Culture and Cultural Identity

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Culture and Cultural Identity
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The importance of identityWho am I?
I am
I am
I am
I am
I am
Multiple Identities
I am
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Definition of Identity the reflective
self-conception or self-image that we each derive
from our family, gender, cultural, ethnic, and
individual socialization process (Ting-Toomey).
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Three levels of identity (Hall)Personal (what
makes us unique)Relational (our relationships
with others)Cultural, Communal or Social
(large-scale communities such as nationality,
ethnicity, gender, religious or political
affiliation)
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Selected Social IdentitiesRacial
Identity a socially constructed idea that still
persists in the United StatesEthnic Identity
derived from a sense of shared heritage, history,
traditions, values, area of origin, and sometimes
languageGender Identity (different than sexual
identity) how a particular culture
differentiates masculine and feminine social
rolesNational Identity the nation/country one
was born into ( or a sense of place)
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Identity in Intercultural
InteractionsCultural identity is a focal
element in intercultural communication (Imahori
and Cupach).In intercultural communication,
participants will have to search for a middle
ground between their different communication
styles.With so many intercultural marriages,
many US youths consider cultural diversity as a
normal part of social life. There is a growing
willingnessand abilityto cross cultures, where
ones personal identity is shaped more by
cultural preferences than by skin color (Kotkin
and Tseng).
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The dark side of identityStereotypes-
categorization that mentally organizes your
experience with, and guides your behavior toward,
a particular group of people.Prejudices are
deeply held negative feelings associates with a
particular group (anger, fear, aversion,
anxiety).Racism an extension of stereotyping
and prejudice. The belief that one race is
inherently superior to another genetic
endowment.Ethnocentrism ones own culture is
superior to any other.
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Learning
Exercise
Cultural Interview Due Monday, April 19th