Namedateflan 3440gaby Semaanreflection Chapter 10your Own Titleconf ✓ Solved
Name Date FLAN 3440 Gaby Semaan Reflection: Chapter 10 (Your Own Title) Conflicts are an unavoidable part of life. No one can go their entire lives without coming across an opposing idea from one’s own. Conflicts are so common that conflict resolution has become a full time occupation for millions across the world. From lawyers to judges to professional mediators, conflict resolution has become a money making industry. We can see this in shows such as Judge Judy, Divorce Court, and more barbarically Jerry Springer.
Conflicts, however, do not have to be fights or arguments and how a person handles a conflict not only says a lot about their conflict resolution style but also about the cultural they were raised in. I come from a high-context home but a low-context culture country. At home my parents dealt with conflicts by silently ignoring them until they, hopefully, went away. If they didn’t go away naturally then the end result was a very loud argument until both parties felt like they were satisfied. This is in line with the high-context cultures of preferring a non-confrontational conflict resolution.
The United States as a low-context culture means that on average most people prefer to deal with the conflict in a direct style and become frustrated when all parties are not being open and honest. Both of these styles have shaped the way in which I handle my own conflict resolution. Not surprisingly my conflict resolution style has changed over time. When I was younger and still living with my parents I had a more individualistic style of conflict resolution. I didn’t like my parent’s avoidance style and so I took on the opposite resolution strategy of being direct and very assertive with my feeling; such as the engagement style.
I would become agitated when other people were not as forth coming with their feelings and I wanted a quick and speedy resolution. This led to more aggressive conflicts that were very emotionally expressive. As I got older and experienced conflicts away from my family and more in a professional setting, I learned to adapt to a more collectivist style. Now I have a mix between the low-context and high- context cultures conflict resolution characteristics. On one hand I still want a quick and speedy resolution where everyone is up-front and direct with their feelings.
I now, however, understand that some conflicts go away naturally with time and that a more direct style can actually add to the conflict. Despite one’s conflict resolution style when it comes to successful intercultural communication we have to adapt in order to resolve conflicts. There can be no resolution to a conflict if all sides are refusing to be open about their opinion. In addition, both sides need to be willing to listen and be empathetic to the opposing party. As long as this is the foundation to any conflict resolution strategy then there is bound to be some resolution no matter the differing styles of resolution.
Chapter 9 1 Neuliep, Intercultural Communication, 7e. © SAGE Publications, 2018. Developing Intercultural Relationships Flan 3440 Factors that Affect Intercultural Relationships 2 Neuliep, Intercultural Communication, 7e. © SAGE Publications, 2018. Communication & Uncertainty Premise of Uncertainty Reduction Theory (URT): the primary goal when interacting with a stranger is to reduce uncertainty and increase predictability of behavior. Proactive Interactive Retroactive 3 Neuliep, Intercultural Communication, 7e. © SAGE Publications, 2018. Neuliep, Intercultural Communication, 7e. © SAGE Publications, 2018.
4 Anxiety Uncertainty Management Theory (AUM) Explains interrelationships among: Uncertainty Anxiety Mindfulness Communication Effectiveness Focus on Management not Reduction 5 Neuliep, Intercultural Communication, 7e. © SAGE Publications, 2018. Uncertainty Reduction & ICA People who experienced high ICA experienced high uncertainty People who do not experience ICA have low uncertainty Increasing our interaction with persons from different cultures reduces our uncertainty and anxiety Neuliep, Intercultural Communication, 7e. © SAGE Publications, 2018. 6 Socio-Communicative Orientation Assertiveness an individual’s ability to make requests, actively disagree, and express positive or negative personal rights and feelings.
Responsiveness an individual’s ability to e sensitive to the communication of others, including providing feedback, engaging in comforting communication, and listening. 7 Neuliep, Intercultural Communication, 7e. © SAGE Publications, 2018. Empathy & Similarity in Relationship Development Empathy Degree to which we can accurately infer another’s thoughts or feelings Relational Empathy Shared meaning and harmonization that is the result of the interaction of two people Third Culture Created when dyad of persons from different cultures comes together and establishes relational empathy 8 Neuliep, Intercultural Communication, 7e. © SAGE Publications, 2018. Neuliep, Intercultural Communication, 7e. © SAGE Publications, 2018.
