Learning Objectives:

Anxiety and Uncertainty:

Define anxiety and uncertainty as barriers to intercultural communication

Identify the causes and effects of anxiety and uncertainty in intercultural communication

Develop strategies for managing anxiety and uncertainty in intercultural communication

Assuming Similarity instead of Difference:

Define assuming similarity as a barrier to intercultural communication

Identify the causes and effects of assuming similarity in intercultural communication

Develop strategies for overcoming the tendency to assume similarity and recognizing differences in intercultural communication

Learning Activities:

Anxiety and Uncertainty:

Class discussion: discuss anxiety and uncertainty as barriers to intercultural communication. The discussion will include personal experiences, case studies, and examples from the media.

Self-reflection: reflect on your own experiences with anxiety and uncertainty in intercultural communication and identify the causes and effects of these feelings.

Role-playing: participate in role-playing activities where they will practice managing anxiety and uncertainty in intercultural communication. For example, you may act out scenarios where you are interacting with people from different cultures and use strategies such as active listening and clarifying questions to manage their anxiety.

Assuming Similarity instead of Difference:

Class discussion: discuss assuming similarity as a barrier to intercultural communication. The discussion will include personal experiences, case studies, and examples from the media.

Cross-cultural analysis: analyze and compare different cultures, and identify similarities and differences. This will help you recognize that cultures are not monolithic and may have different values, beliefs, and communication styles.

Group project: work in groups to research a culture different from your own, and present your findings to the class. This project will help you develop empathy and understanding for cultures different from your own.

Emotional problems: Anxiety and Uncertainty, Assuming Similarity Instead of Difference

观看以下视频，您将理解跨文化交际障碍中的情感障碍：焦虑、不确定、假定一致性。

Watch the video above and finish the following exercise.

Question 1: What are some causes of anxiety and uncertainty in intercultural communication?

A) Differences in communication styles

B) Familiarity with the other person's culture

C) Language barriers

D) All of the above

Question 2: What are some strategies for managing anxiety and uncertainty in intercultural communication?

A) Active listening

B) Clarifying questions

C) Empathy

D) All of the above

Question 3: 

What is assuming similarity instead of difference?

A) Assuming that other people are similar to us in terms of values, beliefs, and communication styles

B) Assuming that other people are different from us in terms of values, beliefs, and communication styles

C) Ignoring cultural differences altogether

Question 4: What are some strategies for overcoming the tendency to assume similarity?

A) Developing cultural awareness and sensitivity

B) Recognizing our own biases and assumptions

C) Being open to different ways of thinking and communicating

D) All of the above

Short Answer question:

Choose one cultural difference that you are unfamiliar with, and describe how you would use the strategies we discussed in this lecture to manage anxiety and uncertainty and communicate effectively with someone from that culture. Write a short paragraph describing the cultural difference, and then describe how you would use the strategies we discussed to manage anxiety and communicate effectively.