Chapter 9: Culture and Identity
Learning Objectives
After reading this chapter you should be able to:
- Define culture
- Define personal, social, and cultural identities
- Summarize nondominant and dominant identity development
- Explain why difference matters in the study of culture and identity
- Define the social constructionist view of culture and identity
- Trace the historical development and construction of the four cultural identities discussed
- Discuss how each of the four cultural identities affects and/or relates to communication
Humans have always been diverse in their cultural beliefs and practices. But as new technologies have led to the perception that our world has shrunk and demographic and political changes have brought attention to cultural differences, people communicate across cultures more now than ever before. The oceans and continents that separate us can now be traversed instantly with an email, phone call, tweet, or status update. Additionally, our workplaces, schools, and neighborhoods have become more integrated regarding race and gender, increasing our interaction with domestic diversity. The disability rights movement and gay rights movement have increased the visibility of people with disabilities and sexual minorities. But just because we are exposed to more difference doesn’t mean we understand it, can communicate across it, or appreciate it. This chapter will help you do all three.
