Nonverbal communication and culture. Identity, stereotypes and prejudices, страница 23

(3) When discrimination replaces communication, we see overt and covert (hidden)  expressions of anger and hate that restrict one group's opportunity or access to opportunities that rightly belong to everyone. When a real-estate agent will not show certain homes to African Americans, we have discrimination. When businesses promote less qualified males instead of competent women, we have discrimination.

(4) When prejudice moves to the next level of expression, we often see physical attacks. This form of prejudice often accelerates in hostility and intensity if it is left unchecked. From the burning of churches to the writing of anti-Semitic slogans in Jewish cemeteries, physical acts occur when minorities are the target of prejudiced activity.

(5) The fifth, and most alarming, form of prejudice is extermination. This expression of prejudice leads to acts of physical violence against the out-group. History is full of examples of lynching, massacres, and programs of genocide. In such cases as Hitler's "master plan," the former Serbian "ethnic cleansing," and the current situation in Rwanda, an attempt is made to destroy an entire racial or ethnic group.

It is important to remember that deep prejudice and hatred not only hurt the out-group but can destroy the prejudiced person and culture. The Spanish philosopher Jose Ortega у Gasset advanced much the some observation when he wrote, "Hatred is a feeling which leads to the extinction of values."

SUMMARY

-  Discussed are some facets of identity and the ways that identities are problematic in intercultural communication.

-  Identities are both static (as described by social psychologists) and dynamic (as described by communication scholars).

-  Identities are created by self and by others in relation to group membership.

-  Identities are multiple and reflect gender, ethnicity, sexual orientation, race, religion, class, nationality and other aspects of out lives.

-  Identities also develop in relation to minority and majority group membership.

-  The identity group characteristics sometimes form the basis for stereotypes, prejudice and racism.

-  Stereotypes are widely held beliefs about a specific group of people.

-  Prejudice is a negative attitude to a cultural group. Prejudice is expressed in a variety of forms.

1.  What is the role of identity in the context of culture and communication?

2.  What are the main perspectives of studying identity?

3.  Present each of the contemporary perspectives on identity.

4.  How do your perceptions of your own cultural identity influence your communication with others?

5.  What are some ways in which we express our identity?

6.  What are the roles of avowal and ascription in the process of identity formation?

7.  What are some of the ways in which members of minority cultures and members of majority cultures develop their cultural identities?

8.  How do ethnic and national identity differ?

9.  What communication problems are caused by stereotyping?

10.  Discuss the negative role of prejudice (both covert and overt)

11.  How is prejudice expressed?

12.  How can stereotypes and prejudice be overcome?

REFERENCES

Adler, N. J. International Dimensions of Organizational Behavior, 2^nd ed. – Boston, MA: PWS-KENT, 1991.

Allport, G. The Nature of Prejudice. – Cambridge, MA: Addison-Wesley, 1954.

Collier, M. J. & Thomas, M. Cultural Identity: An interpretive Perspective. In: Y. Y. Kim & W. B. Gudykunst (Eds.). Theories in Intercultural Communication. – Newbury Park, CA: Sage, 1988, pp. 99 – 122).

Hamilton, D. L., Sherman, S. J. & Ruvolo, C. M. Stereotype-Based Expectancies: Effects on Information Processing and Social Behavior. In: Journal of Social Issues, No. 46, 1990, pp. 35 – 60.