The Role of Culture and Self-Awareness in Interpersonal Communication:

Culture helps in describing the people’s way of life, depending on their beliefs, values, and practices like religion and law. Culture is generally passed from a generation to the next through communication. Before attempting to understand people’s culture, the integration of interpersonal communication is essential. DeVito (2019) holds that interpersonal communication helps an individual to understand cognitive constraints and different types of barriers like physical and language obstacles that interfere with effective communication. The objective will be identifying the effect of culture on communication, assessing my other orientation, and identifying verbal and nonverbal communication approaches that could be applied in human service.

Impact of Culture on Communication

In this first step, understanding how culture impacts communication is essential. People build trust with others when they first understand other’s cultures to establish the most effective communication tool to use when interacting. Particular considerations that go in place are assessing factors like where, when, what to do, or how much to disclose influence effective communication. Such questions generally eliminate most of the assumptions that people make regarding different cultures globally. From such matters, it is possible to know the behavioral dimensions such as people’s values, norms, beliefs, and expectations (DeVito, 2019). From the identified beliefs, the level of trust and openness in communication differs, hence impacting the context in different cultures. This is another significant aspect that helps in determining the kind of message to deliver to various groups.

For professionals in the human service settings, they have to portray cultural sensitivity the most significant strategy is improving open-mindedness. This helps a human service professional to learn how to accept diverse communication practices from different cultures. For instance, cultures in East Asia like Taiwan, China, Korea, and Japan, among others, have a high-context level of communication. This means that their measure of how messages should be exchanged is high because they prefer non-verbal communication more than the verbal. The non-verbal communication, however, is less direct, and it might confuse people from other cultures if they do not understand what the gestures mean. By looking at the Chinese, for example, minimal eye contact when communicating is a sign of respect, but in western culture, this is a rude gesture. Martin and Nakayama (2013) explain that direct eye contact through communication shows confidence and sincerity. Generally, westerners are low-context cultures, and they prefer verbal communication, for it is straightforward, which helps people understand each other easily. Another strategy is training the human service professionals to communicate with clients and workers with diverse cultural backgrounds. This would also help the professionals learn how to appreciate art, customs, and behaviors of different groups, which is essential in human service settings.

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Assessment of Other Orientation

In my evaluation of my other-orientation, which is one measure of self-awareness, I try to consider other people’s perspectives and communication patterns. This helps me avoid making the “I am right statements,” which do not promote cultural sensitivity (DeVito, 2019). I also acknowledge the importance of other people, whereby I always ask for their views concerning solutions to problems. However, I recognize that I find it challenging, revealing appropriate facial cues, especially when I engage with individuals from different cultures. This challenges me to educate myself about the communication practices of diverse cultures like the Chinese. I have acquaintances from this group; therefore, I would want them to feel that I care about their feelings. I believe having the element of other orientation portrays one’s willingness to promote change by accepting the diverse values, beliefs, and practices of other people.

Personal Strengths and Improvement

Although I have a significant challenge of interpreting facial cues, I can also acknowledge the strength of having a high ambiguity tolerance. Regardless of the working or social settings that I find myself in, I am comfortable with the people surrounding me because I embrace diversity. This has enabled me to engage in unfamiliar tasks freely because I know the importance of seeking advice and working in teams to accomplish the tasks. Also, I communicate with empathy and listen attentively to understand the message from the other person. This has enabled me to show the people I interact with that I care about their emotions, perspectives, and I am curious to know more about them. However, one area I need to improve is learning the nonverbal communication patterns, as identified in my assessment reflection (DeVito, 2019). I believe this would assist me in having a more impactful conversation. In most cases, I always end up dumbfounded when I realize that I have used gestures that have different meanings in different cultures. For example, I once used a thumbs-up sign to show approval in a group activity; however, among the members was an individual from Bangladesh who told me that was an insult. I felt embarrassed since I did not mean any harm. Nevertheless, this was a lesson, and from the cultural awareness course, I am more than motivated to diversify extensively my knowledge concerning interpersonal communication.

