Proxemics–Your Space or Mine?

Japan Intercultural Institute
Japan Intercultural Institute
Proxemics--Your Space or Mine?
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Do people touch a lot or hardly at all? Do you show guests the kitchen? Do you speak to the stranger sitting next to you? In this episode, Joseph Shaules and Liu Liu explore proxemics–the study of the human use of space. We learn about Edward Hall’s pioneering work in this area, and cultural differences in body language, physical space, and life spaces. Podcast team members share stories of navigating these differences, and explain that they reflect cultural patterns we are just now starting to understand. 

Episode 42 – Cultural Intuitions and the Feel-good Fallacy

Japan Intercultural Institute
Japan Intercultural Institute
Episode 42 - Cultural Intuitions and the Feel-good Fallacy
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In this episode, Joseph Shaules and Ishita Ray explore cultural intuitions–the ability to “read the air” and interpret our environment. Research into intuitions–the feeling of knowing–helps us understand why developing new cultural intuitions is so challenging. We discuss the feel-good fallacy–the idea that having the right attitude is not enough to avoid cultural misunderstanding. Ishita recounts the “body shock” she experienced in France the first time she experienced a bise . . . a kiss on the cheek, and Yvonne van der Pol and Emre Seven share stories of the dilemmas they faced because of mismatched cultural intuitions.

Episode 41 – Motivation and Culture

Japan Intercultural Institute
Japan Intercultural Institute
Episode 41 - Motivation and Culture
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Is motivation a basic drive that’s the same everywhere? Does it depend on culture? Yvonne and Joseph explore the latest insights into culture and motivation. We learn that our experience of motivation depends on our cultural self. We hear stories from Liu Liu, Emre Seven and Ishita Ray about independent versus interdependent motivation, and find out about the two motivational systems that are critical for cultural learning. 

Episode 40 – Cultural Explorer Franz Boas

Japan Intercultural Institute
Japan Intercultural Institute
Episode 40 - Cultural Explorer Franz Boas
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In this episode, Joseph Shaules and Emre Seven tell the story of cultural explorer Franz Boas. Born in 1858, Boas brought a scientific mind to the study of human diversity. We learn about his near-death experience studying the Inuit in the Canadian arctic, and the scientific debates he engaged in (e.g. against racism). His insights  are relevant for all cultural bridge people even today. 

Episode 39 – Culture and the Unconscious Mind

Japan Intercultural Institute
Japan Intercultural Institute
Episode 39 - Culture and the Unconscious Mind
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Why are we blind to culture? This episode explores culture and the unconscious mind. We learn how our understanding of culture and mind has changed over time–from a realm of powerful urges and shameful desires, to a more scientific view of the autopilot of everyday life; one that has been customized by culture. And yet, culture’s influence on our minds is invisible to us. Hosted by Joseph Shaules and Ishita Ray with special thanks to Daniel Glinz.