9 Empathetic Listening Paraphrase Reflect feelings Reflect meanings Summarizing 10 Neuliep, Intercultural Communication, 7e. © SAGE Publications, 2018. Similarity Attitude Similarity between persons leads to positive affect which leads to attraction Neuliep, Intercultural Communication, 7e. © SAGE Publications, 2018. 11 Perceptions of Relational Intimacy Across Cultures Individualistic and Collectivistic Cultures Humanism Faithfulness Propriety Wisdom 12 Neuliep, Intercultural Communication, 7e. © SAGE Publications, 2018. Eastern & Western Cultures & Relationships 13 Neuliep, Intercultural Communication, 7e. © SAGE Publications, 2018. Interethnic & Interracial Relationships & Marriages Serial monogamy Polygamy Polygyny Polyandry 14 Neuliep, Intercultural Communication, 7e. © SAGE Publications, 2018. © iStockphoto.com/Elena Elisseeva Interethnic & Interracial Relationships & Marriages In U.S. in 2013, 12% of newlyweds married someone of different race Interethnic & Interracial Relationships more likely to end in divorce than intraracial marriages 15 Neuliep, Intercultural Communication, 7e. © SAGE Publications, 2018.
Obstacles Interethnic & Interracial Partners face: Stared at in public Negatively stereotyped Face Social Network opposition Discriminated against by restaurant staff, real-estate agents, hotel managers, retail clerks Experience obscene phone calls, hate mail and vandalized property 16 Neuliep, Intercultural Communication, 7e. © SAGE Publications, 2018. Interethnic & Interracial Relationships & Marriages Intercultural Relational Maintenance Self-disclosure Relationship talk Positivity Understanding Assurances Networks Tasks 17 Neuliep, Intercultural Communication, 7e. © SAGE Publications, 2018. © iStockphoto.com/FernandoAH Intercultural Relational Maintenance Open Communication Lack of topic avoidance Lack of communication about cultural differences Support Giving advice Offering comfort Providing reassurance Support for culture 18 Neuliep, Intercultural Communication, 7e. © SAGE Publications, 2018.
Intercultural Relational Maintenance Gay and Lesbian Relationships Seeking out Gay/Lesbian supportive environments Being the same as heterosexual couples Social support 19 Neuliep, Intercultural Communication, 7e. © SAGE Publications, 2018. © iStockphoto.com/Hongqi Zhang Initiating an Intercultural Relationship Perceived similarity Availability In-Group Influence & Group Identification 20 Neuliep, Intercultural Communication, 7e. © SAGE Publications, 2018. The Internet as Relational Maintenance Social networking sites as tools for initiating and maintaining relationships Extraversion and Openness to experiences were positively related to social media use Role of culture in self-expression on Facebook pages 21 Neuliep, Intercultural Communication, 7e. © SAGE Publications, 2018.
Culture and Internet Use Japan India Africa Mexico 22 Neuliep, Intercultural Communication, 7e. © SAGE Publications, 2018. Mate Selection & Desirability Across Cultures Desirability enhancement effect Desirability diminution effect Different perspectives of mate selection: Evolutionary biologists Sociologists Geneticists Social Psychologists 23 Neuliep, Intercultural Communication, 7e. © SAGE Publications, 2018. International Mate Selection Project Identify which characteristics individuals value in potential mates Identify similarities and differences among countries in their values Neuliep, Intercultural Communication, 7e. © SAGE Publications, 2018. 24 International Mate Selection Project Identify clusters of countries that are similar to one another Identify sex differences in the degree of variation in mate selection within each country Neuliep, Intercultural Communication, 7e. © SAGE Publications, 2018.
25 Mate Selection & Desirability Across Cultures Characteristics individuals value in mates: Kindness Intelligence Exciting personality Healthy Similarities and differences in countries: Most polarizing characteristic = chastity Gender differences in cultures 26 Neuliep, Intercultural Communication, 7e. © SAGE Publications, 2018. Cultural Concepts of Love Love Songs in China & U.S. Metaphors History War Mystery Pornography Fantasy 27 Neuliep, Intercultural Communication, 7e. © SAGE Publications, 2018. Arranged Marriages Hmong India China Africa 28 Neuliep, Intercultural Communication, 7e. © SAGE Publications, 2018. Marital Dissolution and Divorce Across Cultures Divorce customs vary across cultures.
Social and economic issues play a role. In general, monogamy is correlated with lower divorce rates than polygyny. 29 Neuliep, Intercultural Communication, 7e. © SAGE Publications, 2018. Summary Explored initiating, maintaining and dissolving relationships Examined concepts of uncertainty reduction, intercultural communication apprehension, and sociocommunicative style and how they affect the relationship processes Compared perceptions of relationships in a variety of cultures Neuliep, Intercultural Communication, 7e. © SAGE Publications, 2018. 30
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Conflict is an inevitable component of human interaction that emerges across various contexts, particularly within intercultural settings. As highlighted in Chapter 10 of Neuliep's "Intercultural Communication", it becomes increasingly critical to understand the nuances of conflict resolution strategies influenced by cultural backgrounds (Neuliep, 2018). This reflection aims to unravel my personal experiences with conflict, shaped by my upbringing in a high-context family within a low-context culture, and the implications of this on my conflict resolution style.
