COMM​ ​1101​ ​Chapter​ ​3:​ ​Communicating​ ​Identities

September​ ​18th​ ​2017

How​ ​individual​ ​characteristics,​ ​such​ ​as​ ​gender​ ​and​ ​age​ ​and​ ​societal​ ​meanings​ ​associated​ ​with
them,​ ​interact​ ​to​ ​create​ ​cultural​ ​identities​ ​and​ ​important​ ​role​ ​of​ ​communication

The​ ​Importance​ ​of​ ​Identity

● Identity​ ​has​ ​a​ ​tremendous​ ​impact​ ​on​ ​the​ ​communication​ ​process​ ​in​ ​a​ ​number​ ​of​ ​ways
● How​ ​we​ ​communicate​ ​and​ ​how​ ​our​ ​communication​ ​is​ ​received​ ​by​ ​others​ ​can​ ​be​ ​shaped
by​ ​our​ ​identities​ ​and​ ​identities​ ​of​ ​others

How​ ​Identity​ ​Influences​ ​Communications

● Because​ ​individuals​ ​bring​ ​their​ ​self-images​ ​or​ ​identities​ ​to​ ​each​ ​communicative
encounter,​ ​every​ ​communication​ ​is​ ​affected​ ​by​ ​our​ ​identities
● Communication​ ​interactions​ ​create​ ​and​ ​shape​ ​identities
● Communication​ ​can​ ​be​ ​used​ ​to​ ​denigrate​ ​other​ ​identities​ ​and​ ​create​ ​tension​ ​between
groups
○ Important​ ​to​ ​think​ ​about​ ​the​ ​impact​ ​of​ ​communication​ ​on​ ​various​ ​identity​ ​groups
● Identity​ ​plays​ ​an​ ​important​ ​role​ ​in​ ​intercultural​ ​communication
○ Increased​ ​opportunities​ ​to​ ​interact​ ​with​ ​people​ ​from​ ​different​ ​cultures
○ It​ ​is​ ​not​ ​just​ ​communicating​ ​with​ ​diverse​ ​other,​ ​or​ ​speaking​ ​different​ ​languages
○ It​ ​is​ ​all​ ​about​ ​different​ ​background
● Understanding​ ​identity​ ​is​ ​useful​ ​because​ ​so​ ​much​ ​U.S.​ ​life​ ​is​ ​organized​ ​around​ ​and
geared​ ​towards​ ​specific​ ​identities
● Learning​ ​how​ ​to​ ​communicate​ ​effectively​ ​with​ ​individuals​ ​whose​ ​identities​ ​vary​ ​from
yours​ ​may​ ​require​ ​considerable​ ​thought​ ​and​ ​effort
● Identity​ ​is​ ​a​ ​key​ ​site​ ​in​ ​which​ ​individual​ ​and​ ​societal​ ​forces​ ​come​ ​together​ ​to​ ​shape
communication​ ​experiences

What​ ​is​ ​Identity?

● Identity​ ​-​ ​Who​ ​a​ ​person​ ​is;​ ​composed​ ​of​ ​individual​ ​and​ ​societal​ ​categories​ ​a
person​ ​identifies​ ​with,​ ​as​ ​well​ ​as​ ​categories​ ​that​ ​others​ ​identify​ ​with​ ​that​ ​person
● Identity​ ​not​ ​only​ ​includes​ ​who​ ​you​ ​are​ ​but​ ​also​ ​the​ ​social​ ​categories​ ​you​ ​identify​ ​yourself
with​ ​and​ ​the​ ​categories​ ​that​ ​the​ ​others​ ​identify​ ​with​ ​you​ ​AND​ ​HOW​ ​IT​ ​IS​ ​PRESENTED
○ Combination​ ​of​ ​self-concept​ ​and​ ​social​ ​categories
● Primary​ ​Identity​​ ​-​ ​Those​ ​that​ ​have​ ​the​ ​most​ ​consistent​ ​and​ ​enduring​ ​impact​ ​on​ ​our​ ​lives
○ Race,​ ​gender,​ ​religion,​ ​nationality​ ​etc
● Social/Secondary​ ​Identity​​ ​-​ ​More​ ​fluid​ ​and​ ​dependent​ ​on​ ​situation
○ College​ ​major,​ ​relationship​ ​status,​ ​occupation,​ ​sports​ ​teams,​ ​etc
● Identities​ ​exist​ ​at​ ​the​ ​individual​ ​and​ ​societal​ ​levels
 ○ Individual​ ​Level​​ ​-​ ​Concerns​ ​with​ ​our​ ​difference​ ​from​ ​other​ ​individuals,​ ​and​ ​the
things​ ​that​ ​make​ ​us​ ​unique​ ​as​ ​people
○ Collective​ ​(social​ ​identity)​ ​Level​ ​-​ ​Concerned​ ​with​ ​our​ ​group's​ ​differences​ ​from
other​ ​groups,​ ​and​ ​the​ ​things​ ​that​ ​make​ ​our​ ​group​ ​unique
● Identity​ ​can​ ​be​ ​both​ ​individual​ ​or​ ​societal​ ​depending​ ​on​ ​the​ ​situation
● Identity​ ​is​ ​both​ ​fixed​ ​and​ ​dynamic
● Individual​ ​and​ ​societal​ ​identities​ ​are​ ​created​ ​through​ ​interaction​ ​with​ ​others
○ The​ ​relationships,​ ​experiences,​ ​and​ ​communication​ ​interactions​ ​we​ ​share​ ​with
others​ ​shape​ ​how​ ​we​ ​see​ ​ourselves
● Identities​ ​need​ ​to​ ​be​ ​understood​ ​in​ ​relation​ ​to​ ​historical,​ ​social,​ ​and​ ​cultural
environments
○ Meaning​ ​of​ ​any​ ​identity​ ​is​ ​tied​ ​to​ ​how​ ​it​ ​has​ ​been​ ​viewed​ ​historically​ ​and​ ​how
people​ ​with​ ​that​ ​identity​ ​are​ ​situated​ ​in​ ​a​ ​given​ ​culture​ ​and​ ​society
● Identity​ ​is​ ​a​ ​key​ ​to​ ​understanding​ ​communication,​ ​and​ ​communication​ ​is​ ​key​ ​to
understand​ ​identity

