(2014, May 9). In the 1970's, anthropologist Edward T. Hall coined the phrases "high-context culture" and "low- context culture.". (2012). 9. This is in contrast to lower-context cultures in which the shared experiences upon which communication is built can change drastically from one generation to the next, creating communication gaps between parents and children, as in the United States.[18]. [36], Individualistic cultures promote the development of individual values and independent social groups. After completing this chapter, you will be able to: Now that we know, broadly, what culture is, lets discuss some ways to categorize aspects of different cultures. A 2005 study by Elizabeth Wurtz demonstrates how cultural differences shape marketing and advertising. Asia, Africa, Latin America, and central Europe are predominantly countries with a high context culture. [3] Low-context cultures do the opposite; direct verbal communication is needed to properly understand a message being communicated and relies heavily on explicit verbal skills. Meyer defines low-context cultures as cultures where people communicate and receive messages at face value. (2014, December 10). [32] Since all sets of cultures differ, especially from a global standpoint where language also creates a barrier for communication, social interactions specific to a culture normally require a range of appropriate communication abilities that an opposing culture may not understand or know about. Communication cultures differ societally between high-context and low-context cultures, a concept first described by anthropologist Edward T. Hall in his 1976 publication Beyond Culture. In anthropology, high-context culture and low-context culture are ends of a continuum of how explicit the messages exchanged in a culture are and how important the context is in communication. Meaning depends on what is said- the literal content of the message- rather than how it is said. Low-Context Culture Communication & Examples | What Is Low-Context Culture? 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. Cultures where the group is valued over the individual promote. Japan and other countries located in Asia, Brazil and other countries located in South America, African tribal groups and most countries located in Africa, A majority of the Middle East, including Iraq and Iran, Describe Edward T. Hall's characterization of high-context cultures, Distinguish between high-context and low-context cultures, Explain the characteristics of high-context cultures, Recall the importance of ingroups to high-context cultures. Guffey et al. High-context cultures are built on a sense of shared experiences and history. 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. High vs. Low Power Distance Cultural Communications | What are High and Low Power Distance Cultural Communications? For example, resemblance is a significant trait in cultures with a high level of context. [39][40] In high-context cultures, facial expressions and gestures take on greater importance in conveying and understanding a message, and the receiver may require more cultural context to understand "basic" displays of emotions. This also means that low-context communication may fail due to the overload of information, which makes culture lose its screening[definition needed] function. Figure \(\PageIndex{1}\): A graph which shows the level of context in various world cultures. The American legal system, for example, relies on low context communication. [42] In a case study conducted by the IT University of Copenhagen, it was found that websites catering to high-context cultures tended to have more detailed and advanced designs, including various images and animations. It describes the level of explicit information and the importance of context in a given culture, indicating the range of communicative abilities (verbal messages, gestures, etc.) The Lavin Agency Speakers Bureau. Therefore, it is necessary for more explicit information to be included in the message so it is not misinterpreted. They tend to use more slangs, idioms and are generally high pace speakers. High-context cultures: Much of the society's communication takes place through . Although the concept of high- and low-context cultures is usually applied in the field of analyzing national cultures, it can also be used to describe scientific or corporate cultures, or specific settings such as airports or law courts. Culture also affects how individuals interpret other people's facial expressions. Create your account. Sourabh Yadav is a freelance writer & filmmaker. These countries are quite explicit and elaborate without having prior knowledge to each member's history or background. This allows individuals of different generations to communicate through a shared set of values, which, in turn, provides stability to the culture. https://helpfulprofessor.com/low-context-culture-examples/. [2], Website design among cross-cultural barriers include factoring in decisions about culture-sensitive color meanings, layout preferences, animation and sounds. People within low-context cultures see their relationships much looser and the lines between networks of people are more flexibly drawn.