On the differences Between Body Language in China and AmericaFrom the perspective of Power Distance

HOU+Ting－ting

【Abstract】Over the past decades, quite a lot of scholars both in and out of China have dedicated themselves to the research of body language and a great number of works have been published to give impetus to the study of body language. The paper aims to study the differences of body language in China and America from the perspective of power distance to help people from different cultural backgrounds achieve a successful intercultural communication and avoid conflict as much as possible.

【Key words】Body Language；Power Distance；Differences

1Introduction

It is universally acknowledged that verbal communication and non-verbal communication work together to make the human interaction process complete. Birdwhistell(1970)once indicated that 65 percent of human communication is nonverbal. Also,Mehrabian(1972) noted that nonverbal cues convey about 93 percent of the meaning in the face-to-face communication.Undeniably, the siginificant role of body language plays, which takes an important part in non-verbal communication can not be ignored. By applying power distance from Hofstedes Value Dimensions, the paper tries to explore the deep reasons that caused the differences and thus put the study into a new perspective, which is distinct from previous research.

2About Power Distance

Hofstede has identified four value dimensions that have great influence on behavior in all cultures. The dimensions are individualism-collectivism, power distance, uncertainty avoidance as well as masculinity-femininity. Power distance classifies cultures on a continuum of high to low-power distance. The premise of the dimension copes with the extent to which a society accepts that power in relationships, institutions, and organizations is distributed unequally. Hofstede found that in some cultures, those who hold power and those who are affected by power are significantly far apart in various ways, this is the so-called high power-distance. On the contrary, in other cultures the power holders and those affected by the power holders are relatively close,this phenomemon can be called low power-distance. China falls into the category of high power distance, while America tend to be low power-distance country.

3Analysis of the Differences

We may think that body language is universal, but its not. Every culture interprets gestures, posture and degree of eye contact differently. It is the culture mode that determines the way people behave, so body language is culture-specific and in some sense convey their unique culture meanings. Due to the influence of Confucianism, social status and hierarchy is evidently marked in Chinese society. High power distance pattern premeates every level of the society. People think that power and authority are the facts of life. Consciously or unconsciously, people uphold the ideal that they are not equal in the world and everyone should find their rightful place. In Chinese culture, schools are characterized by high power distance pattern, teachers are considered as authority, this is the reason why students show great reverence and respect for the teachers and must sit upright in the classroom, if they have something to say in the class, they have to put their hands up. Only permitted , can they stand up and voice their opinions. What may surprise us is that in the low power distance America, students and teachers are equal in the class, and they can sit in any posture they like. Casualness is advocated in their culture. The students can interrupt the teachers speech any time if they have any questions without using any beckoning gesture and sit on the seats to answer the questions, which may offend any Chinese teacher. When it comes to eye contact, students in China tend to avoid direct eye contact with their teachers, they prefer to lower their head and bury their noses in their books. In America, people like looking directly at the person he or she is speaking to. Avoiding direct eye contact means not showing respect or interest.

Also, in China, parents would often pat the kids on the head to show love, which is seen as a taboo in Ameica. This is mainly because American culture is what we call religious culture,with religious belief in the Christ being the mainstream culture. Statistics have indicated that the Christians accounted for 87% of the American people, with 59% being protestants. What the protestant doctrine showed is that individuals are linked with the god through their own faith directly and believed that every person can be justified by faith. Personal faith is thought to be the sole way to save themselves. So ideologically, the Americans in some way have shaken the the patriarchal system, making the Americans self-directed. Independence, freedom and equality become the core of their family values. Christians advocate philanthropism, promote equality and disapprove of the level of differentiation. They assume that inequality in society must be minimized , they are close to power and everyone has the right to gain access to power. In their opinion, hierarchy is a symbol of inequality. Subordinates regard superiors to be the same kind of people as they are. People in power, whatever position they are in, try to look less powerful than they really are and be friendly. The power and the powerless try to live in harmony. It is not hard to understand that bowing is thought to be rare to American people and they choose to keep their head high when walking.

4Conclusion

Communicating with people from different cultures and languages can be full of rewards, but also filled with challenges. This type of communication involves a range of specific patterns, strategies as well as unwritten rules. Misinterpretations of body language or gestures may lead to discomfort, conflicts and even produce embarrasing results. Its impossible for us to know the various cultural differences in body language that you can run into. And trying to abide by all of them is even tougher. A persons background should be taken into consideration before jumping to conclusions about the meaning of his or her body behavior. What we should bear in mind is that you know these differences exist and that you treat others how you would want to be treated. Once again, the best policy would be let the other person lead the interaction if you are uncertain. That way, you will never be wrong!