Other Orientation and Interpersonal Communication

Generally, having an other-orientation attitude would improve interpersonal communication in human service. On this note, this would enable human service professionals to make their clients happy and comfortable when sharing their issues. Focusing on other people’s perspectives enhance interactions by encouraging an individual to portray traits like honesty and fairness. DeVito (2013) holds that these characteristics in human service influence the development of credibility strategies like competence and charisma. These are essential ethical elements among the professionals which encourage interpersonal communication. Hence, having an other-orientation attitude like acknowledging the beliefs and values of clients, allowing people to express themselves freely, and showing consideration promote interpersonal communication (Martin, 2015). Every client seeking aid from human service settings expect that customer-service delivery is customer-centered. This means that having the other orientation is an indicator that a human service worker appreciates people’s differences in terms of culture.

Also see: Effective Interpersonal-Communication

Culture and Self-Awareness in Interpersonal Communication

To deliver quality services, culture and self-awareness are two critical elements in interpersonal communication. For one, cultural literacy, competence, and cultural awareness are all components that promote cultural intelligence. Achieving this requires an individual to identify strategic ways of enhancing his or her self-awareness. Secondly, the extent to which one knows the strengths, weaknesses, thoughts, feelings, and personality tendencies allows him or her to have an in-depth understanding of how to handle others (Martin & Nakayama, 2013). Therefore, culture and self-awareness are critical in interpersonal communication. In this case, they shape how professionals should communicate, build relationships, make decisions, as well as address tasks. Additionally, both culture and self-awareness motivate individuals in human service settings to enhance metacommunication effective. DeVito (2019) emphasizes that metacommunication is essential in interpersonal communication that encourages people to practice their talk by explaining their feelings appropriately and using straightforward messages. Additionally, they learn how to seek clarification when they are not sure of the message being delivered by the other person. Therefore, having such considerations in interpersonal communication facilitates cultural sensitivity and inclusivity in human service.

Examples of Effective Verbal and Non-Verbal Communication Techniques

Granted that culture and self-awareness are critical in human service, professionals need to identify appropriate verbal and non-verbal communication strategies to apply when serving. A verbal communication technique that a human service professional could consider is extensionalize the message. Professionals are encouraged to distinguish between what exists in the real world and how people refer to objects, issues, and events, among others. Otherwise, treating words and objects as similar aspects prevents one from addressing specific matters that are in question. Another technique is recognizing change, considering that the meaning of words keeps changing. Hence, performing a regular update of the messages and evaluation of beliefs can help in demonstrating self-awareness and culture in human service settings. Additionally, non-verbal communication techniques are also essential, and one of them is conveying a smile to show interest, positivity, and even attention. However, DeVito (2019) illustrates that this should be done moderately; otherwise, overdoing would be perceived negatively. Another technique is using vocal variations to match the emotions being portrayed by the other person communicating. The difference could be in rate, pitch, rhythm, and volume, which again should not be overdone since this might disrupt the communication and also make the person talking to feel uncomfortable. Furthermore, nodding and leaning forward is an approach that is encouraged since it reveals that an individual is interested and is listening keenly to understand the message. When the professionals demonstrate these techniques in human service, they promote their reputation and that of the organization.

Conclusion

In conclusion, culture has a significant impact on communication, and it encourages human service professionals to have self-awareness. These are factors that improve interpersonal communication considering that in human service settings, there are clients from diverse cultures. These people have different needs, and the only way a worker can understand them is by taking an interest in knowing the verbal and nonverbal communication they use to help them. This encourages the concept of other orientation, which every professional should possess to avoid making assumptions of people from different cultures.

Reference

DeVito, J. A. (2019). The interpersonal communication book. Instructor, 1, 18. 

Martin, J. N., & Nakayama, T. K. (2013). Intercultural communication in contexts. New York,     NY: McGraw-Hill.

Martin, J. N. (2015). Revisiting intercultural communication competence: Where to go from here. International Journal of Intercultural Relations, 48, 6-8.