Understanding Conflict in Intercultural Contexts
Conflict transcends verbal disagreements; it can arise from differing values, beliefs, and communication styles entrenched in one's cultural background. Recognizing this, Neuliep (2018) emphasizes the importance of adapting conflict resolution strategies. My early experiences with conflict resolution at home involved avoidance, as my parents preferred to ignore issues until they escalated into emotionally charged verbal confrontations. This avoidance model aligns with high-context cultures, where indirect communication is often employed to maintain harmony (Hall, 1976).
Conversely, my exposure to a low-context cultural environment in broader society highlighted a starkly different conflict dynamic. Low-context cultures, such as that of the United States, value direct and explicit communication, promoting assertiveness in expressing feelings and resolving issues (Ting-Toomey & Dorjee, 2019). This duality fostered a unique conflict resolution style in me—rooted in the contrasting influences of my familial teachings and societal expectations.
Evolution of My Conflict Resolution Style
Initially, my conflict resolution style leaned heavily towards an individualistic approach, fueled by frustration with my family's avoidance tactics. As a child, I heavily engaged in confrontation, seeking rapid resolution by articulating my feelings openly. Research indicates that assertiveness, characterized by clear and direct communication, is essential for effective conflict resolution (Brett & Thompson, 2016). My preference for quick resolutions often led to emotionally charged arguments, a reflection of my engagement style habit cultivated amidst my parents' conflict management approaches.
However, with age and experience, particularly in professional environments, my approach evolved to incorporate elements of collectivism. Embracing the lessons of maturity, I began to recognize the value of patience and the realities of intercultural communication, where parties may require time and space to express themselves adequately (Neuliep, 2018). This adaptive strategy allowed me to fuse both low-context and high-context communication styles, balancing assertiveness with a newfound understanding of empathy.
Empathy and Adaptation in Conflict Resolution
Empathy emerges as a linchpin in the effective resolution of intercultural conflicts. According to Neuliep (2018), empathetic listening—summarizing feelings, reflecting meanings and validating emotions—forms the basis of successful intercultural interactions. Through my professional experiences, I've learned that effective communication isn't solely about expressing one’s own viewpoints but also about actively engaging with and validating those of others.
For instance, in team meetings characterized by diverse cultural perspectives, I began employing empathetic listening. This involved refraining from immediate judgment, allowing for a full exploration of differing viewpoints, and fostering an atmosphere of trust and openness (Ting-Toomey, 2018). This experience reflects the concept of 'relational empathy,' which emerges when individuals from different backgrounds develop a shared understanding through their interactions (Neuliep, 2018).
The Impact of Culture on Conflict Resolution Approaches
Culture significantly shapes how individuals handle conflict, influencing their strategies, motivations, and outcomes. High-context cultures often favor indirect approaches, while low-context cultures embrace directness and confrontation. This understanding resonates with my experiences, where my home dynamic favored non-confrontation whereas my social upbringing pushed for explicit communication.
Neuliep (2018) posits that recognizing these cultural differences is crucial for successful conflict resolution, an assertion supported by findings in intercultural communication studies. Indicators suggest that misunderstanding arises when individuals fail to acknowledge the cultural underpinnings of each other's conflict resolution styles (Gudykunst, 2004). As I navigated my dual cultural landscapes, I increasingly appreciated the importance of adapting my conflict resolution methods to foster understanding and cooperation.
The Role of Communication in Resolving Conflicts
Effective intercultural conflict resolution relies heavily on communication competence, which encompasses both understanding and adapting to the communicative norms of others (Neuliep, 2018). Since my personal conflict resolution strategy shifted over time, I realized the value of not only expressing my thoughts clearly but also of tailoring my communication style to the cultural context of my interlocutors. This adaptability is supported by frameworks such as Anxiety/Uncertainty Management Theory, which promotes the notion that increased familiarity with other cultures leads to reduced uncertainty and anxiety in communication (Gudykunst, 2003).
Conclusion
Reflecting on my journey through conflict resolution, it is evident that cultural context plays a pivotal role in shaping one's approach. I have navigated from a direct and assertive style, rooted in frustration with avoidance, towards a more balanced and empathic approach reflective of both my cultural upbringing and broader social dynamics. The insights garnered from Neuliep’s work implore us to engage with empathy and adaptability to traverse the often complex terrain of intercultural conflicts. Understanding that resolution is not merely a matter of winning an argument but facilitating meaningful dialogue is crucial for fortifying relationships across cultural boundaries.
References
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