Do you remember chapter 2?!
• Two elements of self concept?
▫ Difference between the two?
• What is attribution theory?
• Difference between sex and gender?
• Relationship between perception, self, and
communication?
Communication, Culture, and
Identity
Chapter 3 Lecture/Recap
What is Culture?
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Shared, personal, and learned life experiences
Values, norms, traditions
Values = standards
Norms = patterns of communication
Traditions = customs
Impacts worldview and interpersonal
communication
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)
• Vary in strength
• Vary in content
• Can you have multiple cultural identities?
Intercultural Communication
• Importance?
• Occurs when individuals from different
countries communicate?
▫ The only case?
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
Culture is….
• Learned
▫ Enculturation
▫ Acculturation
• Capable of creating communities
▫ Co-cultures
▫ Cultural clash
 Good or Bad?
• Multi-leveled
▫ Mini-cultures
In-Class Activity:
Researching a Co-Culture
• Research the Millennial Generation
▫ (Hint: Many of you are part of this generation)
• Based on what you found, what are some
possible aspects of this group’s culture?
Diversity – Roles and Challenges
Diversity in U.S.
• “diversity can be challenging” (p. 57)
• Diversity increasing
• How do events/situations impact diversity,
culture, and interpersonal communication?
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The Women’s Rights Movement
Legalization (or banning) of Gay Marriage
September 11, 2001
Election of President Barack Obama
Six Reasons for Studying
Interpersonal Communication
• Technological imperative
• Demographic imperative
▫ Melting pot vs. salad bowl
• Economic imperative
▫ Global village, outsourcing, globalization
• Peace imperative
• Self-awareness imperative
• Ethical imperative
Challenges and Solutions
Challenges
• Ethnocentrism
• Stereotyping
• Anxiety and Uncertainty
▫ In-groups vs. out-groups
• Misinterpretation of Nonverbal and Verbal
Behaviors
• Assuming similarities and/or differences
• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0Rl9Cxc7uZ
A
Example: Media Clip (The Office Diversity Day)
• Look for examples of ethnocentrism,
stereotyping, anxiety/uncertainty,
misinterpretations, assumptions
• List ways for improvements (reflect on those
discussed in the chapter)
Improving Intercultural Understanding
• Acknowledging and eliminating biases,
stereotypes, and prejudices
▫ Takes effort; some unknown
▫ Examples:
 “no homo”
 “acting black/white”
 “Muslim=terrorist”
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
Comm Journal (Due Wednesday,
11/23;Thursday, 11/24)
• Converse with someone from a different generation
about one of the following topics:
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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
• Must go beyond a simple answer/question dialogue