The​ ​Individual​ ​and​ ​Identity

● People​ ​see​ ​themselves​ ​as​ ​multidimensional,​ ​complex,​ ​and​ ​unique
● Our​ ​understanding​ ​of​ ​identity​ ​development​ ​arises​ ​out​ ​from​ ​symbolic​ ​interactionism
○ Individual's​ ​meanings​ ​for​ ​the​ ​objects,​ ​actions,​ ​and​ ​people​ ​around​ ​them​ ​arise​ ​out
of​ ​social,​ ​or​ ​symbolic,​ ​interaction​ ​with​ ​others
○ Emphasizes​ ​the​ ​pivotal​ ​role​ ​of​ ​communication​ ​in​ ​gender​ ​development
● Reflected​ ​Appraisals​ ​(looking-glass​ ​self)​​ ​-​ ​People's​ ​self-images​ ​arise​ ​primarily​ ​from
the​ ​ways​ ​that​ ​others​ ​view​ ​them​ ​and​ ​from​ ​many​ ​messages​ ​they​ ​have​ ​received​ ​from
others​ ​about​ ​who​ ​they​ ​are
● Your​ ​opinion​ ​of​ ​yourself​ ​is​ ​determined​ ​by​ ​how​ ​others​ ​see​ ​you
● The​ ​process​ ​of​ ​identity​ ​development​ ​begins​ ​at​ ​birth
○ How​ ​others​ ​act​ ​toward​ ​and​ ​respond​ ​to​ ​them​ ​influences​ ​how​ ​infants​ ​build​ ​their
identities
○ Through​ ​numerous​ ​interactions​ ​with​ ​other​ ​people​ ​about​ ​your​ ​appearance,​ ​your
abilities,​ ​your​ ​personality​ ​and​ ​your​ ​character,​ ​you​ ​develop​ ​your​ ​identities
● Particular​ ​Ones​​ ​-​ ​Important​ ​people​ ​in​ ​your​ ​life​ ​whose​ ​opinions​ ​and​ ​behavior​ ​influence
the​ ​various​ ​aspects​ ​of​ ​your​ ​identity
● Generalized​ ​Other​​ ​-​ ​Collection​ ​of​ ​roles,​ ​rules,​ ​norms,​ ​beliefs,​ ​and​ ​attitudes​ ​endorsed​ ​by
the​ ​community​ ​in​ ​which​ ​you​ ​live
● Social​ ​Comparisons​​ ​-​ ​Not​ ​only​ ​do​ ​we​ ​see​ ​ourselves​ ​as​ ​possessing​ ​specific
characteristics,​ ​we​ ​also​ ​evaluate​ ​how​ ​desirable​ ​those​ ​characteristics​ ​are
○ All​ ​things​ ​become​ ​meaningful​ ​through​ ​comparisons
○ We​ ​assess​ ​to​ ​whether​ ​we​ ​individually​ ​possess​ ​more,​ ​or​ ​less,​ ​of​ ​them​ ​than​ ​do
others​ ​in​ ​our​ ​communities
○ We​ ​compare​ ​ourselves​ ​to​ ​others​ ​to​ ​determine​ ​how​ ​we​ ​measure​ ​up,​ ​and​ ​through
this​ ​social​ ​comparison,​ ​we​ ​evaluate​ ​ourselves
● We​ ​compare​ ​ourselves​ ​to​ ​others​ ​in​ ​our​ ​identity​ ​group​ ​and​ ​decide​ ​how​ ​we​ ​rate
 ○ Your​ ​evaluation​ ​of​ ​yourself​ ​and​ ​your​ ​abilities​ ​is​ ​shaped​ ​not​ ​only​ ​by​ ​a​ ​specific​ ​trait
but​ ​also​ ​by​ ​how​ ​it​ ​compares​ ​to​ ​the​ ​trait​ ​of​ ​others​ ​in​ ​your​ ​r​eferenced​ ​group
● Self-fulfilling​ ​prophecy​​ ​-​ ​when​ ​an​ ​individual​ ​expects​ ​something​ ​to​ ​occur,​ ​the
expectation​ ​increases​ ​the​ ​likelihood​ ​that​ ​it​ ​will​​ ​because​ ​the​ ​expectation​ ​influences
behavior
