Interpersonal Communication Chapter 2
enculturation
a commitment to your culture's belies and values in which you develop an ethnic identity
recognize differences
recognize that differences exist between yourself and the culturally different and between members within the culturally different group, in meaning and in dialect and accent. at the same time, don't fail to note the similarities
confront your stereotypes
recognize that stereotypes are generalizations that prevent you from seeing the individual except through this stereotype
cultural identity
refers to one's sense of belonging to a particular culture or group
reduce your ethnocentrism
becoming aware of your own ethnocentrism can help you see its logic
avoidance
high degree of ethnocentrism, avoids and limits interpersonal interaction with others, prefers to be with own kind
disparagement
highest degree of ethnocentrism, engages in hostile behavior, belittles others, views own culture as superior to other cultures
sensitivity
low degree of ethnocentrism, wants to decrease distance between self and others
equality
lowest degree of ethnocentrism, treats others as equals, evaluates other ways of doing things as equal to our own ways
indifference
medium degree of ethnocentrism, lacks concern for others but is not hostile
strategy to educate yourself
read about, view images and videos, and interact with culturally different individuals
equality, sensitivity, indifference, avoidance, disparagement
the 5 communication distances in relation to ethnocentrism
acculturation
the process through which you learn a culture other than the one into which you were born
culture
the relatively specialized lifestyle of a group of people that is passed on from one generation to the next through communication, not genes
ethnocentrism
the tendency to see others and their behaviors through your own cultural filters, often as distortions of your own behaaciors. the tendency to evaluate the values, beliefs, and behaviors of your culture as superior- as more positive, logical and natural than those of other cultures
adjust your communication
understanding the meanings that others have for gestures or for interpersonal interactions will help you adjust your own messages
educate yourself, recognize differences, confront your stereotypes, reduce your ethnocentrism, adjust your communication
ways to improve intercultural communication