Standpoint Influence On Communication
Influences of Standpoint on Communication
Introduction
The way I perceive the world stems from various categories that I belong to or am placed in. Acting in ways that suit the characteristics of these categories has impacted my standpoint and will influence my life as I pursue a career in veterinary medicine. I will explore three conditions of difference that have shaped who I am as a communicator. The first difference has been growing up in a rural community. Second, being female has influenced my perspective. Finally, being Caucasian has altered how I interact with others.
My Standpoint as a Communicator
Geography
I grew up in rural Alberta (Fig. 1), which shaped my experiences and values. This is reflected in the ways that I communicate. …show more content…
Most of Alberta’s population lives in urban centers, with only 17% of Albertans living in rural areas (Statistics Canada, 2011). Due to this population distribution, most of the people that I have encountered while attending university are from urban areas. According to Universities Canada (2011), “32 percent of 25-to-34-year-olds who live in urban areas have earned a university degree, compared to only 13 percent of adults…[living] in rural areas”. As a communicator, I must consider the background of the individual with whom I am communicating to avoid any sources of confusion. Consequently, this requires limiting my use of agricultural jargon, explanation of unfamiliar concepts, and requesting clarification on unclear topics. Furthermore, I must acknowledge stereotypes assigned to me. The Frameworks Institute (2008) found that “rural people are presumed to be inherently different from other people” and that the nature of rural people is thought to be responsible for their undesirable circumstances. This can affect communication as a veterinarian because negative misconceptions about my differences might lead others to view me as an incompetent leader or partner, and prevent them from allowing me to treat their animals. In addition, rural people are viewed as “simple” (Frameworks Institute, 2008) which can cause the belief that I am not intelligent enough to comprehend the complexities of communication, therefore affecting perceptions of my leadership abilities. However, I have previous experience in leadership as Student Council President and volleyball team captain (Fig. 2), and increased access to these opportunities due to the small population; therefore, I have developed effective communication abilities and can provide a unique perspective. I must use these attributes to remove preconceived beliefs about myself. Similarly, urban people are frequently stereotyped by those from a rural area. Personal experience illustrates that urban people are thought to have little common sense or understanding of the “real world”. These notions may be detrimental to communication as I might unintentionally offend someone by assuming that they fit those stereotypes. Growing up in a rural center has provided me with skills that will aid my professional career, as well as ideas and stereotypes that may be injurious. Figure 1. Unloading grain at my farm Figure 2. The volleyball team I was captain of
Gender
Identifying as female has influenced the way in which I communicate, potentially causing miscommunication between myself and those of other genders in the working environment of a veterinarian. Females typically communicate with the goal of forming and solidifying relationships, whereas men communicate to attain higher status and exert dominance (Merchant, 2012) (Basow & Rubenfeld, 2003). Females tend to communicate by turning statements into a question, using tactics such as adding “tag questions” (Bray, 2017) or speaking in a higher pitch at the end of a sentence (Kanopy Streaming, 2014). I have noticed myself doing this when I communicate, whether it is in general conversation, or, as Kanopy Streaming (2014) has observed, to preserve someone’s dignity. Accordingly, women are perceived as weak communicators (Bray, 2017), even if that is not the intention of the individual implementing these strategies. However, preserving an individual’s dignity is geared towards building a relationship, whether it be professional or personal. This can be advantageous to communication as a veterinarian, as it enables me to become closer personally to individuals I interact with, providing a deeper understanding of my clients, their background, and their expectations, therefore allowing me to provide better service. When communicating, I must be selective of when I use each strategy to avoid miscommunication of my message, especially when I am communicating with men. Kanopy Streaming (2014) found that men tend to communicate in competitive ways, through interrupting one another and consistently attempting to prove that they are superior. Using “expressive, tentative, and polite language” (Basow & Rubenfeld, 2003) is another thing that I have noticed myself doing, which can lead to men thinking that I am unsure or cause misinterpretation of the message that I am trying to get across. Therefore, when communicating with a predominately male audience, I should be selective about my language and use fewer phrases that are typical of females. This will increase confidence in my abilities as a veterinarian and assist with building a successful career.
Race
Race is another important factor in shaping individual standpoints.
