Final answer:
Individuals from high-context cultures place great emphasis on the context of communication, relying on non-verbal cues and the collective environment to interpret meaning, which is shown in collectivistic practices and supported by cross-cultural research.
Step-by-step explanation:
People in high-context cultures attach great importance to (b) the context in which communication occurs, rather than solely on the explicit message. In such cultures, non-verbal cues, implicit messages, and the surrounding environment of a communication play a significant role in conveying meaning. This can be seen in practices common in collectivistic cultures, such as preparing a meal together, hanging out in groups, or playing games, which emphasize the importance of relationships and the collective over the individual. Research, such as that by Masuda and Nisbett (2001), supports the idea that individuals from collectivistic cultures pay more attention to context and holistic thinking when compared to their individualistic counterparts, further highlighting cultural differences in perception and cognition.