How Can Cultural Identity & Identity Management Theory Help Improve Our Intercultural Communication?

University of Florida, CJC Online, Foundations of Intercultural Communication MMC5708.

Cultural identity is the awareness of belonging to a certain group of people. “An individual’s cultural identity is influenced by ancestry, social class, education level, family, language, political opinions, profession, race, gender, sex, sexuality, nationality, age, religious beliefs, location of living, health condition, social status, ethnicity, ability/disability, traditions, hobbies, and more” (Bajracharya, 2018).

What makes cultural identity complicated is that many of its defining characteristics remain unspoken. Groups unconsciously develop certain standards for what is normal and acceptable based on social cues, then through continual exposure to the group, people accept these standards as part of their cultural identity (Wilson, n.d.).

Cultural beliefs become part of a person’s self-conception. However, as Myron Lustig, the author of Intercultural Competence, points out: cultural identities are dynamic.

“A person's identity changes as does one's ongoing experiences in life” (Wikipedia, n.d.).

For example, in this TEDx Talk, Somara Theodore highlights the ever-changing aspects of identity and advocates that: who you are depends on who’s asking the question.

"It became an intrinsic and innate behavior to switch my identity on and off depending on the groups I was surrounded by” (Theodore, 2014).

The idea that people can alter their identities based on interactions with different groups is supported by the Identity Management Theory (IMT). The IMT theory argues that “individuals perceive their identities differently at different given points across time and space” (Communication Theory, n.d.). In other words, self-image is ever-evolving.

“We often become aware of cultural identity only when it’s challenged…when we find ourselves in parts of the world with different cultural norms" (Wilson, n.d.). Ultimately, people use their cultural identities to relate to the world around them, adapting their behaviors and communication patterns to fit into interactions with various groups.

For example, Broadway musicians identify as a cultural group. Bway pit players share very specific daily rhythms and perceptual contexts that are unique to the 300 professionals performing this type of work. To members of this group, it is immediately apparent whether someone has "spent time in the trenches."

Identifying through shared experiences feels both powerful and comforting. In many ways, sensing that the other person "gets it" with no explanation needed feels as gratifying as hearing American English spoken in a foreign country: it instantly feels like home, even if you would never interact with that person under normal circumstances.

The properties of cultural identity are explained through seven factors.

1) Avowal & Ascription (how one presents themselves to others & how others perceive/refers to others)

2) Modes of expression (core symbols, names, labels, and norms)

3) Individual/Relational/Communal identity (individual experiences vs. interactions vs. negotiation of shared identity)

4) Enduring & Changing aspects (how identities alter or evolve)

5) Affective/Cognitive/Behavioral aspects (emotional attachment to identity)

6) Content/Relationship levels (interactive messaging between two or more people)

7) Salience/Prominence (conspicuousness or distinctive aspects of identity between individuals)” (Communication Theory, n.d.).

The ability to communicate includes the ability to manage relational and cultural identities, or face work (opinions/reactions). “Positive face refers to a desire for acceptance and approval from others, while negative face refers to an individual’s desire for independence and freedom from imposition” (Communication Theory, n.d.)

Three steps to developing successful intercultural relationships include:

1. Trial and error - looking for similar points of interest and aspects of identity.

2. Mixing up - developing a relational identity between the individuals which is acceptable to both.

3. Reshaping - keeping in context while reshaping relational identities (Communication Theory, n.d.).

For example, if a Persian-speaking Iranian and English-speaking American meet in the workplace for the first time, they will probably fall back on familiar cultural greeting scripts to make initial contact and establish rapport with each other.

A common greeting in American English is “Hello” and “Pleased to meet you” which often includes head nodding and a handshake. In Persian, “Salam” is used like the English “Hello,” but the Persian-speaking person might also observe the following Persian greeting scripts (Cultural Atlas, n.d.).

• The person with the lower status greets the other individual first.

• A person’s title and last name are used when greeting them.

• Greetings may involve a handshake with the right hand only.

• Iranian men commonly greet women by placing their hands over their hearts and bowing.

• For a Western woman, it is best to bow to greet an Iranian man.

• Greetings may involve two or three kisses on each cheek, but only between the same gender.

• Women greet other women with a handshake for the first time and embrace the next time they see each other.

After completing greeting scripts, each person looks for similar interests to create relational identities: similar food preferences, forms of entertainment, sports teams, or literature. This begins the process of reshaping thoughts and ideas to accommodate the other.

But intercultural interactions are often challenging, especially in “situations where one person feels afraid of speaking up or standing out in their effort to fit in” (Suarez, 2021).

For example, “if you've ever found yourself baffled by someone’s response to a situation, you have seen the effects of cultural identity. This can be especially perplexing when the situation seems benign to you, but the other person has an extremely negative or positive response.

When people are under stress, they subconsciously revert to behaviors that make them feel safe and accepted. In doing so, they set up invisible barriers within themselves and between themselves and others that impact personal interactions, professional performance, and organizational success" (Wilson, n.d.).

Here are three steps to help foster better intercultural communication in the workplace:

1. Begin building your own cultural identity awareness.
   

2. In moments of intercultural conflict, ask yourself: a. How has my cultural identity affected my reaction to the situation? b. What influencers contributed to building my identity in this situation? c. Does my cultural identity truly reflect the person I want to be moving forward? d. What cultural aspects might influence the other person's approach?
   

3. Commit to 1 - 2 actional steps to address the situation.

Understanding your own cultural identity is critical to success in the workplace. "Our cultural identity influences how we interpret and react to intercultural situations, which can affect how successful we are in life" (Wilson, n.d.).

In this TED Talk, Mashaal Hijazi talks about how defining one's cultural identity in a generation of instant gratification, illogical racism, and influence from the media filled with ethnocentrism presents challenges.

"How do we define who we are when we live in a world which wants to take clues from our physical characteristics, accents, and dress and create an identity for us before we ever get a chance to?" (Hijazi, 2016).

"When do I get to be my own version of myself?" (Hijazi, 2016).

QUESTIONS

Do you change how you present yourself depending on the group you are with?

Have you ever felt afraid to speak up or stand out for fear of not fitting in?

Do you feel supported to show your own version of yourself?

Share your thoughts.

References

Bajracharya, S. (2018, February 15). Cultural identity theory. Businesstopia. Cultural Identity Theory - Businesstopia

Communication Theory. (n.d.). Identity management theory. Retrieved March 2, 2022, from Identity Management Theory (communicationtheory.org)

Communication Theory. (n.d.). Cultural identity theory. Retrieved March 3, 2022, from Cultural Identity Theory (communicationtheory.org)

Cultural Atlas. (n.d.). Iranian culture. Cultural Atlas. Retrieved February 26, 2022, from Iranian Culture — Cultural Atlas (sbs.com.au)

Wikipedia. (n.d.). Cultural identity. Retrieved March 3, 2022, from Cultural identity - Wikipedia

Wilson, V. (n.d.). What is cultural identity and why is it important? Exceptional Futures. Retrieved March 2, 2022, from What is Cultural Identity and Why is it Important? (exceptionalfutures.com)