李浩锡Chronemics
Chronemics is the study of the u of time in nonverbal communication. The way we perceive time, structure our time and react to time is a powerful communication tool, and helps t the stage for the communication process. Across cultures, time perception plays a large role in the nonverbal communication process. Time perceptions include punctuality, willingness to wait, and interactions. The u of time can affect lifestyles, daily agendas, speed of speech, movements and how long people are willing to listen.
Time can also be ud as an indicator of status. For example, in most companies the boss can interrupt progress to hold an impromptu meeting in the middle of the work day, yet the average worker would have to make an appointment to e the boss. The way different cultures perceive time can influence communication as well.
Cultures are usually put into two time system categories: monochronic and polychronic.
Monochronic and Polychronic Time
陆游写的爱国诗Monochronic and polychronic time systems are two terms ud to refer to time and its influence on society.
Monochronic Time
A monochronic time system means that things are done one at a time and time is gmented into preci, small units. Under this system time is scheduled, arranged and managed.
The United States is considered a monochronic society. This perception of time is learned and rooted in the 鲶鱼吃什么Industrial Revolution, where "factory life required the labor force to be on hand and in place at an appointed hour" (Guerrero, DeVito & Hecht, 1999, p. 238). For Americans, time is a precious resource not to be wasted or taken lightly. "We buy time, save time, spend time and make time. Our time can be broken down into years, months, days, hours, minutes, conds and even milliconds. We u time to structure both our daily lives and events that we are planning for the future. We have schedules that we must follow: appointments that we must go to at a certain time, class that start and end
at certain times, work schedules that start and end at certain times, and even our favorite TV shows, that start and end at a certain time.校园一卡通系统” 玉米杂交[1]
As communication scholar Edward T. Hall wrote regarding the American’s viewpoint of time in the business world, “the schedule is sacred.”经典爱情电影台词 Hall says that for monochronic cultures, such as the American culture, “time is tangible” and viewed as a commodity where “time is money” or “time is wasted.” The result of this perspective is that Americans and other monochronic cultures, such as the German and Swiss, place a paramount value on schedules, tasks and “getting the job done.” The cultures are committed to regimented schedules and may view tho who do not subscribe to the same perception of time as disrespectful.
Monochronic cultures include Germany, 800米怎么跑Canada, Switzerland, United States, and Scandinavia.
Polychronic Time
Main article: Polychronicity
A polychronic time system is a system where veral things can be done at once, and a more fluid approach is taken to scheduling time. Unlike Americans and most northern and western European cultures, Latin American and Arabic cultures u the polychronic system of time.
The cultures are much less focud on the preciness of accounting for each and every moment. As Raymond Cohen notes, polychronic cultures are deeply steeped in tradition rather than in tasks—a clear difference from their monochronic counterparts. Cohen notes that "Traditional societies have all the time in the world. The arbitrary divisions of the clock face have little saliency in cultures grounded in the cycle of the asons, the invariant pattern of rural life, and the calendar of religious festivities" (Cohen, 1997, p. 34).
Instead, their culture is more focud on relationships, rather than watching the clock. They have no problem being “late” for an event if they are with family or friends, becau the relationship is what really matters. As a result, polychronic cultures have a much less
formal perception of time. They are not ruled by preci calendars and schedules. Rather, “cultures that u the polychronic time system often schedule multiple appointments simultaneously so keeping on schedule is an impossibility.” [2]
Polychronic cultures include Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Mexico, New Orleans, Philippines, Pakistan, India, and many in Africa.
Predictable patterns between cultures with differing time systems
Monochronic People | 向晚是什么意思Polychronic People |
do one thing at a time | do many things at once |
concentrate on the job | are highly distractible and subject to interruptions |
take time commitments (deadlines, schedules) riously | consider an objective to be achieved, if possible |
are low-context and need information | are high-context and already have information |
committed to the job | are committed to people and human relationships |
adhere religiously to plans | change plans often and easily |
are concerned about not disturbing others; follow rules of privacy and consideration | are more concerned with tho who are cloly related than with privacy |
show great respect for private property; ldom borrow or lend | borrow and lend things often and easily |
emphasize promptness | ba promptness on the relationship |
are accustomed to short-term relationships | have strong tendency to build lifetime relationships |
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Co-Cultural Perspectives on Time
