In the cultural continuum, what characteristic defines a "high context culture"?

In a high context culture, the emphasis is indeed on group harmony over individualism. In these cultures, communication relies heavily on the context in which it occurs, including non-verbal cues, relationships, and shared experiences. This means that individuals often prioritize the well-being and harmony of their group, family, or community over their own individual desires or opinions.

In contrast to low context cultures, where communication is more straightforward and focuses on clarity, high context cultures value implicit communication and the understanding of messages within a relational context. This characteristic fosters strong bonds and a sense of belonging among group members, as the emphasis is placed on maintaining relationships and social cohesion.

Attributes such as individualism and direct communication are more representative of low context cultures, which value personal expression and transparency. Additionally, reliance on technology for communication does not define high context cultures specifically, as these cultures may prioritize face-to-face interactions and deeper social ties over technological communication methods.