ENGL 101-Porpusive communication

In cultural definitions, norms, mores, and folkways are types of Co-culture

social rules that guide behavior within a society
members of the same general culture who differ in some
Norms: These are the accepted standards of behavior that ethnic or sociological way from the main culture.
individuals are expected to follow in a society. Norms can range
refers to a smaller group within a larger cultural framework that
from casual social expectations (like saying "please" and "thank
has its own unique values, beliefs, and practices, which may
you") to formalized rules enforced by law (like not stealing).
differ from the dominant or mainstream culture. Co-cultures are
They help maintain order and are the shared expectations for
often shaped by ethnicity, religion, language, sexual
appropriate behavior.
orientation, or social status. While co-cultures exist within the
Mores: These are the deeply ingrained norms that are larger culture, they maintain their distinct identity.
considered morally significant in a culture. Violating mores is
Example: African American culture within the U.S. is a co-
often seen as a threat to social order and may lead to strong
culture. It has distinct traditions, language expressions, and
reactions, such as legal punishment or social ostracism. Mores
historical experiences that differentiate it from the broader
are closely tied to a society's core values and ethics. For
American culture, though it interacts with and exists alongside
example, norms against murder or theft are considered mores.
it.
Folkways: These are the everyday norms that guide casual
Strategies to Penetrate Co-Cultural World
interactions and social etiquette. Folkways are less strictly
enforced than mores, and violations typically result in mild The following are the strategies to consider to penetrate the co-
social consequences, like disapproval or being seen as rude. cultural world (Edwards, 2014):
Examples of folkways include things like dressing appropriately
for an occasion or waiting in line for your turn. Assimilation

In summary: • is the strategy when a co-culture members want to fit in

or join with members of the dominant culture. These
Norms: General expectations for behavior. people converse about subjects that members of the
dominant group talk about (e.g. cars, sports, or how they
Mores: Strong norms with moral significance.
dress) as assume the modes of behavior of the
Folkways: Casual norms for everyday behavior. dominant culture.
ENGL 101-Porpusive communication

Accommodation
Being assertive
• on the other hand, is used when co-culture members
on the other hand, is seeking to realize their objectives
attempt to maintain their cultural identity even while they with whom they interact. One assertive trait is when they
strive to establish relationships with members of the
relate to the other members through trusted members of
dominant culture. the dominant group.
Separation
Example: A LGBTQ+ activist might seek allies within
• When co-culture members employ the strategy of political circles to push for legal reforms, ensuring their
separation, they tend to resist interacting with the other voices are heard while maintaining diplomacy.

members they consider outsiders. Rather than have a Aggressive members

contact with strangers they tend to keep to themselves. hurtfully express and self-promote themselves, they also
are in control of the choices they make with the members
Members of co-cultures can be: they want to be with.
passive, aggressive, assertive, or confrontational in
their approach to accomplish their communication Example: A rapper or musician may use aggressive
objectives. lyrics to highlight issues affecting their community, such
as racial injustice, police brutality, or poverty.
Passive
when they seem to seek a little to do as possible with the Confrontational members
dominant group's members. They do not attempt to seek to make the dominant culture hear them, recognize
interact with or have contact with those outside of their them, and react to them by making it impossible for them
own groups. They passively accept their position in the to ignore their presence or pretend they do not exist.
cultural hierarchy.
Example: Civil rights activists who organize protests
Example: A factory worker from a marginalized and demonstrations to challenge racial discrimination,
community avoids engaging with higher-ups in the ensuring the dominant group is forced to acknowledge
workplace, choosing to quietly go about their tasks and address their concerns.
without questioning the system.
ENGL 101-Porpusive communication

Aspect Passive Assertive

Example: In countries where women face gender
inequality, such as restrictions on voting, education, or Assert cultural
employment, large-scale protests and marches force the Avoid conflict, identity while
government and society to confront these injustices. For blend in, fostering
Main Goal minimize
instance, the Women’s March in 2017 in the U.S. respect and
brought millions of women and allies into the streets, cultural understanding
demanding equal rights, reproductive rights, and the end differences. .
of sexual harassment.
Avoids or Directly
limits engages with
interaction the dominant
Interaction with the culture,
dominant seeking
culture, recognition
prioritizing and respect.
harmony.
Non- Direct but
confrontation respectful
al, may communicatio
Methods suppress or n, promoting
hide aspects one’s identity
of cultural confidently.
identity.
Avoids Acknowledgm
Outcome attention, ent, respect,
Sought avoids and inclusion
discrimination without
or conflict. sacrificing
ENGL 101-Porpusive communication

Aspect Passive Assertive

cultural
identity.

