Regulators of Human Behavior and Identity

Regulators of Human Behavior and Identity

• Encompass various influences shaping individual behavior and identity.
• Include social norms, cultural expectations, personal experiences, and situational contexts.
• Understanding these regulators is key to grasping identity construction and expression across different cultural settings.

Sources of Identity

• Religion and Identity
• Religion often shapes identity, providing a framework for understanding the world.
• Religious beliefs impact moral values, behaviors, and life choices.
• Individuals may strongly identify with faith communities, influencing social interactions and ethics.
• Religious rituals and traditions shape cultural identity, fostering belonging and shared experiences.
• National Identity
• It is an individual's sense of belonging to a nation, tied to shared history, culture, and values.
• National identity can evoke pride and loyalty through symbols like flags and anthems.
• It often includes civic duties like voting or military service, contributing to national connection.
• Class and Identity
• Social class shapes identity by influencing experiences, opportunities, and perspectives.
• Class status impacts access to education, healthcare, and employment.
• Individuals from different classes have distinct lifestyles and worldviews.
• Class identity can be fluid, changing with economic status or social networks.
• Gender and Identity
• Relates to how individuals perceive themselves in terms of masculinity, femininity, or non-binary identities.
• Traditional gender roles often dictate expectations, shaping identity and societal interactions.
• People express gender identity through clothing, behavior, and language; acceptance impacts self-esteem.
• Race, Skin Color, and Identity
• They are significant aspects impacting how individuals are perceived and treated.
• Racial identity includes shared cultural practices, languages, and histories.
• Pride in racial heritage exists alongside challenges like discrimination.
• Intersectionality: The interplay between race and other identities can create unique privilege or oppression.
• Civilization and Identity
• It refers to the broader cultural context shaping collective identities via shared histories, philosophies, and values.
• Individuals may identify with civilizations based on shared historical experiences.
• Globalization leads to navigating multiple cultural identities reflecting local and global influences.
• Culture, Subcultures, Co-cultures, Subgroups, and Microcultures
• Culture: The collective beliefs, values, practices, and artifacts defining a group or society.
• Western Culture: It includes individualism, democracy, and capitalism, as seen in the United States and Canada.
• Islamic Culture: It includes beliefs, practices, and traditions associated with Islamic teachings and community rituals.
• Italian-American Culture: It is a blend of Italian heritage and American life, known for cuisine and celebrations like the Feast of San Gennaro.
• Subcultures: Smaller groups within cultures possessing distinct values or behaviors like youth culture or ethnic groups.
• Gamer Culture: It includes its own language, social norms, and esports tournaments.
• Hippie Movement: An anti-establishment subculture promoting peace and love, associated with psychedelic music.
• Punk Culture: Known for rebellious attitudes and distinctive styles like mohawks and leather jackets.
• Co-cultures: Groups existing alongside a dominant culture while maintaining unique characteristics like LGBTQ+ communities.
• LGBTQ+ Communities: They include unique identities and practices like Pride parades.
• African-American Culture: Encompasses traditions, music, and historical experiences distinct from the dominant culture.
• Subgroups: Divisions within a larger group sharing particular interests or characteristics.
• Vegetarian Subgroup: Health-conscious vegetarians share specific dietary practices.
• Book Club Members: They gather to discuss literature.
• Microcultures: Small cultural units emerging around specific interests or lifestyles, such as niche hobbies or online communities.
• Coffee Culture: It is centered around coffee brewing techniques, coffee shops, and tastings.
• Fandom Communities: Groups formed around interests in movies, TV shows, or books (e.g., Star Wars fandom).

Cultural Differences in Communication

• Communication is not universal; it varies across cultures due to historical, social, and philosophical factors.
• Effective intercultural interactions require understanding these cultural definitions.

Confucian Perspective on Communication

• It emphasizes relationships and social harmony in communication.
• Communication aims to maintain and enhance relationships, prioritizing relationship quality over message content.
• In cultures like China and Korea, indirect communication is preferred, involving subtlety and face-saving.
• Non-verbal cues, context, and shared understanding are crucial in interpreting messages.
• Communication is influenced by social hierarchies and respect for authority.
• Honorifics and formal language reflect the relationship between communicators.
• It reflects a collectivist mindset, prioritizing group needs over individual expression.
• Communication promotes group cohesion and harmony.

