A few predominantly high-context cultures include Japan, China, Brazil, Argentina, and South Africa. Communicators in high-context cultures pay attention to more than the words spoken they also pay attention to interpersonal relationships, nonverbal expressions, physical settings, and social settings. High-context cultures usually do not have rules that are explicitly written or stated. Low context is a communication environment that doesn't heavily rely on common understanding such as shared culture, experiences and norms.This can be contrasted with high context communication that relies on common background or understanding. Low context communication is more common in the English speaking world, whereas high context communication is more common in Eastern cultures such as Japan and China. Routledge. Cultural contexts are not absolutely "high" or "low". People have many acquaintances they have fewer close friends. Amount of Detail Expected - High-context cultures such as Japan, China, and France provide little details in their writing. The High Context / Low Context cultural dimension is a broad and far reaching theory which touches on many aspects of cultural communication including verbal and non-verbal messaging, internal and external locus of control, inward and outward reaction, cohesion of groups, people's bonds and commitments, as well . "[17] On the other hand, he identified countries such as Germany, the United States and Scandinavia as low-context cultures. Focusing on tradition creates opportunities for higher-context messages between individuals of each new generation, and the high-context culture feeds back to the stability hence allows the tradition to be maintained. In contrast, the use of restricted codes indicates that speakers and listeners do share a great deal of common background and perspectives, and hence much more can be taken for granted, and thus expressed implicitly or through nuance: restricted codes tend to be more context-dependent. [32] Since all sets of cultures differ, especially from a global standpoint where language also creates a barrier for communication, social interactions specific to a culture normally require a range of appropriate communication abilities that an opposing culture may not understand or know about. She found out that in high-context countries, the advertising campaigns used more colors, movements, and sounds to provide context. High context cultures have a communication style based on body language, tone, and overall context; while low context cultures are more straightforward and explicit in communication. Verbal message is direct; one spells things out exactly. Due to this shared understanding, high-context cultures are slightly more informal. The general terms "high context" and "low context" (popularized by Edward Hall) are used to describe broad-brush cultural differences between societies. High vs. Low Power Distance Cultural Communications | What are High and Low Power Distance Cultural Communications? [33] This significance follows into many situations such as the workplace, which can be prone to diversified cultures and opportunities for collaboration and working together. What are the effects on the communication process? Low context implies that a lot of information is exchanged explicitly through the message itself and rarely is anything implicit or hidden.People in low context cultures such as the UK tend to have short-term relationships, follow rules and standards closely and are generally very task-oriented. All other trademarks and copyrights are the property of their respective owners. Members of the culture place emphasis on interpersonal relationships. Asia, Africa, Latin America, and central Europe are predominantly countries with a high context culture. What is an Interculturally Effective Person (IEP)? Most of the contexting categories simply have not been researched enough to make firm conclusions. It relies on the straightforward use of language, without depending much on nonverbal cues. In Mexico's high context culture, communication is . Anchor Press/Doubleday. Because directness may be thought of as disrespectful, discussions in high-context cultures can be circuitous, circling key issues rather than addressing them head-on. - 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. Because of this, many features of cultural behavior in high-context cultures, such as individual roles and expectations, do not need much detailed or thought-out explanation. [18] A trade language will typically need to explicitly explain more of the context than a dialect which can assume a high level of shared context. High-context cultures include close-knit groups of people, while low-context cultures are generally more diverse. It can imply understanding or agreement, but it can also mean their conversea lack of certainty. Beyond Culture. Examples of low-context cultures include the United States, Australia, and many Western countries. Because low-context communication concerns more direct messages, the meaning of these messages is more dependent on the words being spoken rather than on the interpretation of more subtle or unspoken cues. What is culture? The preferred way of solving problems and learning is in groups. Its like a teacher waved a magic wand and did the work for me. Your email address will not be published. The use of an elaborated code indicates that speaker and listener do not share significant amounts of common