All interactions are to some extent intercultural, but some
much more than others. Being able to work effectively in intercultural
small groups
will be increasingly necessary in the next decades. Everyone must abandon
ethnocentricity and learn to appreciate, rather than denigrate, diversity.
Cultures vary along several key dimensions, including
worldview, or beliefs about the nature and purpose of life, which help
determine our values,
activity orientation, customs, and beliefs; the degree of individualism;
the degree of power distance; the extent to which people avoid uncertainty;
whether
a culture values stereotypically masculine or feminine behavior; and the
extent to which people rely more on the words or the context to determine
the meaning
of something.
Language differences between cultures or co-cultures
can also cause major misunderstandings.
Race, age, and social class differences can be viewed
as cultural differences. Different races, generational groupings, and social
classes
have different rules for behavior.
Two ethical principles should guide intercultural interactions
in groups: the worth and dignity of humans should be protected, and peace
among all people should be promoted.
