Chapter 9, part 2

Culturally Diverse Interpersonal Relationships

Social Stratification

People are characterized by social class, rank or category in relationship to others

The qualities that one culture sees as important may not be so in another

Social Stratification

Caste – a level into which you are born that determines your way of life, you job, etc

Bureaucracies – a hierarchy between the average citizen and the government

Social Stratification

East

Generally observe hierarchy

An advantage is that there are rules of when to talk, how to talk, etc

West

Generally have equality; however, in large companies and government there is a strict hierarchy

Interpersonal Intercultural Conflict

Conflict is part of human natureConflict styles differ among culturesConflict differs due to environment,

available resources, and understanding of the language and the conflict itself

Conflict Defined

Any action that occurs when two or more divergent cultural groups or people must deal with what are or what seem to be incompatible goals, values, relationships, or resources (p 163)

Conflicts can either be productive, destructive, realistic or unrealistic

The Conflict Process

Typical conflict do not suddenly erupt; there are usually underlying reasons.

Management vs. resolution. Management – to control or handle by dragging it out or prolonging it

Resolution – to terminate, to end whatever disputes causing the conflict to the satisfaction of the parties involved

Leaving the Field

Withdraw and cease to communicate in the situation that causes conflict

1. Physical withdraw – literally walking away

2. Psychological withdraw – stop talking about the offending subject; changing the subject

This does not end the conflict; it manages it until it comes up again