knowledge, and hence they may need to "spell out" their ideas more fully: elaborated codes tend to be more context-independent. The results show significant differences between the American, Chinese, and Korean samples on 15 out of 16 items, with 11 items significant at the .01 level, one at the .05 level, and three at the .10 level. Ramos suggests that "in low context culture, communication members' communication must be more explicit. The composite score also indicates a significant difference among the three samples at the .01 level. The differences between high-context and low-context cultures is one of the most challenging things to navigate and one of the most important and distinct differences that exists across cultures. Table 2 shows a classification of countries in low and high context, their characteristics and the expected role . For example, if you have ever been to a family gathering, then you have experience with a high-context culture. Moving from high-context communication to low-context communication or vice versa is challenging for students. Rules are not directly or explicitly written or stated. Low-context communicators dont need to be provided with much background information, but they do expect messages to be professional, efficient, and linear in their logic. The designation "high and low context culture" broadly refers to the way people communicate in cultures. people generally use. (2012). Pages: 3. Eye contact, for example, which is encouraged in North America, may have ambiguous meaning or be considered disrespectful in certain high-context cultures. It describes the level of explicit information and the importance of context in a given culture, indicating the range of communicative abilities (verbal messages, gestures, etc.) Learn what high context culture is. [35], The concepts of collectivism and individualism have been applied to high- and low-context cultures by Dutch psychologist Geert Hofstede in his Cultural Dimensions Theory. Interaction. Trust High context cultures and situations may extend significant trust to members. Identify your style Before implementing effective communication practices across cultures, identify your own style: After you have finished with this lesson, you should be able to: To unlock this lesson you must be a Study.com Member. Low-context cultures (such as those in North America and Western Europe) depend less on the environment of a situation to convey meaning than do high-context cultures (such as those in Japan, China, and Arab countries). After completing this chapter, you will be able to: Now that we know, broadly, what culture is, lets discuss some ways to categorize aspects of different cultures. Examples of high context cultures include many Asian, African, and Latin American countries, as well as some European cultures such as Spain and Italy. Individualism may lead to communicating to all people in a group in the same way, rather than offering hierarchical respect to certain members. [4] The model of high-context and low-context cultures offers a popular framework in intercultural-communication studies, but has been criticized as lacking empirical validation. Low-context cultures tend to focus more on the individual than the group, which is why they value individualism and autonomy. . In high context cultures like Native American tribes, Japan, China, and Arabic countries, communication is curvilinear, and often what is left unsaid is just as important than what is, and there is more flexibility with time and looser schedules. Wurtz found something similar while analyzing website design. For the processing of complex messages, the perspective of context theory is very relevant. classifications are discussed below. 2. These experiences inclu. With this regard, America culture is a low-context . For example, the Native Americans in the United States rely heavily on their tradition. 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. High-context cultures: Much of the society's communication takes place through . These include specific forms of body language, the social or familial status of an individual, and the tone of voice employed during speech. Communicators in low-context cultures (such as those in North America, Scandinavia, and Germany) depend little on the context of a situation to convey their meaning. 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. The aim of this report is to evaluate the concept of different communication cultures through the application of Hall's high and low-context model of culture. Answer (1 of 2): Examples of high context countries include: Japan, China, and the Arab countries. Plus, get practice tests, quizzes, and personalized coaching to help you Seekprofessional input on your specific circumstances. In a low-context culture, the onus for communication lies with the speaker. 