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ur culture, as Willis-Rivera states, is “often internalized, which means that many of our cultural performances and symbols have become so instinctive to us that we don’t see them and we don’t think about them – they simply exist within us. We don’t think of our everyday actions as cultural, we think of them as ‘normal,’ because we are immersed in and surrounded by our own culture.”

However, others do recognize things that are our culture because often what is “normal” to us is foreign, and sometimes unacceptable or worse, to them.

Your textbook discusses power dynamics in terms of power within a culture, where as many of the articles you have just reviewed discuss intergroup communication power dynamics – power distribution between those with power and those without. Consider what Americans value, who Americans value, and then consider what and who you value from your cultural and co-cultural perspectives.

INITIAL POST 

After reviewing the Learning Materials here and for the week, and after taking the ethnocentrism survey, discuss the following ideas (at least one):

1. Consider the cultures and co-cultures to which you avow (those you yourself own and say that you are a part of). Describe a culturally norm (every day activity or custom) that you perform that is a part of your culture, but that you might not have considered before our discussion on Culture (or before it was pointed out to you by someone who is not of your culture). For example: Shaking hands as a greeting in the United States is a social norm that is a part of our culture. For other cultures, they kiss on the cheek, hug, bow, etc.

Once you’ve described your cultural norm explain how others who are in your in-group react to your performance of this cultural norm. Then explain how others who are NOT in your in-group (out-group to your culture) react to your performance of this cultural norm.

2. Consider how cultural values and norms play a role in communication, and how overgeneralizations and stereotypes may be results of the cultures of which you are a member. Explain and/or provide examples (consider including discussion of specific cultural values or norms outlined in the chapter).

Then, pose a  question to your peers to promote further understanding and discussion of the communication topic.

PEER POSTS 

Respond to at least TWO peers’ Initial Posts. After responding to the post and answering your peers’ questions, consider discussing intercultural communication competence.

In addition, ask your peer a question about their experience.