[11]. Cite this Article in your Essay (APA Style), Privacy PolicyTerms and ConditionsDisclaimerAccessibility StatementVideo Transcripts. [30][32], Families, subcultures and in-groups typically favour higher-context communication. A person's identity in a high context society tends to be based on one's roles and experiences within the group. He studied English literature at the University of Delhi and Jawaharlal Nehru University. They have a Bachelor's in Air Traffic Management from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University and minored in Aviation Safety and Homeland Security. According to Hall, the high-context culture definition relates to a culture by which the rules of communication are primarily and dominantly transmitted through the use of contextual elements. A conclusion may be implied but not argued directly. Learn more about how Pressbooks supports open publishing practices. Language may be used to achieve goals or exchange information. [30] The diversity within a main culture shows how the high and low scale differs depending on social settings such as school, work, home, and in other countries; variation is what allows the scale to fluctuate even if a large culture is categorized as primarily one or the other. Members of the culture place emphasis on interpersonal relationships. Relationships are easy to build, can start very quickly but end just as soon. 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]. The aim of this report is to evaluate the concept of different communication cultures through the application of Hall's high and low-context model of culture. High- context cultures are often collectivist in nature and largely defined by group communications, as well as the development or promotion of ingroups, or groups that individuals may become loyal to. The continuum pictures how people communicate with others through their range of communication abilities: utilizing gestures, relations, body language, verbal messages, or non-verbal messages. A case study was done on 30 Romanian and 30 Russian employees, to compare high- and low-context cultures, and results strongly suggested that Russia and Romania are both high-context cultures. We will write a custom Report on Communication Culture: Hall's High and Low-Context Model of Culture specifically for you. For high-context cultures, language is a kind of social lubricant, easing and harmonizing relations that are defined according to a group or collectivist orientation where we rather than I is the key to identity. For example, if you have ever been to a family gathering, then you have experience with a high-context culture. Furthermore, cultural aspects such as tradition, ceremony, and history are also highly valued. low-context communication is "the mass of information is vested in the explicit code". 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. Family gatherings and interactions with people from high-context cultures are two examples of scenarios in which Americans participate in high-context communications, largely because they are with close-knit groups of people who share similar values, rules, and norms. People have many acquaintances they have fewer close friends. Nonetheless, the contexting model simply cannot be described as an empirically validated model. As we discuss culture, we are making generalizations to create cultural prototypes. In this article, we will give you examples of high and low context mediation. [26] The terms high- and low-context cultures are not classified with strict individual characteristics or boundaries. 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 As a result of these years of interacting with one another, the members know what the rules are, how to think, and how to behave, so the rules do not have to be explicitly stated. Trust must be developed before business transactions can begin. 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. About The Helpful Professor Words: 825. In high context cultures like Native American tribes, Japan, China, and Arabic countries, communication is curvilinear, and often what is left unsaid is just as important than what is, and there is more flexibility with time and looser schedules. The United States, on the other hand, is considered a low-context culture, relying largely on explicit verbal explanations to keep everyone on the same page. All the advice on this site is general in nature. Information has to be explicit and detailed for the message to be conveyed without distortion. In comparison, the United States is perhaps the best example of a diverse and low-context culture. Focusing on tradition creates opportunities for higher-context messages between individuals of each new generation, and the high-context culture feeds back to the stability hence allows the tradition to be maintained. This article was peer-reviewed and edited by Chris Drew (PhD). In these cultures, people may rely on body language, tone of voice, and facial expressions to convey meaning, and may not always say exactly what they mean directly. Effectively communicating within this culture, therefore, requires messaging that is perceived as objective, professional, and efficient. Examples of high-context cultures include Asian, African, Latin American, and some European countries. Cultures Consequences: International Differences in Work-Related Values. High-context cultures are collectivist, value interpersonal relationships, and have members that form stable, close relationships. [1] "High-" and "low-" context cultures typically refer to language groups, nationalities, or regional communities. In Low Context Culture it is normal to be self reliant and yet have many relationships. Trust High context cultures and situations may extend significant trust to members. Yolanda has taught college Psychology and Ethics, and has a doctorate of philosophy in counselor education and supervision. According to Hall's theory, Chinese and Korean samples represented higher-context cultures while the American sample represents lower context. The High Context / Low Context cultural dimension is a broad and far reaching theory which touches on many aspects of cultural communication including verbal and non-verbal messaging, internal and external locus of control, inward and outward reaction, cohesion of groups, people's bonds and commitments, as well . Gudykunst, W. B., & Ting-Toomey, S. (1988). 