I am Caucasian and I have always been part of the majority when it comes to racial groups (Fig. 3). This has shaped my standpoint, leading to potential communication benefits and downfalls as a veterinarian. Allen (2007) states that white people “claim not to notice other’s race” due to “invisible privileges of whiteness”. White privilege has spared me from a lot of stress. Most of the time I am communicating with others who are the same race as me and even when I am not, I can freely voice my opinion and be heard (McIntosh,1988). Accordingly, this has influenced how I communicate because I have never been concerned that what I say or think will reflect on the entirety of my race (McIntosh, 1988). I have noticed that I voice my opinion regularly and that I never feel uncomfortable in situations where I am the only white person. White privilege has been advantageous to communication as I can state my expectations, concerns, and questions without fear of judgement, as Caucasians are perceived positively (Bray, 2017). I can communicate clearly and directly which will aid with a career as a veterinarian. Henricks (2013) points out that “race…guides how someone should intuitively interact” with others; therefore, I will not be denied opportunity due to my race (McIntosh, 1988) as I am more likely to communicate with other white people in the professional world. My work will not be seen as unsatisfactory due solely to my race. However, white privilege has also had a negative effect on my communication. When communicating with individuals of other races I am frequently surprised by their perspectives and am biased towards my own perceptions. This leads to “[reinterpreting] the experiences of…subordinate groups” (Govan & Hollins, 2010) to match my internal discourse. Consequently, miscommunication can occur because I am altering what others are telling me. If I continue to act in this way, it may cause
frustration, a lack of communication, and loss of clients in the future. Figure 3. Estimated Distribution of Canadian Population using US racial categories: 2011 National Household Survey Data (Woolley, 2013).
Conclusion
My individual standpoint is shaped by my gender, race, and rural background. These factors influence how I communicate with others, in both positive and negative ways. Awareness of how my standpoint affects communication is important, as it can improve my communication skills and provide me with opportunities as I pursue a career as a veterinarian. Altogether, consideration of all perspectives and implementation of various strategies will aid in future success.
References
Allen B.J. (2007). Theorizing communication and race. Communication Monographs, 74(2), 259-264. doi: 10.1080/03637750701393055
Basow S.A., &Rubenfeld K. (2003). “Troubles talk”: Effects of gender and gender typing. Sex Roles, 48(3-4), 183-187. Retrieved from http://eds.b.ebscohost.com.login.ezproxy.library.ualberta.ca/eds/detail/detail?vid=0&sid=b419c36a-2b99-49cf-b7bd-2910d7dd42c8%40sessionmgr104&bdata=JnNpdGU9ZWRzLWxpdmUmc2NvcGU9c2l0ZQ%3d%3d#db=sih&AN=9454875
Bray N. (2017). Gender and communication. Retrieved from https://eclass.srv.ualberta.ca/pluginfile.php/3526148/mod_resource/content/1/1-11-Gender.pdf
Bray N. (2017). Intercultural Communication. Retrieved from https://eclass.srv.ualberta.ca/pluginfile.php/3526145/mod_resource/content/2/1-12-Intercultural.pdf
FrameWorks Institute. (2008). How to talk about rural issues. Retrieved from https://www.frameworksinstitute.org/assets/files/PDF_Rural/How_to_Talk_Rural.pdf
Govan I., & Hollins C.D. (2010). Common expressions of white privilege and how to counter them. Understanding and Dismantling Privilege, 1(1). Retrieved from http://www.wpcjournal.com/article/view/6267/pdf_31
Hallstrom, L., Stonechild, J., & Reist, W. (2015). Alberta. Retrieved from http://sorc.crrf.ca/ab/
Henricks K. (2013). White capital: Ways racial stereotypes are symbolic systems of power. Understanding and Dismantling Privilege, 3(1). Retrieved from http://www.wpcjournal.com/article/view/9457/pdf_1
Kanopy Streaming (Producer). (2014). Gender and communication: Styles and stereotypes. Retrieved from https://ualberta.kanopystreaming.com/video/gender-and-communication-styles-and-stereotypes
McIntosh P. (1988). White privilege: Unpacking the invisible knapsack. Retrieved from https://www.deanza.edu/faculty/lewisjulie/White%20Priviledge%20Unpacking%20the%20Invisible%20Knapsack.pdf
Merchant, K. (2012). How men and women differ: Gender differences in communication styles, influence tactics, and leadership styles (Senior Thesis). Retrieved from http://scholarship.claremont.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1521&context=cmc_theses
Statistics Canada. (2011). Population, urban and rural, by province and territory (Alberta). Retrieved from http://www.statcan.gc.ca/tables-tableaux/sum-som/l01/cst01/demo62j-eng.htm
The Association of Universities and Colleges in Canada. (2011). Trends in higher education. Retrieved from https://www.univcan.ca/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/trends-vol1-enrolment-june-2011.pdf
Woolley F. (2013, June 6). If Canada used American racial categories….. [Web log]. Retrieved from http://worthwhile.typepad.com/worthwhile_canadian_initi/2013/06/if-canada-used-american-racial-categories.html
Introduction
The way I perceive the world stems from various categories that I belong to or am placed in. Acting in ways that suit the characteristics of these categories has impacted my standpoint and will influence my life as I pursue a career in veterinary medicine. I will explore three conditions of difference that have shaped who I am as a communicator. The first difference has been growing up in a rural community. Second, being female has influenced my perspective. Finally, being Caucasian has altered how I interact with others.