231 lessons. However, the concept may also apply to corporations, professions and other cultural groups, as well as to settings such as online and offline communication. High-context cultures: Japan, South Korea, Indonesia, China, India, and Saudi Arabia are some of the highest-context cultures in the world. High context culture is common wherever there is a relationship between people. Contents show Low Context Culture Definition Edward T. Hall describes low-context culture as one in which: Traditionally, Western cultures are known for being more individualistic or communicating with a low context style. High-context cultures are collectivist, value interpersonal relationships, and have members that form stable, close relationships. Some recognized examples include: Higher-context culture: China, India, Korea, Japan, other Asian countries, Saudi Arabia, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Iran, Mauritania, Oman, and Yemen, African countries such as Tanzania, Kenya, Zimbabwe and Nigeria, Latin America, the Pacific islands, France, Greece, Finland, Ireland, Italy, and Russia. In his model, context refers to the stimuli, environment, or ambiance surrounding an event. Watch this video from international business expert Erin Meyer [1]. What is high and low context culture examples? [25], The categories of context cultures are not totally separate. From each culture, 96 business managers were surveyed for the American and Chinese sample and 50 managers were surveyed from Korea. Whereas low-context cultures prefer more words (to a certain extent), high-context cultures prefer more images. I would definitely recommend Study.com to my colleagues. ), Hall, E. T.; Hall, M. R. (1990). In other words, the relationship between directness and contexting based on traditional classifications of [high-context] and [low-context] cultures is particularly tenuous. The continuum pictures how people communicate with others through their range of communication abilities: utilizing gestures, relations, body language . Create your account. In the 1970's, anthropologist Edward T. Hall coined the phrases "high-context culture" and "low- context culture.". The review process on Helpful Professor involves having a PhD level expert fact check, edit, and contribute to articles. In. In this context, we will discuss those topics also. They often use written contracts and agreements to clarify expectations (Gudykunst & Ting-Toomey, 1988). [38] By contrast, low-context cultures tend to change more rapidly and drastically, allowing extension[definition needed] to happen at faster rates. A high-context culture is one in which communication may be more unspoken rather than explicit - for example, much attention is paid to body language, facial expressions, and other non-verbal cues in order to discern a speaker's meaning. Conclusions are explicitly stated. When a part of these groups, a low-context individual may be more drawn to interpersonal relationships with others than focusing on their own accomplishments and do not require information to be elaborated because they maintain an understanding of group behaviors. Listen to business speaker Erin Meyer explain how cultural differences can affect communication. succeed. ", "Communication: intercultural communication. A high-context culture is a culture or society that communicates dominantly through the use of contextual elements, such as specific forms of body language, the status of an individual, and the tone of voice employed during speech. Examples of high-context cultures include Asian, African, Latin American, and some European countries. Guffey, D. Lowey, K. Rhodes, K., & P. Rogin. Culture also affects how individuals interpret other people's facial expressions. High-context cultures are those in which the rules of communication are primarily transmitted through the use of contextual elements (i.e., body language, a person's status, and tone of voice) and are not explicitly stated. ", Last edited on 27 February 2023, at 23:13, http://db19.linccweb.org/login?url=https://search.credoreference.com/content/entry/rowmandasj/high_context/0, "Intercultural Communication on Web sites: A Cross-Cultural Analysis of Web sites from High-Context Cultures and Low-Context Cultures", "The Influence of High- and Low-Context Communication Styles On the Design, Content, and Language of Business-To-Business Web Sites", "The Influence of High-/Low-Context Culture on Perceived Ad Complexity and Liking", "Communication Style and Cultural Features in High/Low Context Communication Cultures: A Case Study of Finland, Japan and India", 10.1002/(SICI)1520-6793(199809)15:6<507::AID-MAR2>3.0.CO;2-A, "Communicational Features in High/Low Context Organizational Culture: A Case Study of Romania and Russia", "low-context and high-context communication", https://search.credoreference.com/content/entry/dictmedia/communication_intercultural_communication/0, "Communication: intercultural communication", "Managing conflict in global teams: 4 keys to leveraging cultural differences in diverse teams", "International communication 101: staying on the right side of culture", "Individualism, Collectivism, High And Low Context", "Discovering cultural differences (and similarities) in facial expressions of emotion", "The Human Face as a Dynamic Tool for Social Communication", https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=High-context_and_low-context_cultures&oldid=1141991389, This page was last edited on 27 February 2023, at 23:13. These rules of communication are understood without being explicitly stated. For example, in one country a cow is seen as leather, in another one - as a deity and in another one as dinner. Low-context culture refers to a culture that communicates explicitly. They rely less on the shared values/assumptions of the group and the context of the situation. [33] Conversely, in cultural groups with low context, where people share less common knowledge or 'value individuality above group identification', elaborated codes are necessary to avoid misunderstanding. [31], Between each