Communication Topic Paper

Overcoming Diversity Barriers in Effective Communication Larry Rankin II HUB 640 subject bea University Abstract Utilizing impelling talk is becoming increasingly important as free radicalings argon becoming more various and varied across heathen barriers. The fusss that face each person, community, and each country evictnot be solved without orbiculate cooperation and Joint action. Changes in the world economy, transportation and communication be eventing in increased interdependence among individuals, groups, organizations, communities and societies.With these changes, individuals must find ways to impressively move and communicate with one another. In Walt Disneys Beauty and the Beast, young Belle risks all and sacrifices her feature freedom to save the life of her fathers, by living in the ravish castle with the Beast. Although initially fearful of the Beast and horrified by his horrible appearance, Belle is able to change her perception of him and becomes draw n to kind and sensitive nature.Ultimately the tosh ends in the happily ever after frame, but one of the attain elements that remain in the mind of the audience is the idea of overcoming diversity in a relationship. One reason Beauty and the Beast retains its popularity is because this idea strikes a familiar chord within m some(prenominal) members of the audience. Often individuals find themselves initially repelled by unfamiliarity, and then later becoming very close with the equivalent premises and concepts that once seemed so foreign.The moral of this childrens tale shines through when we gestate at communication across market-gardenings, whether in small or intumescent groups. The diversity that exists among individuals creates an opportunity for both positive and negative outcomes when these individuals come in concert in groups to achieve a goal or complete a task Monsoon Johnson, 1989). More specifically, diversity among group members burn down result in beneficial co nsequences, such as increased achievement and ingatheringivity, creative problem solving, and growth in cognitive and moral reasoning.To the contrary, diversity among group members can in any case result in harmful consequences, such as rase achievement and productivity, close-minded rejection of new information, increased egocentrics, prejudice, stereotyping and racism. The pathway of diversity is finally determined by the provideingness of the group members to utilize effective communication to egg on the needs of the group as a whole while respecting the culture and diversity of its individual members (p. 461). Diversity among group members is an important resource that can be utilized to improve the groups productivity.While doing so may not be easy, it is important to understand that there are a number of barriers to effective interactions with culturally diverse groups. These include stereotyping, prejudice and discrimination, he inclination to foot the victim, and cu ltural clashes. Stereotypes Stereotypes can be found everywhere, and everyone has them. Stereotypes are a product of the way the mind stores, organizes, and recalls information. They are apply to describe differences among groups and to predict how others will behave.They reduce complexities, assist in making quick decisions, fill in gaps of what is known, and help to recognize patterns needed to draw conclusions. In modern thought, stereotypes are defined as a thought that associates a whole group of people with certain traits. Stereotypes are (1) cognitive (2) reflect a delimitate of related beliefs rather than isolated behaviors (3) describe attributes, ad hominemities, and characters so that groups can be compared and differentiated and are shared by individuals and groups holding them (Cashmere &Del Boca, 1979).Prejudice and contrariety To be prejudiced meaner, literally, to prejudge, however, prejudice can be defined as an inordinate negative attitude toward a person bas ed solely on that individuals membership in a group other than ones own. Stereotypes taken to extremes, restudies are Judgments made about others that establish a superiority/inferiority belief system. If one person dislikes another simply because that other is identified with a different cultural group, sex, religion, socio-economic status, or creed, then prejudice is present (Lopper, 1954).Ethnocentrism is the tendency to regard ones own ethnic group, nation, religion, or culture as reform or more correct than others. When ethnocentrism is present, the standards and determine of our culture are used as a yardstick to measure the worth of other ethnic groups. Ethnocentrism is often perpetuated by cultural conditioning. As children, individuals are raised to run low a into a particular culture, and conditioned to respond to unlike situations in similar ways that are modeled by the adults (Rotary, Evans, Fuller, 1979). Racism is a prejudice directed at people because of their r ace, or ethnic membership.Although scientific evidence indicates that only one human race exists, with many variations, various other people assume that biological differences exist as prove by physical appearances. Race has taken on a cordial meaning, suggesting ones status within the social construct. This status structure introduces power preferences as people of different constructs interact with one another (Steele & Aarons, 1995). When prejudice is acted upon, it is discrimination. Discrimination is an action taken to harm a group or any of its members. It is a negative, and often aggressive action aimed at the target of the prejudice.Discrimination is aimed at denying members of the targeted groups treatment and opportunities equal to those afforded to the dominant group. To reduce prejudices, use of stereotypes, and potential to discriminate, the spare-time activity steps may be utilized Monsoon Johnson, 1999) 1) admit to having prejudices (everyone does there are no exc eptions) and commit to reducing them 2) Identify the stereotypes that reflect the presence of prejudices and feedback from diverse friends and colleagues about how well the value and respect for diversity are creationness communicated.Blaming the victim Many people believe the world is Just a place where individuals get what they deserve, (I. E. Winning the lotto is a result of being a nice person who deserves some good luck, or being robbed is the result of being careless and is punishment for past misdeeds). The psyche arises then, what happens when the situations appear unjust? One method that is utilized and present in much of the communications between individuals is to blame the victim by win over the self, that no injustice actually occurred.Victims of prejudice, stereotyping, and discrimination are often seen as having done something wrong. Blaming the victim occurs when the cause of discrimination or misfortune is attributed to the personal characteristics of the vict im (Hellhole, 1994). Culture Clash Another common barrier to effective communications across divers cultures is the dead of cultural clash. Cultural clashes are conflicts over basic values that occur when members of minority groups question the values of the majority.Common reaction by majority group members when their values are being questioned are feeling 1) Threatened their responses include avoidance, denial, and defensiveness 2) Confused their responses include want more information in an attempt to redefine the problem 3) intensify their responses include heightened anticipation, sensation, and positive actions that lead to solving the problem (Outsold, 1991). Many cultural clashes develop in and between groups.These clashes range from threatening to confusing to enhancing, and when handled appropriately, these clashes are another form of conflict and they can serve as larn experiences rather than barriers. In our increasingly orbiculate community, juicyly diverse indiv iduals interact daily, studying, working, and playing together in small groups. Rapidly growing global interdependence and the increasing emphasis on teamwork have resulted in groups with kinda diverse membership.Diversity among members is no longer exceptional or optional it is the habitual rule. Individuals are expected to interact effectively and utilize appropriate communication skills among people with a variety of characteristics and backgrounds. Doing so has many advantages, including increased group productivity on a variety of tasks. Heterogeneity in groups also increases the difficulty of developing cohesive relationships among its members and increases the potential for conflict among members.For group members to capitalize on their differences, a high level of cultural competence and awareness must be implemented into the daily communications, to ensure that a high level of positive interdependence exists among group members. This can be over(p) by using communication to create a subordinates group individualism based on a pluralistic set of values, enabling members to adopt sophistication about the differences among members through personal relationships that have sufficient boldness to allow for candid discussions Monsoon Johnson, 2005).