Differences in Worldview and Communication
Worldviews may differ from culture to culture and even from person to person. Likewise, various cultures and individuals may adopt specific communication skills and signals to express ideas and meaning. This week, you will examine ways that psychologists have attempted to analyze worldviews and communication styles by applying these analyses to real life scenarios.
If you recall from Developmental Psychology, Jean Piaget and Lev Vygotsky examined language from the cognitive perspective. Piaget viewed language as socially constructed and secondary to cognitive processes. It is an autonomous process in which development of a child’s thinking determines when a child can learn to speak and what a child can say. Vygotsky believed language is far more important than Piaget did. Vygotsky noted that it is through conversations with adults that a child progresses, and it is the need to communicate with and to understand adults that presses a child to seek meanings of things that are said from adults. Without language, according to Vygotsky, we have no cognitive development.
Noam Chomsky suggests that we are born with an innate ability to understand grammar because of what he termed the language acquisition device. This human wiring means that there is universality to language construction and the purpose of language is to allow us to convey an infinite range of messages, ideas, and emotions as we interact with the world.
One other theory addressing language and worldview is what is commonly known as the Sapir-Whorf Hypothesis. It proposes that worldview is shaped by the language through the organization of the concepts and categories that an individual’s language contains. Consequently, every language embodies a unique worldview that shapes the thoughts and perception of its native speakers.
Yet another lens through which to view different worldviews and communication styles is that of class. Class differences can produce vastly diverse life experiences, assumptions and values about life, and even expectations for life.
Be sure to review this week’s resources carefully. You are expected to apply the information from these resources when you prepare your assignments.
For this task you will analyze and compare two different multicultural groups in a presentation by defining and identifying key components of the worldviews and communication styles taking place within them. Imagine you are creating your presentation for a group of mental health providers. Remind your audience that these are tendencies and that there is great variability within any cultural group.
In your Powerpoint you should first select two cultural groups. For example, you might select LatinX men and African American men or another two groups of your choice.
In your Powerpoint you should:
Begin by defining worldview and multiculturalism
Explain how worldview and culture impact communication styles
Compare and contrast the worldview and cultures of the two groups you selected
Compare and contrast the communication style of the two groups you selected
Include tips for effective communication. Include 3 tips for each cultural group you selected.
Length: 10-12 slides; include a 100-250 word note for each slide
Include a minimum of 4 outside sources of support.