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7: Intercultural Communication

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    388994

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    Learning Objectives

    After reading this chapter you should be able to:

    • Define culture
    • Define personal, social, and cultural identities
    • Summarize nondominant and dominant identity development
    • Explain why difference matters in the study of culture and identity
    • Define the social constructionist view of culture and identity
    • Trace the historical development and construction of the four cultural identities discussed
    • Discuss how each of the four cultural identities affects and/or relates to communication

    Humans have always been diverse in their cultural beliefs and practices. But as new technologies have led to the perception that our world has shrunk and demographic and political changes have brought attention to cultural differences, people communicate across cultures more now than ever before. The oceans and continents that separate us can now be traversed instantly with an email, phone call, tweet, or status update. Additionally, our workplaces, schools, and neighborhoods have become more integrated regarding race and gender, increasing our interaction with domestic diversity. The disability rights movement and gay rights movement have increased the visibility of people with disabilities and sexual minorities. But just because we are exposed to more difference doesn’t mean we understand it, can communicate across it, or appreciate it. This chapter will help you do all three.

    • 7.1: Foundations
      This page explores the complexity of culture as a dynamic interplay of learned beliefs and identities formed through social interactions in various institutions. It details the development of both nondominant and dominant identities, emphasizing the journey from unexamined identity to advocate for social justice in nondominant groups, while dominant identities confront privilege.
    • 7.2: Defining and Dialectical Approach
      This page discusses intercultural communication, emphasizing its role in self-awareness and ethical interactions. It defines intercultural communication and its effects on relationships, highlighting six dialectics and key components of competence such as motivation, self-knowledge, and tolerance for uncertainty. Additionally, it examines the importance of navigating cultural differences in a globalized world and addresses digital divide disparities affecting communication.
    • 7.3: Cultural Dimensions
      Our culture is the broad set of shared beliefs and values that form a collective vision of ourselves and others. Culture is learned, and it can be so ingrained it becomes challenge to identify how it influences our thoughts and behaviors. For example, in U.S. culture, we place a high value on self-determination: we have a fundamental right to make choices we deem best for us. As long as our actions do not harm others or inhibit their choices, we feel free to follow the life path of our choosing.
    • 7.4: Exploring Specific Cultural Identities
      This page explores how cultural identities, including race, gender, sexual orientation, and ability, are socially constructed rather than biologically determined. It highlights the historical context of race and immigration in the U.S., the social construction of gender and sexuality, and the evolution of feminist and LGBTQ+ movements. The impact of patriarchy, education, and privilege associated with ability are examined, alongside the historical treatment of people with disabilities.
    • 7.5: Intercultural Communication Competence
      This page emphasizes the importance of Intercultural Communication Competence (ICC), highlighting motivation, knowledge, and tolerance for uncertainty as essential components. It discusses cultivating ICC through experiential learning, reflective practices, and understanding cultural differences. Personal anecdotes illustrate the learning process, while skills such as empathy and conflict resolution are seen as vital.

    This page titled 7: Intercultural Communication is shared under a CC BY 4.0 license and was authored, remixed, and/or curated by Misc (LOUIS: The Louisiana Library Network) via source content that was edited to the style and standards of the LibreTexts platform.