○ Communication​ ​interactions​ ​can​ ​also​ ​influence​ ​one's​ ​identity​ ​through​ ​self-fulfilling
prophecy
○ The​ ​belief​ ​in​ ​a​ ​particular​ ​outcome​ ​influences​ ​people​ ​to​ ​act​ ​and​ ​communicate​ ​in
ways​ ​that​ ​will​ ​make​ ​outcome​ ​more​ ​likely;​ ​in​ ​turn,​ ​the​ ​outcomes​ ​influences​ ​how
we​ ​perceive​ ​ourselves
● Self-fulfilling​ ​prophecies​ ​can​ ​have​ ​a​ ​powerful​ ​effect​ ​on​ ​an​ ​individual's
performance​,​ ​especially​ ​when​ ​they​ ​are​ ​grounded​ ​in​ ​stereotypes​ ​of​ ​one's​ ​identity​ ​=​ ​could
lead​ ​to​ ​stereotypical​ ​threat
● Self-concept​​ ​-​ ​the​ ​understanding​ ​of​ ​one's​ ​unique​ ​characteristics​ ​as​ ​well​ ​as​ ​the
similarities​ ​to,​ ​and​ ​differences​ ​from,​ ​others.
○ What​ ​you​ ​know​ ​about​ ​yourself
○ Based​ ​on​ ​your​ ​reflected​ ​appraisals​ ​and​ ​and​ ​social​ ​comparisons
○ How​ ​you​ ​see​ ​yourself​ ​(similarities​ ​and​ ​differences,​ ​learned​ ​through​ ​reflected
appraisal​ ​and​ ​social​ ​comparisons)
○ How​ ​you​ ​see​ ​yourself​ ​on​ ​the​ ​inside​ ​affects​ ​the​ ​image​ ​your​ ​project​ ​externally
 ● Self-esteem​​ ​-​ ​Arises​ ​out​ ​of​ ​how​ ​one​ ​perceives​ ​and​ ​interprets​ ​reflected​ ​appraisals​ ​and
social​ ​comparisons
○ Part​ ​of​ ​individual's​ ​self-concept
○ Depicts​ ​how​ ​one​ ​evaluates​ ​oneself​ ​overall
○ Alters​ ​over​ ​time
○ How​ ​you​ ​see​ ​yourself​ ​naturally​ ​affects​ ​how​ ​you​ ​communicate
○ Because​ ​self​ ​esteem​ ​is​ ​such​ ​a​ ​powerful​ ​lens​ ​through​ ​which​ ​you​ ​see​ ​the​ ​world,
your​ ​self-concept​ ​may​ ​not​ ​be​ ​entirely​ ​consistent​ ​with​ ​how​ ​others​ ​see​ ​you
○ Your​ ​self-image​ ​and​ ​the​ ​feedback​ ​you​ ​receive​ ​may​ ​be​ ​out​ ​of​ ​sync
■ Others​ ​may​ ​not​ ​want​ ​to​ ​hurt​ ​you​ ​because​ ​you​ ​would​ ​respond​ ​negatively
when​ ​faced​ ​with​ ​information​ ​that​ ​contradicts​ ​your​ ​self-image
○ If​ ​you​ ​hold​ ​onto​ ​an​ ​image​ ​of​ ​yourself​ ​that​ ​is​ ​no​ ​longer​ ​accurate,​ ​you​ ​may​ ​have​ ​a
distorted​ ​self​ ​image​ ​-​ ​the​ ​one​ ​that​ ​doesn't​ ​match​ ​how​ ​others​ ​see​ ​you
○ People​ ​may​ ​not​ ​accept​ ​or​ ​recognize​ ​their​ ​positive​ ​qualities​ ​because​ ​of​ ​modesty
or​ ​because​ ​they​ ​value​ ​self-effacement
● Self-respect​​ ​-​ ​Treating​ ​others,​ ​and​ ​expecting​ ​to​ ​be​ ​treated,​ ​with​ ​respect​ ​and​ ​dignity
○ Individuals​ ​protest​ ​the​ ​violation​ ​of​ ​their​ ​rights​ ​and​ ​that​ ​they​ ​do​ ​so​ ​within​ ​the
boundaries​ ​of​ ​dignity​ ​and​ ​respect​ ​for​ ​others
● Identity​ ​development​ ​is​ ​a​ ​circular​ ​process​ ​in​ ​which​ ​these​ ​constructs​ ​are​ ​interrelated

