Alias, a Native American, was being reprimanded by his 3^rd grade teacher for talking during class. The teacher became agitated when Alias constantly looked at the floor while she was talking to him. In the conversation, she repeatedly told Alias, "Look at me when I am speaking to you." Although he attempted to look at the teacher, he found it difficult and his gaze always returned to the floor. What explanation can be offered for this situation from a cross-cultural perspective?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

In some Native American cultures, direct eye contact during communication can be seen as a sign of disrespect or aggressiveness. Alias may have been adhering to this cultural norm, which the teacher was not aware of, leading to a misunderstanding in their communication. It would be important for the teacher to be aware of and sensitive to cultural differences in communication to better understand and communicate with all students.

Alias, a Native American, Was Being Reprimanded by His 3rd

Alias, a Native American, Was Being Reprimanded by His 3^rd