Synopses & Reviews
With a more globalized economy and a redefinition of the American in the overseas workplace, we have a growing need to address cross-cultural communication and determine how to bridge the inevitable gaps in understanding. American Cultural Patterns: A Cross-Cultural Perspective, originally published in 1972, is an indispensable classic that has been used extensively as a classroom textbook for its comprehensive, critical approach to American thought and behavior. In this revised edition, Edward C. Stewart and Milton J. Bennett combine their expertise to describe Americans' perception both of themselves and the world as well as their values, their common patterns of thinking and their verbal and nonverbal behaviors. By juxtaposing these traits against the cultures of both Western and non-Western countries, we get a comprehensive look at the possible pitfalls in communicating with Americans and guidelines on how to avoid misunderstanding. Insightful and practical, American Cultural Patterns is a must-have for any who wish to communicate effectively with their American counterparts. ContentsIntroduction1 Conceptualization of the Cross-Cultural Problem2 Cultural Patterns of Perception and Thinking3 Language and Nonverbal Behavior4 Form of Activity5 Form of Social Relations6 Perception of the World7 Perception of the Self8 Intercultural Communication ApplicationsBibliographyIndex
Synopsis
This classic study was originally written by Edward Stewart in 1972 and has become a seminal work in the field of intercultural relations. In this edition, Stewart and Milton J. Bennett have greatly expanded the analysis of American cultural patterns by introducing new cross-cultural comparisons and drawing on recent reseach on value systems, perception psychology, cultural anthropology, and intercultural communication.
Beginning with a discussion of the issues relative to contact between people of different cultures, the authors examine the nature of cultural assumptions and values as a framework for cross-cultural analysis. They then analyze the human perceptual process, consider the influence of language on culture, and discuss nonverbal behavior. Central to the book is an analysis of American culture constructed along four dimentions: form of activity, form of social relations, perceptions of the world, and perception of the self. American cultural traits are isolated out, analyzed, and compared with parallel characteristics of other cultures. Finally, the cultural dimentions of communication and their implications for cross-cultural interaction are examined.
Synopsis
A fully revised edition of the seminal classicThis classic study was originally written by Edward Stewart in 1972 and has become a seminal work in the field of intercultural relations. In this edition, Stewart and Milton J. Bennett have greatly expanded the analysis of American cultural patterns by introducing new cross-cultural comparisons and drawing on recent reseach on value systems, perception psychology, cultural anthropology, and intercultural communication.
Beginning with a discussion of the issues relative to contact between people of different cultures, the authors examine the nature of cultural assumptions and values as a framework for cross-cultural analysis. They then analyze the human perceptual process, consider the influence of language on culture, and discuss nonverbal behavior.
Central to the book is an analysis of American culture constructed along four dimentions: form of activity, form of social relations, perceptions of the world, and perception of the self. American cultural traits are isolated out, analyzed, and compared with parallel characteristics of other cultures. Finally, the cultural dimentions of communication and their implications for cross-cultural interaction are examined.
Synopsis
The classic study revised and updated.
Synopsis
A greatly expanded analysis of the 1972 classic by Edward Stewart, Stewart and Bennett introduce new cross-cultural comparisons drawn from recent research on value systems, perception psychology, cultural anthropology, and intercultural communication. American cultural traits are isolated out, analyzed, and compared with parallel characteristics of other cultures to discover implications for cross-cultural interaction.
Description
Includes bibliographical references (p. 177-186) and index.