Bridging Differences: Effective Intergroup Communication / Edition 4

by William B. Gudykunst

Overview

Designed for courses in intercultural or intergroup communication, cultural studies, anthropology, sociology, and management, Gudykunst's (California State U., Fullerton) text emphasizes improving communication between people from different groups, but contains ideas applicable to communication within one's own groups as well. The fourth edition includes new material on civic engagement, community in public life, diversity and community, the content of stereotypes, communication in romantic relationships, culture differences in effective communication, and theoretical explanations for prejudice, and now contains study questions for each chapter, new self-assessment questionnaires, and skill exercises. Annotation ©2003 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR

Product Details

ISBN-13:	2900761929368
Publication date:	08/11/2003
Pages:	448
Product dimensions:	6.50(w) x 1.50(h) x 9.50(d)

About the Author

William B. Gudykunst (Ph.D., Minnesota, 1977) is Professor of Speech Communication at the College of Communications, California State University, Fullerton. Bill has written and edited numerous works for SAGE, including the Handbook of Intercultural and International Communication, 2/e, and Bridging Differences: Effective Intergroup Communication, 3/e as well as the best-selling introductory undergraduate texts Building Bridges: Interpersonal Skills for a Changing World (Houghton Mifflin) and Communicating with Strangers: An Approach to Intercultural Communication, 3/e (Mc Graw-Hill). He is extremely well known in the discipline and is one of its most prolific writers/scholars in the areas of intercultural communication and human communication theory.

Table of Contents

PREFACE
1. Communicating with Strangers
An Overview of the Communication Process
Managing Uncertainty and Anxiety
Effective Communication
Study Questions
Applications
Notes
2. Understanding Cultural Differences
Culture
Individualism-Collectivism
Other Dimensions of Cultural Variability
Cultural Identity
Study Questions
Applications
Notes
3. Understanding Group Differences
Social Identities
Ethnicity and Ethnic Identity
Identities Based on Gender, Disability, Age, and Social Class
Study Questions
Applications
Notes
4. Having Expectations for Strangers
The Nature of Expectations
Stereotypes
Intergroup Attitudes
Changing Our Intergroup Expectations
Study Questions
Applications
Notes
5. Attributing Meaning to Strangers' Behaviors
The Perception Process
The Attribution Process
Culture and Attributions
Personality Factors Influencing Our Attributions
Improving the Accuracy of Our Attributions
Study Questions
Applications
Notes
6. Exchanging Messages with Strangers
The Nature of Language and Nonverbal Messages
Cultural Differences in Language Usage
Cultural Differences in Nonverbal Communication
Language Usage in Communicating with Strangers
Improving the Quality of Messages Exchanged with Strangers
Study Questions
Applications
Notes
7. Being Perceived as Competent Communicators
Defining Perceived Competence
Motivation
Knowledge
Skills
Study Questions
Applications
Notes
8. Managing Intergroup Conflict
The Nature of Conflict
Cultural and Ethnic Differences in Conflict
Face Concerns
Characteristics of Intergroup Conflict
Managing Intergroup Conflict
Study Questions
Applications
Notes
9. Developing Relationships with Strangers
Similarities and Differences Across Groups
Intergroup Relationships
Intergroup Relationship Development
Romantic Relationships
Study Questions
Applications
Notes Notes Notes
10. Building Community with Strangers
The Nature of Community
Characteristics of Community
Community and Public Life
Civic Engagement
Diversity and Community
Ethical Issues in Building Community with Strangers
Principles of Community Building
Study Questions
Applications
Notes
REFERENCES
INDEX
ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Editorial Reviews

A text on improving communication effectiveness between people from groups that differ in, for example, culture, ethnicity, gender, disability, age, or social class. New to this edition is a chapter on exchanging messages with other groups; material that looks at differences between age, social class, and physical ability; discussion of ethical issues and perceptions; and suggestions for improving the accuracy of intergroup attributions. Annotation c. Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)

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