High and Low Context

The need for effective communication skills is an essential part in resolving issues regardless of your position. It is important consider what cultural aspect might be at play when thinking of communication breakdowns. The high and low context of communication has been a useful tool for many, including me when it comes to exploring issues in a conflict.

High context communication  

1. The true meaning of a message is embedded in the context, it hidden rather then obvious. For instance, context can vary from vocal tone, body language or even history between the people communicating. 
2. Contains less data compare to the context it is presented in.
3. In a communication, the sender refrains from expressing their real desires and needs in order to help the receiver. 
4. In comparison, low context communicators find high context communicators more elusive or vague and indirect. 
5. Japan and China are high context cultures, therefore they favor group harmony more then achievements of an individual and place higher value on relationships as well.
6. High context cultures consist of individuals that use feelings over reason and logic as their base for decision-making. 

Low context communication

1. When it comes to low context communications, the meaning of a message does not rely on context and is conveyed openly. The communicators tend to be cleaner, open, and concise with their messages. 
2. Compared to low context communication, it contains more data then the context in which it is presented.
3. The sender of a communication expresses their feelings and desires explicitly so they can help the receiver of the communication to fully understand their feelings and needs. 
4. For high context communicators, low context communicators seem rude and frank. It can be a huge mistake for low context communicators to work in a high context culture where face saving is important. 
5. Individuals in low context cultures prominently use feelings and their heart to make decisions. 

This video tells the different between High and Low context.

It’s important to understand the difference between high and low context communicators because tit provides diagnostic tools to help negotiate any troubles arising.   These tools help both the high and low context communicators also mediators and negotiators. For instance, mediators can learn to re-frame their messages to suit the disputant and as negotiators, they can begin to frame their communicator more effectively. 

Reference 

http://viaconflict.com/2013/08/31/high-low-context-communication/
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U-x5J_q1XE4