Chapter 12: Communicating With Others
Chapter Summary
Key Takeaways
- Communication is a necessary skill for effective human interactions and the development of these skills reflects a process of lifelong learning
- Building trust can allow superficial communication to transition into stronger interpersonal relationships
- Recognizing that all aspects of communication are influenced by culture can help foster greater self-awareness, as well as challenge ethnocentricism, stereotypes and prejudice
- Understanding of common cultural characteristics and divergent cultural characteristics can help us develop our intercultural communication skills
Activities for Further Reflection
- Conduct an interview with someone from a different cultural background than yours. Ask questions about cultural values, norms, and experiences.
- Write a reflection on your own cultural identity and how it influences your communication style. Consider how your cultural background has shaped your worldview.
- Think about a time when you have recently experienced conflict in an interpersonal relationship. How do you think the situation could have been handled differently?
- Compare and contrast cultural communication norms between two different cultures. Create a visual aid that shows your findings.
