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Bridging Differences
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Bridging Differences
Effective Intergroup Communication

Fourth Edition
  • William B. Gudykunst - California State University, Fullerton, USA, California State University, USA


September 2003 | 448 pages | SAGE Publications, Inc
The Fourth Edition of Bridging Differences: Effective Intergroup Communication builds on the strengths of the previous editions and provides state-of-the-art knowledge about intergroup communication. This new edition brings a strong skills-oriented approach to improving communication effectiveness between people from different groups (e.g., cultures, ethnic groups, social classes).

Bridging Differences is based on the assumption that the processes operating when we communicate with people from other groups are the same processes operating when we communicate with people from our own groups. Author William B. Gudykunst has written this book from the perspective of "communicating with strangers" and addresses how factors related to our group memberships (e.g., inaccurate and unfavorable stereotypes of members of other cultures and ethnic groups) can cause us to misinterpret the messages we receive from members of those groups.

New to the Fourth Edition:

- Expanded discussions of several topics such as changing intergroup expectations; cultural differences in attribution processes; cultural and ethnic differences in conflict; cultural differences in indirect messages; cultural differences in uncertainty management; empathy; ethnic and cultural identities; face and its relationship to conflict management; intergroup communication effectiveness; intergroup conflict; intergroup biases; negotiating means; perceptual processes; and prejudice

- New material has been added on civic engagement; community in public life; diversity and community; the content of stereotypes; communication in romantic relationships; cultural differences in effective communication; and theoretical explanations for prejudice

- Pedagogical features include end-of-chapter study questions, self-assessment questionnaires, open-ended questions to stimulate readers to think about their implicit theories, and written skill exercises to increase students' skill development

 
PREFACE
 
1. Communicating with Strangers
An Overview of the Communication Process

 
Managing Uncertainty and Anxiety

 
Effective Communication

 
Study Questions

 
Applications

 
Notes

 
 
2. Understanding Cultural Differences
Culture

 
Individualism-Collectivism

 
Other Dimensions of Cultural Variability

 
Cultural Identity

 
Study Questions

 
Applications

 
Notes

 
 
3. Understanding Group Differences
Social Identities

 
Ethnicity and Ethnic Identity

 
Identities Based on Gender, Disability, Age, and Social Class

 
Study Questions

 
Applications

 
Notes

 
 
4. Having Expectations for Strangers
The Nature of Expectations

 
Stereotypes

 
Intergroup Attitudes

 
Changing Our Intergroup Expectations

 
Study Questions

 
Applications

 
 
Notes
 
5. Attributing Meaning to Strangers' Behaviors
The Perception Process

 
The Attribution Process

 
Culture and Attributions

 
Personality Factors Influencing Our Attributions

 
Improving the Accuracy of Our Attributions

 
Study Questions

 
Applications

 
Notes

 
 
6. Exchanging Messages with Strangers
The Nature of Language and Nonverbal Messages

 
Cultural Differences in Language Usage

 
Cultural Differences in Nonverbal Communication

 
Language Usage in Communicating with Strangers

 
Improving the Quality of Messages Exchanged with Strangers

 
Study Questions

 
Applications

 
Notes

 
 
7. Being Perceived as Competent Communicators
Defining Perceived Competence

 
Motivation

 
Knowledge

 
Skills

 
Study Questions

 
Applications

 
Notes

 
 
8. Managing Intergroup Conflict
The Nature of Conflict

 
Cultural and Ethnic Differences in Conflict

 
Face Concerns

 
Characteristics of Intergroup Conflict

 
Managing Intergroup Conflict

 
Study Questions

 
Applications

 
Notes

 
 
9. Developing Relationships with Strangers
Similarities and Differences Across Groups

 
Intergroup Relationships

 
Intergroup Relationship Development

 
Romantic Relationships

 
Study Questions

 
Applications

 
Notes

Notes

Notes

 
 
10. Building Community with Strangers
The Nature of Community

 
Characteristics of Community

 
Community and Public Life

 
Civic Engagement

 
Diversity and Community

 
Ethical Issues in Building Community with Strangers

 
Principles of Community Building

 
Study Questions

 
Applications

 
Notes

 
 
REFERENCES
 
INDEX
 
ABOUT THE AUTHOR

I chose this title because of satisfactory experience with prior editions.

I wish that supplemental resources for instructors (e.g., power point slideshows; exam questions)--commonly available for other texts offered by other publishers--were offered for this title.

If any should become available, please notify me at:
KurtBruder@msn.com

Dr Kurt Bruder
Communication Dept, University at Buffalo
March 23, 2011

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