Performance​ ​of​ ​Individual​ ​Identity​ ​-​ ​the​ ​process​ ​or​ ​means​ ​by​ ​which​ ​we​ ​show​ ​the​ ​world​ ​who
we​ ​think​ ​we​ ​are
● Performing​ ​Identity​​ ​-​ ​Process​ ​or​ ​means​ ​by​ ​which​ ​we​ ​show​ ​the​ ​world​ ​who​ ​we​ ​think​ ​we
are
● Self-presentation​​ ​-​ ​The​ ​notion​ ​that​ ​in​ ​performing​ ​identity​ ​we​ ​try​ ​to​ ​influence​ ​others'
impressions​ ​of​ ​us,​ ​by​ ​creating​ ​an​ ​image​ ​that​ ​is​ ​consistent​ ​with​ ​our​ ​personal​ ​identity
● Communication​ ​style​ ​is​ ​another​ ​way​ ​to​ ​perform,​ ​or​ ​enact,​ ​their​ ​identities
● Performance​ ​of​ ​Identity​​ ​-​ ​the​ ​process​ ​or​ ​means​ ​by​ ​which​ ​we​ ​show​ ​the​ ​world​ ​who​ ​we
think​ ​we​ ​are​ ​and​ ​is​ ​related​ ​to​ ​self-presentation
○ We​ ​try​ ​to​ ​influence​ ​other's​ ​impression
○ The​ ​role​ ​expectations​ ​others​ ​hold​ ​for​ ​us​ ​influence​ ​which​ ​aspects​ ​of​ ​identity​ ​we
are​ ​likely​ ​to​ ​enact
● Enacting​ ​Identities​​ ​-​ ​Performing​ ​scripts​ ​deemed​ ​proper​ ​for​ ​particular​ ​identities
○ The​ ​enactment​ ​of​ ​identity​ ​is​ ​closely​ ​tied​ ​to​ ​one's​ ​movements​ ​into​ ​and​ ​out​ ​of
different​ ​cultural​ ​communities​ ​and​ ​one's​ ​expectations​ ​regarding​ ​particular​ ​roles
○ Role​ ​Expectations​​ ​-​ ​The​ ​expectation​ ​that​ ​one​ ​will​ ​perform​ ​in​ ​a​ ​particular​ ​way
because​ ​of​ ​the​ ​social​ ​role​ ​occupied
● Identities​ ​are​ ​mutable
○ People​ ​change​ ​the​ ​way​ ​they​ ​perform​ ​their​ ​identities
○ Because​ ​identities​ ​are​ ​not​ ​fixed,​ ​sometimes​ ​you​ ​see​ ​mismatches​ ​between​ ​the
performance​ ​of​ ​identity​ ​and​ ​any​ ​single​ ​identity​ ​category
 ● When​ ​people​ ​enact​ ​a​ ​gender​ ​identity​ ​at​ ​odds​ ​with​ ​the​ ​cultural​ ​identity​ ​category,​ ​they​ ​may
be​ ​ridiculed,​ ​ostracized,​ ​or​ ​worse
○ The​ ​answer​ ​has​ ​to​ ​do​ ​with​ ​societal​ ​forces

The​ ​Individual,​ ​Identity​ ​and​ ​Society

The​ ​development​ ​of​ ​individual​ ​identities​ ​is​ ​influenced​ ​by​ ​societal​ ​forces
● One​ ​cannot​ ​understand​ ​oneself​ ​or​ ​other​ ​without​ ​understanding​ ​how​ ​society​ ​defines​ ​or
constructs​ ​characteristics
● When​ ​people​ ​enact​ ​identities​ ​that​ ​are​ ​contrary​ ​to​ ​social​ ​expectations,​ ​they​ ​may​ ​be
pressured​ ​to​ ​change​ ​their​ ​performance
○ A​ ​person​ ​who​ ​does​ ​not​ ​perform​ ​heterosexuality​ ​as​ ​expected​ ​may​ ​be​ ​seen​ ​as​ ​gay
or​ ​lesbian​ ​…​ ​may​ ​be​ ​victims​ ​or​ ​threats,​ ​name​ ​calling,​ ​violence,​ ​and​ ​even​ ​murder
● Some​ ​groups​ ​in​ ​societies​ ​have​ ​strong​ ​feelings​ ​regarding​ ​how​ ​identities​ ​should​ ​be
performed,​ ​and​ ​they​ ​may​ ​act​ ​to​ ​ensure​ ​that​ ​identities​ ​are​ ​performed​ ​according​ ​to​ ​societal
expectations