The Value of a Strategic Plan

An increasing number of nonprofit organizations are seeking accreditation from an outside source to demonstrate best practices to their stakeholders. This 300 words post seek to identify one key organization providing accreditation services to nonprofits and evaluate whether or not its accreditation matters in terms of demonstrating best practices.

Strategic planning is an essential process in for-profit or nonprofit organizations. By focusing on nonprofit organizations, many leaders understand the need for strategic planning since it influences capacity building and strategic performance (Worth, 2017). These leaders have a mandate of formulating strategies and identify tools or resources that can help the organization meet its goals. Careful planning, collaboration, and communication are crucial factors that stakeholders are expected to demonstrate during the formulation of a strategic plan. A strategic plan is of significant value, considering that it enables leaders to plan appropriately through critical decision-making. Still, through the plan, the management outlines ways of enhancing marketing and fundraising initiatives.

The value of a strategic plan cannot be overlooked, taking into account that leaders come together in making crucial decisions on how to meet the mission and vision of an organization (Worth, 2017). Without having a consensus, it can be challenging to create a strategic plan. This also helps reduce stress among the leaders since the plan clearly outlines the roles every stakeholder should play. Further, it points out the organization’s strengths, weaknesses, and frameworks that establish the direction an organization should follow to be successful. This increases operational efficiencies since the management discussions assist in aligning the agency’s functional activities.

Moreover, with a strategic plan, leaders in nonprofit organizations can enhance marketing and fundraising efforts. As illustrated by Worth (2017), the SWOT analysis helps the leaders identify the agency’s strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats. For instance, the evaluation of the opportunities influences the development of marketing fundraising strategies for boosting the agency’s mission. These strategies allow the agency to attract new supporters and even deepen the relationship with existing partisans. Once the marketing and fundraising strategies are formulated, the leaders can always refer or make amendments if they encounter challenges in the implementation phase.

Relationship Analysis

How does attraction happen and how do relationships form? Attraction and relationships are complex in that they are influenced by numerous factors, including, but not limited to, age and gender of the partners, stage of the relationship, and culture.

For this Assignment, you explore the elements of a relationship and the rules and expectations associated with them. You also examine what influences these elements and rules/expectations.

To prepare:

• Review Chapter 10 of your course text, Social Psychology, focusing on attachments in childhood and adulthood. Also focus on the factors involved in attraction, romantic love, relationship satisfaction, and romantic breakups.
• Review at least two of the journal articles in this week’s Learning Resources to explore aspects of attraction and romantic relationships in different cultures. (You do not have to read all of the articles.) Think about how people in a different culture might view and behave in relationships. Notice the similarities and differences between that culture and your own.

The Assignment (4-5 pages):

In a 4 to 5-page paper, analyze a personal relationship you have or have had (or a relationship of someone you know well). This relationship may be a romantic relationship or a friendship. Address the following:

• Briefly identify the type of relationship you are using as your example and describe each person’s attachment style.
• Select at least four concepts or theories from your readings that describe in more depth the relationship and/or how this relationship developed, was maintained, or ended. Analyze how these four concepts or theories relate to the relationship you have chosen to assess.
• Finally, select a culture presented in one of the articles listed and consider how that cultural context could impact your relationship. If one or both of the individuals in your relationship was from this other culture, would your four selected concepts or theories still apply in the same way? If not, what would differ? Would another concept or theory be more applicable, and why? Use information from, and cite, your selected article.

Probable Answer

Introduction

The issue concerning attraction and relationships is influenced by factors such as culture, gender and the age of partners as well as the level of the relationship. Healthy attachments begin in childhood whereby the baby develops an innate connection with a caregiver or parent who reliably meets the needs of the baby. However, when caregivers and parents do not meet the needs of the infants, this affects their future relationships. There are different types of relationships such as peer group relationships, intimate, professional, household relationships such as family, spouse, child, siblings and extended family relationships (Aronson, et al., 2016). The people in these relationships may develop different attachment styles such as secure, anxious, or avoidant attachments.

