AFS Cultural Dimensions & Communication Styles

Low-context cultures are based on the verbal message / and are found in the Middle East, Asia, Africa and South America.

In these cultures, a low-context communicator may come off as rude or harsh.

A high-context communicator is a cultural divergent in individualistic cultures

It refers to the degree to which less powerful members of a culture accept differences in power or equality.

In these cultures people question authority and attempt to distribute power.

Sam's studying abroad, she's surprised by the teacher giving hugs to students when they arrive. The teacher's culture is

Low-context is nuanced and layered with reading between the lines

People see themselves as members of the group and expect the group to take care of them in exchange for their loyalty

Sam sat down with his friends, opened a packet of chips, and ate the whole thing by himself. Sam's culture is more

When a high-context communicator says "This bedroom is really messy" they mean:

High-context cultures rely on verbal communication to grasp the full significance

Crying at the airport when saying goodbye to a friend who's going away is common in these cultures