Chapter 3 - Communicating Identities

Question 0

Identity

Answer 0

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.

Question 1

List five advantages to understanding the relationship between communication and identity.

Answer 1

1. Individuals bring their self-images or identities to each communicative encounter, every communication encounter is effected by their identities.
2. 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.
3. Understanding identity is useful because so much of the U.S. Life is organized around and geared toward specific identities.
4. Identity is a key site where individual and societal forces come together to shape communication experiences.

Question 2

Reflected Appraisals

Answer 2

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.

Question 3

Looking-Glass Self

Answer 3

The idea that self-image results from the images others reflect back to an individual.

Question 4

Particular Others

Answer 4

The important people in an individual’s life who opinions and behavior influence the various aspects of identity.

Question 5

Generalized Other

Answer 5

The collection of roles, rules, norms beliefs, and attitudes endorsed by the community in which a person lives.

Question 6

Self-Fullfiling Prophecy

Answer 6

When an individual expects something to occur, the expectation increases the likelihood that it will.

Question 7

Stereotype Threat

Answer 7

Process in which reminding individuals of stereotypical expectations regarding important identities can impact their performance.

Question 8

Self-Concept

Answer 8

The understanding of one’s unique characteristics as well as the similarities to, and differences from, others.

Question 9

Self-Esteem

Answer 9

Part of one’s self-concept; arises out of how one perceives and interprets reflected appraisals and social comparisons.

Question 10

Self-Respect

Answer 10

Treating others, and expecting to be treated, with respect and dignity.

Question 12

Performances of Identity

Answer 12

The process or means by which we show the world who we think we are.

Question 13

Enacting Identities

Answer 13

Performing scripts deemed proper for particular activities.

Question 14

Role Expectations

Answer 14

The expectation that one will perform in a particular way because of the social role occupied.

Question 15

Mutable

Answer 15

Subject to change.

Question 16

What are the key concepts in identity development?

Answer 16

1. Reflected Appraisals
2. Social Comparison
3. Self-Fulfilling Prophecies

Question 17

How is identity performed?

Answer 17

1. In the ways we show the world who we think we are (dress, name, etc).
2. A person’s communication style.

Question 18

Racial Identity

Answer 18

Identification with a particular racial group.

Question 19

Multiracial Identity

Answer 19

One who self-identifies as having more than one racial identity.

Question 20

National Identity

Answer 20

A person’s citizenship.

Question 21

Ethnic Identity

Answer 21

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.

Question 22

Gender Identity

Answer 22

How are to what extent one identifies with the social construction of masculinity and femininity.

Question 23

Sexual Identity

Answer 23

Which of the various categories of sexuality one identifies with.

Question 24

Age Identity

Answer 24

A combination of self-perception of age along with what others understand that to mean.

Question 25

Social Class Identity

Answer 25

An informal ranking of people in a culture based on their income, occupation, education, swelling, child-rearing habits, and other factors.

Question 26

Disability Identity

Answer 26

Identification with physical or mental impairment that substantially impact everyday life.

Question 27

Religious Identity

Answer 27

Aspect of identity defined by one’s spiritual beliefs.

Question 28

What are the primary identity categories?

Answer 28

1. Racial
2. National
3. Ethnic
4. Gender
5. Sexual
6. Age
7. Social Class
8. Disability
9. Religious

Question 29

What are the key ethical concerns related to identity?

Answer 29

1. How you communicate with people whose identities are more, or less, valued.
2. Language that denigrates or puts down others based on their identities.
3. Whether you tend to reduce others to a single identity category.

Question 30

What are three strategies you can use to communicate more effectively with regard to identities?

Answer 30

1. How you communicate to someone and about someone can influence how they perform their identity or how it develops.
2. There are many ways to perform a particular identity.
3. Remember that people change over time.