Honorio Gonzalez EDU 533 Intercultural Competence Chapter 6 Notes Define cultural identity and include the various

nature or types of identity. Apply the components of cultural identity to yourself. Related to the distinction between ingroup and outgroup membership is the concept of ones identity or self concept in that and individuals self-concept is built on cultural, social, and personal identities (p. 130). Cultural identity refers to ones sense of belonging to a particular culture or ethnic group (p. 130). Social identity develops as a consequence of memberships in particular groups within ones culture (p. 131). Personal identity is based on peoples unique characteristics, which may differ from those in their cultural and social groups (p. 131). The ways in which these components of cultural identity are applicable to me are in the following ways. My cultural identity is that I am an American. My social identity is that I am an American of Hispanic heritage. My personal identity is that I am an American of Mexican heritage. How is cultural identity formed? Cultural identities often develop through a process involving three stages: unexamined cultural identity, cultural identity search, and cultural identity achievement (p. 131). During the unexamined cultural identity stage, ones cultural characteristics are taken for granted, and consequently there is little interest in exploring cultural issues (p. 131). Cultural identity search involves a process of exploration and questioning about ones culture in order to learn more about it and to understand the implications of membership in that culture (p. 132). Cultural identity achievement is characterized by a clear, confident acceptance of oneself and an internalization of ones cultural identity (p. 132). By accomplishing this, a cultural identity can finally be formed after a long journey in search for one. List elements or characteristics of cultural identity Once formed, cultural identities provide an essential framework, organizing and interpreting our experiences of others because cultural identities are central, dynamic, and multifaceted components of ones self-concept (p. 133). Cultural identities are central to a persons sense of self because, like gender and race, your culture is more basic because it is broadly influential and is linked to a great number of other aspects of your selfconcept (p. 133). These core concepts of a persons identity are likely to be important in most of you interactions with others and most components of your identity, however, become important only when they are activated by specific circumstances (p. 133). Since cultural identities are dynamic, your cultural identity-your sense of the culture to which you belong and who you are in light of this cultural membership-exists within a changing social context (p. 134-135). Consequently, your identity is not static, fixed, and enduring; rather it is dynamic and changes with you ongoing life experiences (p. 135). Cultural identities are also multifaceted and at any given moment, you may have components that make up your identity (p. 135). Furthermore, because we live in a multicultural world, the multifaceted characteristics of cultural identity become even more important (p. 135). All of these elements are what in turn make up a cultural identity also.

Based on information learned so far explain you own cultural identity in each of the categories mentioned. The ways in which these components of cultural identity are applicable to me are in the following ways. My cultural identity is that I am an American. My social identity is that I am an American of Hispanic heritage. My personal identity is that I am an American of Mexican heritage. Furthermore, when I was younger I briefly went through a period when I didnt know if I was Mexican-American, Latino/Hispanic, or even a Chicano. However, after another brief period of searching where I used these terms to describe myself, I finally arrived at a conclusion. I had finally achieved cultural identity achievement because I had come to the realization that I am both an American and a Hispanic. Therefore, this is how my cultural identity became important to my sense of self. Since my cultural identity was dynamic and multifaceted, I was able to arrive at the conclusion that I hold today. Application Learning of my cultural identity and growing up in two cultures has helped me develop my experience in this subject even further. This is because there are many ESL students that may go through what I did in a similar way. With my experience in this matter, I will be able to help students that need advice and support on this subject. Furthermore, when I go to Japan I will probably encounter students that have grown up between two cultures also. This experience will prepare me to prepare as a teacher when I reach Asia. Biblical Links Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and the one who seeks finds, and to the one who knocks it will be opened Matthew 7:7-8. This verse comes to mind whenever I think on how my cultural identity was formed. I didnt know who I was until I search for the answer and found it. This is also applicable in the sense that as long as you dont give up searching for an answer for something, you will always find it. Similarly, those who seek Gods guidance will find it through His Word.