Analyzing my relationship

I have a close relationship with Moh, and our friendship began during our first year in college. We share similar likes in sports and crafts activities, and the same values on religion, priorities, and grades. What strengthens our relationship is love whereby based on the Hierarchy of Needs by Maslow, love is an essential aspect of any relationship. Still, we relate through empathy by understanding what each one of us goes through and the better part of it is that communication helps us to share our sad and happy moments. The companionship from our friendship has enhanced how we interact with one another and with other people.

From the description of my relationship, this confirms that the type of relationship that I have with Moh is the friendship relationship. Friendship is a strong interpersonal bond which provides emotional support, companionship and also promotes positive mental well-being as well as physical health. Based on the bond that strengthens our relationship, each one of us has the secure attachment style. People with secure connections are supportive, honest, comfortable and loyal to one another. Depending on how we relate with Moh, she feels satisfied with our friendship, and that is the reason why she goes out of the way into finding activities we could do together such as taking part in charity work.

The concepts or theories that describe our friendship relationship

1. Attachment theory

A significant theory that explains my relationship with Moh is the attachment theory which illustrates how people create strong bonds in their social life. People with a secure attachment bond do not have issues of trust or closeness (Aronson, et al., 2016). Instead, they develop long lasting and satisfying relationships, and this is evident in my relationship. The attachment security has increased our multiplexity meaning that we can engage in several social activities together. Such an aspect has widened our social network by developing new friendships with people we share the same values.

1. Maslow’s theory of motivation

Maslow’s theory of motivation proposes that people achieve specific needs through the motivation of their actions. Maslow came up with the hierarchy of needs suggesting that the individuals strive to achieve happiness by doing things that make them realize that goal. In this theory, self-actualization comes first in the hierarchy, however; before an individual reaches that, he/she must meet the physiological needs, safety, love, and esteem needs. In our friendship, both of us manage to meet the physiological needs. Such needs are the primary life’s requirements like food, shelter, and clothing as well as the next level of need which is safety and security. Our friendship has been maintained as a result of love which is in the third level from the bottom of the hierarchy. As human beings, we all need love and the sense of belonging which Moh and I have achieved. According to Maslow love is a psychological and social need which contributes to the achievement of the other levels of need which are self-esteem and self-actualization.

iii. Equity theory

Another concept that describes our relationship is the equity theory which posits that people value fair and impartial treatment. An issue that stands out in this theory is how equitable or fair is the connection (Aronson, et al., 2016). People who are comfortable in their relationships get what they deserve. In my case, we ensure that both fairness and impartiality are a foundation for our friendship. For instance, I prefer studying alone, and Moh is more of a group work person, so we alternate our studying techniques whereby if we study in group work this weekend, the next weekend we read individually. Striking a fair balance in our likes has helped in maintaining our friendship.

1. The concept of interpersonal attraction

The fourth concept is interpersonal attraction whereby people become attracted to each other based on the level of mutual familiarity which increases the comfort levels. Interpersonal attraction arises when people become friends due to the shared similarities (Aronson, et al., 2016). Once two people become friends, they usually start to influence each other’s values and attitudes. Depending on my friendship with Moh, behavior and shared likes have motivated our interpersonal attraction. Our friendship has deepened since we understand each other’s opinions, emotions, and personalities. Considering that personality type is also an element that influences interpersonal attraction, some of the personal traits we share are sociability, modesty, and kindness.

How cultural context could impact my relationship

Culture impacts relationships in many different ways due to the varying values in the diverse cultures. Based on the article, “Relationship standards and satisfaction in Chinese, Western, and Intercultural Chinese-Western couples in Australia” it is evident that the Chinese and western cultures have diverse cultural differences (Hiew, et al., 2015). However, through bonding, partners from the two cultures begin to identify their shared similarities, and this contributes to the reduction of the cultural differences among the intercultural couples. Generally, the Chinese value collectivism since extended family relations and teamwork are the norms, but on the other hand, the western culture values individualism.

