Communication, Culture, and Identity

1. Communication, Culture, and Identity Chapter 3 Lecture/Recap

2. What is Culture? • Shared, personal, and learned life experiences • Values, norms, traditions • Values = standards • Norms = patterns of communication • Traditions = customs • Impacts worldview and interpersonal communication

3. Cultural Identity • ‘…cultural background helps shape identity’ (p. 54) • Everyone is a cultural being • Made up of ethnicity, gender, age, life stage, beliefs, values, assumptions; intersection of these elements • Learned from family, friends, and communities (e.g. guideposts) • Varies in strength & content • Will impact our views, behaviors, and practices • Including communication • Can you have multiple cultural identities?

4. Intercultural Communication • Importance? • Occurs when individuals from different countries communicate? • The only case?

5. Dimensions of Culture • Cultural variability theory • Uncertainty avoidance • Distribution of Power (high vs. low power distance) • Masculine vs. Feminine • Individualism vs. Collectivism • Context orientation theory • High context vs. low context

6. Culture is…. • Learned • Enculturation • Acculturation • Capable of creating communities • Co-cultures • Cultural clash • Good or Bad? • Multi-leveled • Mini-cultures EXAMPLE: Never Been Kissed (film)

7. Application Paper #1 (Worth 30 points) • Converse with someone from a different generation about one of the following topics: • Social networking • Reality television • Politics • September 11th Terrorist Attack • Hip-Hop Music • Feminism • How did the conversation go? Do you think culture played a role? Why or why not? • Note other cultural differences that may have played a role • Go back to chapter 2—how did the conversation shape your perceptions? Explain. • Go back to chapter 1—explain if your encounter was interpersonal or impersonal, and why. • Address these questions in a 1-2 page typed document (double space). Do not write out entire conversation; just respond to questions after reflection. In addition, do not write a paper on your view of the topic; focus on the questions. • Due Monday, June 2nd (also have quiz on Chapter 4 and AE#3 due)

8. Diversity – Roles and Challenges

9. Diversity in U.S. • “diversity can be challenging” (p. 57) • Why? • Diversity increasing

10. Six Reasons for Studying Intercultural Communication • Technological imperative • Demographic imperative • Melting pot vs. salad bowl • Economic imperative • Global village, outsourcing, globalization • Peace imperative • Self-awareness imperative • Ethical imperative

11. Challenges and Solutions

12. Challenges • Ethnocentrism • Stereotyping

13. Challenges (continued) • Anxiety and Uncertainty (In-groups vs. out-groups) • Misinterpretation of Nonverbal and Verbal Behaviors • Assuming similarities and/or differences

14. Improving Intercultural Understanding • Acknowledging and eliminating biases, stereotypes, and prejudices • Takes effort; some unknown • Examples: • “no homo” • “acting black/white” • “Muslim=terrorist” • Others?

15. Improving Intercultural Understanding • Be tolerant of the unknown • Educate yourself • Cultural respect • Avoid cultural imperialism; practice cultural empathy • Be prepared • Recognize the individual; not just their cultures