Although, Kramarae used muted group theory to communications strategies of women she suggested that the framework can be applied with equal validity to a number of dominant/non-dominant relationships (Orbe, 1996).
[8] A basic tenet of standpoint theory is that it "seeks to include the experiences of subordinate groups within the process of research inquiry in meaningful ways".
He cites previous studies which looked at the communication styles of different co-cultural groups which were referred to by a variety of terms.
Orbe states, "in the past researchers have used a variety of terms to describe co-cultural communication: "intracultural" (Sitaram and Cogdell, 1976); "subordinate", "inferior", "minority" (Stanban and Pearce, 1981); "sub-cultural" (Pearson & Nelson, 1991); (Folb, 1994); and "muted group" (Kramarae, 1981).
During the same meeting Dixon presented "Naming issues in the future of intercultural communication research: The contributions of Mark Orbe's co-cultural theory".
[13] Orbe and Spellers (2005) reflected in this book chapter on the origins of co-cultural theory from the perspectives of their different areas of research as well as point to implications for future work.
The research found that Asian Americans tend to use nonassertive approaches to respond to racially discriminatory messages due to internal/environmental factors including emotional shock and humiliation, a lack of knowledge of proper responses, peer pressure, and strategic intent.
Developed by Mark Orbe in 1996, this theory emphasizes the communication strategies and experiences of marginalized or non-dominant groups as they navigate within a predominantly dominant culture.
The theory posits that within any society, there exist co-cultural groups with distinct norms, values, beliefs, and communication practices that differ from those of the dominant or mainstream culture.
These co-cultural groups can encompass various communities based on race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, religion, socioeconomic status, and other identity markers.
This assimilation typically transpires due to the aspiration to conform to the mainstream culture, gain acceptance, and mitigate communication and social integration obstacles.
Assimilation is a process that often results from a desire to conform to mainstream culture, gain acceptance, and overcome communication and social integration barriers.
This decision is driven by various factors, including the need to access resources, opportunities, social mobility, and mitigate discrimination, prejudice, or marginalization experienced by the co-cultural group.
The pressure to conform to the dominant culture's norms might lead to feelings of alienation, internal conflict, and a sense of disconnect from one's roots.
Co-cultural individuals may face challenges such as cultural bias, microaggressions, or systemic barriers that hinder their full integration, regardless of their efforts to assimilate.
This may involve altering speech patterns, body language, or even modifying cultural practices to align with the dominant group's expectations.
Through assimilation, co-cultural groups aim to bridge communication gaps, minimize misunderstandings, and establish rapport with the dominant culture.
Understanding assimilation within the framework of co-cultural communication theory is crucial to appreciating the complexities of intercultural interactions and the diverse ways in which individuals negotiate their identities within a multicultural society.
Looking to FST, communication is the catalyst for change and that happen through standpoints of the people that do not belong to dominant groups or high-powered individuals.