In my relationship, if Moh were from the Chinese culture, not all of the four concepts would apply the same such as the equity theory. For instance, due to the strongly related relations of the extended family in the Chinese culture, it would be difficult to strike a balance on the time we spent together on certain celebrations. Moh would opt to stay with the family concerning their traditions. Still, it would be difficult to ensure there is fairness when trying to understand her emotions. The Chinese do not express their feeling openly even when enduring pain (Hiew, et al., 2015). Therefore, failing to understand Moh’s emotions would not be fair in the friendship. Thus, another theory that could be more applicable in this case is the relational theory. This theory would be suitable since it would help the two of us to identify communication patterns that would help us understand each other’s emotions. The theory proposes that critical factors that lead to a long-term relationship are communication, co-operation, and shared norms. Therefore, despite the cultural differences in my friendship, we would be triggered to identify communication strategies to help us maintain our friendship.

Conclusion

Generally, from the relationship analysis, it is essential for an individual always to evaluate whether cultural differences in any established relations would be a conflict in the relationship. Sometimes, the barriers of communication, cultural stereotyping or the different norms could contribute to unhealthy relationships that eventually end up breaking (Miller, et al., 2012). Overall, cultural sensitivity is an essential element which helps people to create beneficial intercultural relations.

Reference

Aronson, E., Wilson, T. D., & Sommers, S. (2016). Social psychology (9th ed.). New York, NY:       Pearson.

• Chapter 10, “Interpersonal Attraction: From First Impressions to Close Relationships”
• Chapter 13, “Prejudice: Causes, Consequences, and Cures”

Hiew, D. N., Kim Halford, W., van de Vijver, F. J. R., & Liu, S. (2015). Relationship standards         and satisfaction in Chinese, Western, and Intercultural Chinese-Western couples in     Australia. Journal of Cross-Cultural Psychology, 46(5), 684–701.
Retrieved from the Walden Library databases.

Miller, S. L., Zielaskowski, K., & Plant, E. A. (2012). The basis of shooter biases beyond cultural stereotypes. Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin, 38(10), 1358–1366

All around the world, more education equates to more opportunities. A lot of knowledge means that an individual can handle more responsibilities. However, is this always the case?

“The only thing that interferes with my learning is my education.” Albert Einstein

Einstein was quite skeptical about our current education system. He, most of the times classified it as a waste of time as the only right learning process to him focused on the experience process.

In our current world, especially economy-wise, education levels and economic levels simultaneously follow one another. The levels of education in the First worlds as compared to those in the Under-developed world portray that the education system plays a significant role in contributing to the economy.

Talent Management

Education is important. As a matter of fact, its importance might not just vanish from existence in the world today. However, experience and real-life situations seem to carry more massive significance in the current times.

Who clearly remembers the first day of college?

A lecturer walked into my first lecture hall and proudly said, “Congratulations! All of you have made the right decision to join college. You will not regret

this decision. College will shape and nurture you while equipping you to meet the real world!” We clapped and gave a standing ovation to the lecturer: only to later find out that the likes of Mark Zuckerberg and Bill Gates dropped out of college!

Education is quite important. If one considers the literate and numeric perspective presented by school, then its importance cannot be undervalued. It is vital that such traits surrounding education remain relevant. Training teaches more on civilization and the existence of different people in one spherical atmosphere.

However, aspects like geometry confuse the essence of education. Geometry is an important subject, even in higher levels of education. However, how is it applicable in the real world? Or solving problems like hunger or a depression? Languages learned in the education system like French are only relevant in France. What if the person never gets to go to France?

“The only source of knowledge is experience.” Albert Einstein

Imagine going through an education system for over ten years as preparation for the world only to realize that at the very end, everyone begins at zero when venturing to the real-world. The experience that the education system so claims to possess is unachievable any other way than gaining experience itself.

Education is not a waste of time and money at all. At the same time, it actually is! People all around the world are different. There exist those focused on maintaining employment. For them, going through the education system provides an opportunity for great employment opportunities. However, at the same time, different people focus on contributing more to society. To them, education is a waste of time and money!