Week 4 Checkpoint Intercultural Barriers

Week 4 Checkpoint Intercultural Barriers Bobby Rae Jones UOP- Axia College/ XCOM 200 Abstract Your abstract should be one paragraph and should not exceed 120 words. It is a summary of the most important elements of your paper. All numbers in the abstract, except those beginning a sentence, should be typed as digits rather than words. To count the number of words in this paragraph, select the paragraph, and on the Tools menu click Word Count.

Week 4 Checkpoint Intercultural Barriers Prejudice—pre-judging someone before knowing the facts. This is the single most prevalent intercultural communication barrier in America. For as long as history and recent times will tell, prejudice views have always been customary in our society. Many believe that when you hear the word “prejudice” that it only applies to African American cultures but it goes beyond race.

According to Chapter 4’s text, certain prejudices are widespread. For example, one study found that even when a male and a female hold the same type of job, the male’s job is considered more prestigious than the female’s (Beebe, Beebe, Raymond, 2008). As long as there is a gap between resources, like education and employment, prejudice will continue. The only way to eliminate prejudice is to bridge that gap and for society to accept difference in cultures and/or groups.

Chapter 4 suggests the following for bridging differences: develop knowledge by seeking information about the culture, ask questions and listen, and develop a “third culture. ” Increase motivation to appreciate others who are different from you by tolerating ambiguity, developing mindfulness, and avoiding negative judgments about another culture. And finally, enhance skills by becoming flexible. References Beebe, S. A. , Beebe, S. J. , & Raymond, M. (2008). Interpersonal communication: Relating to others (5th ed. ). Boston, MA: Pearson