Page 105 - Effective group discussion theory and practice by Adams, Katherine H. Brilhart, John K. Galanes, Gloria J

88 Chapter 4

In the following section, we focus more on language issues related to cultural or co-
cultural orientations. Language and culture together, not separately, have a profound
impact on shared understanding in group discussions.

Communication Challenges Posed by Co- Cultures
Earlier we described cultural and co- cultural communication rules and patterns as
things that are learned, expectations and behaviors that we absorb. We now examine
differences in the communication patterns based on race, sex, age, and socioeco-
nomic class. We offer a very important caution to this discussion. When we discuss
each co- culture, it will appear as if members from that co- culture display a single,
consistent communication pattern, but this is not the case. These differences are
broad ones; once you become familiar with them, then you can begin to make more
nuanced judgments about how to work better with diversity in your group without
overgeneralizing.

Co- Cultural Differences Based on Race
In this section we focus on communication differences observed between African
Americans and Caucasian Americans. We do not intend to imply that relationships
among other racial and ethnic groups are not equally important. In fact, in the near
future, Hispanics will be the largest minority group in the United States as they are

Recap: A Quick Review

ultures differ along several dimensions, which provide a framework for
Cunderstanding and comparing different cultures and co- cultures, although there is
considerable variability within every culture:
1. Collectivist cultures value the group over the individual and expect conformity and
consensus building; individualistic cultures elevate the individual over the group
and value dissent.
2. High power- distance cultures emphasize status differences, whereas low power-
distance cultures minimize them. Authoritarian, directive leadership is expected in
high power- distance cultures, but participative leadership is valued in low power-
distance ones.
3. Cultures high in uncertainty avoidance dislike ambiguity and prefer clear rules and
procedures; low uncertainty- avoidance cultures are comfortable with loose, flexible
rules and procedures.
4. High masculine cultures emphasize achievement and assertive behavior; high
feminine cultures value relationships and nurturing behavior.
5. In high- context cultures, the meaning of the message is conveyed less by the words
than by the situation, or context; ambiguous communication that preserves harmony
is expected. In low- context cultures, words convey the intent of a message, with
clear, direct communication valued.

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