Racial​ ​Identity​ ​-​ ​Identification​ ​with​ ​a​ ​partial​ ​racial​ ​group

● Develops​ ​as​ ​a​ ​result​ ​of​ ​societal​ ​forces​ ​because​ ​society​ ​defines​ ​what​ ​a​ ​race​ ​is​ ​and​ ​what
it​ ​is​ ​called
● Racial​ ​categories​ ​are​ ​not​ ​necessarily​ ​the​ ​same​ ​from​ ​country​ ​to​ ​country
○ Categorizations​ ​are​ ​important​ ​because​ ​historically​ ​they​ ​have​ ​affected​ ​the​ ​way
people​ ​were​ ​treated
● We​ ​continue​ ​to​ ​live​ ​in​ ​consequences​ ​although​ ​discrimination​ ​in​ ​race​ ​is​ ​no​ ​longer​ ​legal
● How​ ​cultures​ ​describe​ ​and​ ​define​ ​specific​ ​races​ ​affects​ ​who​ ​is​ ​considered​ ​to​ ​belong​ ​to​ ​a
given​ ​race
○ How​ ​those​ ​individuals​ ​are​ ​treated
● Communication​ ​is​ ​a​ ​strong​ ​factor​ ​in​ ​furthering,​ ​affecting,​ ​or​ ​altering​ ​racial​ ​categories​ ​and
identities​ ​to​ ​serve​ ​different​ ​social​ ​needs
● Multiracial​ ​Identity​​ ​-​ ​one​ ​who​ ​self-identifies​ ​as​ ​having​ ​more​ ​than​ ​one​ ​racial​ ​identity

National​ ​Identity​ ​-​ ​a​ ​person's​ ​citizenship

● Many​ ​people​ ​acquire​ ​U.S.​ ​citizenship​ ​by​ ​being​ ​born​ ​in​ ​there

Ethnic​ ​Identity​ ​-​ ​identification​ ​with​ ​a​ ​particular​ ​group​ ​with​ ​which​ ​they​ ​share​ ​the​ ​same​ ​or
all​ ​of​ ​these​ ​characteristics
● Based​ ​on​ ​the​ ​idea​ ​of​ ​social​ ​(rather​ ​than​ ​genetic)​ ​groups
● Typically​ ​share​ ​a​ ​national​ ​or​ ​tribal​ ​affiliation,​ ​religious​ ​beliefs,​ ​or​ ​cultural​ ​and​ ​traditional
origins​ ​and​ ​background
● In​ ​U.S.​ ​some​ ​people​ ​affiliate​ ​more​ ​with​ ​other​ ​countries​ ​(China,​ ​Ireland,​ ​Sweden,​ ​Italy,
etc)​ ​although​ ​they​ ​do​ ​not​ ​have​ ​passports​ ​for​ ​those​ ​countries
○ Feel​ ​strong​ ​affinity​ ​for​ ​these​ ​countries​ ​because​ ​of​ ​their​ ​ancestries
● AKA​ ​tribal​ ​identities
● Can​ ​determine​ ​who​ ​is​ ​elected​ ​to​ ​vote,​ ​marry,​ ​or​ ​hired​ ​for​ ​particular​ ​jobs
 ○ Malay​ ​has​ ​3​ ​groups​ ​(Indian,​ ​Malay​ ​and​ ​Chinese)​ ​but​ ​being​ ​Malay​ ​gives​ ​more
power​ ​to​ ​make​ ​decisions​ ​that​ ​influence​ ​the​ ​whole​ ​groups

Gender​ ​Identity​ ​-​ ​How​ ​and​ ​to​ ​what​ ​extent​ ​one​ ​identifies​ ​with​ ​the​ ​social​ ​construction​ ​of
masculinity​ ​and​ ​femininity
● Sex​ ​-​ ​biological​ ​differences​ ​between​ ​men​ ​and​ ​women
● Set​ ​of​ ​expectations​ ​cultures​ ​develop​ ​regarding​ ​how​ ​men​ ​and​ ​women​ ​are​ ​expected​ ​to
look,​ ​behave,​ ​communicate,​ ​and​ ​live.
● Refers​ ​to​ ​how​ ​and​ ​to​ ​what​ ​extent​ ​one​ ​identifies​ ​with​ ​the​ ​social​ ​construction​ ​of
masculinity​ ​and​ ​femininity​ ​(manly​ ​man,​ ​girly​ ​girl)
○ Gender​ ​roles​ ​and​ ​expectations​ ​have​ ​changed​ ​enormously​ ​over​ ​centuries
● We​ ​develop​ ​our​ ​notions​ ​of​ ​gender​ ​through​ ​communication
○ Through​ ​the​ ​ways​ ​that​ ​people​ ​talk​ ​about​ ​Gender
○ Through​ ​the​ ​media​ ​images​ ​we​ ​see
○ Through​ ​observing​ ​the​ ​ways​ ​people​ ​communicate​ ​to​ ​males​ ​and​ ​females
● Because​ ​the​ ​performances​ ​of​ ​traditional​ ​masculinity​ ​have​ ​been​ ​repeated​ ​for​ ​so​ ​long,
individuals​ ​come​ ​to​ ​believe​ ​that​ ​masculine​ ​identity​ ​and​ ​behaviors​ ​are​ ​natural
● Judith​ ​Butler:​ ​"gender​ ​is​ ​performance"

