Co-Cultural Theory in Communication

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Co-Cultural Theory
Communication plays diverse roles across the social, political, and economic dimensions of society. The ability to pass on a message, verbal or non-verbal, from one person to another is crucial for harmonized society and effective discharge of daily operations within the outlined societal domains. Communication is a complex process influenced by a wide range of factors, including an individual’s immediate circumstances or environment, dictating the context of the content of the message passed across to the other party or group. An individual’s relationship to the other party or group also determines how and what the verbal or non-verbal message passes to the intended recipients. The desired outcome from one’s expression concerning a given situation or as influenced by the type of relationship they have with the recipients also dictates the approach taken to communicate with them. The outlined factors influencing and defining the diverse manifestations of communication in society make for some of the elements characterizing the theoretical frameworks and concepts of communication. These theories or theoretical frameworks of communication function to explain its manifestation across the different social dimensions. Co-Cultural theory, for instance, makes for one of the theoretical frameworks upon which to develop an understanding of the means of expression used by individuals or groups to address implications of a dominant group in society and the desired outcomes for the communication approach taken. The theoretical communication framework reveals how the minority groups tend to address their concerns with the majority groups, who exercise dominance over the former across different dimensions of society. Provided herein is a detailed analysis of the theory’s concepts, including their development, application, and scholarly support in the study of communication.
Co-Cultural Theory
Mark Orbe’s 1998 publication, Constructing Co-Cultural Theory, forms the genesis of the Co-Cultural theory of communication. The theory makes for one of the theoretical frameworks describing or rather defining intercultural communication in society. The unique ways of doing things practiced by individuals or groups dictate their equally distinct and diverse cultural orientations. Hence, it is imperative to embrace cultural diversity in communication towards forming a platform for cross-cultural understanding of the uniqueness of an individual’s or group’s communication approach. According to Orbe, and as the term suggests, the co-cultural theory focuses on showcasing how individuals or people in a minority group communicate with members of the dominant group in society (Orbe). In the definition of the theory, one develops an understanding of Orbe’s scope of co-culture. The context within which Orbe uses the word co-culture in developing the theory is crucial in understanding the underlying concepts or principles defining the theoretical framework. According to Mark Orbe, co-culture refers to marginalized or disadvantaged individuals or groups in society who have limited or no access to the institutional powers accessed by the dominant group in society (Orbe). The development of the theoretical framework built on Orbe’s research study on the tactics was used by members of the African American or black community to communicate with the White majority group members. However, the scope of co-culture transcends the racial divide to include other marginalized groups such as women, people with disabilities, lower social and economic status, ethnic and religious minorities, and members of the LGBT community. Members of the outlined social groups have limited or no access to the institutional powers for creating a structure that dominates the rest of society. Orbe’s examination of how members of the marginalized or minority groups communicate with members of the dominant group led to the development of the co-cultural theoretical framework.
Communication between individuals or parties from the marginalized group and the dominant group is characterized by the latter's differences in power and influence over the former. It is a system that favors the perceived superior group in society, as it can structure the society towards meeting and protecting its interests at the expense of the less powerful or inferior group. Attempts to tolerate, accommodate, or resist the dominance by members of the marginalized group may take various forms of communication to express their dissatisfaction with the often oppressive way of life exerted by the majority group (Roberts 2). Communication by members of the marginalized groups when talking to individuals of the dominant group reflects a wide range of factors or influences defining their perception of the oppressive realities within which they exist in society. The co-cultural groups use diverse strategies to overcome the equally diverse manifestations of the dominant group's influences over their lives, such as stereotypical references on the people of color and women, that are witnessed in American society's racial and gender divides. In essence, co-cultural communication offers a platform for members of marginalized groups to mitigate the influences perpetuating the dominance of members of the majority groups in society.
Development of the Theory’s Concepts
The theoretical backgrounds used by Orbe in developing the co-cultural theory include the standpoint theory and muted theory....