The idea of national identity remains prevalent in this day and age, shaping how individuals and societies perceive themselves and interact with others. This perceived identity consists of behaviours and values that are reinforced through everyday experiences. Robert Dilts’ logical levels is a model that explains the relationship between behaviour and values, helping us understand how national identity may influence intercultural communication. Additionally, Michael Billig’s concept of banal nationalism provides insights into the subtle ways ideas of national identity are continuously reinforced in daily life. By integrating the model and the concept of banal nationalism, we can explore how national identity operates at different cognitive and behavioural levels, shaping both cultural self-perception and intercultural interactions.
Dilts' model, however, does not apply solely to national identity; it was originally developed to explain the different levels of an individual's personal experience and development. By understanding how behaviour and values interact on an individual level, we can better grasp how collective identities — such as national identity — are perceived, constructed, and maintained.
The Logical Levels - Dilts
Robert Dilts’ logical levels model categorises human experience into six hierarchical levels: environment, behaviour, skills and capabilities, beliefs and values, identity, and spirituality. This structure can be applied to national identity to examine how deeply ingrained beliefs about one’s nation affect intercultural communication.1. Environment (Where and When?)
National identity manifests in the physical and social surroundings, such as flags, anthems, language, and public institutions.2. Behaviour (What?)
Behaviour reflects national customs, etiquette, and traditions. In intercultural interactions, unconscious national behaviours (e.g., personal space, communication styles) can lead to misunderstandings. For instance, direct versus indirect communication styles may stem from deeply held cultural norms.3. Skills & Capabilities (How?)
Capabilities encompass learned skills and competencies in navigating cultural norms. National education systems also shape capabilities, instilling specific historical narratives and language proficiency.4. Beliefs & Values (Why?)
This level addresses the ideological foundations of national identity. Banal nationalism operates here through unquestioned assumptions about one’s country, such as “We are a peaceful nation” or “Our culture values hard work.” These beliefs influence cross-cultural judgments, sometimes leading to ethnocentrism.5. Identity (Who?)
National identity at this level becomes deeply personal—people may define themselves by their nationality and feel a sense of belonging to an imagined community. Challenges arise when identity becomes rigid, leading to stereotypes or cultural superiority. Encouraging pluralistic identity can foster more inclusive intercultural dialogue.6. Spirituality (For What Purpose?)
The highest level relates to overarching purpose and mission, such as national destiny or cultural exceptionalism. National myths, religious influences, and moral duties toward the nation play a role here, reinforcing a collective consciousness that influences policy and global interactions.
As a model, Dilt's logical levels make no claim to complexity or completeness. However, it is a useful lens that would benefit from explicitly incorporating the influence on and of the individual and the communities in which they live. Coincidently, I recognised this idea in Christian Vanhenten's online session at https://atelierpnl.eu/ on 3 October 2024, in which he expanded Dilt's model to include the interplay with individual and collective contexts.
Banal Nationalism - Billig
Banal nationalism, as described by Michael Billig, refers to the routine, unnoticed ways in which national identity is reinforced daily. Unlike overt nationalism, it operates subtly — through media, sports, language, and political rhetoric — keeping national identity ever-present without aggressive promotion.
In intercultural communication, banal nationalism can lead to:- Implicit biases: People may unconsciously assume their nation’s way of doing things is the norm.
- Cultural misunderstandings: Unspoken national expectations may cause friction when interacting with different cultures.
- Resistance to change: Banal nationalism reinforces national norms, making adaptation to global perspectives challenging.
Conclusion
National identity, as structured by behaviour-value models, has had a major impact on literature, discourse, education, and training in the field of intercultural communication. When combined with Billig’s theory of banal nationalism, it becomes evident that subtle national reinforcements shape our worldview in profound ways. Viewing an individual’s identity and behaviour through a nation-centred lens is a trap that provides easy access to monolithic cultural advice, offering an oversimplified and misleading perspective on human experience. By consciously addressing this trap, individuals and institutions can cultivate more inclusive, adaptable, and open-minded perspectives, leading to richer intercultural engagement and mutual understanding. Even though nation-based approaches have lost some of their power, and critical cultural studies and approaches have been adding to the literature and discourse, banal nationalism remains pervasive.
Viewing identity through a nation-centred lens is a trap leading to oversimplified, misleading cultural advice.
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| The Logical levels of Dilts for Banal Nationalism - Drawn by Greet Angèle DE BAETS |
Greet Angèle DE BAETS
References
Billig, M. (1995). Banal Nationalism. London: Sage.
Dilts, R. (2008/1990). Changing the beliefs system with NLP. Bucharest: Excalibur Publishing.
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