10/19/2021; W06: Differences in Emotional Expressivity

Do you consider yourself an emotionally expressive person? Well, let me tell you something. This could have a great relationship with your culture!

Two terms are especially helpful here. Low Tolerant Expressivity and High Tolerance Expressivity. They refer to how much emotional expressivity is seen as proper. Cultures that have a low tolerant Expresitvity see emotional expressions as something that is not appropriate. Contrarily, Cultures with a High Tolerance Expressivity see emotional expressivity as something normal.

Low Tolerance Expressivity is found in countries of Asia, Scandinavia, and places with the same heritage, for example, int the West side of the United States.

High Tolerance Expressivity is found in Hispanic countries, the middle east, African-Americans, and southern Europe.

Dr. John Ivers, mentioned in several blog posts I have made, stated:

We all have the same emotions.

If this is true, then why do we react so differently from culture to culture?

It's a matter of culture! Research has shown that in private we have very similar reactions, we all cry and get mad, but in public, our reactions are completely different. Because we have been taught to react in a certain way. Because those reactions are frowned upon.

In the TESOL classroom a teacher must understand that due to the great diversity of cultures in students, students might show different reactions. Maybe they feel uncomfortable or overwhelmed, but they don't show it, or they might cry in front of everyone for no apparent reason.

The teacher must be aware of those reactions, and avoid judging them. If he or she helps students understand this, they will be less likely to judge or laugh at each other.