Assertiveness and Interpersonal Harmony

The final pattern to be considered in this Lecture deals with the manner in which people "present" themselves to others. While there are many dimensions to our communication style, assertive and interpersonal harmony are two that influence intercultural interaction in a host of ways. Therefore, let us conclude this section by looking at these two cultural characteristics.

Assertiveness. American culture is known for its assertive and aggressive communica­tion style. It is not uncommon for Americans to actually enroll in assertiveness training classes that encourage them to be frank, open, and direct when they are dealing with other people.

The signs of assertive and aggressive behavior in the U.S. culture, like all aspects of culture, did not develop by chance. A culture that has a long history of valuing non­conformity, individualism, competition, and freedom of expression is bound to encour­age assertive behavior. The reasons Americans value assertive communica­tion are obvious: they are expected to stand up for their rights, and this often involves open confrontation. In a culture where individualism is as highly valued as it is in the United States, people are expected to take the initiative in advancing their personal interests and well-being and to be direct and assertive in interacting with others.

Harmony.As you can imagine, communication problems arise when cultures that value assertiveness come in contact with cultures that value accord and harmony. One of the authors recalls that at an international conference, members of the Israeli dele­gation, who were arguing their position in a dynamic manner, complained that the rep­resentatives from Thailand showed no interest in or enthusiasm for the meeting; they were "just sitting there." The Thai delegates, on the other hand, thought the professors from Israel were angry because they were "using loud voices." Both responses were, of course, a product of cultural experiences.

The Thais are not the only people who seek to avoid confrontation and strive for a communication style that values calmness, equanimity, and interpersonal harmony. Let us look at a few of these cultures so that you might be better able to understand their behavior and your reaction to that behavior.

For members of the Filipino culture the ultimate ideal is one of harmony — between individuals, among the members of a family, among the groups and divisions of society, and of all life in relationship with God. The Japanese also place a high value on interpersonal harmony. It is a cultural pattern that touches all aspects of Japanese life.

The cultural thinking that stresses harmony can clearly be seen in the method the Japanese employ when doing business. Sometimes the impression is that harmony is more important in business dealings for the Japanese than achieving higher sales and profits. To maintain harmony and avoid interpersonal clashes, Japanese business has evolved an elaborate process called nemawashi: binding the roots of a plant before pulling it out. In this process, any subject that might cause disorder at a meeting is discussed in advance. Anticipating interpersonal antagonism allow the Japanese to avoid impudent and discourteous behavior and direct personal confrontation by means of self-control.

SUMMARY

- Perception is best defined as the process of selecting, organizing and interpreting sensory data in a way that enables us to make sense of the world.

- Although the physical process of perception is almost the same in everyone, culture influences how we interpret and evaluate incoming stimuli.

- An attitude is a combination of beliefs about a subject, feelings toward it, and any predisposition to act toward it.

- Beliefs are our convictions in the truth of something – with or without proof.

- Values are enduring attitudes about the preferability of one belief over another.

- Dominant American cultural patterns include individualism, equality, materialism, science and technology, progress and change, work and leisure, and competition.

- Culture differ in their beliefs, attitudes and value toward individualism and collectivism, uncertainty avoidance, power distance, masculinity and femininity, work, context, informality and formality, assertiveness and interpersonal harmony.

1. How do you understand perception?

2. How does culture determine perception? Give examples.

3. In what form are perceptions stored in a human being?

4. How are beliefs reflected in your actions?

5. What kind of perceptual dimension is attitudes?

6. What classification of values is given in the lecture?

7. What is the role of cultural values?

8. How does learning about one’s own culture help in understanding other cultures?

9. What should you know about cultural patterns?

10. Why do cultural patterns change over time?

11. What are the dominant U.S. cultural patterns?

12. Comment on Hofstede’s value dimensions.

13. Describe Hall’s high-context and low-context classification of cultures.

14. What other dimensions of studying culture do you know?

REFERENCES

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Samovar, L. & Porter, R.Communicating between Cultures. – Belmont, CA: Wadsworth, 2001.

Singer, M.Intercultural Communication: A Perceptual Approach. – Englewood Cliffs, NJ: Prentice-Hall, 1987.

Stewart, E. C. & Bennett, M. J.American Cultural Patterns: A Cross-Cultural Perspective. – Yarmouth, ME: Intercultural Press, 1991.

Triandis, H. C.Cultural Differences upon Perception. In: Intercultural Communication: A Reader, 2^nd ed., L. A. Samovar & R. E. Porter (Eds.) – Belmont, CA: Wadsworth, 1976.

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LECTURE FOUR