Individualism-collectivism has a direct effect on communication styles and an indirect effect that is mediuted through self construals and values. It was hypothesized that cultural individualism-collectivism, self construals, and values would haw separate effects on individuals' use of low-and high-context communication styles. As predicted, the results ofthis study suggest that independent self construals and individualistic values mediate the influence of cultural individualism-collectivism on the use of low-context communication, and interdependent self construals and collectivistic values mediate the influence of cultural individualism-collectivism on the use of high-context communication. The patterns for cultural individualism-collectivism were not as clear-cut. Thefindings suggest that individual level factors (i.e., self construuls and values) are better predictors of low-and high-context communication styles across cultures than cultural individualism-collectivism.hen individuals are socialized, they learn various patterns of interaction that are based on the norms, rules, and values of their culture. These patterns of interaction form the basis for individuals' communication styles. More specifically, communication styles

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My purpose in this article is to introduce studying cultural variability in communication in general and this special issue in particular. I begin by examining the nature of culture. Next, I review the emic and etic approaches to studying communication and culture with a focus on the major dimensions of cultural variability used to explain communication across cultures. Following this, I examine individual-level processes that mediate the influence of culture on communication. I conclude by overviewing the articles included in this issue and discussing how they are consistent with current trends in the study of cultural variability in communication.