Understanding Multiculturalism:
Cultures and Values

 

 

Jill Kerper Mora, Ed.D.
San Diego State University
 

8/15/98

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Table of Contents

Definitions & Myths about Culture

Definitions of Culture 1

Definitions of Culture 2

Definitions of Culture 3

Definitions of Culture 4

Cultural Universalism

Cultural Relativism

Misleading Assumptions in a 
Multicultural World 1

More Appropriate Assumptions in a 
Multicultural World 1

Misleading Assumptions in a 
Multicultural World 2

More Appropriate Assumptions in a 
Multicultural World 2

Misleading Assumptions in a 
Multicultural World 3

More Appropriate Assumptions in a 
Multicultural World 3

Misleading Assumptions in a 
Multicultural World 4

More Appropriate Assumptions in a 
Multicultural World 4

 

Definition of Ethnic Group

Contrasting Cultural Values

How Cultural Values Are Formed

Dimensions of Values (Lustig 1988)

How Personal Values Are Formed

Instrumental Values

Moral Values

Competence Values

Terminal Values

Interpersonal Equation

Similarity in Perceptual Orientation

Similarity in Systems of Belief

Similarity of Communicative Styles

Author: Jill Kerper Mora
Copyright 1998

E-mail Dr. Mora: jmora@mail.sdsu.edu



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To link to a website on issues of culture and diversity, with personal stories, questions and links to other resources, click here to go to AMIGOS from San Diego State University, created by Dr. Carmen Guinipa.

References: Barnlund, D.C. (1988). Communication in a global village. In L.A. Samovar & R.E. Porter. Intercultural Communication: A Reader, 5th Edition, (pp. 5-14). Belmont, CA: Wadsworth Publishing.

 

DEVELOPMENTAL MODEL OF INTRACULTURAL SENSITIVITY

ETHNOCENTRIC STATES

I. Denial of Difference: No recognition of cultural difference because of isolation or intentional separation. Attribution of deficiency in intelligence or personality to culturally deviant behavior. tendency to dehumanize outsiders. No recognition of cultural difference because of isolation or intentional separation. Attribution of deficiency in intelligence or personality to culturally deviant behavior. tendency to dehumanize outsiders.

II. Defense against Difference: Recognition of cultural difference coupled with negative evaluation of most variations from native culture-- the greater the difference, the more negative the evaluation. Evolutionary view of cultural development with native culture at the acme. A tendency towards social /cultural proselytizing of "underdeveloped" cultures. Recognition of cultural difference coupled with negative evaluation of most variations from native culture-- the greater the difference, the more negative the evaluation. Evolutionary view of cultural development with native culture at the acme. A tendency towards social /cultural proselytizing of "underdeveloped" cultures.

Reversal: Tendency to see another culture as superior while denigrating one's own. Tendency to see another culture as superior while denigrating one's own.

III. Minimization of Difference. Recognition and acceptance of superficial cultural differences such as eating customs, etc, while holding that all human beings are essentially the same. Emphasis on the basis of commonality in ethnocentric terms (i.e. everyone is essentially like us.) Recognition and acceptance of superficial cultural differences such as eating customs, etc, while holding that all human beings are essentially the same. Emphasis on the basis of commonality in ethnocentric terms (i.e. everyone is essentially like us.)

Physical Universalism. Emphasis on commonality of human beings in terms of physiological similarity. Emphasis on commonality of human beings in terms of physiological similarity.

Transcendent Universalism. Emphasis on commonality of human beings as subordinate to a particular supernatural being, religion, or social philosophy. Emphasis on commonality of human beings as subordinate to a particular supernatural being, religion, or social philosophy.

ETHNORELATIVE STATES

IV. Acceptance of Difference: Recognition and appreciation of cultural differences in behavior and values. Acceptance of cultural differences as viable alternative solutions to the organization of human existence. Cultural relativity. Recognition and appreciation of cultural differences in behavior and values. Acceptance of cultural differences as viable alternative solutions to the organization of human existence. Cultural relativity.

V. Adaptation of Difference: The development of communication skills that enable intercultural communication. Effective use of empathy, or frame of reference shifts, to understand and be understood across cultural boundaries. The development of communication skills that enable intercultural communication. Effective use of empathy, or frame of reference shifts, to understand and be understood across cultural boundaries.

VI. Integration of Difference: The internalization of bicultural or multicultural frames of reference. Maintaining a definition of identity that is "marginal" to any particular culture. The internalization of bicultural or multicultural frames of reference. Maintaining a definition of identity that is "marginal" to any particular culture.

From Bennett, Milton J. (1986). A Developmental Approach to Training Intercultural Sensitivity. International Journal of Intercultural relations, Vol. 10 (2)

See also: Paige, M. (Ed.) (1986). Cross-Cultural Orientations: New Conceptualizations & Applications. University Press. Lanham, Maryland.

 

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