Western Perspectives on Communication

• Individualism is emphasized.
• Communication is viewed as self-expression.
• Individuals are encouraged to articulate thoughts openly and directly.
• Clarity and directness are valued, with messages being explicit and straightforward to avoid ambiguity.
• Linear Communication Style: Involves introducing a main idea, supporting it with evidence, and summarizing logically.

Focus on Content

• Western perspectives prioritize communication content over relational dynamics.
• Communication effectiveness is measured by how well ideas are conveyed.
• The Confucian and Western perspectives on communication show how cultural values shape practices.
• Confucianism emphasizes relational harmony, while Western perspectives prioritize individual expression and clarity.
• Understanding these differences is crucial for navigating and enhancing intercultural communication.

Media of Intercultural Communication

• Human Couriers and Intermediaries
• They played a critical role in intercultural communication by facilitating message exchange between cultures.
• They included diplomats, translators, and cultural liaisons who interpreted cultural nuances.
• Cultural Brokers: They bridge cultural gaps by providing insights into practices and expectations, especially in business negotiations.
• Telephone
• Revolutionized communication by enabling real-time voice conversations across distances.
• It facilitates quick exchanges of information but can lead to misunderstandings due to tone or lack of visual cues.
• Cross-Cultural Considerations: Awareness of different communication styles is essential, as some cultures may prefer formal greetings or indirect language.
• Internet
• It has transformed intercultural communication by providing instant access to information and diverse perspectives.
• Global Connectivity: It allows individuals from different cultures to connect and collaborate, fostering understanding and appreciation.
• Challenges of Miscommunication: It can lead to miscommunication due to language differences or cultural misunderstandings.
• Social Media
• Social media platforms have become vital for intercultural communication.
• Cultural Exchange: Platforms like Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and TikTok promotes cross-cultural dialogue and understanding.
• Influence on Perceptions: Social media can shape perceptions, but it can also perpetuate stereotypes.

Barriers to Intercultural Communication

• Anxiety
• Cultural Differences: Unfamiliar customs, language barriers, and social norms can cause anxiety and hesitation in communication.
• Fear of Negative Evaluation: Concern about being judged can exacerbate anxiety, inhibiting open dialogue.
• Assuming Similarity Instead of Difference
• Miscommunication: Assuming similarity can lead to misinterpretations.
• Neglecting Cultural Nuances: Failing to recognize cultural differences can lead to overlooking important contextual factors.
• Ethnocentrism
• Judgmental Attitudes: Ethnocentric individuals may dismiss cultural practices that differ from their own, leading to a lack of respect.
• Barriers to Understanding: Ethnocentrism fosters an us versus them mentality preventing meaningful engagement with other cultures.
• Stereotype
• Definition: Oversimplified beliefs about a group of people, arising from cultural assumptions.
• Formation of Stereotypes: They form through media, historical narratives, and social interactions, often based on race or gender.
• Cognitive Shortcuts: They simplify realities but can lead to misunderstandings in communication.
• Reinforcement of Biases: They reinforce existing prejudices, making it difficult to see beyond generalizations.
• Miscommunication: Stereotypes lead to miscommunication in intercultural interactions.
• Barrier to Authentic Interaction: Stereotypes hinder authentic engagement, causing defensiveness and hindering open dialogue.
• Case Study: Asian-Americans as "model minorities" leads to unrealistic expectations and overlooked diversity.
• Racism
• Definition: Systemic oppression based on racial or ethnic identity, including prejudices and institutional practices that create inequality.
• Individual Racism: Discrimination based on race, manifesting in derogatory remarks or hate crimes.
• Systemic Racism: Ingrained policies and practices that disadvantage racial groups even without overt racist intent.
• White Privilege
• Definition: White individuals experience unearned advantages in societies structured around racial hierarchies.
• Social Acceptance: They navigate social spaces without fear of being judged solely on their race.
• Economic Opportunities: White applicants may receive preferential treatment in hiring processes.
• Legal Protections: White individuals may experience more lenient treatment in the legal system.
• The Roma people have historically faced systemic racism across Europe.
• Discrimination: Roma communities experience barriers to education and employment due to stereotypes.
• Social Marginalization: The Roma live in segregated communities with limited access to resources, perpetuating cycles of poverty.
• Japan and Korea
• The relationship is marked by historical tensions rooted in colonialism.
• Historical Context: Koreans faced discrimination during Japan's occupation.
• Contemporary Issues: Xenophobia towards Korean immigrants in Japan reflects racial biases.

