American Cultural Patterns: A Cross-Cultural Perspective [Paperback]

Edward C. Stewart (Author), Milton J. Bennett (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 26, 2005 | ISBN-10: 1877864013 | ISBN-13: 978-1877864018 | Edition: 2nd Edition

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. ContentsIntroduction1 Conceptualization of the Cross-Cultural Problem2 Cultural Patterns of Perception and Thinking3 Language and Nonverbal Behavior4 Form of Activity5 Form of Social Relations6 Perception of the World7 Perception of the Self8 Intercultural Communication ApplicationsBibliographyIndex

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Edward C. Stewart comes from a bicultural family, earned his doctorate in psychology at the University of Texas, and has taught at numerous institutions in the U.S. and abroad.Milton J. Bennett served in the Peace Corps in Micronesia, received his doctorate in communication from the University of Minnesota, and has taught communication at Portland State University. He is currently a co-director of The Intercultural Communication Institute in Portland, Oregon. He is also the author of Basic Concepts of Intercultural Communication.

Product Details

• Paperback: 288 pages
• Publisher: Nicholas Brealey Publishing; 2nd Edition edition (April 26, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1877864013
• ISBN-13: 978-1877864018
• Product Dimensions: 8.8 x 6 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 10.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #62,331 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

32 of 34 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Learning about the American way of thinking, June 22, 2000

By 

Schraepen Ariane - See all my reviews

This review is from: American Cultural Patterns: A Cross-Cultural Perspective (Paperback)

I read this book as part of a class I took called socio-cultural perspectives on language and found this book very interesting and insightful. I teach German at an American university and since I am not American it is important to have an understanding of American culture. A lack of understanding can lead to miscommunications and frustrations both on part of the learner as well as the instructor. Though American Cultural Patterns is somewhat philosophical in its approach, it remains a very readable book with numerous comparisons between American and other cultures which are very helpful. I would recommend this book to anyone interested in knowing more about American culture, be it for professional or personal purposes.

14 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Perhaps their patterns would be useful for knitting..., December 5, 2005

By 

Tom Reynolds (Wuhan, China) - See all my reviews

This review is from: American Cultural Patterns: A Cross-Cultural Perspective (Paperback)

This book seeks to look at American cultural patterns within a cross-cultural perspective. A number of cultural stereotypes are compared with the American stereotype, particularly Japan. I say "cultural stereotypes" because this is what is primarily used. At times, I have to disagree completely with the authors' interpretation of the meaning behind the actions of the cross-cultural experience. For example they give some examples of difficulties the author(s) had in Japan and then they explain why this occurred, always giving the benefit of the doubt to the Japanese culture. However, if that same action would be seen as an insult by a Japanese person I really see no reason for the authors to explain it away using a Japanese cultural value. In other words, they fail to critically analyse different cultures either from within or from an American perspective. The end result is that you are to assume that other cultures always treat people with respect and it is only an American-centric view that would think otherwise. I am not American and can claim something of a dispassionate view on the subject.

At first glance this book appears to be a useful, quick read for those going overseas but in reality it is a tough slog through some unanalysed stereotypes. This book fails to get past surface meanings to the deeper reality of the cross-cultures with which it contrasts American culture.

1 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Insightful, August 15, 2007

By 

J. Green (Merritt Island FL USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: American Cultural Patterns: A Cross-Cultural Perspective (Paperback)

A fantastic book for understanding how much our culture defines us. The authors do explain that they are addressing the main American culture (versus our rich group of subcultures). Additionally, they do not privilege one culture over another (as one reviewer stated). Their goal is to (1) explain how deeply our cultural responses are ingrained and (2)to help us recognize that our American outlook is not universal--amazingly there are other ways of perceiving the world than the way most Americans do. The book is not a quick, easy read--both authors are university professors (who probably use their book as one of their required readings ;D) Academics & those used to scholarly texts will get the most out of, everyone else will need to be patient and take it slow.