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Communication, Culture,
and Identity
Chapter 3 Lecture/Recap
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What is Culture?
 Shared, personal, and
learned life experiences
 Values, norms, traditions
 Values
= standards
 Norms
= patterns of communication
 Traditions
 Impacts
= customs
worldview and interpersonal
communication
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Cultural Identity
 ‘…cultural
 Everyone
background helps shape identity’ (p. 54)
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
 Will

in strength & content
impact our views, behaviors, and practices
Including communication
 Can
you have multiple cultural identities?
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Intercultural Communication
Importance?
Occurs
when individuals from
different countries communicate?
 The
only case?
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Dimensions of Culture
 Cultural




Uncertainty avoidance
Distribution of Power (high vs. low power distance)
Masculine vs. Feminine
Individualism vs. Collectivism
 Context

variability theory
orientation theory
High context vs. low context
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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)
+ 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)
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Diversity – Roles and
Challenges
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Diversity in U.S.
 “diversity

can be challenging” (p. 57)
Why?
 Diversity
increasing
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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
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Challenges and Solutions
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Challenges

Ethnocentrism

Stereotyping
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Challenges (continued)

Anxiety and Uncertainty (In-groups vs. out-groups)

Misinterpretation of Nonverbal and Verbal Behaviors

Assuming similarities and/or differences
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Improving Intercultural Understanding
 Acknowledging
and eliminating biases,
stereotypes, and prejudices


Takes effort; some unknown
Examples:
 “no homo”
 “acting black/white”
 “Muslim=terrorist”
 Others?
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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