User:EarthofWave/Cultural Contracts
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Cultural contracts refer to the degree that cultural values are exchanged between groups. [1] It is an extension of identity negotiation theory and uncertainty reduction theory in the field of intercultural communication. Cultural contracts theory was developed in 1999 by Dr. Ronald L. Jackson, an identity scholar and a professor in media and cinema studies at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.
Contracts
Cultural contracts suggests that mainstream and marginalized identities are in natural conflict. In order to achieve communication, individuals must decide how much of their values will be negotiated. This results in one of three contracts by the minority identity: ready-to-sign contracts (assimilating to mainstream values); quasi-completed contracts (adapting marginalized values to accommodate mainstream values); and co-completed contracts (validating both mainstream and marginalized values).[2]
Each contract is a “result of how identities have been personally and socially constructed and exposed."[3] The ready-to-sign contracts (assimilation) result in replacing one value for another. There is no room for negotiating marginalized identity with mainstream ideals. The quasi-completed contracts (adaptation) result in temporarily incorporating a small part of a marginalized value to the mainstream value. There is room for partial negotiation, but the mainstream is still in control. Lastly, co-completed contracts (mutual validation) result in blending values together. Cultural differences are acknowledged and valued in this contract. Some values are deeply penetrated and are not up for exchange. Others are more surface and the perceived benefits of the contract do not conflict with our core identity.[4]
Assunptions: In addition to assuming that identities are in natural conflict, cultural contracts theory also assumes the following: 1. Cultural contracts are not unique. 2. Everyone has participated in this exchange in one way or another. 3. Identity is usually expressed by communicating one’s worldview. 4. Contracts vary in time. 5. They can be either short-term or long-term. 6. There is an expectation that cultural differences will be negotiated—either an expectation of assimilation or adaptation by one of the individuals, or a mutual negotiation of differences. 7. Although negotiation of cultural differences is expected, mutual validation is not always the goal or intent of human interaction. 8. As well, contracts are signed one of two ways—there is a “perceived reward” or one is forced to sign.
References
- ^ Jackson, R. L. (2002). Cultural contracts theory: Toward an understanding of identity negotiation. Communication Quarterly, 50, 359-67.
- ^ Jackson. R. L. (2004). Cultural contracts theory: Toward a critical rhetorical identity. In New approaches to rhetoric
- ^ Jackson, R. L. & Crawley, R. (2003). White Student Confessions about an African American male professor: A Cultural Contracts Theory approach to intimate conversations about race and worldview. Journal of Men's Studies, 12(1), 25-42
- ^ Jackson, R. L. (2002). Cultural contracts theory: Toward an understanding of identity negotiation. Communication Quarterly, 50, 359-67