问答题 Difficulties in intercultural communication arise when there is little or no awareness of divergent cultural values and beliefs.(46)In cross-cultural interaction, speakers sometimes assume that what they believe is right, because they have grown up thinking their way is the best. This ethnocentric assumption can result in negative judgments about other cultures. Another manifestation of ethnocentric attitudes is that people become critical of individuals from different cultures. (47)Sometimes negative reactions do not result from actual interaction but rather from the fixed, preconceived beliefs we have about other people. These over generalized beliefs or" stereotypes frequently shape people's perceptions of each other.
Stereotypes originate and develop from numerous sources such as jokes, textbooks, movies, and television. Movies about cowboys and Indians portray cowboys as "civilized" and Indians as wild and "primitive". A child who knows about the American Indian only through watching these movies will have a distorted and false image of this group of people. (48) Stereotypes perpetuate inaccuracies about religions, racial, and cultural groups.
(49)Stereotyped beliefs prevent us from seeing people as individuals with unique characteristics. Negative stereotypes lead to prejudice: suspicion, intolerance, or hatred of other cultural groups.
Cultural conflicts occur as a result of misinterpretations, ethnocentrism, stereotypes, and prejudice. Preventing these conflicts is possible with increased awareness of our own attitudes as well as sensitivity to cross-cultural differences.
(50)Developing intercultural sensitivity does not mean that we need to lose our cultural identities-- but rather that we recognize cultural influences within ourselves and within others.