American Cultural Patterns: A Cross-Cultural Perspective

by Edward C. Stewart, Milton J. Bennett

With a more globalized economy and a redefinition of the American in the overseas workplace, we have a growing need to address cross-cultural communication and determine how to bridge the inevitable gaps in understanding.

American Cultural Patterns: A Cross-Cultural Perspective, originally published in 1972, is an indispensable classic that has been used extensively as a classroom textbook for its comprehensive, critical approach to American thought and behavior.

In this revised edition, Edward C. Stewart and Milton J. Bennett combine their expertise to describe Americans' perception both of themselves and the world as well as their values, their common patterns of thinking and their verbal and nonverbal behaviors. By juxtaposing these traits against the cultures of both Western and non-Western countries, we get a comprehensive look at the possible pitfalls in communicating with Americans and guidelines on how to avoid misunderstanding.

Insightful and practical, American Cultural Patterns is a must-have for any who wish to communicate effectively with their American counterparts.

Contents
Introduction
1 Conceptualization of the Cross-Cultural Problem
2 Cultural Patterns of Perception and Thinking
3 Language and Nonverbal Behavior
4 Form of Activity
5 Form of Social Relations
6 Perception of the World
7 Perception of the Self
8 Intercultural Communication Applications
Bibliography
Index

Genres: Nonfiction, The United States Of America, Anthropology

228 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1972

Reviews

[Whanthatapril jeff · Rating 5 out of 5]

A cultural anthropologist/communications expert whose upbringing included three cultures (Japanese, Brazilian, and American) takes a very perceptive look at the worldview assumptions that Americans take for granted and that are so much a part of us that we rarely surface or see them. They're too close to us, so we don't see them. This is a very helpful book for an American reader to get a handle on her/his own thinking patterns and assumptions, to better enable her/him to relate and communicate cross-culturally. It is also helpful for anyone studying the culture to learn it and understand how it thinks. Lastly, it's a great book because of the method it demonstrates, of analyzing one's own culture with an objective and one-step removed perspective. We all need to be able to do this, now matter what our culture is, if we wish to make a difference in our now much smaller world.

[Mike Bright · Rating 3 out of 5]

There is some good material here for people traveling and/or working in other cultures. It fits well with other sources I've read and is clearly well researched.

However, the good bits are interspersed with very academic discussions that are not always clear. The examples from other cultures are scattered a bit; I would prefer a more consistent comparison to a single other culture (to avoid picking and choosing specific examples). Finally, this is from 1972, and as the book notes, culture does change. Some of the examples of American culture given seem deeply rooted in the 1960's, so perhaps not applicable today.

[Sarah]

This was a fascinating and enlightening read...

[Reuel · Rating 3 out of 5]

Useful to see your own culture from an outsider's perspective.

[Natalie DeYoung]

Far too technical and theoretical for me right now. Will revisit later.