Craig Kimball

Mat Bigham
Dustin Bradshaw

Chapter 6b Summary:

Cultural Differences in Communication

Cultural Differences in Communication need to be kept in check in order to prevent the rise or perception of biases.
Four common types of bias that often manifest in communication are Stereotyping, Prejudice, Discrimination, and
Racism. A brief review of each is provided here to help us in our self-reflection and efforts to avoid biased
communication.

Stereotyping: Common manifestations occur in the form of categorizing individuals based on physical, ethnic, or
religious characteristics which lead to inaccurate associations of other, often negative interpretations. This frequently
creates lasting negative opinions blind to the positive potential an individual may possess.

Prejudice: Action occurring as individuals hold rigidly to a stereotype to the extent that mistrust, fear, or hatred
develops toward the group of people sharing the common physical, cultural, or religious characteristic.

Discrimination: Presentation of behaviors or actions of prejudice toward individuals. Such behaviors appear as
exclusion, harassment, subjugation, or oppression and can limit the targeted group(s) or individuals equal access to
commodities or necessities.

Racism: Usually limited to the discrimination of others based on ethnic or racial classifications it often broadens to
include physical characteristics. Racism appears most prevalent in the limitation of individuals to accessing
institutional or cultural benefits afforded others exclusively based on race.

For us, the importance of ethnically, religiously, or culturally neutral language is in the creation and promotion of unity,
trust, and cooperation necessary to build stronger more united communities on a local, national, or global scale.
Double checking our own attitudes can occur by asking ourselves these two simple questions.

When I talk about others am I speaking in a positive way?

Do I usually see differences or commonalities between myself and others of varied groups?

Cultural Identity
Institutional racism exists and certain patterns of behaviors and responses to specific racial or cultural
groups allow for systematic exploitation and oppression.
Racism denies the existence of the culture of a particular group.
Oppression and power defining terms that separate racism from prejudice and discrimination. Racism
oppresses entire groups of people.
Old-Fashioned Racism most extreme form of racism: One group openly displays obvious bigoted views
about another group. Superiority and inferiority are common in this form of racism. Dehumanizing quality.
Symbolic Racism i s most prevalent in the United States currently. Members of one group believe their
traditional values are threatened by those of another group.
Tokenism i s a form of racism that occurs when individuals do not see themselves as prejudice because
they make small concessions to of another group, while holding negative attitudes toward said group.
 Aversive Racism occurs when individuals who value fairness and equality among all racial and cultural
groups, but also have negative feelings and beliefs about another group or culture. More likely to manifest
discomfort, uneasiness, fear, or avoidance of minorities.
Genuine Likes and Dislikes occurs when cultural practices of some groups of people can form the basis
for prejudicial attitude simply because the group displays behaviors that another group does not like.
Degree of Unfamiliarity is least alarming form. Simply responding to unfamiliar people may create negative
attitudes because of lack of experience with the characteristics of that group.

Overcoming Cultural Biases

Willingness to explore various cultural experiences without prejudgement is necessary.
An ability to behave appropriately and effectively with culturally different others, without invoking prejudiced
and stereotyped assumptions is required.
No one can completely overcome cultural bias, however, there is requisite knowledge, motivation and skills
that can help minimize the negative effects of prejudice and discrimination.
While discussions can lead to better understanding and mutually respectful relationships, they can also
easily lead to greater divisions and hostilities.

Intercultural Contact
Intercultural contact can overcome the obstacles of cultural distance, resulting in positive attitudes between
those involved.
Historical and contemporary evidence suggests that contact between different cultures does not always lead
to good things. Such contact can reinforce negative attitudes, or change neutral into negative.
One factor that leads to cordial and courteous interactions, and strongly influences attitudes, is access to
and control of institutional and economic power.

Dominance and Subordination Between Groups

Not all groups have access to sources of institutional and economic power.
Groups of people who are distinguished by their religious, political, cultural, or ethnic identity often struggle
among themselves for dominance and control.
The Dominant culture is the group that has primary access to the institutional and economic power of the
region in which it lies.
The dominant culture will often devalue the language styles of the subordinate and judge their correctness in
use of the preferred speech patterns.
Subordinate cultures will often attempt to accommodate or adapt their speech to closer identify with the
dominant culture.
The opposite effect can also happen where the subordinate group will deliberately emphasize their group's
unique characteristics.

Attitudes Among Cultural members

Four conditions that lead to positive attitudes with intercultural communication:

1.Support from the top. Person of power organizes and supports intercultural contact
2.Those involved have personal stake in the outcome of the interaction
3.Intercultural contact is pleasing to all involved
4.All parties benefit from the contact-both cultures have common goals
Additional Factors
1.Strength of identification with ones culture.
2.Perceived threat to their culture increases ones cultural identity
-Even members of the Majority can feel their culture is being threatened by the subordinate
3.Typicality- Making judgements about what degree a person is typical or atypical to their culture
 -Positive experience with an individual will not necessarily result in positive attitudes toward their culture
-If a person doesnt conform to cultural stereotype in some important way they can be dismissed as
atypical

Cultural Identity and Intercultural Competence

Study your own beliefs, values and norms to improve intercultural competence by knowing your cultural
identity.
Knowing your own cultural identity will help understand the possible consequences either positive or
negative when communicating interculturally.
Improve your intercultural competence by building positive motivations and emotional reactions to
intercultural interactions.
Be Self-reflective by taking an honest inventory about stereotypes you may have toward other cultural
groups.
Social categorizations interfere with ones ability to effectively communicate with people from other
cultures.
Ethnocentrism,stereotyping, prejudice, discrimination, and racism are so familiar that overcoming them
requires a commitment to learning about other cultures and to understand ones own culture.