COMM 1000 1nd Edition Final Exam Study Guide 1. What is culture? What are some characteristics of culture? What is the difference between mainstream and co-cultures? Culture Definition: Way of life developed and shared by a group of people and passed down from generation to generationCharacteristics of Culture:- Widely held view that cultures are created through interactions- Cultures evolve and are not static- Culture is not part of biology (i.e., cannot tell culture by “looking at” someone)Mainstream Culture:- Basic culture that enables all of us to co-exist within a larger, single society.- In a diverse society like ours, it consists of:o The most common languageo The basic social institutionso Material artifacts and technology in useo Values to which most people subscribeCo-Culture (subculture):- Unique or specialized ways of thinking and speaking that characterize particular groups:o Racial and ethnic groupso Social classeso Regions of the country, religions, and so on2. Know the five dimensions along which all cultures vary. Be able to recognize examples of the different levels of each dimension. 1. Individualism/Collectivism-- Individualismo Individual goals emphasizedo Self-reliance, competition between individualso “I” identityo Speaking your mindo Direct, precise communication - Collectivismo Emphasizes group goalso Competition between groups, not individualso “We” identityo Avoid confrontation with in-groupo Indirect, imprecise communicationThese notes represent a detailed interpretation of the professor’s lecture. GradeBuddy is best used as a supplement to your own notes, not as a substitute.2. High/Low Context Cultures-- High Contexto Focus on nonverbalo Use contextual cues to interpret meaningo Indirectness—speak less, listen moreo Linked with collectivistic cultures- Low Contexto Not as much emphasis on NVB’so Direct and explicit comm.o Linked with Individualistic cultures3. Power Distance-- Higho Value placed on social status, birth order, and occupational/political rankings.o Less access to and direct communication with individuals of higher statuso Less likely to question authority figures- Lowo Equality valued as a way of lifeo No one inherently superioro Can speak to whomever they wanto More likely to question authority figures4. Masculinity/Femininity-- Masculinityo Value work, strength, competition, assertivenesso Sex roles more strictly defined- Femininityo Value affection, nurturance, compassion, interpersonal relationso Sex roles more flexible5. Uncertainty Avoidance- Higho Less tolerance for diversityo Like rules and predictable behavioro Like lots of info and little ambiguityo Belgium, Greece and Spain- Lowo More open to diversityo Tolerate change bettero Tolerate ambiguity bettero Canada, Jamaica, USA6. What is chronemics? - Use and experience of time- Cultures also vary on this dimension- Monochromic- don’t give much time to wait for someone; 10-15 minutes- Polychromic- not concerned about time and having to wait; an hour or two late- In west, we’re very time conscious and structured7. What are ethnocentrism and stereotyping? Ethnocentrism: using one’s own group and customs as “standard” to judge others rather than just one way of doing thingsStereotyping: assuming one characteristic is shared by ALL group members or one representative IS the group8. How do we define a small group according to lecture? What is group synergy? Collection of individuals who: work together interdependently on an agreed-upon activity or goal- Members identify themselves as belonging to the group- Members develop structure- Ideal size for small group is seven; anything more is less effectiveSynergy: performance of group exceeds capabilities of individual group members9. What is cohesiveness? What happens when cohesiveness increases? What about when group size increases? What would happen if a group was too cohesive? Definition: degree to which members desire to remain in the groupAs cohesiveness increases:- Psychological closeness- Signals commitment to group- Heightens interdependence- Influence group performance positivelyWhat happens as a group grows?- Seven is the ideal group- More than that is less effectiveToo cohesive: Groupthink- Faulty decision making resulting from lack of critical thinking- Disagreement is absent- Group members are highly cohesive- Group avoids ethical or moral issues- Group artificially limits alternatives- Members feel the group is infallible- Members protect one another from criticism- A group never intends to let groupthink occur- When it does:o Leader should foster full participation and solicit divergent opinionso Encourage full participation through decision-making procedure10. Small Group Communication – Group Roles – Different people can enact different roles at different times (read in book!)Task communication:- Verbal and nonverbal messages instrumental to accomplishing group tasks and activitieso Offer or request directiono Advance or ask about a belief or valueo Report or request facts, observations, or experiencesRelational (Group building/maintenance) communication:- Verbal and nonverbal messages that create social fabric of a group—essential to creating relationships among group memberso Demonstrate friendliness or unfriendlinesso Show tension or anxiety, or reduce ito Demonstrate agreement or disagreementIndividual roles (negative effects):- Aggressing- deflating the status of others, disapproving of the ideas or values of others, attacking the group or the problem it is attempting to solve, joking maliciously, resenting the contributions of others and/or trying to take credit for them- Blocking- resisting, disagreeing and opposing beyond reason; bringing up dead issues after they have been reject or bypassed by group- Recognition seeking- calling attention to oneself through boating, reporting on personal achievements, acting in inappropriate ways, fighting ways, fighting to keep from being placed in an inferior position- Self-confessing- using the group as an opportunity to express personal, non-group related feelings,insights, ideologies- Acting the jokester- showing a lack of involvement in the group’s task; displaying nonchalance, cynicism, horseplay and other kinds of “goofing off” behaviors- Dominating- trying to assert authority or superiority by manipulating others in the group;