You Will Be Writing A Reflection Response On One Of The Foll
You Will Be Writing A Reflection Response On One Of The Following T
You will be writing a reflection response on one of the following TED talks. In the Self Reflection assignment, examine the effect of course material on your assumptions and knowledge about the role of culture or your everyday interactions with others from a different culture, religion, or socioeconomic group. While the reflection is subjective, the response should be an integration of your experience and the course readings: Lorenzo, R. (2017, Oct). Rocio Lorenzo: How diversity makes teams more innovative [Video file]; Pinker, S. (2005, July). Steven Pinker: What our language habits reveal [Video file]; Talhouk, S. (2012, November). Suzanne Talhouk: Don't kill your language [Video file]; Wilson, T. (2017, June). Theo E.J. Wilson: A black man goes undercover in the alt-right [Video file].
After referring to the TED talk, respond to the following questions: What does the speaker's experience mean to you? What 5 theories or course concepts help you to understand your experience? What you have learned from the experience? How might you move forward from this point? How might the experience affect your thinking and practice? How can you apply these new ideas in the future? Identify 3 opportunities for future growth or engagement.
Paper For Above instruction
The exploration of cultural diversity and language through TED talks offers profound insights into how identity, prejudice, communication, and social dynamics intersect in everyday interactions. Reflecting on these videos reveals the complex and nuanced ways in which cultural experiences shape personal and collective understanding, urging a continuous reevaluation of our assumptions and behaviors.
The TED talk by Rocio Lorenzo on how diversity enhances team innovation exemplifies the significance of inclusive collaboration. To me, her experience underscores the importance of embracing diverse perspectives to foster creativity and problem-solving, which resonates with my own encounters with multicultural environments. As Lorenzo highlights, diverse teams bring varied viewpoints, leading to more innovative solutions—a concept rooted in the social psychology theory of perspective-taking and cognitive diversity. This aligns with the idea that cognitive flexibility enhances group performance (Page, 2007). Furthermore, Pinker’s exploration of language habits shows how subtle linguistic patterns reveal underlying cultural values, invoking Sapir-Whorf hypothesis, which asserts that language shapes thought (Sapir, 1929). Talhouk's plea to preserve indigenous languages connects with cultural identity theories, emphasizing language as a vessel of cultural heritage and resistance. Wilson’s undercover experience demonstrates the persistence of racial prejudice and the necessity of confronting biases directly—linked to theories of implicit bias and social identity.
From these experiences, I have learned that fostering cultural awareness requires active engagement, empathetic listening, and challenging stereotypes. Recognizing that language, culture, and identity are deeply intertwined broadens my understanding of social dynamics and enhances my intercultural competence. Moving forward, I aim to consciously seek diverse perspectives and avoid ethnocentric judgments, thereby promoting inclusivity in my personal and professional spheres.
This reflective process has significant implications for my thinking and practice. It reinforces the importance of cultural humility—acknowledging the limits of my understanding and remaining open to learning from others. Applying these insights, I plan to incorporate inclusive communication strategies and culturally responsive approaches in my interactions. Additionally, I see three key opportunities for future growth: participating in intercultural training programs, advocating for language preservation initiatives, and engaging in community dialogues about diversity and bias. These actions will allow me to deepen my understanding, contribute meaningfully to social change, and uphold the values of respect and equity in all settings.
References
- Page, S. E. (2007). The difference: How the power of diversity creates better groups, firms, schools, and societies. Princeton University Press.
- Sapir, E. (1929). The status of linguistics as a science. Language, 5(4), 207–214.
- Lorenzo, R. (2017, October). Rocio Lorenzo: How diversity makes teams more innovative [Video]. TED.
- Pinker, S. (2005, July). Steven Pinker: What our language habits reveal [Video]. TED.
- Talhouk, S. (2012, November). Suzanne Talhouk: Don't kill your language [Video]. TED.
- Wilson, T. (2017, June). Theo E.J. Wilson: A black man goes undercover in the alt-right [Video]. TED.
- Bourdieu, P. (1991). Language and symbolic power. Harvard University Press.
- Hall, E. T. (1990). Understanding cultural differences: German, French, and American perspectives. Yarmouth House.
- Gumperz, J. J., & Hymes, D. (Eds.). (1986). Directions in sociolinguistics: The ethnography of communication. Wiley-Blackwell.
- Dixon, J. A., & Levine, L. (2012). Social identity and biases. Annual Review of Psychology, 63, 631-651.