1. The rules of living and functioning in a particular society. From day 1, your parents, your sib­lings, your relatives, your friends, your teachers, and even strangers have been working to social­ize you into the culture(s) that make up their experiences.

2. When culture and diversity are discussed in the United States, the terms are often understood in relation to co-cultural communication—which refers to the communication among people from a variety of different cultures.

3. high-context cultures

4. low-context cultures

5. Perception checking

6. Peace imperative

Economic imperative

Technological imperative

Self-awareness imperative

Ethical imperative

1. Race

2. Ethnicity

3. Consider the opportunities you have related to cultural sensitivity regarding new media and con­vergence. While there are ways to overcome barriers to communication, culture, and diversity using new media (e.g., social networking, blogs, text messages), realize that barriers still exist in the Communication Age. One troubling example can be found in the realm of video game cul­ture. The qualities of convergence and new media appear to empower ethnic minorities and offer hope to gay teens facing bullies face to face and online. However, the world of new media and video games in the Communication Age is not always based on inclusion and cultural sensitivity.