Socio-cultural Dimension Of Communication

SOCIAL STATUS

What is SOCIAL STATUS

• SOCIAL STATUS – It refers to the relative rank or standing that an individual has in the eyes of others

• it is shaped by one's background, education, reputation, perceived power, and position in an organization's hierarchy.

Two elements of social status

• ASCRIBED STATUS is determined at birth and includes characteristics such as sex, age, race, ethnic group, and family background.

• ACHIEVED STATUS is what an individual acquires as a result of the exercise of knowledge, ability, talent, skill, and/or perseverance. Employment and occupation are primary factors in social status, and one's role in an organization is especially relevant within the boundaries of that organization.

• EDUCATION- It is the process of facilitating learning, or the acquisition of knowledge,

skills, values, beliefs, and habits.

• OCCUPATION - A person's usual or principal work or business, especially as a means

of earning a living.

• INCOME - Money that is earned from work, investments, business, etc.

• POWER – The degree to which a person can control other people .

• WEALTH – Objects or symbols owned by people which have value attached to them.

• PRESTIGE – The degree of respect, favorable regard, or importance accorded to a

person by members of society.

Determinants of Social class

How does

COMMUNICATION?

Social Status

affect/influence

To many, social status is an indicator of credibility and legitimacy, and this it seriouslyeffects how one communicates with other. Key elements that are involved in an audience's evaluation include title, reputation, and the extent to which people can identify with the communicator's motives and objectives. Status differences can create a bias against those with the perceived lower status.

The effects of social class can be felt anywhere. Almost every aspect of society is influenced in some manner by social class. Social background is a product of culture. Any culture which has social classes will automatically teach a difference in language and vocabulary used for communication.

One of the factor that influences intercultural communication is the social identity factor. The social identity factor refers to the level of society that person was born into or references when determining who they want to be and how they will act accordingly.

According to professors Judith N. Martin and Thomas K. Nakayama, authors of Intercultural Communication in Contexts (McGraw-Hill ), "scholars have shown that class often plays an important role in shaping our reactions and interpretations of culture.”

EXAMPLE ON HOW SOCIAL STATUS

COULD AFFECT COMMUNICATION

SITUATION:A junior or lower-level employee asked to make a presentation to a

group of more senior upper-level managers may have difficulty keeping their attention at first even if his information and presentation skills are solid. Outsider status can also be a challenge in communication. This is commonly experienced by salespeople, vendors, and even potential employees.

In our society, Social status have greatly influenced the communication ever since ancient times up until now. In terms of communicating with one another, there will always be a “boundary” that separates high,

average, and low class people through the way they speak or communicate with one another.

Rank affects communication, In such situations, those with perceived lower status need to build good will by demonstrating competence

and reliability and identifying with common interests.