People are comfortable standing close to each other. In Mexico's high context culture, communication is . Unlike the linear communication style preferred in low-context cultures, high-context communicators may use spiral logic, circling around a topic indirectly and looking at it from many tangential or divergent viewpoints. With this regard, America culture is a low-context . Low context cultures emphasize individuality and tasks. Information is transmitted not through words alone but also through non-verbal cues such as gestures, voice inflection, and facial expression, which can have different meanings in different cultures. In high-context cultures, language may be used to assist and maintain relationship-building and to focus on process. [41] One study on McDonald's online advertising compared Japan, China, Korea, Hong Kong, Pakistan, Germany, Denmark, Sweden, Norway, Finland, and the United States, and found that in high-context countries, the advertising used more colors, movements, and sounds to give context, while in low-context cultures the advertising focused more on verbal information and linear processes. For example, if you have ever been to a family gathering, then you have experience with a high-context culture. [2] Collectivist societies prioritize the group over the individual, and vice versa for individualist ones. Discover high context culture examples, and identify the importance of high context vs. low context communication. [15] In contrast, scientists working with living systems need to include more context because there can be significant variables which impact the research outcomes. It further attempts to draw parallels between face-to-face communication and communication on the web by looking at communication rules and patterns in high-context cultures and comparing and contrasting them to the . There are smaller communities and specific settings within national/linguistic cultures, and they may exhibit different communication patterns. Sourabh Yadav (MA) and Peer Reviewed by Chris Drew (PhD), Bureaucratization (Sociology): Definition, Features, Origins, Stereotype Content Model: Examples and Definition. Cite this Article in your Essay (APA Style), Privacy PolicyTerms and ConditionsDisclaimerAccessibility StatementVideo Transcripts. A simplified example mentioned by Hall is that scientists working in "hard science" fields (like chemistry and physics) tend to have lower-context cultures: because their knowledge and models have fewer variables, they will typically include less context for each event they describe. These experiences inclu. A first step in achieving this goal is to identify one's own culture before delving into the rigors of another. Meyer defines low-context cultures as cultures where people communicate and receive messages at face value. These rules of communication are understood without being explicitly stated. Information has to be explicit and detailed for the message to be conveyed without distortion. Examples of high-context cultures include China, India, and many non-Western societies. [36], Individualistic cultures promote the development of individual values and independent social groups. Members of high-context cultures are relatively comfortable interacting with others because a close-knit community has been formed, such as that of a family or religious congregation. Germany, Sweden, and the United States are generally classified as low-context cultures. Conclusions are explicitly stated. Reviewers ensure all content reflects expert academic consensus and is backed up with reference to academic studies. Eye contact, for example, which is encouraged in North America, may have ambiguous meaning or be considered disrespectful in certain high-context cultures. Ramos, D. C. (2014). A 2005 study by Elizabeth Wurtz demonstrates how cultural differences shape marketing and advertising. (2012). These are some important high-context culture characteristics to look out for. The Encyclopedia of Diversity and Social Justice states that, "high context defines cultures that are relational and collectivist, and which most highlight interpersonal relationships. for only $11.00 $9.35/page. It is important to note that no culture is completely high-context or low-context, since all societies contain at least some parts that are both high and low. Guffey, M.E., Lowey, D., Rhodes, K., & Rogin, P. (2013). Relationships are easy to build, can start very quickly but end just as soon. ; it is the way we communicate, do business and see the world. Carolyn Meyer (2017)[4]discusses the prototypes for communication in low-context and high-context cultures: Communicators in low-context cultures (such as those in Germany, Scandinavia, and North America) convey their meaning exclusive of the context of a situation. We have close, personal relationships with our relatives. [19] This has been expanded to further countries by Sheposh & Shaista. Members of ingroups usually share many characteristics and experiences. Mostly, western cultures are low context cultures like the UK, Australia, and the United States. High context is where the groups of people or societies in which individuals have had close links in the course of a long period. low-context communication is "the mass of information is vested in the explicit code". Establishing relationships is an important part of communicating and interacting. Create your account. [37] Because individualistic cultures may value cultural diversity, a more explicit way of communicating is often required to avoid misunderstanding. The Self in a Social Context: Help and Review, Figure-Ground Perception: Definition & Examples, Psychological Research & Experimental Design, All Teacher Certification Test Prep Courses, High Context vs. Low Context Characteristics, Introduction to Social Psychology: Help and Review, Research Methods and Ethics: Help and Review, Social Cognition & Perception: Help and Review, The Self: Executive and Organizational Functions & Gender and Cultural Differences, Introspection and Self-Awareness Theory in Psychology: Definition & Examples, Self-Perception Theory: Definition and Examples, Intrinsic and Extrinsic Motivation in Education: Definition & Examples, Two-Factor Theory of Emotions: Definition and Relation to the Misattribution of Arousal, Social-Comparison Theory: Upward vs. Want to create or adapt books like this? Edward Hall is a famous theorist and anthropologist who has contributed a renowned theory of high- and low-context cultures to facilitate students, researchers . 3. Neuliup, J. W. (2011). Cultural differences in advertising and marketing may also be explained through high- and low-context cultures. Wurtz found something similar while analyzing website design. [1] "High-" and "low-" context cultures typically refer to language groups, nationalities, or regional communities. A few predominantly high-context cultures include Japan, China, Brazil, Argentina, and South Africa. The review process on Helpful Professor involves having a PhD level expert fact check, edit, and contribute to articles. