IDS 159 Lecture Notes - Lecture 24: Centrism, Ethnocentrism
9 Nov 2018
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Document Summary
Checking up on ourselves: for an effective communication, we need to do self-examination and be open to feedback. Some words can be hot buttons to others. For example, a person"s dialect or accent may trigger negative assumptions about a person"s education, intelligence, or character: lack of awareness of cultural differences (body language, lack of awareness of language differences, ethnocentrism. Poor listening skills can make it much harder to communicate across cultural boundaries. Saying something offensive can jeopardize communication: when using language that takes the form of a hot button, it is important to take responsibility and think things through before and after communication. Difficult dialogues: those discussions that bring diversity issues out to the open and clear the air. It is important to create a comfortable zone and let the discussions continue even if they become heated. Also, establish ground roles, emphasize respect, and not to personalize issues.