My Standpoint as a Communicator
Geography
I grew up in rural Alberta (Fig. 1), which shaped my experiences and values. This is reflected in the ways that I communicate. …show more content…
Most of Alberta’s population lives in urban centers, with only 17% of Albertans living in rural areas (Statistics Canada, 2011). Due to this population distribution, most of the people that I have encountered while attending university are from urban areas. According to Universities Canada (2011), “32 percent of 25-to-34-year-olds who live in urban areas have earned a university degree, compared to only 13 percent of adults…[living] in rural areas”. As a communicator, I must consider the background of the individual with whom I am communicating to avoid any sources of confusion. Consequently, this requires limiting my use of agricultural jargon, explanation of unfamiliar concepts, and requesting clarification on unclear topics. Furthermore, I must acknowledge stereotypes assigned to me. The Frameworks Institute (2008) found that “rural people are presumed to be inherently different from other people” and that the nature of rural people is thought to be responsible for their undesirable circumstances. This can affect communication as a veterinarian because negative misconceptions about my differences might lead others to view me as an incompetent leader or partner, and prevent them from allowing me to treat their animals. In addition, rural people are viewed as “simple” (Frameworks Institute, 2008) which can cause the belief that I am not intelligent enough to comprehend the complexities of communication, therefore affecting perceptions of my leadership abilities. However, I have previous experience in leadership as Student Council President and volleyball team captain (Fig. 2), and increased access to these opportunities due to the small population; therefore, I have developed effective communication abilities and can provide a unique perspective. I must use these attributes to remove preconceived beliefs about myself. Similarly, urban people are frequently stereotyped by those from a rural area. Personal experience illustrates that urban people are thought to have little common sense or understanding of the “real world”. These notions may be detrimental to communication as I might unintentionally offend someone by assuming that they fit those stereotypes. Growing up in a rural center has provided me with skills that will aid my professional career, as well as ideas and stereotypes that may be injurious. Figure 1. Unloading grain at my farm Figure 2. The volleyball team I was captain of
Gender
Identifying as female has influenced the way in which I communicate, potentially causing miscommunication between myself and those of other genders in the working environment of a veterinarian. Females typically communicate with the goal of forming and solidifying relationships, whereas men communicate to attain higher status and exert dominance (Merchant, 2012) (Basow & Rubenfeld, 2003). Females tend to communicate by turning statements into a question, using tactics such as adding “tag questions” (Bray, 2017) or speaking in a higher pitch at the end of a sentence (Kanopy Streaming, 2014). I have noticed myself doing this when I communicate, whether it is in general conversation, or, as Kanopy Streaming (2014) has observed, to preserve someone’s dignity. Accordingly, women are perceived as weak communicators (Bray, 2017), even if that is not the intention of the individual implementing these strategies. However, preserving an individual’s dignity is geared towards building a relationship, whether it be professional or personal. This can be advantageous to communication as a veterinarian, as it enables me to become closer personally to individuals I interact with, providing a deeper understanding of my clients, their background, and their expectations, therefore allowing me to provide better service. When communicating, I must be selective of when I use each strategy to avoid miscommunication of my message, especially when I am communicating with men. Kanopy Streaming (2014) found that men tend to communicate in competitive ways, through interrupting one another and consistently attempting to prove that they are superior. Using “expressive, tentative, and polite language” (Basow & Rubenfeld, 2003) is another thing that I have noticed myself doing, which can lead to men thinking that I am unsure or cause misinterpretation of the message that I am trying to get across. Therefore, when communicating with a predominately male audience, I should be selective about my language and use fewer phrases that are typical of females. This will increase confidence in my abilities as a veterinarian and assist with building a successful career.
Race
Race is another important factor in shaping individual standpoints.
