Cultural Misunderstandings

Read a scenario and create a 1–2-page dialogue that shows the different perspectives between characters. Then, write 3–5 pages in which you analyze the dialogue and provide solutions for reducing misunderstandings.

According to Wilmot (1987), human communication has two components, content and relationship. Although the content aspect indicates the message itself, the relationship aspect is often reflected in the thoughts and feelings hidden in the message. You will be able to explain misunderstandings among people of different cultural backgrounds and how to reduce them.

Required Resources

The following resources are required to complete the assessment.

Capella Resources

Click the links provided to view the following resources:

• Cultural Misunderstandings Scenario.

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Suggested Resources

The following optional resources are provided to support you in completing the assessment or to provide a helpful context. For additional resources, refer to the Research Resources and Supplemental Resources in the left navigation menu of your courseroom.

Library Resources

The following e-books or articles from the Capella University Library are linked directly in this course:

• Enfield, N. J. (2013). Language, culture, and mind: Trends and standards in the latest pendulum swing. Journal of the Royal Anthropological Institute, 19(1), 155–169.
• Jaeyoung, C., Kushner, K. E., Judy, M., & Lai, D. W. L. (2012). Understanding the language, the culture, and the experience: Translation in cross-cultural research. International Journal of Qualitative Methods, 11(5), 652–665.
• Swartz, L., Kilian, S., Twesigye, J., Attah, D., & Chiliza, B. (2014). Language, culture, and task shifting - an emerging challenge for global mental health. Global Health Action, 7, pp. 1–4.

Course Library Guide

A Capella University library guide has been created specifically for your use in this course. You are encouraged to refer to the resources in the PSYC-FP3540 – Culture, Ethnicity, and Diversity Library Guide to help direct your research.

Assessment Instructions

Resources

•  Cultural Misunderstandings Scoring Guide. 

Preparation

To prepare for this assessment, read the Cultural Misunderstandings Scenario linked in the Required Resources. (After reading this scenario, you will create your own dialogue.) Try to understand the "relationship" aspect of the two characters, Mariko and Mrs. Thompson. It is important to understand that the characters' thoughts described in the dialogue do not determine any specific characteristics of a certain culture. It merely indicates different perspectives presented by people from different cultural backgrounds. Here, different cultures could be represented by either "counselor culture" or "patient culture."

• Dialogue 1 portrays some cultural misunderstandings (misperceptions).
• Dialogue 2 includes Mariko's thoughts and the counselor's thoughts.

In each dialogue, "C" stands for the counselor, and "M" stands for Mariko.

Directions

• Write a 1–2‑page dialogue focusing on cultural misunderstandings or misperceptions between a counselor and a client (or a doctor and a patient). Be sure to include the characters' thoughts in the dialogue, similar to the second version of the dialogue. Your dialogue must complete the following:
  • Identify perspectives of people from different cultural backgrounds.
  • Explain misunderstandings between people of different cultural backgrounds and how to reduce them.
  • Describe how to reduce cultural misunderstandings between people of different cultural backgrounds.
  • Explain dyadic theory of communication.
• In addition to the dialogue, write a 3–5‑page paper explaining where the misunderstandings are between the two speakers in the dialogue and why the misunderstandings occurred. Then, provide suggestions for reducing these kinds of misunderstandings.

Additional Requirements

• Ensure your finished assessment is 3–5 pages in length, excluding the title page and references page. Also, submit your 1–2‑page dialogue as part of this assessment.
• Include a title page and a references page.
• Include an introductory paragraph and a concluding paragraph.
• Include a minimum of two research resources.
• Follow APA guidelines for style and formatting.

CULTURAL MISUNDERSTANDINGS SCORING GUIDE GRADING RUBRICCriteria Non-performance Basic Proficient Distinguished Identify perspectives of people from different cultural backgrounds.Does not identify perspectives of people from different cultural backgrounds. Identifies perspectives of people from different cultural backgrounds, using inaccurate or incomplete information. Identifies perspectives of people from different cultural backgrounds. Analyzes perspectives of people from different cultural backgrounds, provides specific relevant examples, and supports statements with scholarly examples from the literature. Explain misunderstandings among people of different cultural backgrounds and how to reduce them. Does not explain misunderstandings among people of different cultural backgrounds and how to reduce them. Explains misunderstandings among people of different cultural backgrounds and how to reduce them, using inaccurate or incomplete information. Explains misunderstandings among people of different cultural backgrounds and how to reduce them. Analyzes misunderstandings among people of different cultural backgrounds and how to reduce them, and synthesizes strategic foresight and various perspectives on cultural misunderstandings. Describe the content aspect of human communication. Does not describe the content aspect of human communication. Describes the content aspect of human communication using inaccurate or incomplete information. Describes the content aspect of human communication. Analyzes the content aspect of human communication and addresses alternate viewpoints. Explain dyadic communication.Does not explain dyadic communication. Explains dyadic communication using inaccurate or incomplete information. Explains dyadic communication. Evaluates dyadic communication, conveying key ideas and addressing alternate viewpoints. Communicate in a manner that is professional and consistent with expectations for members of the psychology profession. Communicates in a manner that is not professional or consistent with expectations for members of the psychology profession. Communicates in a manner that is inconsistent with expectations for members of the psychology profession. Communicates in a manner that is professional and consistent with expectations for members of the psychology profession. Communicates in a manner that is professional, scholarly, and consistent with expectations for members of the psychology profession. Apply proper APA formatting and style.Does not apply proper APA formatting and style. Uses adequate written communication but includes some APA errors and inconsistencies. Applies proper APA formatting and style. Applies scholarly writing and uses proper APA formatting and style throughout the assessment.