type of culture context, there will be forms of miscommunication because of the difference in gestures, social cues, and intercultural adjustments; however, it is important to recognize these differences and learn how to avoid miscommunication to benefit certain situations. (The pedestrians example) Since they value collectivism and interdependence, it makes sense that their communication requires an understanding of the communitys shared values. Culture is a combination of our thoughts, roles, manners, values, etc. An in-depth understanding of cultural norms is not required because the communication is explicit. [10] In low-context cultures, relationships are not viewed as important figures to identity. Researchers today are using it greatly to study different cultures all over the world. Message is carried more by words than by nonverbal means. Culture and Interpersonal Communication. In S. Thompson (ed. [6] How does her experience in Japan demonstrate what youve learned so far about the different dimensions of culture? How Do I Format and Cite Long Direct Quotes? - Effects & Types, Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs): Definition, effects & Types, Trepanning: Tools, Specialties & Definition, What is Pseudoephedrine? Cultural communications are highly important to understand for a number of reasons and the concept of high-context vs. low-context culture was first elaborated by anthropologist Edward T. Hall in 1976. 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. Overall, this study provides further evidence to support the high versus low-context culture concepts with Chinese, Korean, and American participants. Flowery language, humility, and elaborate apologies are typical. High context is where the groups of people or societies in which individuals have had close links in the course of a long period. [24] The table shows the major differences and similarities between individual queries. Learn more about how Pressbooks supports open publishing practices. Emphasis on verbal vs. non-verbal communications, the existence of close personal space, emphasis on collectivism and ingroup learning and achievements, and the importance of interpersonal relationships are but a few of the most significant distinguishing factors. The Nine Competencies that Characterize an IEP, Diversity in the Workplace: Benefits and Obstacles, Intercultural Communication in the Workplace, Additional Resources to Help you Format your Paper in APA Style. Relationships are easy to build, can start very quickly but end just as soon. 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. Trust must be developed before business transactions can begin. Some common characteristics of high-context cultures include: Though the United States has a low-context culture, we have all been placed in situations that are considered high-context. Family gatherings, religious congregations, and other social outings with a close-knit group of people are forms of high-context communications that take place regularly in most cultures. Communicating with high-context cultures can require you to focus on politeness strategies that demonstrate your respect for readers and listeners. A few relevant examples of differences in communication between low- and high-context cultures are found in Table 1. High-context cultures also value group harmony above individual achievement. A low-context culture is a culture in which people communicate explicitly. When individuals from high-context and low-context cultures collaborate, there are often difficulties that occur during the exchange of information. Want to create or adapt books like this? However, this type of segregation is not rigid, but takes the form of a gradient since the contextual base of a culture is not a quantifiable but relative concept. China, Japan, Turkey, and Mexico are some countries that lean towards high-context. Examples of low-context cultures include the United States, Australia, and many European countries. While in high context cultures, communication is done primarily through nonverbal mediums and gestures, in low context cultures, information is vested explicitly so that there is no risk of confusion. We know that the way in which we say things at these gatherings is more important than what we say. 3. Type of paper: Research Paper. Their communication is often indirect and requires a nuanced understanding, so outsiders might find it more difficult to enter their culture. High-context communications typically take place in a collectivist setting, or within a large group of people who share similar goals, values, or norms (ingroups). Try refreshing the page, or contact customer support. "[27] This implies that communication is quite direct and detailed because members of the culture are not expected to have knowledge of each other's histories, past experience or background. ; it is the way we communicate, do business and see the world. France is a high-context culture. 