Honorio Gonzalez

EDU 533
Intercultural Competence
Chapter 10 Notes
Describe interpersonal relationships in various cultures/types.
Different patterns of interpersonal communication are likely to occur with different types
of interpersonal relationships (p. 225). All interpersonal relationships have as their
common characteristic a strong connection among the individuals and the number of
interpersonal relationships someone has throughout their lives is large and complex (p.
225). Interpersonal relationships between people from different cultures can be difficult
to understand and describe because of the contrasts in culturally based expectations about
the nature of interpersonal communication and people in an intercultural relationship may
the define their experiences very differently and may have dissimilar expectations (p.
225).
Strangers in the United States may for instance fine that the social walls between
strangers may not be as thick and impenetrable as they are in some individualistic
cultures and even in the Unites States, the distinction between stranger and nonstranger is
an important one; young children are often taught to be afraid of people they do not know
(p. 226). An acquaintance is someone you know, but only casually and therefore
interactions tend to be superficial level (p. 226). The social bonds that link acquaintances
are slight and acquaintances will typically engage in social politeness rituals, such as
greeting one another, but you will never discuss personal and private issues with them (p.
226).
As many of the other terms that describe interpersonal relationship, friend is a common
expression that refers to many different types of relationships and unlike kinships,
friendships are voluntary, even though many friendships start because the participants
have been thrust together in some way (p. 227). John Condon has noted that the language
people use to describe their interpersonal relationships often reflects the underlying
cultural values about their relationships meaning and importance (p. 227). As
interpersonal relationships moves from initial acquaintance to close friendships, changes
in perception and behaviors can occur (p. 228). Intercultural friendships can vary in a
variety of ways: whom a person selects as a friends, how long the friendship lasts, the
prerogatives and responsibilities of being a friend, the number of friends that a person
refers to have, and even how long a relationship must develop before it becomes a
friendship (p. 228).
The diversity of cultural norms that govern romantic relationships is an excellent example
of the wider range of cultural expectations; for instance, enormous differences in cultural
beliefs, values, norms, and social practices about love, romance, dating, and marriage (p.
229). Family or kinship relationships are also characterized by large cultural variations
and particularly important to the development of intercultural relationships are these
factors: how the family defined, or who is considered to be a member of the family; the
formality of roles and behavioral expectations for particular family members; and the
importance of the family in social relationships and personal decision (p. 230).
Furthermore, family relationships in other cultures can quite different and expected role
behaviors and responsibilities also vary among cultures (p. 230). Finally, families also
differ in their influence over a persons social networks and decision making and the

increasing number of people creating intercultural families, in which husband and wife
represent different cultural backgrounds, will continue to pose new challenges for family
communication (p. 230-231).
Explain these terms: face, facework, and maintenance of face.
Face is the public expression of the inner self and as the favorable social impression that
a person wants others to have of him or her (p. 235). Face therefore involves a claim for
respect and dignity from others and the definition of face suggest that it has three
important characteristics (p. 235). Face is social meaning that face is not what an
individual thinks if himself or herself but rather how that person wants others to regard
his or her worth (p. 235). Face is an impression, which may or may not be shared by all,
that may differ from a persons self-image (p. 235). Lastly, face refers only to the
favorable social attributes that people want others to acknowledge (p. 236).
Facework refers to the actions people take to deal with their own and others face needs
and everyday actions that impose on another, such as requests, warnings, compliments,
criticisms, apologies, and even praise, may jeopardize the face of one or more
participants in a communicative act (p. 238). To maintain face, people want others to act
toward them with respect, regardless of their real thoughts and impressions and thus,
face maintenance involves an expectation that people will act as though others are
appreciated and admire (p. 236).
Explain the connection between interpersonal relationships and intercultural
competence.
Competent interpersonal relationships among people from different cultures do not
happen by accident (p. 240). They occur as a result of the knowledge and perceptions
people have about one another, their motivations to engage in meaningful interactions, an
their ability to communicate in ways that are regarded as appropriate and effective (p.
240). To improve these interpersonal relationships, then, it is necessary to learn about
them and thereby reduce anxiety and uncertainty about people from other cultures, to
share oneself with those people, and to handle the inevitable differences in perceptions
and expectations that will occur (p. 240).
Application
Maintenance of face is very important not only in Asian culture, but also Japanese
culture. It is very important because it is ties to both ones honor and their familys honor
also. If one were to lose face in their society, then they would not only they shame their
own honor but their families honor also. Losing their honor is akin to being public
humiliated and disgraced but on a more deeper and severe level. A person and their
family can be outcast in their community and society depending on the severity of
dishonor they obtained. This is why maintaining face will continue to be very important
in Japanese culture and society.
Biblical Links
And no one takes honor for himself, but only when called by God, just as Aaron was
Hebrew 5:4. This verse reminds me that although honor is important, a person shouldnt
do it for himself or herself. They will not obtain honor because they did it for their own
personal glory. The only way to obtain true honor is for God to bestow on you. Then they
will be able to say they that they indeed received true honor, but not in a prideful fashion.