Peircing Cultural Perimeters

1). Do you agree with anthropologist Ruth Benedict that we are "creatures of our culture" and that our habits, beliefs, and impossibilities are shaped by our culture? If so, how can we break through the limits of our cultures?

I think it is accurate when Ruth Benedict says that we are creatures of our culture.

What else do we know than what we were taught or what we have seen? Just as objects do not randomly appear into space I think likewise that “other-cultural” ideas do not also.

In order for there to be a cultural shift there must first be an exposure to ideas and imaginations outside of one’s own culture. If someone asks how cultures originated the answer may be that environments caused them to form. Look at the clothing comparison between Eskimos and Bedouins, one dresses warm with fur and animal skin while the other has to dress with loosely fitting, breathable linens. Their environment shaped their cultural apparel.

I think if we are to break through the limits of our culture we must travel. Exposure to other ways of life provides life experience and worldliness (the good kind).

Thumbs Wars

2). Although nonverbal messages are more universal than verbal messages, nonverbals do not always carry the same meanings in other cultures. Can you give examples of some of the nonverbal displays that take on different meanings in other countries? If you have moved around within this country, have you ever encountered regional differences in nonverbal meaning?

It is quite remarkable how simple gestures can be mistook or perceived to mean something else in certain cultures.

For instance, eye contact for prolonged periods of time in a conversation can mean disrespect in some Asian cultures, while it means confidence and attentiveness in ours. In fact, you may fail a job interview if you cannot keep proper eye contact with your interviewer! I wonder if the consequences are the same in Asian cultures if their eye contact norm is violated.

Also, giving the “thumbs up” sign is meant to mean “good job” or “well done” in American culture. You can most likely find a poster or t-shirt with this symbol on it and it is understood to mean a positive thing. Then if you were to go to Iraq and throw this gesture around it would be the same as “flipping the bird”.

I have yet to find out where our version of the “bird” means “good luck” or “well done!” in another culture.

Nothing To Yawn At

1). Because nonverbal messages can be ambiguous, they are open to misinterpretation. Have you ever been wrong about the meaning of someones nonverbal message? Describe what happened. How can people increase the accuracy with which they interpret nonverbal message?

One nonverbal cue that leaves me stumped is the yawn. I have done it to people in conversation and they have done it to me, leaving both of us confused about our listener’s interest level.

Not until recently did I learn that when someone yawns while you are talking it does not necessarily mean that they are bored. In fact, yawning could mean that someone is captivated by a speaker and in high concentration, which could slow their breathing while raising their body temperature, and the yawn is to cool the brain down. This was found in a study by Gallup AC & Gallup GG Jr (2007).

This explanation cleared a lot of mystery for me because sometimes when I was genuinely interested in a conversation, and in deep attentiveness, usually in one-on-one interactions a yawn would just creep up! I have been in fights before, but I have never won with a yawn.

A good way to clear the ambiguity and get an accurate interpretation of this nonverbal cue would be to understand that just because a person yawns does not mean they are bored. Also, realize that someone may be interested in what you are saying; they just may be tired at the same time.

That is why if I yawn awkwardly in a conversation I will just tell them scientifically what just happened, that it means I am just really interested and concentrating on what they are saying. Most of the time I am sure this is the case.

Comfort And Space

3). Pick one concept from the assigned reading, that has not already been discussed this week, that you found useful or interesting and discuss it.


Personal space is something that greatly differentiates and defines Americans from other cultures. I can say that in my lifetime I have seen clearly that Americans love their space. Arguments, quarrels, and fights have erupted due to the exhausted excuse, “They got all up in my face!” denoting a violation of someone’s space.

Take for example the line marker at your local Kaiser hospital. Instead of having a normal line running from the receptionist desk to the waiting area there is a marker on the floor about ten feet back telling you where to stand in order to give the present customer their privacy.

I have noticed that in other cultures, particularly the eastern cultures, people converse in closer proximity to one another. I wonder if one underlying factor could be that the American culture is more individualistic, leaving people to be more solitary-minded which spills over into their physical/ spatial comforts.

Since numerous studies have shown that personal contact and relationships are necessary for healthy living, it would be interesting to see what effect would take place if Americans downsized their circles of comfort by a few measurements.

Can We Train Our Perception?

1). Is it possible to perceive others without judging or categorizing them? If so, how? If not, how can we make the judgments we do make, more fair?


Thinking long and hard on this question I have come to the conclusion that if it is not impossible, then it is extremely difficult NOT to judge/ categorize or size-up someone during an initial perception phase. We can however, train ourselves to perceive fairer and more accurately.

I cannot imagine just seeing someone without judging them. Especially when I meet someone all sorts of things run through my mind involuntarily. Things such as their honesty, credibility, and character get evaluated. In fact, receiving a firm handshake can force you to judge someone as strong or weak just from the mere contact.

Without this instinct most people would leave themselves vulnerable to all sorts of “predatorial” approaches. But can we become fairer in the perceptions we make of people? The issue of racial profiling comes to mind. Some may call racial profiling among police officers good policing, because people those who fit the profile of most criminals are singled out and detained. But then we have to ask ourselves if this tactic is equitable even though it may be effective.

As far as making it fairer when evaluating people, I think the most reasonable course of action to take is to educate yourself about the categories of the people you judge most strongly, whether positively or negatively. Information, education, and logic should be the brush strokes that paint a fairer and more accurate picture. What drives people to make rash judgments is ignorance and irrationality. This is not to say that because everyone becomes educated that everyone will be friends. What I mean to say is that with the proper tools people will get sized-up more accurately. These are just some of the ways how we can train to give ourselves more precise judgments of people.

Side Note: I highly recommend the book Blink by Malcolm Gladwell for an interesting read on our subconscious perceptions, and how powerful they really can be.