InterpersonalCommunication

Mentee Guide Week 4The Vira I. Heinz Program for Women in Global Leadership

Peer-to-Peer Discussion

What is interpersonal communication?

*Please take a few minutes to discuss your opinions

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Intercultural Communication Defined

• The sharing of information across different cultures and social groups

• We are always communicating. The very attempt not to communicate communicates something.

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Communication

Verbal Nonverbal

How do we communicate?

Reflection:Think about how you communicate with the people in your life.

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Interpersonal Communication

VerbalNonverbal

93%

7%

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Types of Verbal Communication

• Words• Tone of voice• Verbal pauses

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Types of Nonverbal Communication

• Types of nonverbal communication• Gestures• Emotion• Body Language• Posture• Facial Expression• Touch

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How do you communicate?

• Think about a time when you communicated nonverbally or think about a time someone communicated with you in a nonverbal way.

Think

• Was nonverbal communication an effective way to communicate? Why or why not?Share

•Mentor: How did you use nonverbal communication when you traveled abroad?•Mentee: How might you use nonverbal communication when you travel abroad?

Discuss

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Communication is Contextual

• Psychological: Who you are and what do you bring to the interaction? This includes, your needs, desires, values, and personality.

• Situational: Where are you communicating? For example, an interaction that takes place in a classroom will be very different from one that takes place in a bar.

• Environmental: What are your surroundings? Think about the furniture, location, noise level, temperature, season, and time of day.

• Cultural: What are the norms of behavior? Think about learned behaviors and rules that affect the interaction. If you come from a culture (foreign or within your own country) where it is considered rude to make long, direct eye contact, you will out of politeness avoid eye contact. If the other person comes from a culture where long, direct eye contact signals trustworthiness, then miscommunication can occur.

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Cultural Communication Game*

Behavior

1. In this country, conversationsoccur at a close physical proximity.Moving away to establish distanceis considered unfriendly.

2. In this country it is importantnot to shake hands or pass anything with your left hand, as this hand is used for hygiene purposes only.

3. In this country shaking one’s head from side to side actually signals agreement and interest in what is being said or expressed. It does not suggest disagreement or disapproval.

Country or Area of the World Associated with the Behavior

A. West Africa

B. India C. Mexico

*Please see the supplemental worksheetThe Vira I. Heinz Program for Women in Global Leadership

Match the behavior with the country or area of the world it is associated with. The answer key is on the following slide.

Answer Key

1. Mexico

2. West Africa

3. India

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Discussion: Cultural Interpersonal Communication

Current Knowledge• What do you know about the communication styles in the country you are

traveling to?• Think in terms of verbal and non-verbal communication.

Needed Knowledge• What do you still need to learn about in terms of interpersonal communication

(refer to slides 6 & 7) in your host country?

Action Plan• Before going abroad how will you learn about interpersonal communication in

your host country?• Mentor, please share your experience with interpersonal communication during

your study abroad experience.

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References• Cultural Business Etiquette. (2000). U.S. Department of Commerce.

Retrieved from, http://web.ita.doc.gov/ticwebsite/FAQs.nsf/6683dce2e5871df9852565bc00785ddf/5724155beeacc58a85256eb600515742?OpenDocument

• Murrell, A. (2008). Interpersonal Communications PowerPoint Presentation. The University of Pittsburgh.

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