INTRODUCTION
In this section, we discussed two questions related to health communication. The first
question focused on Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) and Nathi's situation,
where we provided a definition of OCD, discussed its clinical management, and
explained the focus and objectives of the OCD Association of South Africa. The second
question centered on euthanasia, where we explained its meaning and how it is
understood in different cultures and ethical positions, shared our personal opinions, and
reported on a recent euthanasia case covered by the media.
SECTION 1: INTERCULTURAL COMMUNICATIO
QUESTION 1:
1.1 Power: In the scenario, power dynamics may be contributing to intercultural
conflicts. The majority of lecturers may be white, and they may not be aware of the
impact of their behaviour on black students. Similarly, white students may hold more
power in the university, which may lead to feelings of marginalization among black
students. For example, black students may feel their voices are not heard in class, and
they may feel excluded from study groups or other learning activities.
1.1.2 Historical Context: Historical factors such as apartheid and its legacy may be
contributing to intercultural conflict. For example, black students may perceive white
students as privileged and may feel that they are not being treated fairly. Similarly, white
students may feel they are being blamed for historical injustices they did not commit.
Historical context can create entrenched attitudes and beliefs that are difficult to
change, which can contribute to intercultural conflict.
1.2 Acceptance, the second stage in majority identity development, may influence
intercultural communication at the University of Diversity. At this stage, individuals may
become aware of their own biases and prejudices and begin to challenge them. This
may lead to greater empathy and understanding of others, which can facilitate
intercultural communication. However, if individuals are not able to progress to this
stage, they may continue to hold negative attitudes and beliefs towards other racial or
ethnic groups, which can contribute to intercultural conflict.
, QUESTION 2:
2.1 Collectivist/individualist value orientation: Collectivist cultures prioritize the needs of
the group over the needs of the individual, whereas individualist cultures prioritize the
needs of the individual over the needs of the group. For example, in a collectivist
culture, decisions may be made based on what is best for the family or community,
whereas in an individualist culture, decisions may be made based on what is best for
the individual. An example from my experience is that in my culture, family decisions are
made collectively, and individual needs are subordinated to the needs of the family.
However, in Western culture, individualism is highly valued, and people make decisions
based on their personal preferences and interests.
2.1.2 High-context vs. low-context communication: High-context communication relies
on implicit nonverbal cues, such as tone of voice, body language, and context, while
low-context communication relies on explicit verbal messages. An example from my
experience is that in my culture, communication is often high-context, and people rely
on nonverbal cues to convey meaning. However, in Western culture, communication is
often low-context, and people rely on explicit verbal messages to convey meaning.
2.2 Two limitations of value frameworks are:
Value frameworks may oversimplify cultural differences and fail to account for individual
variation within cultures. For example, assuming that all Africans are collectivist may
ignore the fact that some individuals in African cultures may prioritize individual needs
over those of the group. In the scenario, the B&B manager assumed that all Africans
were collectivist when some African employees preferred an individualistic approach.
Value frameworks may reinforce stereotypes and perpetuate intercultural
misunderstandings. For example, assuming that all Africans are collectivist may lead to
a communication strategy that is ineffective or offensive to some African individuals. In
the scenario, the B&B manager's communication strategy failed because it was based
on a stereotype rather than an accurate understanding of individual differences within
the culture.
SECTION 2: DEVELOPMENT COMMUNICATION
In this section, we discussed two questions related to health communication. The first
question focused on Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) and Nathi's situation,
where we provided a definition of OCD, discussed its clinical management, and
explained the focus and objectives of the OCD Association of South Africa. The second
question centered on euthanasia, where we explained its meaning and how it is
understood in different cultures and ethical positions, shared our personal opinions, and
reported on a recent euthanasia case covered by the media.
SECTION 1: INTERCULTURAL COMMUNICATIO
QUESTION 1:
1.1 Power: In the scenario, power dynamics may be contributing to intercultural
conflicts. The majority of lecturers may be white, and they may not be aware of the
impact of their behaviour on black students. Similarly, white students may hold more
power in the university, which may lead to feelings of marginalization among black
students. For example, black students may feel their voices are not heard in class, and
they may feel excluded from study groups or other learning activities.
1.1.2 Historical Context: Historical factors such as apartheid and its legacy may be
contributing to intercultural conflict. For example, black students may perceive white
students as privileged and may feel that they are not being treated fairly. Similarly, white
students may feel they are being blamed for historical injustices they did not commit.
Historical context can create entrenched attitudes and beliefs that are difficult to
change, which can contribute to intercultural conflict.
1.2 Acceptance, the second stage in majority identity development, may influence
intercultural communication at the University of Diversity. At this stage, individuals may
become aware of their own biases and prejudices and begin to challenge them. This
may lead to greater empathy and understanding of others, which can facilitate
intercultural communication. However, if individuals are not able to progress to this
stage, they may continue to hold negative attitudes and beliefs towards other racial or
ethnic groups, which can contribute to intercultural conflict.
, QUESTION 2:
2.1 Collectivist/individualist value orientation: Collectivist cultures prioritize the needs of
the group over the needs of the individual, whereas individualist cultures prioritize the
needs of the individual over the needs of the group. For example, in a collectivist
culture, decisions may be made based on what is best for the family or community,
whereas in an individualist culture, decisions may be made based on what is best for
the individual. An example from my experience is that in my culture, family decisions are
made collectively, and individual needs are subordinated to the needs of the family.
However, in Western culture, individualism is highly valued, and people make decisions
based on their personal preferences and interests.
2.1.2 High-context vs. low-context communication: High-context communication relies
on implicit nonverbal cues, such as tone of voice, body language, and context, while
low-context communication relies on explicit verbal messages. An example from my
experience is that in my culture, communication is often high-context, and people rely
on nonverbal cues to convey meaning. However, in Western culture, communication is
often low-context, and people rely on explicit verbal messages to convey meaning.
2.2 Two limitations of value frameworks are:
Value frameworks may oversimplify cultural differences and fail to account for individual
variation within cultures. For example, assuming that all Africans are collectivist may
ignore the fact that some individuals in African cultures may prioritize individual needs
over those of the group. In the scenario, the B&B manager assumed that all Africans
were collectivist when some African employees preferred an individualistic approach.
Value frameworks may reinforce stereotypes and perpetuate intercultural
misunderstandings. For example, assuming that all Africans are collectivist may lead to
a communication strategy that is ineffective or offensive to some African individuals. In
the scenario, the B&B manager's communication strategy failed because it was based
on a stereotype rather than an accurate understanding of individual differences within
the culture.
SECTION 2: DEVELOPMENT COMMUNICATION
