Includes bibliographical references (p. 465-477) and index.

The dispute over defining culture -- Defining communication as an element of culture -- Barriers to intercultural communication -- Stereotypes and prejudice as barriers -- Nonverbal communication -- Knowing culture through language -- Language as a barrier -- Culture's influence on perception -- Children, women, and families -- Dimensions of culture -- Dominant United States cultural patterns : using value orientation theory -- Comparative cultural patterns : Russian and Arabian cultures -- Contact between cultures -- Immigration and acculturation -- Forces against assimilation -- Forces to conform to one cultural identity -- Establishing a culture -- Identity and subgroups -- Multiculturalism -- Improving intercultural communication.