Understanding Intercultural Communication (1981)

Larry Samovar
Richard Porter
Nemi Jain

Intercultural Communication:  When sender is of a different culture than the receiver

Examples of groups with socio-cultural difference:

Maximum:  Western / Asian

Medium:  U.S. American / British
              Urban American / Rural American

Minimum:  Heterosexual / Homosexual

All have different beliefs, attitudes, values

Culture provides stability, comfort, structure to a group or society

American culture:

High value of individualism, equality, progress, efficiency, materialism

Others:  collectivism?  power distance?  stability? 

Potential Intercultural Communication Problems:

• Diversity of Communication Purposes

• Lack of Trust

• Withdrawal

• Lack of Empathy

• Stereotyping

• Power

Strategies to Improve IC:

• Know Yourself

• Use a Shared Code

• Take Time

• Improve your Communication Skills

• Develop Empathy

• Seek Commonalities Across Cultures