"We must avoid the temptation to think of our identities as constant." Why is it important to understand we each have personal, social, and cultural identities? Which of these are changeable? Why? And which one is least likely to change? Why?

The dialectic approach helps us understand that intercultural communication is dynamic. One dialectic is the Differences-Similarities dialectic. "The overwhelming majority of current research on gender and communication finds that while there are differences between how men and women communicate, there are far more similarities." Explain how integrating your learning about this research for the Differences-Similarities dialectic is important when making decisions during intercultural interpersonal communication situations. How can one develop a cultural self-awareness to intentionally create and deliver messages that show you understand there are more similarities in how men and women communicate than differences? Describe a specific example.

Effective intercultural communicators are motivated to have a high tolerance for uncertainty. What are two characteristics of individuals who have a high tolerance for uncertainty? What would be evidence of these characteristics when this person is a sender in an intercultural interpersonal communication situation?
 
Effective intercultural communicators understand that knowledge increases Intercultural Communication Competence. This knowledge includes self- and other-awareness. Explain the concept, "Listening to people who are different from us is a key component of developing self-knowledge." How can you become more aware of how your own interpersonal communication is perceived and increase your self-knowledge and your other-knowledge? Describe a specific example.
 
Intercultural communication research indicates "Contact alone does not increase intercultural skills." Identify two skills that are important to develop that enable you to increase your Intercultural Communication Competence. In addition, explain how you could intentionally increase your use of each of these skills in an intercultural interpersonal communication context, despite the cognitive dissonance that may occur in these situations.