Compare the high-context and low-context cultures in terms of associations, interactions, and learning. Illustrate your answer with examples where applicable.

Question

What will be an ideal response?

Answer 1

Varies, but include the following: In high-stakes cultures, relationships are based on trust that is built up slowly over time. In low-stakes cultures relationships begin and end quickly. Although many people can be included in ones circle of relationships in low-stake contexts, boundaries are fused and unclear. In high-stakes culture contexts, one’s identity is based on group or family membership, whereas in low-stakes culture contexts one’s identity is in oneself and accomplishments. With regard to interactions, in high-stakes culture contexts, there is high use of nonverbal communication, voice tone, facial expression, and gesture and eye movement to communicate in significant ways. Verbal message is implicit and indirect in high-stakes cultures. In low-stakes cultures, there are low uses of nonverbal communication, and message is sent using words instead of nonverbals. Verbal message is explicit and context is less important. In high-stakes culture context learning occurs by observation and then practice. Accuracy and how well something is learned is very important in high-stakes cultures. In low-stakes culture contexts, learning is through explicit directions and explanations to the learner. Speech is a valuable way to teach and how efficient something is learned is very important in low-stakes culture contexts. It is important for counselors to recognize the significance of communication patterns, both verbal and nonverbal, as they may carry different meanings form culture to culture.