Intercultural and international communication includes the study of both personal and nation-to-nation communication. In this section of our blog, we will look at international events and how they are shaped by communication. We will also discuss the barriers that make intercultural communication challenging, compare different cultures’ written, verbal and body cues, and analyze how communication can shape both international and domestic policies. By understanding how certain forms of communication transcend borders–and how certain types of communication can separate us–we can get a better understanding of other cultures. We can also build policy and interpersonal skills that are more appropriate for a multicultural society, which will be increasingly important in an increasingly multicultural world bridged by the Internet, smart phones and other new media.
Self-Disclosure Used to Strengthen Friendships in the United States, but Not in Japan
In the United States, friends often share intimate details of their lives and problems. However, such self-disclosure is much less common in Japan. A new study by an American researcher living in Japan finds that this may be because of the different social systems in the two countries, and in particular the extent to which there are opportunities to make new friends.
