Culture and Cultural IdentityThe importance of identity Who am I?Definition of Identity: “the reflective self-conception or self-image that we each derive from our family, gender, cultural, ethnic, and individual socialization process” (Ting-Toomey).Three levels of identity (Hall): Personal (what makes us unique) Relational (our relationships with others) Cultural, Communal or Social (large-scale communities such as nationality, ethnicity, gender, religious or political affiliation)Selected Social Identities Racial Identity – a socially constructed idea that still persists in the United States Ethnic Identity – derived from a sense of shared heritage, history, traditions, values, area of origin, and sometimes language Gender Identity (different than sexual identity) – how a particular culture differentiates masculine and feminine social roles National Identity – the nation/country one was born into ( or a sense of place)Identity in Intercultural Interactions “Cultural identity is a focal element in intercultural communication” (Imahori and Cupach). In intercultural communication, participants will have to search for a middle ground between their different communication styles. With so many intercultural marriages, many US youths consider cultural diversity as a normal part of social life. “There is a growing willingness—and ability—to cross cultures, where one’s personal identity is shaped more by cultural preferences than by skin color” (Kotkin and Tseng).Culture and Cultural IdentityThe importance of identityWho am I?I am…I am…I am…I am…I am…Multiple Multiple IdentitiesIdentitiesI am…Definition of Identity: “the reflective self-conception or self-image that we each derive from our family, gender, cultural, ethnic, and individual socialization process” (Ting-Toomey).Three levels of identity (Hall):Personal (what makes us unique)Relational (our relationships with others)Cultural, Communal or Social (large-scale communities such as nationality, ethnicity, gender, religious or political affiliation)Selected Social IdentitiesRacial Identity – a socially constructed idea that still persists in the United StatesEthnic Identity – derived from a sense of shared heritage, history, traditions, values, area of origin, and sometimes languageGender Identity (different than sexual identity) – how a particular culture differentiates masculine and feminine social rolesNational Identity – the nation/country one was born into ( or a sense of place)Identity in Intercultural Interactions“Cultural identity is a focal element in intercultural communication” (Imahori and Cupach).In intercultural communication, participants will have to search for a middle ground between their different communication styles.With so many intercultural marriages, many US youths consider cultural diversity as a normal part of social life. “There is a growing willingness—and ability—to cross cultures, where one’s personal identity is shaped more by cultural preferences than by skin color” (Kotkin and