Page 21 - Communication across Cultures

Chapter 1 Culture

the context of middle-class U.S. culture.
Cultural beliefs, values, and norms are fundamental to shaping our understanding
of ourselves and the world around us. These cultural elements provide a framework for
us to interpret our experiences and to understand our place in society. For example, our
beliefs about religion, family, and politics are influenced by the cultural norms and val-
ues that we have been exposed to throughout our lives. Our cultural identity is formed
by the ways in which we adopt, reject, or recreate these cultural elements in our own
lives.

1.3.2 Group Inclusion Function
Culture group satisfies our need for membership affiliation and belonging. Culture
creates a comfort zone in which we experience in-group inclusion and in-group/out-
group differences. Within our own group, we experience safety, inclusion, and accep-
tance. We do not have to constantly justify or explain our actions. With people of dis-
similar groups, we have to be on the alert and we have to explain or defend our actions
with more effort.
Group inclusion serves a crucial role in satisfying our need for membership, affilia-
tion, and belonging. Being part of a cultural group provides a sense of identity, connec-
tion, and security. Within our own group, we often feel a sense of safety, inclusion, and
acceptance because we share common beliefs, values, and norms. We can understand
each other without constantly having to justify or explain our actions because we oper-
ate within a shared cultural framework.
However, when interacting with individuals from different cultural groups, we
may experience differences and potential misunderstandings. We may need to be more
vigilant and aware of potential cultural differences, requiring more effort to explain or
defend our actions. This is because the norms and expectations within different cultural
groups can vary, leading to potential conflicts or misunderstandings. Cultural diversity
can be enriching, but it also requires open-mindedness, empathy, and effective commu-
nication to navigate these differences and foster understanding and respect.

1.3.3 Intergroup Boundary Regulation Function

Culture’s intergroup boundary regulation function shapes our in-group and out-
group attitudes in dealing with people who are culturally dissimilar. An attitude is a
learned tendency that influences our behavior. Culture helps us to form evaluative at-
titudes toward in-group and out-group interactions. Evaluative attitudes also connote

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