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Diversity and the Effects of Culture 93

ways. Finally, we are studying male and female behavior in groups not dyads. In mixed
sex groups we see less stereotypical behavior, with members showing different pat-
terns of mutual influence as groups develop over time. Group members are part of a
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complicated social system, and their focus should not be on whether men and women
are behaving as they “should” but on how members together are responsible for a
group’s success. 52

Co- Cultural Differences Based on Age
Over our many years of teaching, we have noticed more “nontraditional” (i.e., older)
students in our classes than was true 25 or 30 years ago. We have also noticed that
events that helped shape us as teachers, such as the assassination of President John F.
Kennedy, Vietnam, Watergate, and the Challenger disaster are things our students
know only from their history books. Age and generational differences have produced
interesting challenges for us and for our students, who increasingly must participate in
multigenerational groups.
Orbe notes that co- cultural patterns come from the lived experiences of members
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of the co- culture. The significant events people live through together contribute to
formation of the worldview and communication preferences co- cultural group mem-
bers exhibit. Several researchers have examined such events with respect to the four
generations that currently predominate in the United States and have identified a
number of key differences, summarized in Table 4.3, that challenge members of differ-
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ent age groups to communicate effectively. These generational descriptions are, of
course, over-generalizations; however, significant happenings— political assassinations,
the explosion of the Internet— have influenced each generation’s values and approach
to life.

TABLE 4.3 Age groups currently in the work force

Generation Major Influences Effects on Communication
Builders (1901 to 1945) Great Depression Cautious about money
Most have left the work force Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor Self- disciplined
World War II Happy to have a job
Dropping of atomic bomb on Believe in self- sacrifice and delayed
Nagasaki and Hiroshima gratification
Polio epidemic Believe in working toward a
Red Scare and McCarthy hearings common good
Value conformity
Value traditional gender role
relationships
Value loyalty
Value stability more than change
(continued )

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