The contextual approach to communication ethics "recognizes variations in culture, persons, and communication settings when applying communication ethics principles, protecting and promoting the good of the particular context and good residing in that context" (Arnett et al 67). A few examples of the contexts in which are being described in this idea can be eye contact, physical touch, views on authority figures, cultural norms, and so on. These are things that differ across cultures depending on what is practiced and accepted by the people within that particular society. These different contexts are incredibly important in the study of communication ethics as Arnett notes in this chapter. The values that individuals within a society promote different versions of the "good" that have been discussed previously. Arnett looks at this in the setting of organizational context. Organizations have their own codes of conduct that support and promote the values and culture that they wish to have. Depending on the organization, the leaders of the organization, and the location of it, the values that are promoted and upheld may differ. Taking these things into consideration allow us to have a better understanding of how to communicate with people in these places. What may be appropriate in one culture is not appropriate in anther, so we must keep that in mind when communicating and studying communication ethics.
This particular section of the readings for this week aligned with one of the other course I am enrolled in which is a management class. When looking at management and what makes a good manager, we often focus on the ways in which we communicate and treat our employees. This week, we read about managing in international business settings and how to appropriately deal with employees working in different countries. One topic that was discussed is Hosfstede’s model of four cultural dimensions. These four cultural dimensions are power distance, uncertainty avoidance, individualism and collectivism, and masculinity-feminity. These are "four dimensions of national value systems that influence organizational and employee working relationships" (Daft and Marcic 102). After reading, I believe that Hosfstede's four cultural dimensions ties into what Arnett says we must take into account when studying communication ethics and the contextual approach to it. These are dimensions that are different depending on the country and society you grow up in, and ultimately influence the ways that we communicate with one another.
I thought this weeks readings were very interesting and also very applicable to our own lives. For us be able to really understand and get the most out of how/what people are communicating to us, we have to take into account more than just the words that they are saying. The contextual evidence, their background, and what they believe to be the common good are all variables that we should account for in studying communication and communication ethics.
Additional source:
DAFT, RICHARD L. MINDTAP for DAFT'S Understanding Management, 1-Term Instant Access Code. CENGAGE LEARNING, 2019.
Hello Maddie,
ReplyDeleteI found it very interesting that you were able to create a connection between our class and another class. I also found your outside resource of the four cultural dimensions. It is definitely a topic I will have to do more research on. In your example you talked about how the contextual communication ethics approach directly applies to the four cultural dimensional concept. Within the example you seem to mainly focus on how the contextual approach affects it at a global scale. I would argue that the same concepts can be applied on a smaller scale. I believe we could even apply both dimensions to local business even. Depending on culture or neighborhood you were raised in, could potentially effect how you did business with other local businesses.
Another idea I had was how the four cultural dimension could also be applied to the universal-humanitarian approach to communication ethics. From my understanding, some of what your outside source seems to be unspoken ideology. I feel like this could apply to the humanitarian approach because people would behaviors to protect or promote the general "good" of people. The humanitarian approach also applies to larger societal ideas, which would fit into the category for international business. I enjoyed reading to your blog and seeing the connections you made to other classes. I would love to see if you agree or disagree with my final thoughts.