Honorio Gonzalez

EDU 533
Intercultural Competence
Chapter 6 Notes
Define cultural identity and include the various nature or types of identity. Apply
the components of cultural identity to yourself.
Related to the distinction between ingroup and outgroup membership is the concept of
ones identity or self concept in that and individuals self-concept is built on cultural,
social, and personal identities (p. 130). Cultural identity refers to ones sense of belonging
to a particular culture or ethnic group (p. 130). Social identity develops as a consequence
of memberships in particular groups within ones culture (p. 131). Personal identity is
based on peoples unique characteristics, which may differ from those in their cultural
and social groups (p. 131).
The ways in which these components of cultural identity are applicable to me are in the
following ways. My cultural identity is that I am an American. My social identity is that I
am an American of Hispanic heritage. My personal identity is that I am an American of
Mexican heritage.
How is cultural identity formed?
Cultural identities often develop through a process involving three stages: unexamined
cultural identity, cultural identity search, and cultural identity achievement (p. 131).
During the unexamined cultural identity stage, ones cultural characteristics are taken for
granted, and consequently there is little interest in exploring cultural issues (p. 131).
Cultural identity search involves a process of exploration and questioning about ones
culture in order to learn more about it and to understand the implications of membership
in that culture (p. 132). Cultural identity achievement is characterized by a clear,
confident acceptance of oneself and an internalization of ones cultural identity (p. 132).
By accomplishing this, a cultural identity can finally be formed after a long journey in
search for one.
List elements or characteristics of cultural identity
Once formed, cultural identities provide an essential framework, organizing and
interpreting our experiences of others because cultural identities are central, dynamic, and
multifaceted components of ones self-concept (p. 133). Cultural identities are central to a
persons sense of self because, like gender and race, your culture is more basic because
it is broadly influential and is linked to a great number of other aspects of your selfconcept (p. 133). These core concepts of a persons identity are likely to be important in
most of you interactions with others and most components of your identity, however,
become important only when they are activated by specific circumstances (p. 133).
Since cultural identities are dynamic, your cultural identity-your sense of the culture to
which you belong and who you are in light of this cultural membership-exists within a
changing social context (p. 134-135). Consequently, your identity is not static, fixed, and
enduring; rather it is dynamic and changes with you ongoing life experiences (p. 135).
Cultural identities are also multifaceted and at any given moment, you may have
components that make up your identity (p. 135). Furthermore, because we live in a
multicultural world, the multifaceted characteristics of cultural identity become even
more important (p. 135). All of these elements are what in turn make up a cultural
identity also.

Based on information learned so far explain you own cultural identity in each of the
categories mentioned.
The ways in which these components of cultural identity are applicable to me are in the
following ways. My cultural identity is that I am an American. My social identity is that I
am an American of Hispanic heritage. My personal identity is that I am an American of
Mexican heritage.
Furthermore, when I was younger I briefly went through a period when I didnt know if I
was Mexican-American, Latino/Hispanic, or even a Chicano. However, after another
brief period of searching where I used these terms to describe myself, I finally arrived at
a conclusion. I had finally achieved cultural identity achievement because I had come to
the realization that I am both an American and a Hispanic. Therefore, this is how my
cultural identity became important to my sense of self. Since my cultural identity was
dynamic and multifaceted, I was able to arrive at the conclusion that I hold today.
Application
Learning of my cultural identity and growing up in two cultures has helped me develop
my experience in this subject even further. This is because there are many ESL students
that may go through what I did in a similar way. With my experience in this matter, I will
be able to help students that need advice and support on this subject. Furthermore, when I
go to Japan I will probably encounter students that have grown up between two cultures
also. This experience will prepare me to prepare as a teacher when I reach Asia.
Biblical Links
Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to
you. For everyone who asks receives, and the one who seeks finds, and to the one who
knocks it will be opened Matthew 7:7-8. This verse comes to mind whenever I think on
how my cultural identity was formed. I didnt know who I was until I search for the
answer and found it. This is also applicable in the sense that as long as you dont give up
searching for an answer for something, you will always find it. Similarly, those who seek
Gods guidance will find it through His Word.