The USA and Australia are typically low-context, highly individualistic cultures, where transparency and competition in business are prized. Amount of Detail Expected - High-context cultures such as Japan, China, and France provide little details in their writing. Neuliup, J. W. (2011). In Low Context Culture it is normal to be self reliant and yet have many relationships. France. Intercultural Communication in the Workplace, 18. High-context cultures, on the other hand, depend on both the spoken words and the context of the situationincluding the shared values/assumptions of the groupto convey meaning. Asia, Africa, Latin America, and central Europe are predominantly countries with a high context culture. Traditionally, Western cultures are known for being more individualistic or communicating with a low context style. London: Routledge. For example, Hall describes how Japanese culture has both low- and high-context situations. Your message needs to be clear and precise. In, Meyer, C. (2017). High-context cultures are related to connotation. Moreover, their communication is often task-oriented and driven by rational decision-making, which can further add to their formality.. For example, resemblance is a significant trait in cultures with a high level of context. Primarily use non-verbal methods to relay meaningful information in conversations, such as facial expressions, eye movement, and tone of voice. They often use written contracts and agreements to clarify expectations (Gudykunst & Ting-Toomey, 1988). Ironically, contexting is most frequently discussed in terms of directness, yet empirical studies nearly all fail to support this relationship. 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 study suggests that in high-context cultures, such as China and Korea, people tend to be more socially oriented, less confrontational, and more complacent with existing ways of living compared to people from low-context cultures like the US.[23]. Croucher, S., Bruno, A, McGrath, P, Adams, C, McGahan, C, Suits, A & Huckins, A. In his model, context refers to the stimuli, environment, or ambiance surrounding an event. For example Japan, which has a very high context culture, uses both polychronic and monochronic time. Plus, get practice tests, quizzes, and personalized coaching to help 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. The American legal system, for example, relies on low context communication. On one side of the dimension, we have high context cultures, which depend on greater context when communicating. Their communication is often indirect and requires a nuanced understanding, so outsiders might find it more difficult to enter their culture. Low-context cultures tend to be logical, analytical, action-oriented, and concerned with the individual. A low-context (LC) communication is just the opposite; i.e., the mass of the information is vested in the explicit code.". Gudykunst, W. B., & Ting-Toomey, S. (1988). . [23] For example, Native Americans in the United States have higher-context cultures with a strong sense of tradition and history, compared to general American culture. High-context communications, as well as low-context interactions, are important to understand from many perspectives. People within low-context cultures see their relationships much looser and the lines between networks of people are more flexibly drawn.[11]. ", "Communication: intercultural 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. Hall notes a similar difference between Navajo-speakers and English-speakers in a United States school.[18]. They have a Bachelor's in Air Traffic Management from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University and minored in Aviation Safety and Homeland Security. Body language, tone of voice, and personal status are a few notable characteristics that are valued in a high-context culture. Low-context cultures (such as those in North America and Western Europe) depend less on the environment of a situation to convey meaning than do high-context cultures (such as those in Japan, China, and Arab countries). Edward Hall is a famous theorist and anthropologist who has contributed a renowned theory of high- and low-context cultures to facilitate students, researchers . An error occurred trying to load this video. [25], The categories of context cultures are not totally separate. Cultural Perceptions of Communication in Organizations: Low Context and High Context. Reviewers ensure all content reflects expert academic consensus and is backed up with reference to academic studies. In this context, we will discuss those topics also. Low use of nonverbal elements. Power Distance Index & Examples | What is Power Distance? People are comfortable standing close to each other. Figure \(\PageIndex{1}\): A graph which shows the level of context in various world cultures. In low-context cultures, communication tends to be more direct and to the point. [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. An individual from Texas (a higher-context culture) may communicate with a few words or use of a prolonged silence characteristic of Texan English, where a New Yorker would be very explicit (as typical of New York City English), although both speak the same language (American English) and are part of a nation (the United States of America) which is lower-context relative to other nations. For example, if you have ever been to a family gathering, then you have experience with a high-context culture. [30][32], Families, subcultures and in-groups typically favour higher-context communication. China, Japan, Turkey, and Mexico are some countries that lean towards high-context. This also means that low-context communication may fail due to the overload of information, which makes culture lose its screening[definition needed] function. 18 Examples of Low Culture. Cultural differences in advertising and marketing may also be explained through high- and low-context cultures. Ramos, D. C. (2014). By contrast, a low-context culture is characterized by information being communicated primarily through spoken language, as well as rules being explicitly and directly stated. A person's identity in a high context society tends to be based on one's roles and experiences within the group. After you have finished with this lesson, you should be able to: To unlock this lesson you must be a Study.com Member. This is in direct contrast to low-context cultures, in which information is communicated primarily through language and rules are explicitly spelled out. Effectively communicating within this culture, therefore, requires messaging that is perceived as objective, professional, and efficient. For example, a low-context communicator can say, "I am unhappy with this outcome and . Learn what high context culture is. - Uses & Side Effects, Working Scholars Bringing Tuition-Free College to the Community, Japan, China, Korea, and many other countries in Asia, Brazil, Peru, Argentina, and some other countries in South America, Tribal groups and most nations in Africa, such as Kenya, Iraq, Iran, and other countries located in the Middle East. According to Hall's theory, the Chinese and Korean samples represented higher-context cultures while the American sample represents a lower context culture. 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. [31], Between each type of culture context, there will be forms of miscommunication because of the difference in gestures, social cues, and intercultural adjustments; however, it is important to recognize these differences and learn how to avoid miscommunication to benefit certain situations. Interaction. High-context cultures promote the development of ingroups. The following chart will compare the main differences between high-context vs. low-context cultures and a discussion of example cultures will follow: While nations such as the United States have many low-context situations, it is important to recall that all societies experience high-context events as well. 231 lessons. 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.) In low-context countries, things need to be spelled out a bit more. Lower-context culture: United States, Germany, Norway, Denmark, Switzerland, Sweden, Canada and other European nations. As we discuss culture, we are making generalizations to create cultural prototypes. The verbal and nonverbal cues of low vs. high-context communication can be . High-Context and Low-Context Cultures: Understanding the Differences May 17, 2022 May 17, 2022 Reading Time: 5 minutes Read More High-Context and Low-Context Cultures: Understanding the Differences A few examples of high-context cultures include China, Japan, South Africa, Argentina, and Spain; While low-context cultures are found more dominantly in the United States, the United Kingdom, and Australia. These countries are quite explicit and elaborate without having prior knowledge to each member's history or background. Communicating with high-context cultures can require you to focus on politeness strategies that demonstrate your respect for readers and listeners. Want to create or adapt books like this? Context 1. . Intercultural Communication on Websites: A Cross-Cultural Analysis of Websites from High-Context Cultures and Low-Context Cultures. A few relevant examples of differences in communication between low- and high-context cultures are found in Table 1. In high-context cultures, communication cues are transmitted by posture, voice inflection, gestures, and facial expression. These include specific forms of body language, the social or familial status of an individual, and the tone of voice employed during speech. Studentsshould always cross-check any information on this site with their course teacher. Watch this video from international business expert Erin Meyer [1]. low-context communication is "the mass of information is vested in the explicit code". The review process on Helpful Professor involves having a PhD level expert fact check, edit, and contribute to articles. Websites catering to high-context audiences had a lot of animation & images. 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.
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