chapter 1

SIMS.U4.E1 Culture of Sharing and Online Reputation Handling (Management)

SIMS.U1.E2 Social Media Technologies

CHAPTER 1

Culture and Cultural Identity


SIMS.U1.E2 Social Media TechnologiesLEARNING CONTENT

There are many opinions about the definition of culture.

They all share the idea that it is the “software” which

people use in daily life.



Culture can be described as the language, norms, values

and beliefs that any particular group of people share. There

are two interrelated aspects of culture:



Material culture refers to all of the

physical objects, resources and

spaces that people use to define their

culture (cities, schools, temples,

technology,…)

Non – material culture includes ideas

associated with these objects,

resources and spaces (traditions,

symbols, language, values, rules,…)


SIMS.U1.E2 Social Media TechnologiesNOTE THIS

The word culture is often used as a synonym for nation and

society, but they aren't the same thing.

Nation ≠ Society ≠ Culture

A nation is a territory with

designated borders

A society is a population in which people interact and

share common interests

A culture is the shared

way of living of people



One of the most well-known culture models is the iceberg

model, which focus our attention on the hidden aspects of

culture.


SIMS.U1.E2 Social Media TechnologiesADD ANIMATION

Visible aspects: easy to observe

Invisible aspects: suspected, imagined or intuited



Conception of beauty

Conception of justice

Religious beliefs

Importance of time

General world view

Work ethic

...



The invisible aspects of culture influence or cause the visible

ones. Religious beliefs, for example, are clearly manifested in

certain holiday customs or styles of dress.


SIMS.U1.E2 Social Media TechnologiesEXTRA INFORMATION

There are many theoretical models which explain the concept

of culture. You can see more information on the following

links:

- Geert Hofstede’s model of cultural dimensions.

- Trompenaars and Hampden-Turner's Seven Dimensions of

Culture.

- Edward Hall’s behavioural components of culture.

- Jacques Demorgon´s model of cultural dimensions.



Like icebergs, each person´s identity is made up of multiple

elements and is unique.

Identifying and understanding the lower part of one´s own

iceberg is vital to understanding who you are and why you

behave the way you do.



By becoming aware of these important aspects in your life,

you can analyse how they influence your relations with other

people and why we see and perceive the world differently to

each other.



But where do our values, beliefs or customs come from?

They have been created throughout our lives in a process

called socialisation.

Socialisation is a lifelong process during

which we learn about social expectations

and how to interact with other people.

During socialisation, we learn about our own culture,

including behavioral norms and values that teach us

how to fit in with our social groups.



We were born into different cultural groups or agents of

socialisation. Some examples are:

Me

Ethnic or traditional groups

Friends and peers

Religions

Generational groups

Work and interest groups

Mass media



Through socialisation, we acquire a personal identity and

learn to value our connections with others. This process

continues for an entire lifetime.

As we acquire a personal identity, we also acquire a social

identity.



Understanding the process of socialisation makes you realise

that there are a variety of different identities. So you become

aware of diversity: not everybody is the same. Difference is

normal!!

It´s ok to be different



Socialisation is a process and the way we perceive the world

and how we behave varies over time. The reason is that

perceptions, behaviour and values do change over time.



CHAPTER 2

Stereotypes, Prejudice and Discrimination



Identities are defined in groups, but neither people nor groups are

isolated.

Identities are also acquired

through comparison with other

people, groups or cultures.

Stereotypes emerge from this social perception and the

socialisation processes. Prejudice and discrimination are installed

based on them.



It would be good to understand what is the relationship between

stereotypes, prejudice and discrimination in order to identify

how they function and avoid their negative effects in interaction

with other groups and cultures.

Let’s start by defining each of these concepts.



Stereotypes are the result of assigning identical characteristics to

any person of a group, regardless of the real variations that exist

between members of that group.

It belongs to the realm of thought

.



From an early age, we learn to assign those identical

characteristics, through the family, the media, etc..

Stereotyping is not necessarily a bad thing;

it is often only

a way of simplifying

our view of the world,

and we all do it.



Stereotypes are potentially dangerous when we cannot see

individual differences within a group of people.

Stereotypes sometimes serve to rationalize (justify) the hostility

felt by a person towards certain groups.



A prejudice is a negative and hostile attitude towards a person,

identified as belonging to a group, by the mere fact of belonging to

that group.

It belongs to the field of emotion.

Prejudice guides our emotions in a negative way and prevents

us from neutrally reflecting on individuals or groups.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BO6PQHGXnIk



Prejudices are generally cultural , or in other words, they

have also been acquired either through the media or the

education we have received.

(Nobody is born racist)



Discrimination is negative behaviour when treating people,

motivated by their belonging to a social group or category.

It belongs to the field of behaviour



The most common forms of discrimination are race, religion,

nationality, ideology, political or trade union, gender, economic

status, social status or physical characteristics

(health conditions) (age) (physical characteristics) (pregnancy)

(sexual preferences) (disability) (national origin) (ethnic origin) (gender)



Relationship between stereotypes, prejudice and

discrimination:

As we have seen, a stereotype is equivalent to a belief or opinion,

prejudice to a negative attitude towards a group and discrimination

to negative treatment of people by the mere fact of belonging to a

group.

