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The context of interpersonal relationships: Why do high culture value group harmony?
In today's globalized society, understanding cultural differences and communication styles is crucial to promoting good interpersonal and business interactions. Among them, the concepts of high culture and low culture have become an important framework for understanding different communication styles. Anthropologist Edward T. Hall first proposed this theory in 1959, stating that high cultures are characterized by their emphasis on group harmony and relationships among members, while low cultures are more For individualism and direct communication style.
High culture represents a relationship-oriented communication, and members often rely on each other's tacit understanding.
Characteristics of high culture
High cultures are typically relational and collectivistic, in which members view relationships with one another as part of an intertwined fabric. People pay more attention to non-verbal communication, such as changes in body movements, facial expressions and tone of voice, which are indispensable elements in communication. This culture emphasizes harmony and places a higher value on the well-being of the group.
Characteristics of low culture
Compared with high culture, members of low culture are usually more direct in communication and do not rely on implicit social background or prior understanding when expressing opinions and needs. In low cultures, clear and specific language is necessary because members have limited background knowledge of each other.
Communication in low cultures focuses on clear expression, and the more direct it is, the less misunderstandings it can reduce.
Interaction between cultures
When people with high culture and low culture interact, communication misunderstandings often occur. For example, individuals from high-culture backgrounds may view low-culture members as too cold or unfriendly, while low-culture members may view high-culture members as too dominant or impolite. This demonstrates the importance of understanding cultural context to facilitate effective communication.
Case Study
In a study of the United States, China, and South Korea, the results showed that American business managers have significantly different communication styles from those in China and South Korea. Managers in the United States show low cultural traits, preferring explicit and direct modes of communication, whereas managers in China and South Korea display higher cultural traits, favoring implicit and indirect methods.
Cultural differences are particularly evident in the communication effects in business environments.
Cultural context in digital communication
In the digital age, symbols and emoticons have become important tools for cross-cultural communication. Highly literate users are likely to use these tools to enhance the effectiveness of their communications, while low literate users are likely to rely less on these means. This reminds us that we need to pay special attention to the clarity of communication in digital communication between different cultures.
Summary
Overall, the understanding of culture is not only the distinction between high culture and low culture, but also a profound insight into interpersonal relationships and communication styles. How to establish harmonious relationships in a multicultural environment is worth thinking and practicing by each of us. Especially in today's globalized environment, how can we find a balance between high culture and low culture?