High Versus Low Context Communication

• High-context Communication
• Emphasizes situational context and shared knowledge.
• Much communication is implicit, relying on relationships and environment more than explicit words.
• Indirect Communication: Nuance and implication are emphasized over explicit statements.
• Non-Verbal Cues: Facial expressions, gestures, and eye contact are significant.
• Relationship-Oriented: Building and maintaining relationships is crucial, prioritizing harmony.
• Shared Knowledge: Communication assumes a shared background among participants.
• Examples: Asian, Middle Eastern, and Latin American cultures often reflect deep-rooted traditions and social hierarchies.
• Low-context Communication
• Relies on direct, clear verbal messages with less dependence on context.
• Direct Communication: Individuals express thoughts openly.
• Explicit Messages: Meaning is primarily contained in spoken or written words.
• Individualism: Individual expression is valued.
• Less Assumption of Shared Knowledge: Explanations are detailed to ensure understanding.
• Examples: Canada, Germany, Scandinavia and the United States prioritize clarity and efficiency.
• Potential Misunderstandings: Misunderstandings can occur between high and low-context communicators as low context may perceive high-context individual as evasive or unclear, vice versa with blunt/rude.
• Adaptation Strategies: Effective intercultural communication requires understanding cultural backgrounds.
• Adapting communication styles enhances mutual understanding.
• Building Relationships: Recognizing the importance of relationship-building promotes sensitivity and patience.

The Concept of Face

• It refers to the social identity that individuals construct during interactions, linked to self-esteem and social standing.
• Positive Face: The desire to be liked and accepted, maintaining a favorable image.
• Negative Face: The desire for autonomy and freedom from imposition, respecting personal space.

Perception

• It is the process through which individuals interpret sensory information influenced by cultural contexts and individual experiences.
• The process of receiving stimuli through the senses.
• Culture strongly influences how individuals sense and interpret stimuli.
• The effect of culture on sensing can shape how individuals respond to specific stimuli such as music & conversation
• Perception encompasses the interpretation and meaning-making aspect, affected by social and cultural factors.
• Selection
• Individuals choose which stimuli to focus on, dictated by cultural backgrounds and norms.
• Cultural emphasis on authority or respect in a relationship influence stimuli selection.
• Japanese/English Difficulties With Speech Sounds
• Difference in linguistic challenges perception e.g Japanese having difficulty discerning "L" and "R" due to the japanese language not differentiating them
• Organization
• Involves categorizing sensory input into manageable groups or frameworks.
• Organization varies culturally, with different societies having unique systems of organization depending on culture
• Different cultures may have their own criteria for grouping similar objects together due to cultural context
• Interpretation
• The final stage of perception, assigning meaning to organized information based on personal or cultural frames.
• Differing societal values influence interpretation e.g. dogs in western families and asian countries
• Symbols are interpreted in various ways, for example a 'cross' weather vane
• Airport Security
• Illustrates complexities of perception and interpretation depending on multicultural context.
• Individuals from high-context cultures may find strict questioning intrusive while low-context see it as standard protoco
• Overall
• The processes of sensing, selecting, organizing, and interpreting sensory experiences are deeply influenced by cultural contexts.

