Chapter 3 - Communicating Identities Flashcards
Identity
Who a person is; composed of individual and social categories a person identifies with, as well as the categories that others identify with that person.
List five advantages to understanding the relationship between communication and identity.
- Individuals bring their self-images or identities to each communicative encounter, every communication encounter is effected by their identities.
- Communication interactions create and shape identities.
3 identity plays an important role in intercultural communication, something that has become increasingly common in our global, technology-based world. - Understanding identity is useful because so much of the U.S. Life is organized around and geared toward specific identities.
- Identity is a key site where individual and societal forces come together to shape communication experiences.
Reflected Appraisals
The idea that people’s self-images arise primarily from the ways that others view them and from the many messages they have received from others about what they are.
Looking-Glass Self
The idea that self-image results from the images others reflect back to an individual.
Particular Others
The important people in an individual’s life who opinions and behavior influence the various aspects of identity.
Generalized Other
The collection of roles, rules, norms beliefs, and attitudes endorsed by the community in which a person lives.
Self-Fullfiling Prophecy
When an individual expects something to occur, the expectation increases the likelihood that it will.
Stereotype Threat
Process in which reminding individuals of stereotypical expectations regarding important identities can impact their performance.
Self-Concept
The understanding of one’s unique characteristics as well as the similarities to, and differences from, others.
Self-Esteem
Part of one’s self-concept; arises out of how one perceives and interprets reflected appraisals and social comparisons.
Self-Respect
Treating others, and expecting to be treated, with respect and dignity.
Performances of Identity
The process or means by which we show the world who we think we are.
Enacting Identities
Performing scripts deemed proper for particular activities.
Role Expectations
The expectation that one will perform in a particular way because of the social role occupied.
Mutable
Subject to change.
What are the key concepts in identity development?
- Reflected Appraisals
- Social Comparison
- Self-Fulfilling Prophecies
How is identity performed?
- In the ways we show the world who we think we are (dress, name, etc).
- A person’s communication style.
Racial Identity
Identification with a particular racial group.
Multiracial Identity
One who self-identifies as having more than one racial identity.
National Identity
A person’s citizenship.
Ethnic Identity
Identification with a particular group with which one shares some or all of these characteristics: national or tribal affiliation, religious beliefs, language, and/or cultural and traditional origins and background.
Gender Identity
How are to what extent one identifies with the social construction of masculinity and femininity.
Sexual Identity
Which of the various categories of sexuality one identifies with.
Age Identity
A combination of self-perception of age along with what others understand that to mean.
Social Class Identity
An informal ranking of people in a culture based on their income, occupation, education, swelling, child-rearing habits, and other factors.
Disability Identity
Identification with physical or mental impairment that substantially impact everyday life.
Religious Identity
Aspect of identity defined by one’s spiritual beliefs.
What are the primary identity categories?
- Racial
- National
- Ethnic
- Gender
- Sexual
- Age
- Social Class
- Disability
- Religious
What are the key ethical concerns related to identity?
- How you communicate with people whose identities are more, or less, valued.
- Language that denigrates or puts down others based on their identities.
- Whether you tend to reduce others to a single identity category.
What are three strategies you can use to communicate more effectively with regard to identities?
- How you communicate to someone and about someone can influence how they perform their identity or how it develops.
- There are many ways to perform a particular identity.
- Remember that people change over time.
