Cultural Identity
Humans have thrived in their outlined structure of society and communicate with different cultures in a variety levels, ways, and ideas. Communication between cultures is shaped its values, beliefs, and behaviors. These components characterize an array of individuals, with determinate factors that affect how they communicate. The United States cultural components of values, beliefs, and behavior, affect how I communicate with unfamiliar cultures in a variety of ways.
The United States of America, in particular, is known for its dominant cultural patterns that defines its many distinctive Americans, such as myself. Dominant cultural patterns are known as a set of related traits or characteristics that describe a
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Our “blocking” time management system of monochromic allows us to be more adaptable to change, or be considered a low uncertainty avoidance civilization. This modern westerners thought process engages differently than other cultures. Altogether, these characteristics of the country shape how American families operate and express themselves to other nations.
Within the United States, subgroups, categories, or organizations, identify an individual. An individual is shaped by the benefits or disadvantages of these elements. A distinct American, like myself, may consider her white family heritage, Methodist beliefs, and job occupation as a waitress, part of one’s identity. Elements like these shape my behavior in different environments. For example, I would feel more comfortable in a Methodist church than a Lutheran. But when experiencing a new religion, I try to be open minded, and focus on the “why” that particular religion has its beliefs. This also connects to those who come from another race or ethnic group. In those instances that I am the new minority and analyze how these “new” people intercommunicate. My interests, specifically knitting, connects me with those who most likely are part of an older generation. All of these elements shape who I am and my behavior. As I learn through these organizations, my behavior is constantly changing based on those around me and the environment. When something new or different is
According to the Hay’s addressing model, my cultural identities as a Latina woman of low socioeconomic status makes me part of non-dominant groups. My identities set me apart from the majority population which means that; I am perceived inferior than those of dominant groups. My lineage constitutes of indigenous ancestors that like me, share a darker skin tone that till this day is seen imperfect.
Though it does not come up in everyday thought, cultural identity is an idea that all humans possess. Abridged, cultural identity can be simply explained as the sharing of a similar culture by people of various ethnicities. However, cultural identity is more complex than that, defined by an individual’s values, beliefs, and ideas of moral behavior influenced by their culture. Furthermore, cultural identity is ever changing from individual to individual. This means that although two individuals may be of the same ethnicity, differences in circumstances may cause variations between the individuals’ personal beliefs. As a result of interracial interactions, multiculturalism has grown during the twenty-first century.
Throughout the ages, humans from all over the world have created and accepted honorable cultures which they feel a strong connection to and are dependent upon. One’s way of living demonstrates nationality, religion, ethnicity, and art. People who have more than one culture, have been torn between two worlds that have eventually affected their lives. The cultural identities portrayed in both Self Portrait: On the Borderline Between Mexico and the United States by Frida Kahlo and “Legal Alien” by Pat Mora are shown through the symbolism, theme/message, and persona created in the works.
Different social, professional and cultural contexts may affect relationships and the way people communicate due to of a lack of understanding or knowledge of one another’s background and culture. This could be through their race, religion, ethnicity or where they come from. Each one of these can have similar or very different ways to communicate. For example
Cultural Identity is “The definition of groups or individuals (by themselves or others) in terms of cultural or subcultural categories (including ethnicity, nationality, language, religion, and gender)” (Oxford Reference). Everyone has cultural identity even though some are unaware of theirs because their habits and traditions might be seen as normal to the person and they might not make the connection that it is a cultural tradition or connected to their cultural identity. Some people are very aware of their cultural identity and have conflict within their identity because the cultures may not coincide. Frida Kahlo’s Self Portrait: On the Borderline Between Mexico and the United States and Pat Mora’s “Legal Alien” both show cultural conflict through symbolism, conflict, and purpose.
Does someone's cultural identity affect how they look at the world an other people? Cultural identity affects how someone looks at the world and how they look at others. The culture that someone creates for themselves determines how they look at the world and someone. Your childhood, lessons you learn throughout your life, and your cultural heritage all effect your culture and how you look at people and the world. There is also some people that are not affected by their culture only affected by their childhood and lessons that they grew up with in other words there not affected by their parent's culture heritage their affected by their culture they made for themselves. Culture affects everyone and the extent of the effect determines how
As each group processes distinct characteristics, a constant exchange happens and the original cultural beliefs and make up of the culture begins to be changed for one or both groups. The impact, either negative or positive for both cultural groups will result in a congruent blending of each culture or a cultural breakdown or confusion of one’s culture. A person may have to choose whether he or she want to or not and the expectations of his or her own culture may cause identity crisis (Shvoong, 2010).
Culture is, according to Matsumoto and Juang (2013), a system through which essential information and meaning are portrayed and passed on in order for a variety of basic needs for life and meaning to be met. This system, though not unique to humans, is made exceptional by the ability of humans to express and understand intention. Culture is diverse; the United States alone houses many different cultures which are influenced by a variety of different factors, even within the country. Importantly, culture influences a variety of behaviors. Culture can impact the way children are raised, people are perceived, and even how the self is perceived and formed, to name a few examples. Understanding multiple cultures is a difficult but necessary
Alberts, Martin and Nakayama (2011) describe communication as “ a transactional process in which people generate meaning through the exchange of verbal and nonverbal messages in in specific contexts, influenced by individual and societal forces and embedded in culture.”(p.7) They then go on to state that intercultural communication “occurs in interactions between people who are culturally different.”(p.122) Cultural differences thus affect many interactions, with the communication process being one.
What do you think your cultural identity is? I believe I am a half Japanese and half korean christian because i take off my shoes when go into someone's house, me and my family eats kimchi sometimes, and me and my family pray when we eat dinner. Everyone has their own cultural identity but in this essay I will talk why these reasons makes me, me.
Cultural identity is the feeling of belonging to a group. Part of a person's self conception and self perception. It can reflect on things such as ethnicity, religion, generation, or any social group including family.
There are many people who come from different cultural backgrounds, and have different worldviews. Therefore, communication is the key to helping individuals understand the worldviews of other cultures. While, communicating with people from different cultures can be extremely complex, it can also have many advantages. Culture influence the way individuals think, learn and interpret worldviews. Therefore, to communicate with diverse cultures, individuals must have some knowledge of how they differ in worldviews.
Culture is “a system of meanings and values that shape one’s behavior” (Lane 2002, p.16). It is imperative that we appreciate that each person 's intrinsic values are different. Because values are so ingrained, we are not often aware that our responses in life are, in large part, due to the values we hold unique to our own culture and perspective. Furthermore, we rarely reflect on the fact that people with whom we associate hold their own unique set of values that may be different from our own. When communicating with others, the message that the other person is receiving will be based on their culture, their perception of
Cultural identity is the basis in which identification is used to express different aspects pertaining to identity and heritage. A person's cultural identity may be created by social organization, as well as traditions and customs within their lives. The two aspects that construct my cultural identity are the frequent chores I must complete every day in order to fulfill my behavioral expectations, and the youth group I attend weekly. These aspects are important to my family and me. Therefore, my identity has an immeasurable effect on my upbringing into this multi-cultural world I live in.
Considering all of this, when it comes to effective intercultural communication, people have to remember that everyone is an individual, and although cultural values are relatively stable, “each of us had developed our own unique sets of values baed on our socialization and life experience” (Ting-Toomey & Chung, p. 40). What I mean to say is that one should not only be aware of a cultures values, but also that every human being is their own person, and their socialization and life experience might change how they interact with others. Even though when it comes intercultural communication is is important to know the basic beliefs, values, and communication styles of other culture, we should also recognize through our interactions the difference people also have from their dominate