Sexual​ ​Identity​ ​-​ ​Which​ ​of​ ​the​ ​various​ ​categories​ ​of​ ​sexuality​ ​one​ ​identifies​ ​with
● Heterosexual,​ ​gay,​ ​lesbian,​ ​bisexual,​ ​etc
● Normally​ ​a​ ​private​ ​matter,​ ​a​ ​person's​ ​sexuallity​ ​can​ ​become​ ​a​ ​public​ ​issue
● Because​ ​identity​ ​categories​ ​are​ ​social​ ​constructions,​ ​there​ ​is​ ​not​ ​always​ ​agreement
about​ ​what​ ​they​ ​mean
● Plays​ ​a​ ​role​ ​in​ ​choice​ ​of​ ​media,​ ​places​ ​to​ ​socialize,​ ​people​ ​to​ ​associate​ ​with,​ ​and​ ​type​ ​of
products​ ​to​ ​purchase

Age​ ​Identity​ ​-​ ​Combination​ ​of​ ​how​ ​you​ ​feel​ ​about​ ​your​ ​age​ ​as​ ​well​ ​as​ ​what​ ​others
understand​ ​that​ ​age​ ​to​ ​mean
● Whether​ ​a​ ​person​ ​feels​ ​like​ ​an​ ​adult​ ​goes​ ​beyond​ ​what​ ​the​ ​law​ ​decrees​ ​and​ ​comes​ ​from
some​ ​set​ ​of​ ​factors​ ​that​ ​is​ ​far​ ​more​ ​complex
● Chronological​ ​identity​ ​-​ ​based​ ​on​ ​birthdate
○ Not​ ​necessarily​ ​about​ ​chronological​ ​order
● Generation​ ​identity​ ​-​ ​permanent​ ​group​ ​membership​ ​linked​ ​to​ ​a​ ​certain​ ​birth​ ​cohort
● Baby​ ​boomers​ ​(1946-1964)
● Generation​ ​X​ ​(1965-1980)
● Generation​ ​Z​ ​(mid​ ​1990s-present)

Social​ ​Class​ ​Identity​ ​-​ ​Informal​ ​ranking​ ​of​ ​people​ ​in​ ​a​ ​culture​ ​based​ ​on​ ​their​ ​income,
occupation,​ ​education,​ ​dwelling​ ​(where​ ​one​ ​lives),​ ​and​ ​child-rearing​ ​habits,​ ​etc
● Working​ ​class,​ ​middle​ ​class,​ ​upper​ ​middle​ ​class,​ ​and​ ​upper​ ​class
● Most​ ​people​ ​in​ ​the​ ​U.S.​ ​consider​ ​themselves​ ​as​ ​middle​ ​class​ ​but​ ​there​ ​isn't​ ​any
single-agreed​ ​on​ ​definition​ ​of​ ​each​ ​class
 ● Pierre​ ​Bourdieu​ ​"People​ ​of​ ​the​ ​same​ ​social​ ​class​ ​tended​ ​to​ ​view​ ​the​ ​world​ ​similarly"
● People​ ​avoid​ ​talking​ ​about​ ​social​ ​class​ ​in​ ​the​ ​U.S.​ ​because​ ​they​ ​tend​ ​to​ ​believe​ ​that​ ​their
country​ ​is​ ​based​ ​on​ ​meritocracy
○ People​ ​succeed​ ​or​ ​fail​ ​based​ ​on​ ​their​ ​own​ ​merit
○ Social​ ​class​ ​tends​ ​to​ ​reproduce​ ​itself
● The​ ​social​ ​class​ ​one​ ​is​ ​born​ ​into​ ​is​ ​often​ ​the​ ​same​ ​as​ ​the​ ​social​ ​class​ ​one​ ​dies​ ​in

Disability​ ​Identity​ ​-​ ​Having​ ​impairment​ ​of​ ​some​ ​kind​ ​(hearing,​ ​sight,​ ​mobility,​ ​etc)
● Disability​ ​is​ ​about​ ​how​ ​it​ ​is​ ​enacted​ ​and​ ​lived;​ ​it​ ​is​ ​not​ ​about​ ​a​ ​fixed​ ​state​ ​of​ ​being
● People​ ​who​ ​are​ ​not​ ​disabled​ ​can​ ​become​ ​disabled​ ​and​ ​then​ ​develop​ ​this​ ​new​ ​identity​ ​as
a​ ​part​ ​of​ ​their​ ​larger​ ​configuration​ ​of​ ​identities
● "Physical​ ​or​ ​mental​ ​impairment​ ​that​ ​substantially​ ​limits​ ​one​ ​or​ ​more​ ​major​ ​life​ ​activities​ ​of
the​ ​inability"
● "Disability​ ​as​ ​an​ ​identity​ ​gains​ ​its​ ​meaning​ ​through​ ​communication"

