Intercultural Communication Chapter 4 How Is Culture Related

Intercultural Communication Chapter 4: How Is Culture Related to Our Identities? © 2016 Taylor & Francis

� Identity: or the image by which we recognize ourselves and others. �What are your important identities? �List 10 answers to complete the statement, “I am. . . ” © 2016 Taylor & Francis

� Personal Identities: �Stubborn �Friendly �Proud �Kind �Thoughtful © 2016 Taylor & Francis

� Social Identities: �Sister �Mexican American �Student �French �Doctor © 2016 Taylor & Francis

�Identities create expectations. What are some expectations related to the identities you listed in your answers to the “I am. . . ” list you created? © 2016 Taylor & Francis

�Identities are grounded in similarities and differences. What are the key comparison points in your most important identities? Nationality? Hobbies? Skin color? Beliefs about God? Places you have lived? © 2016 Taylor & Francis

� What is the relationship between communication and identity? � Reflective? � Or � Constitutive? © 2016 Taylor & Francis

�Reflective: We communicate the way we do because of our social identity. �Our communication mirrors or reflects that we are male, or a mother, or Japanese. © 2016 Taylor & Francis

�Constitutive: We communicate the way we do because of our social identity. �Communication is not determined by our identity; rather, it creates or constitutes our identity. So even though a person may be defined as a father biologically, they may not be accepted as a “real” father if they do not interact in certain expected ways. And another person who is not officially related to a person may still be a father to that person. © 2016 Taylor & Francis

� Pathways to establishing identity! �Avowal �Ascription © 2016 Taylor & Francis

� Avowal �Identities we claim by acting in a certain way. �For example, I want to be seen as a rebel and independent, so I break a few rules and talk tough. © 2016 Taylor & Francis

� Ascription �Identities we give to others or that others give to us, by treating us in a certain way. �For example, I see you as wise, so I listen closely to what you say and thank you for your advice. Or you see me as a mentor so you ask for my opinion of graduate schools. © 2016 Taylor & Francis

� Reactive versus Proactive Ascription �Reactive ascription is used to explain why someone has acted in a certain way. �Proactive ascription is used to predict how others will act, often creating a self-fulfilling prophecy. © 2016 Taylor & Francis

�According to Social Identity Theory, when minorities are faced with specific negative identities, they do one of three things: 1. Try to join the dominant group 2. Try to directly compete with the dominant group 3. Try to create new comparison points that they will make their group look better © 2016 Taylor & Francis