Dyadic communication refers to a verbal communication restricted to two people about ideas and beliefs regarding anything. Even a telephonic communication between two people comes under this category. There are two types of dyadic communications:
Formal Dyadic Communication
This refers to a form of communication taking place on a formal platform, such as counselling and interviews.
Informal Dyadic Communication
Dialogue shared with a peer, or a spouse vernacularly known as ‘chatting’ comes under this category.
‘Cultural misperceptions’ is perhaps the most controversial topic to speak about. But first of all, let us discuss what gives rise to them? According to a study, stereotype gives rise to cultural misperceptions. Recent research has shown the involvement of our unconscious in stereotypical formation. In less than a second, we consciously accept or reject the information that is exposed to us. A constant exposure, despite our disproval of what the information says, leads us to accepting these “truths” in our subconscious, thus giving rise to cultural misperceptions.
Let us further discuss cultural misconceptions in Formal Dyadic Communication with the help of an example.
Armaan’s parents emigrated to the United States of America from India. It has been about six months since Armaan entered High School. Extroverted and confident, he is the captain of his school basketball team. Although, he has been acting very shrewd lately. He no longer participates in extra-curricular activities, and is lagging behind in his basketball practices. Mr. White, the coach of his basketball team notices this odd behavior and asks him to see the school counsellor. After an agitated disapproval, he walks into the cabin titled ‘School Counsellor’.
A: Hi Mrs. Rodriguez, my name is Armaan Khan. Mr. White asked me to see you.
[Armaan’s thoughts: I don’t want to be here! Why can’t Coach just leave me be?]
C: Oh, yes. Please have a seat. Mr. White spoke to me about how preoccupied you seem nowadays, even when you are not playing. Is something bothering you?
[Counsellor’s thoughts: Hmm… it is quite natural for a foreign teenager to face issues fitting in.]
A: No, nothing except for certain family issues.
[Armaan’s thoughts: Yes, the problem that is bothering me is that I am gay and my family is too conservative to accept my sexuality. I do not know how to come out to them. Or, should I come out to them!]
C: Can you tell me something about your family?
[Counsellor’s thoughts: Being a basketball player, moreover the captain of the team, he might have resorted to consuming drugs in order to elevate his performance, or to prove his masculinity.]
A: Well, my Dad works as a doctor and mom is a housewife. I do not have any siblings. We moved in about six months ago from India.
[Armaan’s thoughts: Should I just tell her rather than stalling? All that Americans care about are burgers anyway.]
C: Do you mind if I ask what exactly the problem is?
[Counsellor’s thoughts: Why is he hesitating so much? I do not see anything problematic there. Is it because I am a woman? Perhaps, I am right in my assumption. Muslims are considered rebellious.]
A: Uhm… no, but it is nothing I cannot resolve. I just need some time.
[Armaan’s thoughts: What if she tells the truth to my parents? I cannot risk it. Homosexuality is a sin. Abba will never forgive me.]
C: Are you sure it is not anything serious?
[Counsellor’s thoughts: Should I wait until he is ready to talk about the actual issue? May be he had a religious dispute with his parents. Should I ask him if he is an atheist?]
A: Affirmative.
[Armaan’s thoughts: I am still skeptical about trusting a foreigner. Americans appear to be dodgy.]
C: If that is the case, then alright. Resolve it as soon as you can because it is hindering with your academic and cultural performance. If you need any help, you know where to find me.
[Counsellor’s thoughts: I think I should keep an eye on him, and ask Mr. White to do the same. After all, if he is not willing to be helped, then I cannot do anything.]
A: Sure, Mrs. Rodriguez. I will keep that in mind.
[Armaan’s thoughts: At least now I do not have to worry about my parents finding out the truth via a third party.]
Even though there is an increased awareness about the normality that lies in homosexuality, the impact is not as forceful. Armaan comes from a conservative Muslim family. The cultural misperceptions that come with being a Muslim are strict appraisal of religion, terrorism, conservatism and patriarchy.
Armaan recently explored his sexuality, and is skeptical about approaching anyone. He is feeling anxious and distracted. His revelation is an equivalent to loss of all the respect he has gained in his family. However, the counsellor at first broadens her spectrum of assumptions associating the child’s preoccupation with teenage issues.
Muslims are infamous for their recalcitrant nature. Mrs. Rodriguez finally gives in to the assumption that being a Muslim, Armaan might be a rebellious kid consuming drugs to prove his masculinity, after all his culture facilitates patriarchy. She also concluded that Armaan did not want to confide in her because she is a woman. We also see Mrs. Rodriguez caught up on the assumption of a religious debate between Armaan and his parents. Muslims are prone to and known for fighting for their religion.
On the other hand, we see Armaan torn apart by his willingness to take an advice from a ‘dodgy’ American. He chose against it, and “settled” the issue.
Stereotypes diminish our individuality and creativity. Its eradication is necessary in order for us to be able to subjugate prejudice. The impact of stereotype in schools can be lessened by involving an interaction between students, teachers and parents about their ethnicity. An open platform for communicating the uniqueness among individuals would facilitate issues and topics less spoken about.
Awareness campaigns for queer support, and groups and associations in institutions for the same cause can also help abolish the threatening upheaval of culture represented, rather misrepresented, by a minority. In Florida, a new ethnic-based educational policy is in place that sets lower achievement goals for Hispanics and African Americans–traditionally lower achieving groups (Bernee, Ethnic Stereotypes In Schools: We Are All Part Of The Problem, 2012). The government can also propagate this agenda by incrementing policies against discrimination on the basis of caste, colour, creed and religion not only in working places, but in schools. Unity in mankind can accomplish the most unfavourable of tasks.
References
http://www.authorstream.com/Presentation/husainmohammad-1553549-dyadic-communication-perception/
https://misconceptionsofperception.weebly.com/stereotypes--misconceptions.html
https://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/12/10/ethnic-stereotypes-in-schools_n_2272873.html