Intercultural Communication Competence (ICC)

• The Main personal traits that affect intercultural communication consist of:
• Self-concept (the way in which a person views the self)
• Self-disclosure: One's willingness to openly reveal personal information
• Self-monitoring (using social comparisons to control and modify behavior)
• Social relaxation (the ability to reveal little anxiety is communication)
• Overall Competent intercultural communicators must know themselves well and through their self-awareness, initiate positive attitudes to be comfortable and competent in intercultural comms
• Intercultural Communication Competence (ICC)
• CommunicationSkills: These require message skills (ability to understand language), behavioral flexibility (ability to select appropriate behavior)
• Interaction management (handle aspects of conversation with empathy etc), social media's (empathy and identity maintenance)
• Psychological Adjustment: Ability to acclimate to new social environments
• Cultural Awareness: Understanding of social customs and social systems is essential for comms
• Chen and Starosta's (1996) model presents a model of communication of intercultural competence with 3 perspectives:
• 1. Affective or intercultural sensitivity (acknowledge and respect cultural differences)
• 2. Cognitive or intercultural awareness (self-awareness of one's own personal cultural identity)
• 3. Behavioral or intercultural adroitness (message skills)
• Jandt (2018) defines ICC as the ability to communicate effectively and appropriately with people from different cultures
• Understanding of one's own culture AND other cultures
• Skills: Effective communication behaviors like active listening, nonverbal listening, and conflict resolution
• Motivation to directly communication with certain people and other cultures
• Tolerance for Ambiguity is key in coping with uncertain situations
• Third Culture
• Refers to a new culture two or more individuals from different cultures can share that does not rely upon only the fusion fo the separate cultures, rather something different with constant changes
• Multiculturalism: The multicultural person shows respect for cultures and has great tolerance.
• Diversity is a key aspect- This has the ability to recognize the wide range of human experiences
• Inclusion is important in creating a sense of belonging
• Equity ensures all individuals have access to resources
• Postethnic Cultures
• Prefers voluntary affiliations while appreciating multiple identities and accepting ethno-racial groups
• Groups based on blood and history are of lower importance

Key Ideas

• Individuals may identify with multiple cultures simultaneously
• Cultural boundaries are less permeable
• There is a growing emphasis on individual identity and personal choice, as peace is a fundamental value
• Ethical communicators act respectfully, and not demeaning

Non-Verbal Behavior

• Some behaviors percieved as cues to a state of mind are non verbal behaviours
• Analagic rather than digital signals are continuously creating arbitrary meanings with gestures
• Researchers from the nurture approach believe that nonverbal communication is learned (darwin)

Nonverbal Communication Functions

• Intentional use such as when using a nonspoken symbol to communicate a message. (communicated through attributes that gave socially shared meaning)
• Communication functions through virtue of peoples use of the elements.

Nonverbal Communication Functions

• Spoken messages cannot be used as hand gestures replace the need to use spoken words (can be for utilitarian means e.g Police traffic officer)
• Signs tend to be used similarly to symbols with similarities between directions and objects, but can vary
• Uncomfortable Messages: Some meanings are awkward to express in words but meanings can be conveyed, avoiding hurt feelings (body language example: trying to end an annoying conversation)
• Forming Impressions: attempts at times to manage the impressions that you want others to get out of you. (e.g going for a job interview)
• Content refers to the subject matter of the message
• Relationship information is uncomfortable and replaced by nonverbal communication in a professional (e.g Status is maintained in power structures)
• Directing turn taking regulates peoples interactions
• Can reinforce the verbal message and reinforce a message

Types Nonverbal Communication

• Proxemics is the use the space around the body to communicate (Physical distance + Occupancy of Areas) (different from culture to culture dependent on upbringing)
• Territoriality stands too close to one another from cultural standard it can cause an intercultural barrier.
• Sennet (1999) has described how spaces can encourage democracy such as the town square in greek cities where many citizens could gather an create diversity.
• Body language through gestures, moment, facial expressions (desmond morris landmark book of body language which identified ways that gestures are intentional)
• The study of timing and time is chronemetics dependent on religious and cultural beliefs (tied to american indian) in that time is cyclical and constantly changing as well. The western world's scientific approach is that time is linear with unmoving positions.
• Main category is the use of paralanguage and voice qualities in ways that we give meaning (including speech cadence, rythme, tempo and loudness)
• speech is either with noise or silent
• Another communication mean is the use of touch (dependent heavily on culture)
• Artifactual communication is the use of physical attributes like tattoos or clothing communicates differently in cultures

Knowing Culture Through Nonverbal Messages

• Culture is a code that we learn together that required communication that requires coding and has shared symbols.
• Different types of Wais are used in thailand to bid farewell to individuals (palms together while head is bowed, with no eye contact) with the younger of two people typically performing the wai with others to show respect and kindness.

