5 THINGS TO REMEMBER TO AVOID CULTURAL BARRIERS IN COMMUNICATION!

Using stereotypes is often unconscious and automatic, just like the occurrence of attribution errors. Their use can also create communication barriers, so it is equally important to understand their mechanism.

As is commonly known, a stereotype is a simplified cognitive representation, a ‘mental image in our heads’ (Lippmann, 1992). This means that we attribute specific traits to certain groups. Using stereotypes can affect the effectiveness of communication. It often happens that we evaluate people we talk to based on their status. We then follow learned patterns concerning specific groups. If we classify someone into a specific group, we will attribute to them the general characteristics commonly associated with the community to which they belong. This will also affect our behavior towards that person. This may result in a communication barrier and many issues being assessed incorrectly.

A good example that shows how stereotypes influence judgments about other people is a study conducted by Darley and Gross in 1983.

• The aim of the experiment was to check how schemas concerning specific social groups affect participants’ evaluations.
• The participants were divided into two groups. In both, a film was presented in which a little girl played in a toy-rich environment (first group) or a toy-poor environment (second group). Then the participants were shown the same child, this time solving a cognitive test in which she made a few mistakes and marked a few correct answers (50/50). After this activity, the subjects were asked to comment on her intelligence and potential for achieving success in the future.
• The study similarly assessed the intelligence of the girl. In contrast, individuals from the group who saw the child playing in a wealthy environment claimed that she would achieve greater success than those from the group who were shown the girl in a poor environment.
• This study clearly demonstrates that participants’ judgments were influenced by the stereotype of what it means to be poor or wealthy. Moreover, the participants were unaware that any schemas were affecting their thinking. The given example shows how stereotypical thinking influences the way we evaluate others.

It is important to be aware of this to avoid making hasty judgments about people and situations, which will help us avoid misunderstandings and barriers in communication.

How to apply this knowledge in practice?

Top 5 things to remember when communicating in a team with clients/employees of different nationalities

• Remember that sometimes translating idioms, e.g., from Polish to English, can lead to errors. In such cases, our standard sayings may not resonate with the recipient and fail to convey the intended idea. An example of such a mistranslation is the idiom: ‘z góry dziękuję,’ which is sometimes literally translated as ‘thank you from the mountain.’ In such situations, it is worth reminding the team that it is better to aim for two-way communication, such as asking the question ‘how do you understand my statement?’
• Conduct a brief meeting where you explain to people the key differences between your culture and the culture of a person from another nationality. This way, you should be able to inspire a desire to bridge the gap caused by the presence of someone from a different background. There is also a higher likelihood that, after understanding the given intercultural differences, messages will be interpreted through different cultural criteria, making communication more effective. It is worth using the following link: https://www.hofstede-insights.com/product/compare-countries/. The site allows you to see and compare existing cultural differences between given countries.
• Build respect and understanding towards other cultures. Remind the team to use preferred terms.
• Pay attention to the cultural context of the country in question. It can be high or low. For example, Germany is characterized by a low-context culture, meaning they are very direct and say exactly what they think. In contrast, Japan has a high-context culture, where people do not speak directly, and everyone infers what a person specifically means. Such a person may perceive the behavior of Germans as potentially conflictual and confrontational. In reality, it is merely a matter of culture. Keeping this in mind can help avoid unnecessary conflicts.
• Inform the team about the importance of understanding, respecting, and accepting different cultures to work together towards a common goal. Efficiency in communication will certainly speed up collaboration and make it more satisfying. Show the team a concrete example where an individual or team/company benefits from interculturality. For example, Germans, by being direct, are excellent negotiators and can negotiate more favorable contracts. On the other hand, people from Latin American cultures often have a more relaxed approach to achieving goals, but they ensure a daily dose of good humor in the team.
• As the above examples show, understanding the impact of stereotypes on both the assessment of others and situations is useful in avoiding communication barriers and striving for effective communication.

Author: Weronika Fryszkiewicz

Bibliography:
1. Wojciszke, B. (2011). Social Psychology. Warsaw: Scholar Scientific Publishing.

2. Bedyńska, S., Dreszer, J. (2006). Laugh at the stereotype! Factors reducing stereotype threat. Social Psychology, 02, 88-95.