication conflicts result from the interpretation of the non verbal cues which people demonstrate upon interaction with others. The emotional appeal is a framework of reference in the communication processes. Social values are inclined towards specific religious and national admirations. In return, the social appeals that people develop determine the level at which a communication process is achieved.17 The emotional appeal that a person has towards a certain nationality would be a facilitator of effective communication. Conflicts in communication are therefore expected when the nationality of individuals is not appealing to either one or both of the interacting groups. The importance of social appeals in a communication process is demonstrated by the fact that people from similar nationality often seek to communicate more especially when they meet in a foreign environment. On the same line of explanation, individuals of similar religious affiliations or appeal tend to communicate more because they share a belief. The framework of reference for a communication process is often based on the recognition which is bestowed upon an individual or group. Such recognition stems from individual or group achievement. Positive attitudes develop when people are regarded as achievers and this is usually rewarded through bonuses or gifts. In this case active communication and relationship is encouraged. When there is no recognition for an individual or group, the processes of communication are expected to have conflicts and limitations. 18 It is lack of recognition that individuals fail to get equal social and economic opportunities such as employment. However, it is significant to be aware that it is the values that the society have on economic, social and political matters which determine the level of recognition which people have for others. Recognition of a certain group tends to create a feeling of belonging and group harmony leading to enhancement of communication. The social framework and values on body language are important determinants of the communication process among people. Body language in terms of dressing, posture, openness, energy and position establish a specific level of communication among people or groups. This is exemplified by the fact that the manner in which an individual is dressed or positions would cause a specific communication reaction from others. Poor body language which falls out of order of the social norms would cause a communication problem among people.19 The body language which people demonstrate depends on the setting or organizational culture. For example, formal settings are expected to elicit a specific body language from participants. If people fail to adhere to the norms of formal body language, a conflict in communication is inevitably expected. Body language also involves eye contact during the process of communication. Therefore, lack of eye contact would be interpreted as lack of honest and thus cause conflicts in communication. In conclusion, it is argued that effective communication happens when the points of reference within the cultural norms are not in conflict. The process of communication is more often than not disturbed when the behavior of people or groups falls out of the social expectation and norms. Social norms develop on an individual’s age, gender, race, nationality, religion, language or ethnicity. When the values of a society are not violated, communication is often undisturbed. On the other hand, communication is limited when the expectations of people on others are not realized. Social class is an example of a cultural issue which would disturb communication. Moreover, non verbal communication such as facial expressions is often misinterpreted which leads to disturbed communication. However, it is important to note that for communication to be disturbed, there are other factors such as legal and economic limitations which play with the social factors to limit the participation of people in the processes of interaction and communication. Bibliography Avison, D., and Peter, B., "Cross-Cultural (Mis) Communication in IS Offshoring: Understanding through Conversation Analysis", Journal of Information Technology, vol. 23, 2008, p. 249-268 Ayoko, O. 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