Edward T Hall

Edward T.
Hall’s model
Hall’s model turns around 3 concepts: Context, Space, and Time.
Context
High context or low context refers to the amount of information that is in a given
communication as a function of the context in which it occurs. A highly contexted
communication is one in which most of the meaning is in the context while very
little is the transmitted message. A low context communication is similar to
interacting with a computer –if the information is not explicitly stated; and the
program followed religiously, the meaning is distorted. In the Western world, the
law is the context, in comparison with daily transactions of an informal nature.
People who know each other over a long period of years will tend to use high
context communication. From Hall, E. T. (1983) The Dance of Life. New York,
NY: Anchor Books
Thus a culture where most things are explicitly stated is a low context culture.
Hall gives the American societies as an example this type of culture. He contrasts
American culture with the Japanese and French culture which are high context,
that is, where a lot of the information is in the context, in the "untold" (le non-dit),
in what "everybody knows." These cultures tend to be harder to understand and to
penetrate than low context cultures.
Space
All cultures have "invisible boundaries," which are part of what a French
anthropologist (Raymonde Carroll) calls "Evidences invisibles". These boundaries are
expressed in the following ways:
o Territoriality: The term relates to ownership and power. Some places are
reserved for people in power. For example, in the US, those in power usually live
on the upper floors and have the largest offices. This is not the case in some other
cultures where people in power will be at the center, with other people
"gravitating" around them.
o Personal space: In most Western cultures, people do not touch each other
unless they have a fairly intimate relationship. This is not the case in other
cultures where taps on the shoulder or accolades may be fairly common during
first encounters.
o Reactions to spatial differences (Proxemics):This relates directly to the

previous point. The distance one keeps with the other person may influence the
response one will get. Indeed, if you are too close to a person who is used to
keeping a certain physical distance in conversation, this person may feel
threatened. Conversely, if you keep the same distance with a person who is used
to physically closer interaction, physical distance may be interpreted as
psychological distance.
o Multisensory space: Spatial boundaries extend to the five senses. In some

cultures, speaking loud is interpreted as violating other people’s space; in other
cultures, loud conversations are expected to take place; therefore, they are not
interpreted as infringing on others.
Time
Hall distinguishes two types of time: Polychronic and Monochronic.
o Monochronic time (M-time) refers to a sequential and linear organization

of time. It is a "one-thing-at-a-time" organization.
o Polychronic time (P-time) is "many-things-at-once." Things are done

concurrently and simultaneously.
Hall and Hall contrast monochronic and polychronic people in the following way:
Monochronic people Polychronic people

do one thing at a time  do many things at once
 concentrate on the job  are highly distractible and
  view time commitments subject to interruptions
as critical  view time commitments as
 are low context and need objectives
information  are high context and already
  are committed to the job have information
  adhere religiously to  are committed to people and
plans human relationships
 emphasize promptness  change plans often and easily
 base promptness on the
 are accustomed to short-term importance of and significance of
relationships the relationship
 have a strong tendency to build
lifetime relationships
According to Hall, Northern European cultures tend to include monochronic people while
people from Mediterranean and Latin American cultures tend to be polychronic. It should
be noted, however, that cultures are not always exclusively monochronic or polychronic.
The Japanese for example are polychronic in their dealings with other people on a daily
basis, but monochronic in their approach to official business.

Edward T Hall

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Edward T.

Hall’s model turns around 3 concepts: Context, Space, and Time.

o Reactions to spatial differences (Proxemics):This relates directly to the

o Multisensory space: Spatial boundaries extend to the five senses. In some

Hall distinguishes two types of time: Polychronic and Monochronic.

o Monochronic time (M-time) refers to a sequential and linear organization

o Polychronic time (P-time) is "many-things-at-once." Things are done

Monochronic people Polychronic people

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