high context and low context

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Worldview High Context and Low Context By YJ

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Page 1: High Context and Low Context

Worldview High Context and Low Context

By YJ

Page 2: High Context and Low Context

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Table of Contents

High Context vs. Low Context High Context Characteristics of High Context Low Context Characteristics of Low Context Hall’s High/Low-context Cultural Factors Higher Context Cultural Countries Lower Context Cultural Countries High and Low Context Professions Culture Adjustment: High to Low Culture Adjustment: Low to High

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High Context vs. Low Context

High-context is that “most of the information is either in the physical context or initialized in the person, while very little is in the coded, explicit, transmitted part of the message.” (Hall).

low-context communication is “the mass of information is

vested in the explicit code”. (Hall)

Images from celt.iastate.edu

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High Context

High context refers to societies or groups where people have close connections over a long period of time. Many aspects of cultural behavior are not made explicit because most members know what to do and what to think from years of interaction with each other.

(From http://culture-at-work.com)

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Characteristics of High Context

People are aware of who is accepted as a group member

Much formal information and rules are known, less requirement in writing

People know what the other person means by reading hidden cues.

Long lasting relationships Knowledge is confidential with

closer relationships Activities and decisions based on

rapport and personable relationships.

Authoritative figures are mostly in control

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Low Context

Low context refers to societies where people tend to have many connections but of shorter duration or for some specific reason. In these societies, cultural behavior and beliefs may need to be spelled out explicitly so that those coming into the cultural environment know how to behave. (From http://culture-at-work.com)

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Characteristics of Low Context

People play by clearly defined external rules

A clear pattern of activities Information is specific and

transparent Close relationships for a small

duration of time Knowledge is open and

transferable Focus on task and

responsibilities are shared Results are the top priority in

decision making

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Hall’s High/Low-context Cultural Factors

Factor  High-context culture Low-context culture

Overtness of messagesMany covert and implicit messages, with use of metaphor and reading between the lines.

Many overt and explicit messages that are simple and clear.

Locus of control and attribution for failure

Inner locus of control and personal acceptance for failure

Outer locus of control and blame of others for failure

 Use of non-verbal communication

Much nonverbal communicationMore focus on verbal communication than body language

Expression of reaction Reserved, inward reactionsVisible, external, outward reaction

Cohesion and separation of groups

Strong distinction between ingroup and outgroup. Strong sense of family.

Flexible and open grouping patterns, changing as needed

People bonds Strong people bonds with affiliation to family and community

Fragile bonds between people with little sense of loyalty.

Level of commitment to relationships

High commitment to long-term relationships.Relationship more important than task.

Low commitment to relationship. Task more important than relationships.

Flexibility of timeTime is open and flexible.Process is more important than product

Time is highly organized.Product is more important than process

From ChangingMinds.org

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Higher Context Cultural Countries

MexicoChina Japan

India

Brazil

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Lower Context Cultural Countries

America

Scandinavia

Swaziland

Germany

Australia

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High and Low Context Professions

Human Resources

Marketing/Sales

Manufacturing Products

Research and Development

Technical

Information Systems

Engineers

Finance

High

Context

Low Context

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Culture Adjustment: High to Low

Take at face value Direct

communication Focus on tasks Respect privacy

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Culture Adjustment: Low to High

Observe body language carefully

Save face Build relationships Think creatively

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