Cultural Influences
People from a dominant culture have specific factors that make them unique. I am a middle class, African American, a heterosexual, and a religious woman. These co-cultures define my identity and have notable impacts on my communication behaviors. From a personal perspective, I believe that these co-cultures influence how other people perceive me. Besides, they influence my attitudes towards other people from different cultures.
Middle Class
People from marginalized communities experience marginalization, which undermines their ability to communicate in an effective manner (Aamann and Olesen 442). Most people from the upper class tend to dismiss my thoughts when I try to share my ideas, even in topics that I have adequate background knowledge; this process undermines my ability to communicate effectively.
African American Woman
The gender roles, which people learn during their early ages through different means like interaction with parents, affect their peer socialization and communication strategies (McCornack 7). People from my community approach me as a friendly, empathetic person who has a strong passion for assisting people in dealing with their different challenges.
Heterosexual
Heterosexual individuals have a unique attraction to people of the opposite sex, which improves their level of interaction with all individuals. Being a heterosexual motivates me to establish lasting social interactions with male friends from all social classes and cultural groups.
Being Apostolic (Religion)
The society expects religious people to demonstrate a unique and moral example to its members through the observed behaviors and speech. Being apostolic, most people expect that I should communicate through acceptable language at all times, which motivates them to seek my counsel and support when solving various disputes.
Works Cited
Aamann, Iben Charlotte, and Birgitte Ravn Olesen. “Marginalized Citizens Experiences of Middle-Class Moral Judgements in Communication with Their GPs.” Socialmedicinsk Tidskrift, vol. 97, no. 3, 30 July 2020, pp. 442–453, socialmedicinsktidskrift.se/smt/index.php/smt/article/view/2187. Accessed 13 Sept. 2020.
McCornack, Steven. Choices and Connections: An Introduction to Communication. S.L., Bedford Bks St Martin’s, 2019.