Communication in Personal Relationships Across Cultures

This innovative book contains studies of personal relationships from a variety of non-western cultures, and leaves behind the western biases that are typical of most research and theorizing done in this expanding area.

Chapters focus on personal communication practices in countries including Iran, Brazil, Mexico, China, Japan and Korea. The editors cover the major theories that explain communication across cultures through both emic and etic approaches, by examining how members of a culture understand their own communication, and by comparing specific aspects of communication across cultures. They also suggest areas for future research.

Filling the void in interpersonal and intercultural communication, Communication in Personal Relationships Across Cultures examines the communication practices of non-Western cultures. The international cast of contributors assembled here leaves behind the biases typical of most research and theorizing done in this area of communication and enables the reader to develop a thorough understanding of how people communicate in non-Western societies. Chapters focus on communication practices in China, Japan, Korea, Mexico, Brazil, Iran, Africa, and totalitarian societies. Through both emic and etic approaches, this groundbreaking volume explores how members of a culture understand their own communication, and compares the similarities and differences of specific aspects of communication across cultures. Covering all major theories in this expanding field, and suggesting areas for future research, this engaging collection will interest both students and professionals in communication, psychology, and sociology.