Although stereotypes do not always generate prejudice and

prejudices do not always lead to discrimination, the fact is that it is

most likely to go that way if we are not aware of the danger of not

seeing people and only seeing our stereotypes.



What can you do to combat prejudice?

- Discover and acknowledge your own biases. Talk to other

people to discover them. If you have ever been discriminated

against, how did you feel?

- Actively combat these prejudicial beliefs. What is the basis

of your way of thinking? How many people belonging to the

prejudged group do you know?

- Develop empathy. This means being able to put yourself in

another person’s shoes and know what they are feeling.

LEARNING CONTENT



- Feeling good about yourself is important when accepting

those who are different, as you will not have to use them to

increase your self-esteem.

- Accept that you will not understand everything or you're not

going to share everything. Each group has its own customs.

-Do not be silent when you hear a joke or prejudiced

comment. Tell this person that you understand that the

intention was not to hurt anyone but that jokes are harmful to

many people.

LEARNING CONTENT



- Value diversity in every way.

- Ask yourself this question: how would you react if, being white,

someone told you that he/she wants to know what the people of

your race are like? You would probably say that this is an

absurd question because there are millions of white people and

each of them is different. Therefore, why don´t you think the

same with respect to people of another race, religion, sexual

orientation, etc..? Are they all the same but you are not?

- Commit yourself to change.

LEARNING CONTENT



CHAPTER 3

Cultural Adaptation and Integration


SIMS.U1.E2 Social Media TechnologiesLearning Content

Adjusting to a new culture and environment is a natural and

individual process and may be accompanied by a variety of

reactions and feelings.

This adjustment process is known as the U Curve of

Cultural Adaptation and it is based on the following stages:

Stress Insomnia

LonelinessANXIETY Homesickness Insecurity

Frustration Sadness

FEAR



It is usually experienced after arriving in a new

culture.

Everything seems fascinating and you show

curiosity and interest in discovering the new

culture.

You can deal easily with problems and stress.

You tend to focus on similarities between your

home culture and the new culture.

Most people feel energetic and enthusiastic.

HONEYMOON STAGE



Perception of differences between your

home culture and the new culture.

Conflicts occur with other people or

internally – in terms of comparing one´s

own values and behaviour with those of the

new culture.

Feelings of being out of place, confusion,

anxiety, homesickness, frustration, anger

and loneliness.

CULTURE SHOCK STAGE



You solve your conflicts and regain a

sense of appreciation of the new

culture.

Better understanding of external and

internal resources that help to manage

demands and conflicts that may arise.

Mixture of feelings regarding the first

two stages.

RECOVERY STAGE



You become comfortable with the new

culture.

Understanding of the similarities and

differences between both cultures.

Appreciation of the aspects of both

cultures that you wish to retain or include

in your life.

It is characterised by a sense of

confidence, maturity, flexibility and

tolerance.

ADAPTATION STAGE



It is experienced when returning to

own´s home culture.

Detection of changes in oneself and

the home culture which may need a

new adjustment process.

You feel your friends and family don´t

understand what you experienced and

how you have changed.

Feelings of sadness and lack of

confidence, confusion.

REVERSE CULTURE SHOCK

STAGE



REVERSE CULTURE SHOCK

STAGE

ADAPTATION STAGE

RECOVERY

STAGE

CULTURE SHOCK STAGE

HONEYMOON STAGE



Not all people go through each stage and do not necessarily

follow this order. The duration of culture shock will vary from

person to person.

Culture shock will be as big as the differences between

own´s own culture and the new culture.



• If you experience culture shock, don´t be hard on yourself.

• It is a normal process in the intercultural experience.

• It means that you are aware of

cultural differences and that you are

beginning the process of adjusting to

your new cultural environment.

You are adapting your glasses!!



Here are some recommendations to make the cultural

transition easier:

• Try to actively learn the new culture through observing,

listening and questioning.

• Learn and practice the local language.

• View yourself as an ambassador to show your home

culture.

• Don´t think of your cultural habits as “right” and other

people´s as “wrong”.



• Try to previously identify the most shocking attitudes which you

may face at some point.

• Avoid quick judgments: Try to search for logical reasons behind

what seems strange, confusing or threatening in the new context.

• Be willing to try new things and new experiences: participate in

cultural events, sports or the host social community.



• Exercising regularly and getting enough sleep helps to keep

your energy levels high.

• Instead of thinking of things as problems, try to think of them as

challenges.

• Set small or short-term goals and evaluate achievements.

• Stay in touch with friends and family to avoid feeling isolated.

Seek help if you feel too much stress.


SIMS.U1.E2 Social Media TechnologiesREFERENCES

Bibliography

“Developing Intercultural Awareness. A Cross-Cultural

Training Handbook”

Author: Knight, John M., Kohls, L. Robert

ISBN 978-1-877864-13-1

Webgraphy

http://www.nccccurricula.info/awareness/

chapter 1

Education

e1 culture of sharing

dimensions of culture

culture cities

word culture

concept of culture

definition of culture

hidden aspects of culture

nation society culture