Deep Culture and the PICO Pofiler
Deep Culture theory
Deep Culture theory proposes that we are not, for the most part, aware of our own cultural assumptions about the world. Intercultural conflict is not a result of a lack of good will or common ground, it is a product of differing cultural "logics" of implicit beliefs, values and assumptions about reality. Deep Culture theory has its roots in ideas about implicit cultural elaborated by Edward Hall, the systems theory approach to intercultural adaptation by Y. Kim, an understanding of the constructed nature of cultural realities described by M. Bennett, and dilemma theory as applied to cultural difference of Trompenaars and Hampden Turner. It has been described in publications such as Deep Culture - Hidden Challenges to Global Living - Multilingual Matters (upcoming), or The Debate About Cultural Difference: Deep Culture, Cultural Identity, and Culture´s Influence on Behavior, Journal of Intercultural Communication, SIETAR Japan, 2007. The PICO Profiler has been written about in Assessing Intercultural Learning Strategies with Personal Intercultural Change Orientation (PICO) profiles, published in the Intercultural Communication Review, No. 4, 2006. (download available below) For further references, see below.
Deep Culture Seminars and Certificate Program
Deep culture seminars are designed for anyone who works in international settings, lives or travels abroad, faces issues of diversity in their personal/professional life, or simply seeks to grow through intercultural experiences. Seminars focus on various aspects of deep culture, the out-of-awareness cultural conditioning which influences our thinking, feelings and communication patterns. Seminars develop effectiveness for those working in international environments, encourage cultural and personal self-understanding, and show how to deepen the learning experiences that come from travel and life abroad.
Participants learn about recent research into deep culture and apply this knowledge to their own intercultural experiences. Participants will learn about deep culture’s powerful yet subtle effect on communication, values, relationships, identity, and more. They will learn to decipher subtle deep culture difference and learn how to apply deep culture lessons in their everyday life. Activities help participants develop sasshi – a Japanese term that refers to the ability to successfully “read” a situation and to empathize with others. The challenge of doing this with people of diverse backgrounds is seen as an opportunity for increased self-understanding. The emphasis throughout is on applying deep culture lessons to the personal and professional challenges of our increasingly globalized world. Successful completion of four seminars leads to the Level one Certificate of Deep Culture Learning. Advanced seminars can lead to Level two Certificate of Deep Culture Learning, Education and Training.
Creaters of PICO
PICO is an application of Deep Culture theory. PICO is a intercultural learning tool created by Joseph Shaules, in cooperation with the Japan Intercultural Institute. Other collaborators include: Takeshi Enomoto and Nobuo Nishikawa (PICO profiler Japanese version) Matthieu Kollig (PICO profiler German version) and Estelle Bisch (PICO Profiler French version).The PICO profiler is protected by copyright.
Who uses PICO?
Many portions of PICO are available to the public on the PICO website. Individuals may also be certified to use the PICO profiler in intercultural trainings. These trainers must attend a PICO workshop and use of PICO is subject to certain conditions. For more information about PICO workshops or certification, contact us.
References
Bennett, M. J. (1993). Towards Ethnorelativism: a developmental model of intercultural sensitivity. In M. R. Paige (Ed.), Education for the Intercultural Experience (pp. 21-71). Yarmouth: Intercultural Press.
Hall, E. T. (1959). The Silent Language. New York: Anchor Books.
Hall, E. T. (1976). Beyond Culture. New York: Anchor Books Doubleday.
*Shaules, J.P. (upcoming) Deep Culture - Hidden Challenges of Global Living, Multilingual Matters, Clevedon, England
**Shaules, J.P. The Debate About Cultural Difference: Deep Culture, Cultural Identity, and Culture´s Influence on Behavior, Journal of Intercultural Communication, SIETAR Japan, 2007
*To receive an advanced extract from this book, contact us.
**To receive an electronic version of this article, contact us.
Download the full text article "Assessing Intercultural Learning Strategies with Personal Intercultural Change Orientation (PICO) profiles" published in the Intercultural Communication Review, No. 4, 2006.
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