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. Both often take many aspects of the other's cultural communication abilities and strengths into account. [26] The terms high- and low-context cultures are not classified with strict individual characteristics or boundaries. We also make strong distinctions between those who are a part of our family and those who are not. [5]. People from low-context cultures value logic, facts, and directness. Figure \(\PageIndex{1}\): A graph which shows the level of context in various world cultures. Wurtz studied McDonalds online advertising in various countries such as Japan, Germany, the United States, etc. Examples of low-context cultures include Germany, Norway, Denmark, Sweden, Finland, Canada, and the United States. Members of ingroups usually share many characteristics and experiences. High-context cultures rely heavily on non-verbal cues, such as facial expressions, body language, tone of voice, etc. Lower-context culture: United States, Germany, Norway, Denmark, Switzerland, Sweden, Canada and other European nations. On the other hand, low-context culture does not have any such shared background. The American legal system, for example, relies on low context communication. [20][21], Cultural context can also shift and evolve. An understanding of external cultures also leads to a better acceptance of diversity, a reduction in confusion and anxiety from misinterpreted communications, and a more effective means of intercultural collaboration. Hall is also credited for developing the idea of chronemics, or the study of the use of time during nonverbal communications. He studied English literature at the University of Delhi and Jawaharlal Nehru University. Low-context cultures (including North America and much of Western Europe) are logical, linear, individualistic, and action-oriented. Examples of a low context communication cultures include The United States, the UK, Switzerland, Canada and Germany. 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 The terms low-context and high-context usually refer to language groups or nationalities. Also remember that although cultures are different from one another, no culture or cultural characteristic is better or worse than any other. The GLOBE Project Overview & Behavior Styles | What is the GLOBE Project? All the advice on this site is general in nature. We cite peer reviewed academic articles wherever possible and reference our sources at the end of our articles. [32] Awareness of miscommunication between high- and low-context cultures within the workplace or intercultural communication settings advocates for collected unification within a group through the flexibility and ability to understand one another. Because of this, communication can change drastically from one generation to the next, creating communication gaps between parents and children. What is low context cultural communication? As such, high-context cultures tend to cater to the development and promotion of ingroups, which are groups that we belong to and are loyal to, including families, cultures, and religious congregations. Instead, they depend on the explicit code of the words and written rules to convey meaning. High-context communication tends to be more indirect and more formal. [7][8] Denotation tends to be attributed to low-context culture[9] People in low-context cultures communicate in a more direct way, with explicitly speaking what they want to communicate. [42] The images found on the websites used in the study promoted individualistic and collectivist characteristics within the low-context and high-context websites, respectively. In a 2008 meta-analysis of 224 articles published between 1990 and 2006, Peter W. Cardon wrote: [T]he theory was never described by Hall with any empirical rigor, and no known research involving any instrument or measure of contexting validates it. Language may be used to achieve goals or exchange information. This concept was introduced by Edward T. Hall, an anthropologist back in 1976. Members of high-context cultures usually have close relationships that last for an extended period of time. 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 . [1] In low context, communication members' communication must be more explicit, direct, and elaborate because individuals are not expected to have knowledge of each other's histories or background, and communication is not necessarily shaped by long-standing relationships between speakers. You can find his work on The Print, Live Wire, and YouTube. Generally, the situation, people, and non-verbal elements are more important than the actual words that are communicated in a high-context culture. High-context cultures are built on a sense of shared experiences and history. Disagreement is depersonalized. Depending on the amount of information conveyed, cultures are classified as being high-context and low-context. Family gatherings and interactions with people from high-context cultures are two examples of scenarios in which Americans participate in high-context communications, largely because they are with close-knit groups of people who share similar values, rules, and norms. Negotiators basically say what they mean. Mostly, western cultures are low context cultures like the UK, Australia, and the United States. The United States, on the other hand, is considered a low-context culture, relying largely on explicit verbal explanations to keep everyone on the same page. The situation, people, and non-verbal elements are more important than the actual words that are communicated. Within high-context cultures, people rely on their networks of friends and family, viewing their relationships as part of one large community. This makes high-context cultures difficult to navigate for those who do not understand the culture's unwritten rules. Teachers can illustrate the differences between high- and low- context cultures by providing examples of behaviors.