Perspectives
Americaville:
Some Thoughts on Culture and Communication
By Thomas F. Ditzler, Ph.D. and Michael A. Kellar, Psy.D.

A few years ago we had an opportunity to attend the cross-cultural communications course conducted by the U.S. Air Force Special Operations School in Florida. The course enjoys a well-deserved reputation for being both interesting and useful, and the chance to learn about exotic cultures and places was invigorating.

In anticipation of the course requirements, we embarked on an aggressive research program to learn as much as possible about the diverse cultures we were to study. We arrived feeling like informed consumers, ready to get down to business about how the rest of the world works. We were a bit surprised when the course director told us the entire first half of the course would be invested in only one culture: our own. The course was enlightening in many ways, not the least of which concerned our study of the strange culture we began to call "Americaville."

Recently, while reviewing a foreign study program for undergraduate university students, we were reminded of our Air Force experience. The information packet included a small student handbook from the program administrators with notes on the practical aspects of studying abroad. Most of the content was predictable– managing your money, safety tips, student life, etc., but one section seemed strangely familiar. The content was based largely on the work of the noted cultural researcher Robert Kohls; it addressed the notion of what it means to be an American abroad. Or to put it directly, how others see Americans as a national group.

Kohls made a number of generalizations about what one might call the central themes of American culture. An old saying admonishes, "all generalizations are false," but as we read the list we were impressed with Kohl"s ability to capture a broad swath of the American Psyche. For all the earnest diversity we enjoy as individuals, our shared nation-hood has a fairly consistent look to others. Herewith are some of Kohl"s observations along with our own comments on the unseen influence of our cultural values on interpersonal communication.

Control over the environment
Kohl notes that Americans tend to believe people have a great deal of influence over their lives. Believing in fate is viewed as primitive and an indication that one is unwilling to take the initiative. Life problems may be viewed as a product of laziness or irresponsibility. Belief in the power of fate may be viewed derisively as in the mordant witticism, "Don't be superstitious... its bad luck!" Those of us who provide humanitarian aid must remember that the American zeal for action-oriented problem solving may easily trample traditional values associated with the concepts of the natural order of things.

Perception of Change
A value that is closely related to control is change. According to Kohl, Americans have a strong belief that change is good. Unless specifically stated otherwise, change is viewed as an opportunity for renewal and growth and is associated with improvement and progress. In many more traditional cultures, however, people invest large amounts of psychological and social energy in the veneration of stability, continuity and historical traditions. In much of the world, change is simply viewed as a threat. In these communities "out with the old and in with the new" is not always the best way to achieve meaningful change.

Competition
As a group, Americans value competition in nearly all aspects of life. Competition is viewed as an intrinsic good. Our capitalist free market economic system is predicated on assumptions about competition. Much of the popular business literature in the United States focuses on the search for competitive advantage. For the folks from Americaville, the ability to compete reflects discipline and mastery. In some cultures however, the zeal to win is viewed as pretentious and immature, reflecting a lack of concern for others. Understandably, such people may be considered untrustworthy.

Individualism
Our feelings about competition are closely related to two other high priority values: individualism and autonomy. The message is, "I can do what I want, and I can do it by myself." From the pilgrims at Plymouth Rock to the American Revolution, to the cowboys of the old West, America has demonstrated what can only be called rampant individualism at every turn. For citizens of Americaville, self-determination affects everything from occupation to choice of mate. A friend once remarked, "when Americans think about goals they tend to think in terms of choice, not hope."

Equality
The idea that all persons are created equal is institutionalized in our Constitution and Bill of Rights. Equality is such a large part of our national character that it is viewed as having divine sanction. First time visitors to Americaville are sometimes shocked by the degree of in-formality in virtually all aspects of American life. In business, bosses frequently urge their employees to call them by their first names, in many restaurants, service personnel introduce themselves to customers. In recent memory, presidents Carter and Clinton both insisted on using their nicknames, even in signing official documents. For most of the world, of course, social inter-action is much more formal, and traditional ideas of appropriate "power distance" are closely adhered to. In Americaville, getting to know someone quickly is desirable. In many cultures such behavior is viewed as disrespectful if not downright disingenuous.

Directness and honesty
For much of the world, subtlety and the conveyance of oblique meaning are the hallmarks of effective communication. In many places this reflects a strong cultural value associated with saving face and the maintenance of social harmony. In Americaville things are just the opposite. Being direct, open and specific are viewed as strong social virtues and also imply attributes of honesty and dependability. Especially when time is short or interest is high, Americans often favor pursuit of the "product" over preservation of the "process."

Conclusion
It is a truism that the humanitarian aid field requires a high degree of sensitivity to the cultural values of others; a large part of that sensitivity is based on the development of culturally competent communication skills. As we invest our energies in the acquisition of those skills it may be useful to begin by learning all we can about those marvelously strange folks from Americaville.

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