High-context culture

 Low-context culture

Much covert and implicit message:
Metaphoric and read between the
lines meaning

Much overt and explicit message:
Plain and literal meaning 

 Internalized messages:
Inner locus of control and blame for
failure

Plainly coded messages:
 Outer locus of control and blame
outer for failure

 Much nonverbal coding:
A lot of attention paid to body
language and mannerisms

Verbalized details:
More expression emphasized  in the
verbal versus body language 

 Reserved reactions:
React more inwardly than outwardly

 Reactions on the surface:
React more outwardly

 Distinct ingroups and outgroups:
Closely knit groups of affiliation
Family Gathering, Birthday party

 Flexible ingroups and outgroups:
Open groups of affiliation ie. PTA,
Fast food restaurant

 Strong people bonds:
Family and community most important

 Fragile people bonds:
Family and community less important

 High commitment::
Relationship more important than task,
Long term relationships

 Low commitment :
Task more important than relationships,
short term relationships

Open and flexible time:
Process more important than product

Highly organized time:
Product more important than process