Aotearoa is clearly more than a bicultural society; it is multicultural. Public service
providers and the recipients of that group’s services both consist of people with 1982
multicultural backgrounds.
ACT
Not only does the whole society consist of multi-cultural groups, ALL individuals in it are
multicultural as individuals.
If you look at al the dimensions that affect our values, beliefs, and behaviour,
“culture” becomes more than “national origin”. It includes such things as: language,
religion, gender, age, power, economic status, etc. Using this perspective, it is easy
to see that everyone is a “member” of many cultural groups.
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All of these dimensions have the potential to affect the way we communicate and
interact with others.
Iceberg of Culture
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The Four Layers of Diversity
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(Gardenswartz, L., & Rowe, A. 2003)
Personality: Personality is shaped early in life and is both influenced by, and influences,
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the other three layers throughout one's lifetime and career choices. This includes an
individual's likes and dislikes, values, and beliefs.
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Internal dimensions: These include aspects of diversity over which we have no control
(though "physical ability" can change over time due to choices we make to be active or
not, or in cases of illness or accidents). These dimensions include the first things we see in
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other people, and on which we make many assumptions and base judgments.
External dimensions: These include aspects of our lives which we have some control over,
which might change over time, and which usually form the basis for decisions on careers
and work styles. This layer often determines, in part, with whom we develop friendships
and what we do for work. This layer also tells us much about whom we like to be with.
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Organisational dimensions: This layer concerns the aspects of culture found in a work
setting. While much attention of diversity efforts is focused on the internal dimensions,
issues of preferential treatment and opportunities for development or promotion are
impacted by the aspects of this layer.
Intercultural Awareness
2
Reflection | Four Layers of Diversity
Read over the factors on the four dimensions. Think about how the various factors
influenced the choices and decisions you made up to this point in your life.
Which have had a positive impact?
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Which have had a negative impact?
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Which are you proud of?
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Which do you try to hide from others?
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Intercultural Awareness
3
Activity | I am a Cultural Being
1. Write your nationality and gender
2. Using the middle two circles from the Four Layers of Diversity, add three more
social/cultural identities into column 2.
3. Choose three social/cultural identities, and for each one write a value/belief and
behaviour you have as a result of belonging to this group.
Social / Cultural
Value/Belief
Behaviour
Identity
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For example: Nationality
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For example: Gender
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Intercultural Awareness
4
Activity | Once upon a time…
A long time ago, in the country of Bark there
was a town called Husk, which was located
beside a mountain. In the centre of the town
was a fortress, where the ruler named Cedric
lived with his only daughter, Victoria.
The Ruler could no longer get around easily,
but he was often seen zipping around town
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on a red motorised scooter. Victoria was a
popular person; happy and always helpful. The people of Husk often commented that she
ACT
would go far in life.
As well as the Ruler and his daughter, there were many other people who lived in the town
including two wizards. Burgred, a scar-faced wizard who lived in a hut, under the shadow
of the mountain, and Aelfwyn a handsome, well-presented wizard who lived near the
church in the centre of town.
On the 25th anniversary of Burgred’s arrival in town, the Ruler addressed his people
INFORMATION
gathered below, “Burgred has been here 25 years too long, despite multiple attempts by
brave men to drive him out. Who of you is brave enough to rid this town of him once and
for al ?”
The crowd included a number of adventurers and brave men from around the country who
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had come to hear the Ruler’s address.
One person, an outsider, spoke up, “I wil get rid of him, in return for your fortress”. The
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Ruler replied, “The fortress is too much, but I will give you half the jewels in the vault if you
succeed in the mission”.
The Outsider accepted the Ruler’s offer, and went off to visit Aelfwyn, the handsome
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wizard. Aelfwyn was surprised by the Outsider’s boldness, and agreed to help him for a
share of the jewels. Aelfwyn went into his house and brewed a concoction in his cauldron,
he then poured the concoction into a purple vial.
“This will give you extra strength for the battle ahead” he said, as he handed the
concoction to the Outsider.
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The Outsider made his way across the town to the shadow of the mountain, where
Burgred, who had seen a vision of his demise, was waiting for him.
“You have come to get rid of me” Burgred said, and they battled for many days and
nights. The Outsider overcame Burgred. Tired and exhausted the wizard promised to leave
the town and never return.
The Outsider made his way back to the fortress to claim his promised reward.
Intercultural Awareness
5
Person One
Nationality
Ethnicity
Religion
Occupation
What suburb do they
live in?
Place of birth
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Length of time in NZ
Level of education
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Languages spoken: 1
2
3
Pastimes
Are they vegetarian?
Yes / No
Do they date?
Yes / No
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Person Two
Nationality
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Ethnicity
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Religion
Occupation
What suburb do they
live in?
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Place of birth
Length of time in NZ
Level of education
Languages spoken: 1
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3
Pastimes
Are they vegetarian?
Yes /No
Do they date?
Yes / No
Intercultural Awareness
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Reflection
Looking at the factors of the Four Layers of Diversity again, think about those you have
difficulty in accepting in other people. Write down:
Which of the factors do you make snap judgments on?
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Which influence your decisions in a negative manner?
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What factors cause you to try to avoid contact with others?
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Intercultural Awareness
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Communication Process
1982
ACT
INFORMATION
Four Types of Noise
Physical Noise
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Construction activity
Air conditioners
Barking dogs
Airplanes
Loud music
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Physiological Noise
Feeling ill
Having a headache
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Growling stomach
Room is too cold or too hot
Psychological Noise
Worries about money
Crushing deadlines
RELEASED The presence of specific other people in the room
Biases related to the speaker or the content
Tight daily schedule
Semantic Noise
Special jargon
Euphemism
Mispronunciation
Unique word usage
Phrases from foreign languages
Intercultural Awareness
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Activity | Communication
Think of a time when you were a sender or recipient of a message and it was lost through
noise.
What was the situation?
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What type/s of noise affected the message being received correctly?
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What could have been done differently so the message was received correctly?
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Intercultural Awareness
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Sub-conscious Process
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ACT
Diagnosing Communication
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Intercultural Awareness
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Intercultural Awareness | Reflection
What have you learnt about:
• culture?
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• communication?
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• yourself?
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• interacting with others?
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• the relationship between culture, communication, relationships and workplace
interaction?
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• What is one key aspect you have found to be helpful today?
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• How will you apply what you have learnt today?
Intercultural Awareness
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