high context and low context
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Worldview High Context and Low Context
By YJ
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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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