Does Contextualism Hinge on A Methodological Dispute?

In this entry, we provide an overview of some of the methodological debates surrounding contextualism and consider whether they are, in effect, based on an underlying methodological dispute. We consider three modes of motivation of epistemic contextualism including i) the method of cases, ii) the appeal to linguistic analogies and iii) the appeal to conceptual analogies and functional roles. We also consider the methodological debates about contextualism arising from experimental philosophy. We conclude that i) there is no distinctive methodological doctrine or set of methodological doctrines that is centrally invoked by all epistemic contextualists and ii) the substantive dispute about the truth of contextualism very frequently, although not invariably, reflects an underlying methodological dispute

The Affect of Cultural Background Knowledge on Communication Between Japanese and Americans in a Business Context

This paper considers how culture-specific background knowledge can affect cross-cultural communication in a business context between Japanese and Americans. Americans and Japanese have a unique set of cultural values and norms that go unrecognized in conversation often resulting in misunderstandings or negative first impressions which then affect future relationships. Sanlple cross-cultural conversations from business meetings along with data collected by the author from Japanese and American respondents are compared and analyzed highlighting culture-specific background knowledge. This work underscores the importance of, first, becoming more mindful of how our own culture affects how we communicate and, second, becoming more open to how people from other cultures prefer to communicate.

Intercultural Communication : Defining Culture to Recognize Cultural Tendencies versus Stereotypes

The field of Intercultural Communication (IC) is a relatively new but fast growing field of research. In a world where more people of diverse languages and cultural backgrounds are coming into contact with one another, IC is primed to play an even more significant role in second and foreign language education as well as cross-cultural training programs.　This paper briefly gives an overview of IC and the assumptions which underpin the primary areas of interest. The definition of culture plays a significant factor into how educators and trainers approach the field. Traditionally held positivistic views of culture as a static entity influencing our language and behavior in all situations clearly need reexamining. However, language educators and cross-cultural trainers necessarily interested in the more practical aspects of teaching ”culture” are squarely on the positivistic side of the culture paradigm. Therefore, it is vital that we clearly identify how culture is regarded to avoid perpetuating cultural stereotypes as opposed to highlighting cultural tendencies.　Finally, because Intercultural Communication seeks to identify and raise awareness of cultural-specific types of behavior and language, it can help create a climate of tolerance and trust in face-to-face interaction. To be a true ”interculturalist”, we not only need to be aware of ”the other” culture\u27s tendencies but of our own as well

Recognizing Intercultural Conflict : An Analysis of International Exchange Students\u27 Meeting in a Japanese University Context

This paper draws on intercultural communication and conflict theories to outline and explain how two distinct cultural groups may frame and (mis) interpret a shared event. Specifically, international exchange (IE）students and their Japanese hosts may experience communication difficulties not because ofcommunicative competence but rather cultural competence. The critical incident analyzed was an IE/Teacher meeting in a Japanese university context. Another broader purpose of this paper is to explain how unrecognized values of our native culture norms can impede a deeper understanding of a crosscultural incident. When participants\u27 specific communicative values and norms differ, problem negotia tion and facework become mcertain. In order to promote mutual respect and help strengthen future cross-cultural relationships, it is vital that each side make an effort to be aware, or mindful, of their own culture-specific communicative tendencies so that we can be more accepting and tolerant of someone from another culture.

Understanding the Merits and Demerits of High and Low Context Oriented Communication Cultures in Intercultural Business Conflict : the case of Fukushima and Japanese communication schema

This paper shall highlight the merits and demerits of both high and low context oriented communication cultures - particularly in cross-cultural business contexts. Intercultural Communication (IC) theories such as high . low context, universalism . particularism and monochromic . polychromic time are meant to serve as guideposts for the international sojourner to communicate effectively in the host country. We shall also briefly discuss the idea that the English language serves as a low context facilitator in critical business incidents and use the Fukushima nuclear power plant disaster as a case in point of how both high and low context cultures use their cultural schema to make crucial decisions. Finally, the importance of IC theories as a starting point to better cross-cultural understanding is stressed. Keywords: intercultural communication, high low context, Asia, western, business, Fukushim

A Review of Past Cross-culturaI Research Relating to Miscommunication Between Japanese and Americans

The purpose of this paper is to review research and theory regarding the affect culture can have on communication by discussing relevant work done in the field of Intercultural Communication (IC), as well as relevant studies comparing Japanese and American communication. Recent studies and theories are discussed in the context of how culture can significantly contribute to a cross-cultural miscommunication. It is argued that the way we communicate is dependent upon our unrecognized schema or background knowledge of the simple daily events occurring around us. Within this context, four areas of interest are discussed. First, the field of Intercultural Communication is introduced with its stance towards communication. Second, how a speaker makes meaning is crucial in the native/non-native (NS-NNS) speaker context because of the NNSs limited competency with the second language. Cultural competency is also an issue because cultural concepts often go unrecognized in the cross-cultural dyad. Third, the NNS speaker has often been criticized for not conforming to the NS role model. However, to overcome the more serious cross-cultural misunderstandings, both speakers need a higher level of cultural competency with their own culture before attempting to interpret hthe other”.Fourth, NNS corhprehension strategies can adverdely affect the processing of the second or foreign language. Finally, it is argued through relevant studies that it would be more useful for cross-cultural research to describe and compare Japanese and Western cultures by first establishing a common set of categories that can hold the same meanings for both cultures. This can free the study from unnecessary and unintended bias and provide a deeper insight into why misunderstanding happened in the first piace.

Purified human BRCA2 stimulates RAD51-mediated recombination.

Mutation of the breast cancer susceptibility gene, BRCA2, leads to breast and ovarian cancers. Mechanistic insight into the functions of human BRCA2 has been limited by the difficulty of isolating this large protein (3,418 amino acids). Here we report the purification of full-length BRCA2 and show that it both binds RAD51 and potentiates recombinational DNA repair by promoting assembly of RAD51 onto single-stranded DNA (ssDNA). BRCA2 acts by targeting RAD51 to ssDNA over double-stranded DNA, enabling RAD51 to displace replication protein-A (RPA) from ssDNA and stabilizing RAD51-ssDNA filaments by blocking ATP hydrolysis. BRCA2 does not anneal ssDNA complexed with RPA, implying it does not directly function in repair processes that involve ssDNA annealing. Our findings show that BRCA2 is a key mediator of homologous recombination, and they provide a molecular basis for understanding how this DNA repair process is disrupted by BRCA2 mutations, which lead to chromosomal instability and cancer

Recognizing Deep Culture\u27s Influence on Communicative Behavior

The goal of this paper is to highlight and discuss the importance of culture and how it can affect our communication in intercultural contexts. We shall discuss the affect culture can have on communication in cross-cultural contexts using specific examples from Japanese and English speakers. Two culture models are presented for understanding and making sense of these cross-cultural events. The final purpose of this paper is to offer a way for readers and intercultural students to think about and explore culture’s influence on their communicative behavior so that they can establish and maintain successful relationships with someone from another culture