Ch 4: Deafhood - A Personal Journey Toward Self-Actualization

Having multiple, yet shared identities.

What is composite identity?

• Due to the ignorance of many hearing people

• Deaf people appear incomplete because of the lack of auditory connection to spoken language.

According to a Lens on Deaf Identities, why do Deaf people have a long and difficulty journey achieving a positive identity?

Individuals who are truly comfortable in both the Deaf and hearing communities

Who are Balanced bicultural Deaf individuals?

Function well around both Deaf and Hearing people but, if given a choice, they choose to be with Deaf people, or people who can sign.

Who are Deaf dominant bicultural individuals?

Individuals who can function well within the Deaf community, but who, for one reason or another, have relatively limited contacts with other Deaf people.

Who are hearing dominant bicultural deaf individuals?

Someone who intentionally keeps contact with hearing people to a minimum.

Who are culturally separate Deaf individuals?

They do not feel at ease in the Deaf community, but do not feel part of the larger, hearing society either.

Who are culturally marginal individuals?

They choose not to be affiliated with the Deaf community.

Who are culturally isolated individuals?

Culturally captive

Who are people who grew up without knowledge of the Deaf community?

• Conformity

• Supports stereotypical (and negative) views of Deaf culture

What is the first stage of cultural awareness and explain?

• Dissonance

• Is exposed to the positive aspects of Deaf culture for the first time

What is the second stage of cultural awareness and explain?

• Resistance/Immersion

• Rejects hearing people's culture completely and supports Deaf culture 100%

What is the third stage of cultural awareness and explain?

• Introspection

• starts to re-evaluate their identity and search for new answers.

What is the fourth stage of cultural awareness and explain?

• Awareness

• Has a realistic understanding of both Deaf and hearing cultures and is comfortable with a bicultural identity

What is the final stage of cultural awareness and explain?

Yes

Based on research findings, is sign language usage beneficial to ALL deaf children?

True

True or false: It is possible for a deaf person to live their entire life without coming into contact with another deaf person.

True

True or false: Achieving a positive identity as a Deaf person often requires a long and difficult journey because of the ignorance of many hearing parents and the hearing professionals who work with them.

False

True or false: Deaf-dominant bicultural individuals do not function well around both Deaf and hearing people.

True

True or false: Individuals who grew up without any knowledge of the Deaf community- they have been sheltered from the "evils" of the Deaf community by their parents and the educational system are called culturally captive. 

false

True or false: Sign language is frequently encouraged among cochlear implantees.