18 Examples of Low Culture. Strategies to work effectively with people from high context and low context cultures Follow these 4 key strategies to communicate effectively across cultures: 1. They are considered less direct, and they put a lot of weight on gestures and body language to draw significance from messages. The preferred way of solving problems and learning is in groups. Moving from high-context communication to low-context communication or vice versa is challenging for students. Low-context cultures can seem slightly more formal due to the explicit & precise nature of their messages. High-context communications typically take place in a collectivist setting, or within a large group of people who share similar goals, values, or norms (ingroups). A high-context culture is one in which communication may be more unspoken rather than explicit - for example, much attention is paid to body language, facial expressions, and other non-verbal cues in order to discern a speaker's meaning. Culture and Interpersonal Communication. People within high-context cultures tend to be more aware and observant of facial expressions, body language, changes in tone, and other aspects of communication that are not directly spoken. (1971). Instead, a comparison between cultures may find communication differences to a greater or lesser degree. China, Japan, Turkey, and Mexico are some countries that lean towards high-context. Examples of low-context cultures include the United States, Australia, and many Western countries. High-context cultures promote the development of ingroups. The most prominent characteristics of high context culture is non-verbal communication, while for low context culture, it is obvious to have verbal and written communication. Since they value collectivism and interdependence, it makes sense that their communication requires an understanding of the communitys shared values. Family gatherings, religious congregations, and other social outings with a close-knit group of people are forms of high-context communications that take place regularly in most cultures. For a communicator to successfully interact with others from a different culture he must know whether his own culture is high or low context and which context is the culture in the interaction. It is important to note that while a nation or society may be widely considered a high-context or low-context culture, certain events occur in the opposite context regularly (such as family gatherings in the United States). [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. 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. Hall identifies high-context cultures as those in which harmony and the well-being of the group is preferred over individual achievement. In contrast, low-context cultures rely on explicit verbal communication. High-context cultures are those that communicate in ways that are implicit and rely heavily on context. Low-context countries, on the other hand, relied more on linear processes and verbal communication. This concept was introduced by Edward T. Hall, an anthropologist back in 1976. The GLOBE Project Overview & Behavior Styles | What is the GLOBE Project? Flowery language, humility, and elaborate apologies are typical. High-context cu. Cultures and communication in which context is of great importance to structuring actions is referred to as high context. Give some examples of cultural differences in the interpretation of body language. The answer is simple. [6] How does her experience in Japan demonstrate what youve learned so far about the different dimensions of culture? Croucher's study examines the assertion that culture influences communication style (high/low-context) preference. Low-context and high-context cultures are the ends of a continuum portraying how cultures communicate. Wurtz found something similar while analyzing website design. [41] One study on McDonald's online advertising compared Japan, China, Korea, Hong Kong, Pakistan, Germany, Denmark, Sweden, Norway, Finland, and the United States, and found that in high-context countries, the advertising used more colors, movements, and sounds to give context, while in low-context cultures the advertising focused more on verbal information and linear processes. We also make strong distinctions between those who are a part of our family and those who are not. In high cultures, much of the communication is understood by the group either by non-verbal coding, which refers to common body language; distinct in-groups and out-group's, which refers to the cohesiveness of the group; and covert and implicit messages, which refers to what we refer . [34], Restricted codes are commonly used in high-context culture groups, where group members share the same cultural background and can easily understand the implicit meanings "between the lines" without further elaboration. In a 2008 meta-analysis of 224 articles published between 1990 and 2006, Peter W. Cardon wrote: [T]he theory was never described by Hall with any empirical rigor, and no known research involving any instrument or measure of contexting validates it. A 2008 meta-analysis concluded that the model was "unsubstantiated and underdeveloped".