Intercultural Communications -- 2 Questions Research Proposal

Mixed working groups naturally promote better mutual understanding and can often reduce biases and negative expectations such as those attributable to ethnocentrism and prejudices (Blair, 2003).

More active methods of reducing discrimination and stereotyping include practical group demonstrations led by experienced counselors and organized discussion groups (Myers & Spencer, 2004). Specifically, organized discussion groups provide an opportunity for members of different social groups to raise their concerns and to express their personal experiences in relation to prejudice and discrimination.

Typically, the opportunity of sharing real-life experiences of others has a natural tendency to increase intercultural sensitivity through several different mechanisms: by personalizing general perceptions, by allowing individuals from different groups to consider things from the perspectives of other groups, by appreciating some of the specific experiences of others in relation to discrimination and prejudices, and by demonstrating the commonalities between members of different social groups (Aronson, Wilson, & Akert, 2003; Blair, 2003). More focused methods of reducing communications barriers in the workplace involve specific guided discussions in which individual members of different age, gender, racial, and other groups share their specific concerns and detail the ways that stereotyping and discrimination have adversely affected them (Aronson, Wilson, & Akert, 2003; Blair, 2003).

Employers can also contribute directly to minimizing prejudice and discrimination by promoting awareness of the issues and the importance of strictly adhering to legal requirements imposed by federal and state governments to eliminate discrimination. Particularly with respect to employees with physical disabilities, the hiring and successful integration of disabled employees naturally reduces negative perceptions and prejudices, particularly where those employees are successful in their vocational responsibilities (Aronson, Wilson, & Akert, 2003; Blair, 2003).

Sources Cited

Aronson E, Wilson T, and Akert R. (2003). Social Psychology. New York: Longman.

Blair G. (2003). Groups that Work. Washington, DC: IEEE Press.

Martin J. And Nakyma (2007). Experiencing Intercultural Communication: An

Introduction (3rd Edition).

Myers D. And Spencer…