Research on Cross-Cultural Differences in Nonverbal Communication Between America and China

Abstract

This article aims to provide a contrastive study of cultural differences in nonverbal communication between America and China. It examines the Kluckhohn-Strodtbeck Framework for analyzing cultural patterns and lays emphasis on the comparisons of some aspects of nonverbal communication such as gestures, time orientation, and space and distance orientation. It is hoped that such a research will be of practical significance to the success of international communication between American and Chinese people and help cross-cultural communicators better understand both Eastern and Western cultures. 1. THE NECESSITY FOR THE RESEARCH OF CULTURAL DIFFERENCES IN NONVERBAL COMMUNICATION Human beings have two means of communication: verbal communication and nonverbal communication. While much of the research in intercultural communication and foreign language learning tends to be language oriented or language related [1], nonverbal communication is of equal or even greater importance in face-to-face communication. Language is an indispensible carrier of culture. Cultural differences exist in languages of all nations, and our cultural background defines us in different aspects such as customs, beliefs, traditions, attitudes, and behavior. The rapid development of economic globalization and new communication technology have granted people from all over the world more opportunities for cross-cultural exchanges, and nowadays cross-cultural communication activities have occurred more frequently. Cultural differences lead to variations in both verbal and nonverbal communication. Nonverbal signals can be easily misinterpreted, and the misunderstandings may be difficult to clear up because people may not be aware of nonverbal cues that lead them to assume that they are disliked, disrespected, or disapproved. Thus, cross-cultural communication can be inaccurate and highly stressful. When people are immersed in an environment where the language, attitude, value, and behavior are alien to their own experience, they may feel frustrated and suffer culture shock. Learning about cultural differences in nonverbal communication helps people gather clues about underlying attitudes and values and reveal basic cultural traits. Also, a great deal of nonverbal behavior speaks a universal language, and the study of nonverbal behavior in different cultures assists people in overcoming their own ethnocentrism. Furthermore, knowing the attitudes and actions of people from different cultures helps them learn about each other's affective or emotional states. 2. THE KLUCKHOHN-STRODTBECK FRAMEWORK One of the most widely established approaches to analyzing variations among cultures is the Kluckhohn-Strodtbeck framework. After examining hundreds of cultures, the Kluckhohns and Strodtbeck identified five basic cultural dimensions: human nature orientation, relationship of humankind to nature, time orientation, activity orientation, and social orientation. The Kluckhohn-Strodtbeck's value orientations have certain limitations. Many cultures do not have a single value orientation. For example, both advocating Confucianism, Mencius put forward the theory of "good" human nature while Xunzi put forward the theory of "evil" human nature. Moreover, the value orientation is constantly developing and changing with