Religious​ ​Identity​ ​-​ ​Aspect​ ​of​ ​identity

● Defined​ ​by​ ​one's​ ​spiritual​ ​reliefs
○ Upbringing​ ​and​ ​the​ ​impact​ ​the​ ​religion​ ​has​ ​on​ ​one's​ ​outlook
● Although​ ​one​ ​may​ ​believe​ ​that​ ​one's​ ​religious​ ​identity​ ​is​ ​part​ ​of​ ​one's​ ​private​ ​life​ ​and
irrelevant​ ​outside​ ​one's​ ​family,​ ​that​ ​is​ ​not​ ​true
○ Paradox:​ ​although​ ​church​ ​attendance​ ​is​ ​decreasing,​ ​scholars​ ​believe​ ​religious
identity​ ​is​ ​gaining​ ​in​ ​importance​ ​(the​ ​"halo​ ​effect")
○ When​ ​you​ ​subscribe​ ​to​ ​the​ ​religious​ ​beliefs,​ ​and​ ​the​ ​more​ ​you​ ​subscribe,​ ​the
more​ ​you​ ​feel​ ​"holy​ ​and​ ​pure"
● Religious​ ​identities​ ​also​ ​takes​ ​on​ ​public​ ​significance​ ​because​ ​it​ ​correlates​ ​with​ ​various
political​ ​views​ ​and​ ​attitudes
● The​ ​virtual​ ​environment​ ​has​ ​also​ ​been​ ​influencing​ ​by,​ ​and​ ​influences,​ ​religious​ ​identity
● Correlates​ ​with​ ​various​ ​political​ ​views​ ​and​ ​attitudes
○ Those​ ​who​ ​regularly​ ​attend​ ​church​ ​in​ ​the​ ​U.S.​ ​were​ ​more​ ​likely​ ​to​ ​support
different​ ​treatment​ ​of​ ​Muslim​ ​Americans
○ The​ ​nonreligious,​ ​less​ ​active​ ​in​ ​their​ ​churches,​ ​were​ ​less​ ​likely​ ​to​ ​support
restrictions​ ​on​ ​civil​ ​liberties​ ​of​ ​Muslim​ ​Americans

Ethics​ ​and​ ​Identity

Identities​ ​derive​ ​their​ ​meanings​ ​from​ ​society,​ ​every​ ​identity​ ​with​ ​values​ ​attached​ ​to​ ​it
● Do​ ​you​ ​change​ ​your​ ​communication​ ​when​ ​communicating​ ​with​ ​people​ ​whose​ ​identities
are​ ​more​ ​or​ ​less​ ​valued?
● Do​ ​you​ ​use​ ​language​ ​that​ ​discriminates​ ​or​ ​puts​ ​others​ ​down?
● Do​ ​you​ ​reduce​ ​people​ ​to​ ​one​ ​single​ ​identity​ ​category?
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
People​ ​change​ ​over​ ​time
Communication​ ​Ethics

Communication​ ​+​ ​Ethics​​ ​-​ ​The​ ​standards​ ​of​ ​right​ ​and​ ​wrong​ ​that​ ​one​ ​applies​ ​to​ ​messages​ ​that
are​ ​sent​ ​and​ ​received
● Communication​ ​involves​ ​a​ ​series​ ​of​ ​choices​ ​-​ ​as​ ​individuals,​ ​groups,​ ​organizations
and/or​ ​nations
○ We​ ​look​ ​at​ ​the​ ​messages
● Ethic:​ ​The​ ​study​ ​of​ ​the​ ​nature​ ​of​ ​morals​ ​and​ ​values​ ​and​ ​the​ ​specific​ ​moral​ ​choices​ ​to​ ​be
made​ ​in​ ​various​ ​situations
○ Each​ ​of​ ​you​ ​has​ ​moral​ ​or​ ​ethical​ ​codes;​ ​they​ ​come​ ​from​ ​culture,​ ​experiences,
upbringing,​ ​religion,​ ​right​ ​or​ ​wrong

How​ ​do​ ​we​ ​judge​ ​ethical​ ​decisions​ ​in​ ​communication?

