Stereotypes and Prejudice

One of the sections that I found interesting about the chapter was the section on prejudice and stereotypes of other cultures. In the book it talks about why some intercultural contacts can be frustrating.  “We often enter them with preconceived attitudes that impede the possibility of understanding. Among these attitudes are stereotypes and prejudices.” (page 338)

I have to agree. Sometimes when we don’t understand a person’s culture or their reasoning for the way they do something, we may think is odd, and usually we prejudge. I know sometimes I have been a person to prejudge someone or even believe a stereotype sometimes. I think when we don’t understand something it is foreign to us so we may think it is odd. Sometimes we may think our culture we grew up in is better than or superior to another’s because we feel we have more relatable culture than someone who hasn't lived in the United States. 

Three Terms, Do I believe?

According to the text, “most Americans hold three basic beliefs about human nature: that humans are, at heart, rational; that humans are perfectible; and that human nature is highly susceptible to social and cultural influence.” (page 334)

Do I believe in this? To an extent, I can honestly say that I relate to rationality and mutability premises. The one about perfectible kind of threw me off with the definition in the book that humans can be born into sin, but are capable of achieving goodness through effort and control. I don’t exactly believe humans are born into sin when they don’t sin. Unless, they mean start of doing bad things, but have the chance to change and shape up their future.

An example I can think of mutability premises, is when people who hang out with certain people at school can gain their habits and social skills. In high school I had a good friend who would always use her hands with talking and I remember I would go home and use those same social skills. My mom would not understand where I got it from. It’s my human behavior shaped by my environment and the people I hung out with.  

Cultures

I do believe what Ruth Benedict said that we are creatures of our culture. Whatever culture are environment and parents instill in us is who we are. We are taught these cultures from the time we are born. We will pass them down to our children and so on, BUT I do believe we can break from our limits of culture. You have to have an open mind and be willing to learn another culture. In our textbook it gives the characteristics of culture. Culture can be learned, taught, and shared. Not only that, but cultures are always changing. “As economic conditions change, as new technologies are developed, and as cultural contact increases, old ways of doing things change and people must learn new behaviors.” (page 328) You are never made to be stuck on one culture. Many people, like me, come from parents with two different cultures. It is very common to possess more than one culture. 

Facial Displays

One of the interesting topics from our chapter reading this week was the section on facial displays. The section talks about how facial displays are learned and the ones that are our natural brain is programmed. I know plenty of times my mother has told me, don’t make your face like that you look like your father.

In the chapter (page 112) it says that when we smile when we are happy and cry when we are sad is because of our biological inheritance. Although we are biological to do these things it does not mean that we cannot learn how to mask these emotions. For example, we may try to smile when we are sad because we do not feel like it is everyone’s business.  I know children find out that sometimes when they cry they can get what they want, so if they know this they may use it to their advantage to get what they want even if it is not a necessity. 

Nonverbal meanings. .

For this part of the assignment I decided to read and Google some information. I decided to look up some information on different noverbal communication in India. I found some of their nonverbal communication a little odd, but interesting. Some of the things I found interesting were:

The finger to the temple. That person is mad.

The Hand held to the side and shaken side to side: Used to communicate a lack of commitment. Means It’s not a good idea, it was never a good idea, it only contained elements of the truth and don’t even think about it.

The palm upwards, three fingers folded towards the palm, the index finger raised. This is a question hand signal meaning how are you, what happened, what do you want, what are you staring at, I don’t understand and I don’t have.

(http://aussietraveladvice.com/india-travel-tips/)

The one place I have visited in the country is Miami, FL. The people there use kissing your cheek and a hug as a greeting. I love it they’re so friendly and make you feel welcome. It is amazing how in some places a handshake is enough, but in Miami they’re so warm.

Nonverbal Misinterpretation

I have definitely been wrong when reading someone’s nonverbal communication! When it comes to facial expressions they can totally throw you off. I know once in high school my best friend and I had the same class and she sat across the room from me and I remember us speaking on text message and then she made a facial expression that I swore was rude. I remember throwing one back at her and we got into a big argument that became a misunderstanding. I so learned from that moment that next time I should ask before I blow up. It’s extremely hard to recognize what a facial expression could mean without verbal words, but at the same time you can definitely understand what is going on through nonverbal communication.  The only way possible to interpret the right nonverbal communication is being familiar. Either being familiar with the certain person or the meaning behind the clues.