Intercultural Communication

Download or read book Intercultural Communication written by David Pinto and published by Maklu. This book was released on 2000 with total page 224 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: The Three-Step- method refers to obstacles that impede effective communication: We are often not fully aware of the norms, values and rules that we learn during our socialization. Every individual thus sees, perceives and interprets everything around him from the limited perspective of his own norms and values, of which he is only partially aware. As a result, the individual tends to regard his own norms and values as universal. People tend to attribute their own norms, values and perceptions to other people. People fail to make their own wishes, shortcomings and limits sufficiently clear to each other and / or fail to do so early enough, because of lack of familiarity with their own and other peoples communication codes, norms and values. In intercultural communication he finds that many obstacles have their origins in the differences of norms and values between different cultures. He provides the following three steps to deal with those obstacles: **Step 1** Getting to know ones own norms, values and behavioural codes. Which rules and codes influence ones ways of thinking, acting and communicating ? **Step 2** Getting to know the norms, values and behavioural codes of the other party. In doing so, opinions about the behaviour of the other party should be separated from facts. What is the meaning behind the unusual behaviour of the other party ? **Step 3** Determining how to deal with the observed differences in norms, values and behavioural codes in the given situation. Each party should establish the extent to which he is willing to adjust to and accept the behaviour of the other party. These limits should be made clear to the other party, if possible in a timely fashion and in a way consistent with the communication codes of that party.