● Truthfulness
● Deception
○ You​ ​are​ ​okay​ ​with​ ​certain​ ​level​ ​of​ ​deception
○ "It​ ​will​ ​be​ ​fine"
○ "I'm​ ​okay"
○ Santa​ ​Claus
● Sharing​ ​or​ ​withholding​ ​information
○ Self-disclosure​ ​-​ ​expected​ ​reciprocation
● Benefit​ ​and​ ​harm​ ​of​ ​messages
○ What​ ​am​ ​I​ ​going​ ​to​ ​get​ ​out​ ​of​ ​saying/receiving​ ​this?
○ Did​ ​you​ ​consider​ ​the​ ​harm​ ​before​ ​saying​ ​the​ ​truth?
● Absolutism​ ​vs.​ ​relativism

Absolutism​ ​vs.​ ​Relativism

● Absolutism​​ ​-​ ​the​ ​belief​ ​that​ ​there​ ​is​ ​a​ ​single​ ​correct​ ​moral​ ​standard​ ​that​ ​holds​ ​for
everyone,​ ​everywhere,​ ​every​ ​time
● Relativism​​ ​-​ ​the​ ​belief​ ​that​ ​moral​ ​behavior​ ​varies​ ​among​ ​individuals,​ ​groups,​ ​cultures
and​ ​across​ ​situations

Ethical​ ​Perspectives
● The​ ​Golden​ ​Mean:​ ​From​ ​ancient​ ​Greeks
○ Morality​ ​is​ ​found​ ​in​ ​moderation
○ We​ ​come​ ​up​ ​with​ ​vague​ ​terms​ ​that​ ​no​ ​one​ ​can​ ​put​ ​definition​ ​to​ ​them
○ Virtues​:​ ​prudence,​ ​courage,​ ​generosity,​ ​etc
○ We​ ​do​ ​not​ ​have​ ​all​ ​same​ ​definition​ ​of​ ​"courageous"
○ Excessive​ ​risk-taking
● Utilitarianism
○ Weigh​ ​out​ ​the​ ​benefits/harms​ ​of​ ​communicative​ ​decisions
 ■ Very​ ​analytic​ ​way​ ​to​ ​approach​ ​communicative​ ​ethics
○ Right/wrong​ ​in​ ​proportion​ ​to​ ​the​ ​amount​ ​of​ ​happiness/unhappiness​ ​that​ ​results
○ Goal​ ​is​ ​to​ ​bring​ ​the​ ​most​ ​happiness​ ​to​ ​the​ ​most​ ​people
■ Can​ ​we​ ​make​ ​everybody​ ​happy​ ​all​ ​the​ ​time?
● Pragmatism
○ Consider​ ​the​ ​practical​ ​effects
○ The​ ​usefulness​ ​of​ ​the​ ​information​ ​is​ ​paramount

Framework​ ​for​ ​Ethical​ ​Decision​ ​Making

● Recognize​ ​ethical​ ​issues
● Get​ ​all​ ​the​ ​facts
● Evaluate​ ​alternative​ ​actions'
● Make​ ​a​ ​decision​ ​and​ ​test​ ​it
● Act​ ​and​ ​reflect​ ​on​ ​the​ ​outcome

Ethical​ ​Dilemmas
● Alamo​ ​Drafthouse
● Alamo​ ​Drafthouse​ ​2
● It's​ ​Not​ ​About​ ​the​ ​Nail

Speaking​ ​'Like​ ​a​ ​Man'​ ​in​ ​Teamsterville

● Teamsterville​ ​-​ ​located​ ​on​ ​the​ ​near​ ​south​ ​side​ ​of​ ​Chicago
○ Neighborhood​ ​of​ ​blue-collar,​ ​low-income​ ​whites​ ​who​ ​share​ ​a​ ​common​ ​cultural
outlook
● Men​ ​talk​ ​(in-depth​ ​talk)​ ​with​ ​men​ ​with​ ​shared​ ​attributes​ ​(age,​ ​sex,​ ​ethnicity,​ ​occupational
status,​ ​and​ ​location​ ​of​ ​residence)​ ​in​ ​corner​ ​bars
● Men​ ​do​ ​not​ ​talk​ ​in​ ​situations​ ​in​ ​which​ ​the​ ​identity​ ​relationship​ ​is​ ​asymmetrical
○ explaining​ ​why​ ​they​ ​do​ ​not​ ​talk​ ​with​ ​a​ ​wife,​ ​child,​ ​boss,​ ​outsider​ ​to​ ​the
neighborhood,​ ​or​ ​a​ ​man​ ​of​ ​different​ ​ethnicity
○ Do​ ​not​ ​provide​ ​a​ ​model​ ​for​ ​children​ ​how​ ​to​ ​communicate
● Men​ ​respond​ ​with​ ​non​ ​verbal​ ​threats​ ​or​ ​violence,​ ​when​ ​responding​ ​to​ ​a​ ​personal​ ​insult,
an​ ​insult​ ​directed​ ​at​ ​a​ ​female​ ​relative​ ​or​ ​friend,​ ​or​ ​when​ ​the​ ​man​ ​seeks​ ​to​ ​influence​ ​the
behavior​ ​of​ ​a​ ​status​ ​inferior
○ Inability​ ​to​ ​communicate​ ​with​ ​wives,​ ​bosses,​ ​and​ ​children
○ Violent​ ​response​ ​to​ ​an​ ​outside​ ​threat​ ​to​ ​their​ ​families