Subdued, Confident,
Tone reserved, open,
non- constructive.
expressive.
Not speaking Requesting
up about cultural
cultural recognition,
Examples needs in the speaking
workplace, about one's
blending in identity
quietly. openly.
 Aspect Aggressive Confrontational

Promote and
ENGL 101-Porpusive communication
assert one's Demand
culture, often recognition and
Main Goal in opposition inclusion from the
to the dominant culture.
dominant
culture.
Less focused
on engaging Directly forces the
or dialoguing dominant culture
Interaction
with the to address the
dominant issues.
culture.
Bold, Protests, civil
provocative disobedience,
Methods expression disruptions to
through art, force
fashion, acknowledgment.
media, etc.
Self-
promotion of Systemic change,
Outcome identity, inclusion, or
Sought regardless of policy shifts.
how it affects
relationships.
Often Strategic
antagonistic disruption aimed
or self- at creating
Tone
focused, necessary
highlighting dialogue and
differences. action.

Artists
creating Activists shutting
controversial down roads to
Examples
works that force action on
challenge political issues.
ENGL 101-Porpusive communication

HIGH-CONTEXT CULTURES Learning: Multiple sources of information are used. Thinking

considered high-context are regarded for using nonverbal proceeds from general to specific. To accurately learn, group
indirect forms of communication to understand the information participants observe, model, demonstrate, and practice.
conveyed, communicators must have a great deal of schemata.
People with high-context cultures are the Asians. Africans.
Arabs, central European and Latin Americans. LOW-CONTEXT CULTURES
A low-context culture relies on explicit communication. Hence,
Based from C.B. Halverson's book Cultural Context Inventory, more information are not understood if not are deleted. United
high-context cultures often show the following criteria: (Source: State, Australia and some parts of Western Europe are
Edward, 2018 Historyplex): examples of countries with low-context cultures. Low-context
cultures often display the following tendencies, according to
Association: Relationships build slowly and depend on trust. Hall (2018).
Productivity depends on relationships and the group process.
The identity of the individual is formed in groups (in the family,
in the community, in work). Social structure and authority are High-context cultures such as, Mediterranean, Slav. Central
centralized. European, Latin American, African, Arab, Asian, American-
Indian; leave much of the message unspecified, to be
Interaction: Nonverbal elements such as voice tone, gestures, understood through context, nonverbal cues, and between-the-
facial expression and eye movement are significant. Interaction lines interpretation of what is actually said. By contrast, low-
to be engaging is observed through the use of indirect verbal context cultures like most Germanic and English- speaking
messages. Personal contradiction and conflicting sensitivity are countries expect messages to be explicit and specific.
also expressed using implied signals.
Association: Relationships begin and end quickly. Paying
Territoriality: Space is communal. Communicators forms a attention to the internal processes is the basis of a productive
closely knit to connect within a territory. work. For the decentralization of the societal components, each
accomplishes individually for the common good.
Temporality: Everything has its own time, and time is not
easily scheduled. Gradual change occurs as to some as time Interaction: Nonverbal elements are not significant. Verbal
goes by. messages as well as exchange of facts, ideas and opinions are
observable. In addition, to solve conflicts (to either contradiction
or agreement) the approach should not be personal. An
individual can directly show own behavior with others.
ENGL 101-Porpusive communication

Territoriality: Space is compartmentalized. Privacy is

important, so people stand farther apart.

Temporality: Events and tasks are scheduled and to be done

at particular times. Change is fast, and time is a commodity to
be spent or saved. One's time is one's own.

Learning: One source of information is used. Thinking begins

with specific message to general information. Learning takes
place through other's direct explanation. Individual orientation
is preferred and speed is valued.