BUILDING BLOCKS

& BARRIERS

CHAPTER 2
IC COMM

DEFINITION
Intercultural Communication:

Occurs when people of different cultural

backgrounds interact.

THE ICEBERG MODEL

What are visible

elements of your
culture?
What are invisible
elements of your
culture?

BB1: CULTURE
Culture:
is learned
involves perceptions & values
involves shared feelings
is expressed as behavior
is dynamic & heterogeneous

BB2: COMMUNICATION
Communication:
is symbolic
is a process
involves sharing & negotiating meaning
is dynamic
is not always intentional
is receiver-oriented

Culture
influences
communication.

Communication
influences &
reinforces
culture.

BB3: CONTEXT
May consist of:
Physical
Social
Political
Historical
People communicate differently depending on the context.
Different behavior > Different cultures > Same context

BB4: POWER
Power is always present in communication.
Power is a state of societal and structural privilege.
(Un)consciously groups with the most power
determine the communication system for the entire
society.
The disempowered may negotiate power.

BUILDING BLOCKS

CULTURE

COMMUNICATION

CONTEXT

POWER

BARRIERS TO IC COMM.
Ethnocentrism
Stereotyping
Prejudice
Discrimination
Additional Barriers:
Anxiety
Incompatible
communication codes
Incompatible norms and
values
http://www.comedycentral.com/videos/index.jhtml?videoId=24408&title=diversityin-first-class

COLOR-BLIND
1. Not possible!
2. Discourages meaningful
conversations about
race relations.
3. Allows people to ignore,
deny, disregard the
existence of racial
inequalities.
Therefore support
(actively or passively)
the status quo.

Is there an alternative to being

color-blind?

MULTICULTURALISM

1. Recognize and value differences.

2. Teach and learn about differences.
3. Foster personal friendships and organize
alliances.
McCabe, J. (2011). Doing Multiculturalism: An Interactionist Analysis of the Practices of a
Multicultural Sorority. Journal of Contemporary Ethnography, 40 (5), 521-549.