This chapter discusses cultural and ethnic identities and the keys to understanding them. It covers: [1] how families and gender socialization influence identity formation; [2] the processes of acculturation and enculturation when joining new cultural groups; and [3] models of cultural, ethnic, and racial identity development and change over time, including types like assimilated, bicultural, and marginal identities. The chapter concludes with exercises to reflect on one's own cultural identity and practice mindful listening and identity validation skills in intercultural interactions.

1. Understanding Intercultural
Communication Second Edition
Chapter 4
What are the Keys to Understanding
Cultural & Ethnic Identities?
Stella Ting-Toomey & Leeva C. Chung
OXFORD UNIVERSITY PRESS
PowerPoint Slides Designed by Alex Flecky and Noorie Baig

2. TODAY’S MENU
I. Family and Gender Socialization
II. Group Membership: Intercultural
Boundary Crossing
III. Group Affiliation and Identity
Formation
IV. Ethnic–Racial Identity Change
Process
V. Intercultural Reality Check: Do-

3. An Application Exercise
Who Am I?
and
Who Are YOU?

4. I. Family and Gender
Socialization
Identity: reflective self-conception or self-
image that we derive from
family, gender, cultural, ethnic, and
individual socialization processes.
“Social identities”
cultural, ethnic, gender, sexual
orientation, social class, age,
disability, or professional identity.
“Personal identities” unique attributes
we associate with our
individuated self in comparison

5. I. Family and Gender
Socialization
A. Families Come in Different Shapes
1. Types of families: diverse types
2. Two family types: personal and
positional
B. Gender Socialization and Interaction
Patterns
1. Gender identity: Meanings and
interpretations concerning
gender images

6. II. Group Membership: Intercultural
Boundary Crossing
A. The Process of Acculturation &
Enculturation
Acculturation: incremental identity-related
change process of immigrants and
refugees in a new environment from a
long-term perspective.
Enculturation: sustained, primary
socialization process of
individuals in their original home
culture wherein they have

7. II. Group Membership: Intercultural
Boundary Crossing
B. Systems-level Factors
C. Individual-level Factors
D. Interpersonal F2F and Network-Level
Factors
E. Mass Media–Level Factors

8. III. Group Affiliation and Identity
Formation
A. Cultural Identity Conceptualizations
Cultural identity
Cultural identity salience
B. Ethnic Identity Conceptualizations
Ethnic identity
Ethnic value content
Ethnic identity salience
Click here to find out about the origin of the Hapa identity.

9. IV. Ethnic–Racial Identity Change
Process
A. Cultural–Ethnic Identity Typological Model
1. Ethnic-oriented identity or traditional option:
Identifies strongly with ethnic traditions and
values, identifies weakly with dominant culture’s
values.
2. Assimilated identity:
Identifies weakly with ethnic traditions and values;
identifies strongly with larger culture’s
values, norms.
3. Bicultural identity or integrative option:
Identifies strongly with ethnic traditions and also
with the values and practices of larger society.
4. Marginal identity state:

10. IV. Ethnic–Racial Identity Change
Process
A. Cultural–Ethnic Identity Typological Model
10

11. IV. Ethnic–Racial Identity Change
Process
B. Racial–Ethnic Identity Development Model

12. IV. Ethnic–Racial Identity Change
Process
my.blogs 4.2 and 4.3
Assess your Cultural Identity and
Marginal Identity on p. 78
Assess your Ethnic Identity and Bicultural
Identity on p. 80

13. IV. Ethnic–Racial Identity Change Process
C. Multiracial and Biracial Identity
Social identity complexity theory
a. Intersection:
Compound identity with 2 (or more) social
membership categories cross to form
a single, claimed identity.
b. Dominance:
Individual adopts one major social identity.
c. Compartmentalization:
Shifting of social identity category serving
as basis of identification based on
context or situation.
d. Merger:
Deep awareness of the complex
multifaceted spheres of identity
memberships and the importance of
multiple ingroups.

14. V. Intercultural Reality Check:
Do-Ables
A. Practice Mindful Listening
• Thoughtful attention to both verbal and
nonverbal messages.
• Check responsively for accuracy.
• Involves a consciously competent shift of
perspective. (How do things look from the
other’s identity perspective?)
B. Practice Identity Validation Skills
• Use verbal and nonverbal confirming
messages.
• Recognize group- and person-based
identities.

15. Parting Thoughts. . .
He who knows others
is learned;
He who knows
himself
is wise.
~ Lao Tzu