I am Caucasian and I have always been part of the majority when it comes to racial groups (Fig. 3). This has shaped my standpoint, leading to potential communication benefits and downfalls as a veterinarian. Allen (2007) states that white people “claim not to notice other’s race” due to “invisible privileges of whiteness”. White privilege has spared me from a lot of stress. Most of the time I am communicating with others who are the same race as me and even when I am not, I can freely voice my opinion and be heard (McIntosh,1988). Accordingly, this has influenced how I communicate because I have never been concerned that what I say or think will reflect on the entirety of my race (McIntosh, 1988). I have noticed that I voice my opinion regularly and that I never feel uncomfortable in situations where I am the only white person. White privilege has been advantageous to communication as I can state my expectations, concerns, and questions without fear of judgement, as Caucasians are perceived positively (Bray, 2017). I can communicate clearly and directly which will aid with a career as a veterinarian. Henricks (2013) points out that “race…guides how someone should intuitively interact” with others; therefore, I will not be denied opportunity due to my race (McIntosh, 1988) as I am more likely to communicate with other white people in the professional world. My work will not be seen as unsatisfactory due solely to my race. However, white privilege has also had a negative effect on my communication. When communicating with individuals of other races I am frequently surprised by their perspectives and am biased towards my own perceptions. This leads to “[reinterpreting] the experiences of…subordinate groups” (Govan & Hollins, 2010) to match my internal discourse. Consequently, miscommunication can occur because I am altering what others are telling me. If I continue to act in this way, it may cause
frustration, a lack of communication, and loss of clients in the future. Figure 3. Estimated Distribution of Canadian Population using US racial categories: 2011 National Household Survey Data (Woolley, 2013).
Conclusion
My individual standpoint is shaped by my gender, race, and rural background. These factors influence how I communicate with others, in both positive and negative ways. Awareness of how my standpoint affects communication is important, as it can improve my communication skills and provide me with opportunities as I pursue a career as a veterinarian. Altogether, consideration of all perspectives and implementation of various strategies will aid in future success.
References
Allen B.J. (2007). Theorizing communication and race. Communication Monographs, 74(2), 259-264. doi: 10.1080/03637750701393055
Basow S.A., &Rubenfeld K. (2003). “Troubles talk”: Effects of gender and gender typing. Sex Roles, 48(3-4), 183-187. Retrieved from http://eds.b.ebscohost.com.login.ezproxy.library.ualberta.ca/eds/detail/detail?vid=0&sid=b419c36a-2b99-49cf-b7bd-2910d7dd42c8%40sessionmgr104&bdata=JnNpdGU9ZWRzLWxpdmUmc2NvcGU9c2l0ZQ%3d%3d#db=sih&AN=9454875
Bray N. (2017). Gender and communication. Retrieved from https://eclass.srv.ualberta.ca/pluginfile.php/3526148/mod_resource/content/1/1-11-Gender.pdf
Bray N. (2017). Intercultural Communication. Retrieved from https://eclass.srv.ualberta.ca/pluginfile.php/3526145/mod_resource/content/2/1-12-Intercultural.pdf
FrameWorks Institute. (2008). How to talk about rural issues. Retrieved from https://www.frameworksinstitute.org/assets/files/PDF_Rural/How_to_Talk_Rural.pdf
Govan I., & Hollins C.D. (2010). Common expressions of white privilege and how to counter them. Understanding and Dismantling Privilege, 1(1). Retrieved from http://www.wpcjournal.com/article/view/6267/pdf_31
Hallstrom, L., Stonechild, J., & Reist, W. (2015). Alberta. Retrieved from http://sorc.crrf.ca/ab/
Henricks K. (2013). White capital: Ways racial stereotypes are symbolic systems of power. Understanding and Dismantling Privilege, 3(1). Retrieved from http://www.wpcjournal.com/article/view/9457/pdf_1
Kanopy Streaming (Producer). (2014). Gender and communication: Styles and stereotypes. Retrieved from https://ualberta.kanopystreaming.com/video/gender-and-communication-styles-and-stereotypes
McIntosh P. (1988). White privilege: Unpacking the invisible knapsack. Retrieved from https://www.deanza.edu/faculty/lewisjulie/White%20Priviledge%20Unpacking%20the%20Invisible%20Knapsack.pdf
Merchant, K. (2012). How men and women differ: Gender differences in communication styles, influence tactics, and leadership styles (Senior Thesis). Retrieved from http://scholarship.claremont.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1521&context=cmc_theses
Statistics Canada. (2011). Population, urban and rural, by province and territory (Alberta). Retrieved from http://www.statcan.gc.ca/tables-tableaux/sum-som/l01/cst01/demo62j-eng.htm
The Association of Universities and Colleges in Canada. (2011). Trends in higher education. Retrieved from https://www.univcan.ca/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/trends-vol1-enrolment-june-2011.pdf
Woolley F. (2013, June 6). If Canada used American racial categories….. [Web log]. Retrieved from http://worthwhile.typepad.com/worthwhile_canadian_initi/2013/06/if-canada-used-american-racial-categories.html