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. High-context cultures: Much of the society's communication takes place through . Create your account, 10 chapters | In Low Context Culture it is normal to be self reliant and yet have many relationships. Explain the differences between high- and low-context cultures, giving examples of each. In other words, high-context communicators attach great importance to everything that surrounds the explicit message, including interpersonal relationships, non-verbal cues, and physical and social settings. Unlike low-context cultures, high-context cultures prioritize the group over the individual (Hofstede, 1984). Not only is the page itself busier . The author states that Japan is a high context culture because they have every decision based on their culture and France is both a high and low mixture finally low context example is America. Examples of low-context cultures include Germany, Norway, Denmark, Sweden, Finland, Canada, and the United States. the study of body movement including gestures, hand, arm, and leg movements, facial expressions, eye contact, and stance or posture Low-context message a message where the message is encoded in the words used or in the verbal expression and not as much in the context Masculinity-Femininity People from low-context cultures value logic, facts, and directness. All articles are edited by a PhD level academic. The high and low context cultures in this concept refers to how important contextual cues are in interpreting a message. Conflict Styles and HighLow Context Cultures: A Cross-Cultural Extension. Teachers can illustrate the differences between high- and low- context cultures by providing examples of behaviors. Published: 2020/12/03. The continuum pictures how people communicate with others through their range of communication abilities: utilizing gestures, relations, body language . For example, a low-context communicator can say, "I am unhappy with this outcome and . In low-context countries, things need to be spelled out a bit more. - Uses & Side Effects, Working Scholars Bringing Tuition-Free College to the Community, Japan, China, Korea, and many other countries in Asia, Brazil, Peru, Argentina, and some other countries in South America, Tribal groups and most nations in Africa, such as Kenya, Iraq, Iran, and other countries located in the Middle East. The American legal system, for example, relies on low context communication. The preferred way of solving problems and learning is in groups. They place a high value on interpersonal relationships and group members are a very close-knit community. Japan and other countries located in Asia, Brazil and other countries located in South America, African tribal groups and most countries located in Africa, A majority of the Middle East, including Iraq and Iran, Describe Edward T. Hall's characterization of high-context cultures, Distinguish between high-context and low-context cultures, Explain the characteristics of high-context cultures, Recall the importance of ingroups to high-context cultures. They often use written contracts and agreements to clarify expectations (Gudykunst & Ting-Toomey, 1988). Cultural contexts are not absolutely "high" or "low". succeed. Both the speaker and listener act under the assumption that all relevant information has been explicitly stated. Topic: Culture, Context, Communication, Middle East, Business, Conflict, People, Relationships. Intercultural communication. High-context cultures also value group harmony above individual achievement. Moving from high-context communication to low-context communication or vice versa is challenging for students. Besides cultural context, personal experiences and preferences also shape communication. Indeed, Vietnamese communication style has all the characteristics of highcontext cultures, such as indirect and digressive communication, use of few words, reliance on contextual cues, avoidance of the use of personal names, respect for long silences, and waiting politely until the other person has stopped speaking before taking turns. Journal of Computer-Mediated Communication. (The pedestrians example) In this context, we will discuss those topics also. [39][40] In high-context cultures, facial expressions and gestures take on greater importance in conveying and understanding a message, and the receiver may require more cultural context to understand "basic" displays of emotions. On the other hand, low-context culture does not have any such shared background. They also displayed pictures of individuals, while high-context websites foregrounded group pictures. [22], The concept of elaborated and restricted codes was introduced by sociologist Basil Bernstein in his book Class, Codes and Control. Guffey, D. Lowey, K. Rhodes, K., & P. Rogin. Low and High Context Culture. 231 lessons. [13] Not all individuals in a culture can be defined by cultural stereotypes, and there will be variations within a national culture in different settings. Enrolling in a course lets you earn progress by passing quizzes and exams. However, no country is low-context or high-context in absolute terms; instead, there is a mix of explicit & implicit communication everywhere. They are considered less direct, and they put a lot of weight on gestures and body language to draw significance from messages. Examples of low context cultures include: Scandinavia; Germany, and the US. ", "Communication: intercultural communication. "High context". In contrast, take a look at the ads on the front page of Weibo, which is considered China's version of Facebook. Meaning depends on what is said- the literal content of the message- rather than how it is said. [34], Restricted codes are commonly used in high-context culture groups, where group members share the same cultural background and can easily understand the implicit meanings "between the lines" without further elaboration. Intercultural Communication on Websites: A Cross-Cultural Analysis of Websites from High-Context Cultures and Low-Context Cultures. Effectively communicating within this culture, therefore, requires messaging that is perceived as objective, professional, and efficient. France is a high-context culture. The composite score also indicates a significant difference among the three samples at the .01 level. Researchers today are using it greatly to study different cultures all over the world. Language may be used to achieve goals or exchange information. If you want to appear polite, you need to be willing to greet strangers and thank . Cultures and languages are defined as higher or lower context on a spectrum. Low-context cultures tend to be logical, analytical, action-oriented, and concerned with the individual. Hall, E. T. (1976). [42] In a case study conducted by the IT University of Copenhagen, it was found that websites catering to high-context cultures tended to have more detailed and advanced designs, including various images and animations. For example, in one country a cow is seen as leather, in another one - as a deity and in another one as dinner. Order now. Masculine vs. Feminine Cultures: Distinctions & Communication Styles. [24] The table shows the major differences and similarities between individual queries. As a result of these years of interacting with one another, the members know what the rules are, how to think, and how to behave, so the rules do not have to be explicitly stated. Hofstede, G. (1984). Since North American business practices tend to follow low-context norms, most of us are more familiar with this system than we are with high-context cultures. About The Helpful Professor Wurtz, Elizabeth (2005). The difference between High and Low Context Culture is that Low Context Cultures (Individualistic Cultures) do not need a lot of additional (Contextual) information to engage in " communication ".