Spock: My Biological Identity

3.1 – Explain how individuals from a different backgrounds may use communication methods in a different way

I do need to be aware that I will need to adapt the way I communicate with different audiences because different people all require me to connect with them in a variety of different styles, i.e. adult-adult, child-child, adult-child. By using effective communication I am able to help clear up conflicts, build harmony and overcome any communication gaps which, themselves can create conflict amongst people.

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

ASSIGNMENT: Achieving competence as an interpersonal communicator in a diverse society is necessary to your personal and professional success. One way to enhance our understanding of interpersonal communication as a relationship-building activity is to engage in first hand dialogue with people from cultures other than your own. This assignment gives you the opportunity to engage in the dual perspective – honoring the perspective of the person with whom you are communicating as well as honoring your own perspective. You are also able to contrast your worldview with the perspective of someone with a different life experience than your

Communication can be adapted very easily, usually without you realising. However, the style used can make a big difference, and help build and maintain positive relationships.

The first point in my theory is that you can better your skills as an interpersonal communicator by better understanding your own culture. DeVito states that there are. “several major cultural distinctions that are crucial for more effective communication” they are: individualism or collectivism, high or low context, high or low power distance, masculinity or femininity, high or low ambiguity tolerance, long or short term orientation, and indulgent or (p. 34). To be able to understand your or anyone else’s culture you must be able to understand the ways that these things affect communication. Once you understand the ways that you are oriented in these seven categories due to enculturation you can understand how you communicate and become a more effective

Explain how people from different backgrounds may use and/or interpret communication methods in different ways

3.1 Explain how people from different backgrounds may use and/or interpret communication methods in different ways

At certain times one must adopt their style of communication to meet individual needs and use various aids to help them embrace their communication.

All communication is cultural. It draws on ways we have learned to speak and give nonverbal messages. We do not always communicate the same way from day to day, since factors like individual personality, mood, and the context of the situation interact with the variety of cultural influences we have internalized that influence our choices. Communication is interactive, so an important influence on its effectiveness is our relationship with others. Do they hear and understand what we are trying to say? Are they listening well? Are we listening well in response? Do their responses show that they understand the words and the meanings behind the words we have chosen? Is the mood positive and receptive? Is there trust between them and us? Are there differences that relate to ineffective communication, divergent goals or interests, or fundamentally different ways of seeing the world? The answers to these questions will give us some clues about the effectiveness of our communication and the ease with which we may be able to move through conflict. The challenge is that even with all the good will in the world, miscommunication is likely to happen, especially when there are significant cultural differences between communicators. Miscommunication may lead to conflict, or aggravate conflict that already exists, or in the sad of case of girl developing epilepsy and both her parent’s Hmong culturally clashing with her Western medicine

Orbe, Mark P and Tina M Harris. Interacial Communication: Theory into Practice. 2nd . Losa Angeles: Sage Publications, Inc., 2008.

Based on both my PRICA self-assessment and GENE scale scores, it appears that I have high intercultural communication apprehension, regardless of ones culture and I would have to say that I am definitely not surprised by this result. I have been lucky enough to be raised in a diverse community in Northern California where various different cultures interact on a regular basis. Not only is this the norm, but because of the diversity, people in my community embrace the melting pot of cultures. I believe that understanding cultures other than my own is a big advantage especially when we fathom different ideas that we are not necessarily familiar with. Another asset that having a wider understanding for intercultural communication brings is when

Lesenciuc, A., & Codreanu, A. (2012). INTERPERSONAL COMMUNICATION COMPETENCE: CULTURAL UNDERPINNINGS. Journal of Defense Resources Management, 3(1), 127-138. Retrieved from http://search.proquest.com/docview/1288095

Martin, J. N., & Nakayama, T. K. (2011). Experiencing intercultural communication. (4th ed., pp. 226-227). New York, NY: McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.

Intercultural communications are commonly displayed amongst cultures. Individual frequently identify themselves with certain ethnic groups. Typically, these identifications shape people actions within society. Therefore, to avoid conflict understanding other ethnic groups customs is imperative. Although individuals obtain different identifications that shape certain behaviors, learning other customs is necessary for intercultural communications.