Mindfulness

Core Theoretical Assumptions

Briefly, identity negotiation theory, developed by Stella Ting-Toomey, assumes that human beings in all cultures desire both positive group-based and positive person-based identities in any type of communicative situation. How individuals can enhance identity understanding, respect, and mutual affirmative valuation of the other is the essential concern of this approach. To illustrate, 2 of the 10 core assumptions of the identity negotiation theory are posited as follows: (1) The core dynamics of people's group membership identities (e.g., cultural and ethnic memberships) and personal identities (e.g., unique attributes) are formed via symbolic communication with others, and (2) individuals in all cultures or ethnic groups have the basic motivation needs for identity security, inclusion, predictability, connection, and continuity on both group-based and person-based identity levels. However, too much emotional security will lead to tight ethnocentrism, and too much emotional insecurity (or vulnerability) will lead to fear of outgroups or cultural strangers. The same dialectical principle applies to identity inclusion, connection, predictability, and identity continuity across time. Thus, an optimal range exists on the various identity negotiation spectrums: security-vulnerability, inclusion-differentiation, predictability-unpredictability, connection-autonomy, and continuity-change.

The last two identity negotiation theoretical assumptions emphasize the notion that competent identity-negotiation process emphasizes the importance of integrating the necessary intercultural identity-based knowledge, mindfulness, and interaction skills to communicate appropriately and effectively with culturally dissimilar others.

Furthermore, satisfactory identity negotiation outcomes include the feeling of being understood, respected, and affirmatively valued. Identity-support strategies such as mindful listening and dialogue, shared empowerment and alliance formation [Page 456]strategies, and confirmation and empathetic inclusion behaviors are some productive identity interaction moves that can promote quality intergroup and interpersonal relationship development.

Knowledge and Skills

Without culture-sensitive knowledge, intercultural communicators may not be able to match cultural value issues with identity-related behaviors. Knowledge here refers to the process of in-depth understanding of certain phenomena via a range of information gained through conscious learning and personal experiences and observations. To manage cultural differences mindfully, for example, one must consider other people's cultural membership and personal identity factors. If others are collectivists, one may want to pay extra attention to their process-oriented (i.e., relationship-based) assumptions to communication. If others are individualists, one may want to be sensitive to their outcome-oriented (i.e., instrumental result-based) assumptions to communication. Both culture-general and culture-specific knowledge can enhance one's motivations and skills in dealing with people who are culturally different.

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