Elements of communication in African American culture
African American nonverbal communication, such as gestures, is a unique manner of conveying thought patterns without using words. These motions might be subtle and enigmatic or bright and self-assured (Segerstråle & Molnár, 2018). The physique communicates vital information in a sophisticated and robust dialect. Certain expressions demonstrate togetherness and acknowledge the links that connect African Americans as families, society members, and individuals sharing commonalities (Hall et al., 2017). At the heart of these movements is the dap, which has been used to represent solidarity, bravery, rebellion, and opposition for millennia. For instance, Hall et al. (2017) stated that dap transformed into the Black Power embrace. Today, African Americans perform variants of these cooperation gestures, ranging from the first bump to the high-five (Hall et al., 2017). Wobbling the head down with enough mobility demonstrates respect for various people of color cultures.
However, the up nod, the grip, and the dap are typically male African American pleasantries. The up nod indicates that the other person is being observed and may not wish or be able to speak, whereas the grip indicates a deep association (Hall et al., 2017). Hall et al. (2017) insinuated that giving dap, a gesture of regard, can also be used in place of a greeting. It is not always essential to use words to convey that an individual or something is not deserving of detailed concern (Segerstråle & Molnár, 2018). Additionally, dismissing gestures is straightforward and understandable since they can convey scorn, disapproval, displeasure, and impatience.
African Americans frequently prefer to communicate with their entire body and hence require a lot of physical space around them to tense up and react. Consequently, some African Americans enjoy getting in a person’s space when conversing. Their closeness to the individual with whom they are conversing can convey their feelings and identification (Bonvillain, 2019). This seeming paradox between a desire for space and intimacy appears contextual. Discourse with people of the same society tends to be more energetic and immediate contact (Bonvillain, 2019). For some African Americans, appropriate personal boundaries are nearer 6-12 inches or an arm’s distance apart (Bonvillain, 2019). When African Americans experience a strong emotional attachment, such as joy or fury, they may gravitate toward and aside from the other person and toward and far from near vicinity.
In African American civilization, verbal conversation and speech are used to communicate principles, ideas, and practices to others. Dialogue reflects tradition and a shared commonality for members of African American society (Bonvillain, 2019). Engagement with representatives of other cultural communities may be developed to ensure a remark about African American culture or the progress of African-Americans inside the European American community. While African American adults typically maintain a straight stare when conversing with others to demonstrate attentiveness, African American adolescents frequently avoid looking at an instructor when conversing, particularly when being scolded and out of regard (Yang, 2020). African Americans frequently gaze into someone else’s eyes to indicate that they wish to ask for clarification.
Elements of communication in Chinese and Mexican cultures
I intend to work in New York City, which probably has numerous multicultural communities interacting with each other. In New York, 6% of the population comprises Chinese, and 27.5% comprises the Mexican population (Timberlake et al., 2017).
As a result of their attempt to keep successful relationships, the Chinese place a premium on informal communication; they use less language and concentrate more on stance, attitude, and manner of speech to convey meaning (Cai, 2019). Their language is frequently confusing, and they frequently underestimate their points. Thus, this is performed to ensure unity throughout the talk and avoid embarrassment on either side of the interaction.
Chinese is a phonetic language, which can have several interpretations depending on how a term is spoken. For instance, ‘ma’ can refer to a reprimand, cotton, horse, or mother, contingent on the presenter’s intonation (Cai, 2019). In terms of personal space, the Chinese are accustomed to maintaining little over an arm’s distance apart, and this separation will be greater while talking to strangers. Chinese people often avoid physical interaction with people unless it is imperative (Cai, 2019). They will avoid physical contact during conversations unless they speak with a close relative, personal friend, or companion. In principle, direct eye contact is preferred over secondary eye contact since it is regarded as a show of civility (Cai, 2019). When speaking with an unknown elder, one may bow their head to show reverence by lowering their eyes. In Chinese communication, quietness is a critical and strategic attending skill (Cai, 2019). Pausing before responding implies that someone has given the question adequate thought and care and demonstrates civility and respect.
On the other hand, while most Mexicans accept eye contact, extended eye contact is frequently regarded as impolite. Intimate or confidential interactions require extended eye contact (Jackson et al., 2019). Obstructed gaze is frequently a defining characteristic of Mexican adults and youngsters. Most Mexicans demonstrate their friendliness and psychological excitement through their immediate contact with those they chat with (Jackson et al., 2019). Mexicans frequently maintain six to eight inches closer to one another than European Americans do when conversing. Mexican frequently touch their relatives and friends while conversing, often with a pat on the back.
Due to their great connection to the community, Mexicans regularly prefer this more normal mode of communication with family members. A common greeting is to embrace or kiss on the cheek. Mexicans, particularly ladies, will be extremely expressive in their vocalizations, recognizing the effective undercurrent of their discourse (Jackson et al., 2019). Therefore, this is demonstrated through vocal variation and pitch severity. The natural warmth of Mexican communication culture is frequently evident in the seductive and sensitive conversational style that many persons employ and their apparent love of discussion.
Specific cultural problems that may impact behavioral health treatment with Asians and Latinx
The way people express and experience their ailments is influenced by their cultural factors. It can influence a person’s decision to acknowledge and discuss medical conditions, subjective distress, or both. Each society has a unique perspective on behavioral health. Since these Asian and Latinx cultures avoid body interaction with those they do not regard as a family or near relatives, clinicians have a tough time detecting diseases in these communities. Due to the fact that Chinese and Mexican individuals are more susceptible to developing physical symptoms than mental issues, their screening, and therapeutic plan are affected. Additionally, the two cultures have an increasing stigma surrounding behavioral health, and its related concerns are viewed as a show of desperation and something to conceal. As a result, it may be more difficult for those suffering to talk candidly and seek assistance.
To address the issues mentioned above, I would work to eliminate cultural differences in behavioral health structures and infrastructure. By establishing a professional connection based on approachability, sincerity, tolerance, and cultural sensitivity through face-to-face dialogues in diverse groups, a human-to-human interaction is developed, eroding the hierarchal structure. Thus, this form of constructive balance and engagement allows for the education of individuals about behavioral disorders and medical services, thereby combating stigmatization. By understanding how to create good behavioral health among diverse ethnic groups by tackling systemic difficulties in healthcare, people from these civilizations can assist themselves.
References
Bonvillain, N. (2019). Language, culture, and communication: The meaning of messages. Rowman & Littlefield.
Cai, M. (2019). Reflection of Cultural Difference of the East and the West in Nonverbal Communication. Advances in Social Science, Education and Humanities Research, 311, 288-296.
Hall, B. J., Covarrubias, P. O., & Kirschbaum, K. A. (2017). Among cultures: The challenge of communication. Routledge.
Jackson, K. F., Wolven, T., & Crudup, C. (2019). Parental ethnic-racial socialization in multiracial Mexican families. Journal of Ethnic & Cultural Diversity in Social Work, 28(2), 165-190.
Segerstråle, U., & Molnár, P. (2018). Nonverbal communication: Where nature meets culture. Routledge.
Timberlake, J. M., & Johns-Wolfe, E. (2017). Neighborhood ethnoracial composition and gentrification in Chicago and New York, 1980 to 2010. Urban Affairs Review, 53(2), 236-272.
Yang, P. (2020). Intercultural nonverbal communication competence as intercultural responsiveness in the second language learning classroom. In Language Learning and Literacy: Breakthroughs in Research and Practice (pp.339-359). IGI Global.