The Impact of Culture on Communication

Effective communication is crucial for individuals to express their feelings, ideas, and thoughts. However, communication can be influenced by various factors, one of which is cultural differences. Cultural background and practices shape how individuals communicate and relate to one another (DeVito, 2019). Culture encompasses traits, beliefs, norms, traditions, and values that a particular group of people holds to be true and acceptable. It can be passed down from one generation to another and may have further subdivisions based on factors like religion, ethnicity, and social status. When individuals belong to the same culture, they often share a common way of thinking and communicating verbally and non-verbally. However, due to the diversity of cultures, these differences can impact an individual's confidence in communicating with other cultures. Therefore, it is important for people to understand and respect cultural differences in order to communicate effectively. Cultural sensitivity, which involves recognizing and respecting other cultures, is crucial when interacting with people from diverse cultural practices.

There are several strategies that can be adopted to demonstrate cultural sensitivity in the context of human services. Seeking consent before physical contact or using inclusive language instead of being personal are effective ways to show respect for personal privacy and cultural differences. Additionally, asking individuals for their preferred pronouns and correct pronunciation helps to embrace gender and cultural sensitivity. It is also important to be open to corrections and avoid defensiveness in order to learn more about diverse cultures (DeVito, 2019).

Orientation Assessment

Self-awareness plays a significant role in understanding one's communication orientation. In terms of my own orientation, I exhibit a high level of people-centered behavior. I prioritize considering the feelings, views, and opinions of others before thinking of myself. For example, in school, I assist my colleagues in understanding assignments instead of solely focusing on my own tasks. My greatest strength lies in my listening skills. I actively listen to others and give them the opportunity to express themselves, allowing me to find solutions to their problems. I also pay attention to non-verbal cues to better understand their feelings. Additionally, I conduct my own research to gain a better understanding of different cultures and their norms, ensuring that I communicate respectfully with individuals from diverse backgrounds.

My strengths in communication enable me to view life from different perspectives and provide tailored solutions based on a clear understanding of others' needs. However, there are areas I would like to improve upon. I aim to refrain from judging others after listening to them and become more adept at maintaining eye contact and paying attention to non-verbal expressions. To enhance my confidence, I will actively work on improving my public speaking skills.

The attitude of other-orientation also contributes to effective human service and interpersonal communication. By prioritizing others' perceptions, professionals in human services can create an atmosphere of open and honest communication, leading to greater client satisfaction. Recognizing and valuing the opinions and ideas of customers and allowing them to freely express themselves enhances interpersonal communication (Anderson-Lain, 2017). This other-orientation approach can foster proficiency and a strong personality among professionals in human services.

Relevant Resources

Cultural intelligence and self-awareness are essential aspects of interactive communication in client services. Cultural intelligence involves acknowledging and respecting diverse cultures, while self-awareness is crucial for understanding one's strengths and weaknesses in communication. These factors are not only important for relating to others but also for decision-making. Through culture and self-awareness, professionals can develop verbal and non-verbal communication skills to effectively interact with clients. Verbal skills, such as using simplicity strategies, help clients understand complex terminology. Professionals should also be aware of cultural differences in language and meaning. Non-verbal cues, such as facial expressions and body language, can convey emotions and affirmations (DeVito, 2019).

References

1. Anderson-Lain, K. (2017). Cultural Identity Forum: Enacting the Self-awareness Imperative in Intercultural Communication. Communication Teacher, 31(3), 131-136.
2. DeVito, J. A. (2019). The Interpersonal Communication Book. Instructor, 1, 18.