[5]. Many low context cultures are individualist so people openly express their views, and tend to make important information obvious to others. A low-context culture is a culture in which people communicate explicitly. Low-context cultures (including North America and much of Western Europe) are logical, linear, individualistic, and action-oriented. Low context cultures rely on the spoken word to communicate. As such, high-context cultures tend to cater to the development and promotion of ingroups, which are groups that we belong to and are loyal to, including families, cultures, and religious congregations. people generally use. According to Hall's theory, the Chinese and Korean samples represented higher-context cultures while the American sample represents a lower context culture. Due to this shared understanding, high-context cultures are slightly more informal. Context is less important than words. Routledge. Journal of Computer-Mediated Communication. People from low-context cultures value logic, facts, and directness. lessons in math, English, science, history, and more. Remember that culture is dynamic, and that every individual within a culture is unique and may not conform exactly to the general characteristics of that culture. Researchers today are using it greatly to study different cultures all over the world. The review process on Helpful Professor involves having a PhD level expert fact check, edit, and contribute to articles. Hall is also credited for developing the idea of chronemics, or the study of the use of time during nonverbal communications. 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. Since a high-context culture is based on fewer, deeper relations with people, there are many unspoken social rules and understandings within the culture. [25], The categories of context cultures are not totally separate. When it comes to emails, texts, and online messaging, low-context cultures use it to fire off quick, frequent messages. Intercultural Communication in the Workplace, 18. A high-context culture is one in which communication may be more unspoken rather than explicit - for example, much attention is paid to body language, facial expressions, and other non-verbal cues in order to discern a speaker's meaning. However, no country is low-context or high-context in absolute terms; instead, there is a mix of explicit & implicit communication everywhere. Low-context communication is often seen in Western, more individualistic cultures (i.e., U.S., Australia, some European countries) where communication is direct, to the point, and one doesn't have to guess the meaning or intention behind what is being said. Within high-context cultures, people rely on their networks of friends and family, viewing their relationships as part of one large community. The hypotheses tested indicated the high-context culture in Mexico would provide different motives for communication when compared with the low-context culture of the U.S. A high-context culture is a culture in which the values, rules, and social norms are primarily communicated through the use of contextual elements (such as body language, a person's status, and tone of voice) and are not explicitly stated. As such, what is said is what is meant, and further analysis of the message is usually unnecessary. [2] High-context cultures often exhibit less-direct verbal and nonverbal communication, utilizing small communication gestures and reading more meaning into these less-direct messages. People are comfortable standing close to each other. When a part of these groups, a low-context individual may be more drawn to interpersonal relationships with others than focusing on their own accomplishments and do not require information to be elaborated because they maintain an understanding of group behaviors. They place a high value on interpersonal relationships and group members are a very close-knit community. Developing Cultural Intelligence in Corporations, Cultural Perceptions of Time in Organizations: Monochronic and Polychronic Time, Using CRM to Improve Marketing & Customer Acquisition, Comparing Communication in Cultures with High & Low Tolerance for Ambiguity. The Encyclopedia of Diversity and Social Justice states that, "high context defines cultures that are relational and collectivist, and which most highlight interpersonal relationships. These include specific forms of body language, the social or familial status of an individual, and the tone of voice employed during speech. Conclusions are explicitly stated. Guffey, M. E., Lowey, D., Rhodes, K., & Rogin, P. (2013). The author states that Japan is a high context culture because they have every decision based on their culture and France is both a high and low mixture finally low context example is America. Because of this, communication can change drastically from one generation to the next, creating communication gaps between parents and children. Ironically, contexting is most frequently discussed in terms of directness, yet empirical studies nearly all fail to support this relationship. Seekprofessional input on your specific circumstances. Enrolling in a course lets you earn progress by passing quizzes and exams. Low-context cultures tend to focus more on the individual than the group, which is why they value individualism and autonomy. Beyond Culture. For the processing of complex messages, the perspective of context theory is very relevant. There are strong distinctions made between individuals who are members of the ingroup and those who are not members in high-context cultures. Low use of nonverbal elements. However, this type of segregation is not rigid, but takes the form of a gradient since the contextual base of a culture is not a quantifiable but relative concept. For example, for someone who is older and more experienced within a society, the need for social cues may be higher or lower depending on the communication style. [14] Groups that are able to rely on a common background may not need to use words as explicitly to understand each other. Primarily use non-verbal methods to relay meaningful information in conversations, such as facial expressions, eye movement, and tone of voice. But we can also use them to talk about smaller groups, such as corporate cultures or a specific setting like the airport. Three samples were gathered from the US, China, and Korea, three different cultures. classifications are discussed below. 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. 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.
