The etic approach to communication is ____________ in character.

Correct option is C

The etic approach to communication refers to an objective, external perspective that focuses on universal aspects of communication, applicable across all cultures. It contrasts with the emic approach, which focuses on understanding communication from within a specific cultural context. The etic approach emphasizes patterns, structures, and behaviors that can be observed and analyzed across different societies, making it universal in character.
Information Booster: · The etic approach looks at communication from an outsider’s perspective, focusing on broad generalizations that apply across cultures.
· It contrasts with the emic approach, which examines communication through the lens of the participants' cultural context.
· Etic studies seek to identify universal principles or commonalities in human communication behavior.
· This approach is often used in cross-cultural research where comparisons between different societies are made.
Additional Knowledge:
Restrictive (a): This does not describe the etic approach, which seeks to broaden understanding through generalizations rather than restricting it to specific contexts.
Mechanical (b): While etic research involves objective methods, "mechanical" is not a term commonly associated with this approach.
Non-cultural (d): This is incorrect because the etic approach still examines cultural communication, but from an external, comparative perspective.