4/22/21

Intercultural Communication
● the exchange of information between Cultural differences:
individuals who are unalike culturally
Intercultural Communication (Rogers and Steinfatt 1999) • Age
● Communication between people and • Class

groups of diverse culture, subculture, or • Gender

Carmen Tamas タマシ カルメン subgroup identifications (Jandt 2018) • Ethnicity
• Language
● Interaction between people whose
• Race
cultural perceptions and symbol systems
differ enough to influence the • Nationality
• Physical/ mental ability
communication event (Samovar 2012)

2020 2021
● travel abroad/ intercultural exchange • instant camera
experiences
● high school: uniform, friends, club activities • race cars/ racing
● favorite song/ artist • family photo
● movies • Sisyphus
● gymnastics competition • martial arts black belt
● family • hometown
● saxophone, violin; music scores
• friends
● toys
• animation characters
● pets
● dance performance
• award winning photo
● laptop • sports
● hand • pets
● glasses • (junior) high school
● personal drawing • Concert
● ulos (traditional Balinese piece of clothing); • Guitar
massaline—cloth (silk) from Thailand
● personal poetry
• Laptop
● pillow
• Leadership
● home and surroundings • Book
● dreamhouse • language map
● music player
● sunset

1

The image above shows the tribal and linguistic map of Zambia. The image is
important to me because it reminds me of how long we have managed to coexist
as a people of different tribes and minor cultural differences. Despite the
challenges which come with being ethnically diverse, we have not experienced any
conflict as witnessed in some neighboring countries. I think from childhood the
environment I grew up in nurtured me to celebrate the difference which may exist
with the people I meet. Though it is never easy because i think we live in a “me
first world” where the way I do it is the only and best way. Such an environment
makes it hard for any well meaningful human being to do the right thing when
challenged.
4/22/21
CULTURE
• A set of learned behaviors
• A system of thinking and acting that is taught by, and reinforced by, a group
of people
• Cultural groups teach their members certain sets of values, with
accompanying behaviors and communication preferences.
• We learn culture and communication very early in life. (Haslett 1989)
• This tacit “cultural understanding” of the world then influences our personal
preference in communication style and continues to influence our
perception of others throughout our life. (Stringer & Cassiday 2009)
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Products
Overt Food, clothes
(observable)
People
Leaders, family, idols

Practices
Language, behavior

Covert Perspectives
(hidden)
Values, beliefs, attitudes,
communication style

Identity
● = a construct of self that is usually defined socially,

culturally, or psychologically

● includes: features, qualities, or beliefs that make a person

who they are

● Individuality, personality, self-esteem and social roles vary

over time as a person develops physically, mentally and

socially. (Erik Erikson 1974)

● Identity is influenced by many factors including language,

culture, membership, society, family, or gender.

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Erik Erikson

A person’s identity is formed based on interaction with their environment,

relationships, and life stages.
Where does your identity come from?
Identity development

How does your identity change over time?

identity influence personality tendency innate

What are some important, life changing experiences you have

life stages environment experience nature nurture
had?