Lecture 2 Identity and Intercultural communication

Summary

This lecture on identity and intercultural communication explores how our identities are shaped by culture and communication. It covers the role of gender, age, race, physical ability, and religious identity in intercultural interactions. The lecturer highlights how communication helps express and form identities, and how prejudice and discrimination arise from misjudgments and bias. Additionally, the lecture discusses the challenges faced by individuals with multicultural identities, and the role of communication in bridging cultural gaps and resolving conflicts. The discussion emphasizes the fluid and context-dependent nature of identity in a globalized world.

Takeaways

• 😀 Intercultural communication occurs when people from different cultural backgrounds interact, and identity plays a key role in such interactions.
• 😀 Identity serves as a bridge between culture and communication, influencing how we communicate and understand ourselves and others.
• 😀 Our identities are formed through communication with others, shaped by both personal and societal forces like history, economics, and politics.
• 😀 Different identities are emphasized depending on the context, such as gender or age identity in certain conversations, and ethnicity or nationality in others.
• 😀 Gender identity is influenced by cultural notions of masculinity and femininity, which affect how we communicate and are perceived.
• 😀 Age identity is shaped by cultural expectations about how individuals of different ages should act, look, and behave.
• 😀 Racial and ethnic identities are constructed in social contexts and influence communication patterns, with a focus on shared values, customs, and traditions.
• 😀 Physical ability identity includes the impact of physical disabilities, with people experiencing changes in identity as a result of temporary or permanent disabilities.
• 😀 Religious identity is a major aspect of many people's identities, and can be a source of intercultural conflict when religious beliefs are imposed on others.
• 😀 Multicultural identity refers to individuals who transcend one cultural identity and feel at home in multiple cultural settings, often due to multiracial backgrounds.
• 😀 Prejudice involves judgment without sufficient knowledge, while discrimination refers to the actions based on prejudices, excluding others based on their cultural characteristics.

Q & A

What is intercultural communication?

Intercultural communication refers to communication between individuals from different cultural backgrounds. It involves understanding both culture and communication to navigate differences effectively.

Why is identity important in intercultural communication?

Identity plays a key role in intercultural communication as it serves as a bridge between culture and communication. It shapes how we understand ourselves and how we express ourselves to others, which is crucial in interactions across cultures.

How are identities formed?

Identities are formed through communication with others and are influenced by societal forces such as history, economics, and politics. They are not fixed and can be shaped by both personal experiences and external societal norms.

What is ethnocentrism, and how does it affect intercultural communication?

Ethnocentrism is the belief that one's own culture is superior to others. It can lead to misunderstandings and conflicts in intercultural communication, as it may prevent individuals from fully understanding or respecting the perspectives of other cultures.

What are the different types of identities discussed in the lecture?

The lecture discusses several types of identities, including gender, age, racial, ethnic, physical ability, religious, and multicultural identities. Each of these identities can influence how we communicate with others and how we are perceived.

How does gender identity affect intercultural communication?

Gender identity affects intercultural communication by shaping how individuals express themselves and are perceived. Cultural norms influence what it means to be masculine or feminine, which impacts interactions, social roles, and expectations in various contexts.

What is the significance of age identity in intercultural communication?

Age identity is significant in intercultural communication as it influences how people are expected to behave, based on their generational category. Societal stages of life—such as childhood, adulthood, and old age—shape interactions, expectations, and communication styles.

How is racial identity constructed in society?

Racial identity is constructed based on both physical characteristics and social contexts. It is fluid and can vary across cultures and time periods. The way people perceive race influences how they communicate and interact with others.

What challenges do individuals with multicultural identities face?

Individuals with multicultural identities often experience challenges such as feeling torn between different cultural norms and being asked to choose one identity over another. They may struggle with self-acceptance and the negotiation of multiple cultural realities, but they may also develop a flexible and adaptable sense of identity.

How does prejudice relate to discrimination in intercultural communication?

Prejudice refers to preconceived negative attitudes or judgments about others based on their group identity, while discrimination is the resulting behavior, such as excluding or avoiding individuals from certain groups. Prejudice and discrimination often go hand in hand, influencing how people from different cultural backgrounds interact.