Language as a Barrier

• Language is a set of symbols (as symbols or gestures in sign language) that community uses to share their meanings
• Of the estimated 7100 languages, each has unique structure

Sapir-Whorf Hypothesis

• Suggesting culture is determined by language
• Observed that hopi do not use plural nouns to refer to time (time is a duration instead)
• Whorf produced papers (1930s) on how reality is embedded within cultures language and that language control.

Vocabulary

• One area includes vocab and comparing it to language (language has particular activity- said eskimo's languages have words for snow)
• Honunoo of phillipines has 92 symbols for rice (important in their culture)
• Yanomamo of venezeula have limited technology, as they only have three numbers (development in technology requires mathematics)

Grammar and Syntax

• Second concept behind the worf hypothesis
• Worff said grammar had a greater difference than vocab (that there is consistent use of 'if in eskimos as environment is fragile
• Linguists associated it with the fragile environment
• English Places emphasis on a doer on an taker
• One is more likely to say brought textbook but can be implied that its been heard, by the other party in different cultures as subject is known by context.

Criticisms of the Sapir–Whorf Hypothesis

• Whorf haven't met a member of Hopi and translations seemed to emphasise his conclusion
• Linguist Steven Pinker presented a strong argument with the case of Idlefonso who was intelligent but a sign language has all that person to communicate/converse.

Linguistic Relativism

• Stating difference between language in easy to say to speaker
• Language shapes thinking and behaviour- cultural influence
• (Dunn Greenhill levinson Gray) demonstrated cultural affects
• If the relativism is valid should be difference which shows influence.
• Coordinate speakers will use the language when they reach it,
• Compound bilingual speakers learn different languages as a child in different context (English learned in life)
• Languages should be used differently

Case Study: Arabic and the Arab Culture

• Saying yes means maybe and saying maybe means no; instead of saying no people of arab faith/culture may say allah willing if it's right for Allah and god, to be re[etitive etc to confirm.

Translation Difficulties

• Word from word isn't the only problem as its important to use words that have culture
• Sechrest, Fay, and Zaidi have given 5 problems
• Vocab isn't a great way of determining for example, slushiness or hardness or newness wouldn't translate as well
• 2. idomatic- some words in other language require deeper words and can take longer to share the expression
• Gramm and syntax- languages don't share the same grammar
• Experiental - if an object or experience does not exist in your culture, it's tough to be translated for no words for them

Conceptual

• Refers to abstract ideas

• To those from the united states of america, freedom is a unique quality to where speakers find it difficult Translation techniques

• To fix them, often use translated multiple times to translate to prevent amusement

Pidgins, Creoles, and Universal Languages

• Pidgin is different languages to form a new one- used for trade (ghana nigera and singapore are doing this)

• "that's really very sayang lah" - combines english chinese (means that's a pity)

• Creole is where new languages are with multiple different language bases (with a different meaning when kids form a language)

• attempt with Esperanto by lasarus zamenhof

• Language is centre to cultural identity

• Linguistic can over penetrate as it has bad implications

The Hofstede Dimensions

• Located different variety types the are known to describe all cultures
• They include individualism-collectivism cultures that are looser structured
• masculinity Feminatiy, power distance- uncertainity avoidance
• *Hofstede and bund
• Identified dimension or dynamism (called long and short time)
• In 2010 called the mind, added more dimensions (added self restraint and individualisms)
• refers to how define theme selves In individualist society- individuals are looser. People are self and families Masakazu said a view for humanity is self self assertion and competition

In collective - group is prevalence Data says relationships wealth has strong relationship

• Geographic
• Birth rates
• History
• communications The indirect and direct show the intent

There do not use specifics Use words such as probable Do not show emotion bad And Use indirect

Mitigated speech is linguistic where it's high range distances Was popularised by where it's the meaning" High crash records from to 2000 High crash when most experiences pilots will fly Pilot do not challenge captain training Blog post that it be easy