Developing Intercultural Sensitivity The Journey from Ethnocentrism to Ethnorelativism Dennis White, Ph.D. USA-Canada YE Conference Jan 30 - Feb. 1, 2004

Ethnocentrism: The universal tendency for any culture to see its own values and practices as natural and correct.

Ethnocentrism: All cultures are ethnocentric - and must be to impart their values to their members.

Ethnorelativism: The acquired ability to see many values and behaviors as cultural rather than universal.

Ethnorelativism: This approach attempts to understand values and behaviors from the point of view of that culture, rather than as right or wrong.

Ethnorelativism: It assumes that one’s own culture is no more central to describing and evaluating reality than any other - regardless of one’s strongly held preferences

Ethnocentrism is similar to egocentrism. Ethnorelativism is similar to empathy.

Do unto others as you would have others do unto you. The Golden Rule Do unto others as you would have others do unto you.

The Platinum Rule Do unto others as they would have you do unto them.

Developing cultural sensitivity and competence requires moving from Ethnocentrism to Ethnorelativism

Culture An integrated system of learned behavior patterns that are characteristic of any given society. It refers to the total way of life, including how people think, feel and behave.

Metaphorically, culture is the lens through which we view the world.

Developing Intercultural Sensitivity The Experience of Difference Acceptance Adaptation Integration Denial Defense Minimization Ethnocentric Stages Ethnorelative Stages Model developed by Dr.. Milton Bennett, Portland State University

1. In some ways, all people are alike. 2. In some ways people are like others in the same group. 3. In some ways people are unique.

There may be far fewer people in categories 1 and 3, and many more in category 2 than most people would like to believe.

1. In some ways, all people are alike. 2. In some ways people are like others in the same group. 3. In some ways people are unique.

Developing Intercultural Sensitivity The Experience of Difference Acceptance Adaptation Integration Denial Defense Minimization Ethnocentric Stages Ethnorelative Stages Model developed by Dr.. Milton Bennett, Portland State University

In empathy, there is a risk of becoming so skilled at understanding someone else’s point of view, that one’s own beliefs are not as firm.

In ethnorelativism, the risk is the same In ethnorelativism, the risk is the same. One may find deeply ingrained beliefs are not as firmly held.

The steps in developing cultural competence 1. Unconscious Incompetence. Conscious Incompetence. Conscious Competence. Unconscious Competence.

Stages of Culture Shock: Initial enthusiasm and euphoria Irritability and negativism Gradual adjustment and adaptation Integration and bi-culturalism

“Culture shock pushes me out of my comfort zone” Comment from an exchange student Under pressure, we tend to fall back on what is comfortable, habitual, and unconscious. Even when we know how to follow a cultural practice, and can do it, the tendency is to fall back.

Normal Distribution of Any Cultural Trait A typical student Frequency Amount of Trait Example: Individualism vs. Group Orientation

Comparing Two Cultures (on any given trait) In this example, there is some overlap, but the two cultures are mostly different

After Adaptation

Culture Shock After Adaptation

The unconscious need to get back to the comfort zone can lead to several phenomena: 1. The early return. 2. The “exchange student” sub- culture. 3. The late-stage confrontation.

Culture Shock Cycle Adapted from a model by Robert Kohls Rotary Youth Exchange Months Pre-Departure 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 Return …... Normal Level of Feelings Adapted from a model by Robert Kohls

There is nothing as practical as a good theory or a good model There is nothing as practical as a good theory or a good model. We need to understand this process in order to help us predict training needs, anticipate problems, and understand our own issues as we work in Rotary Youth Exchange.

Training experiences that are useful will push the edges of students’ comfort zones. 1. Simulations – Bafa Bafa An Alien Among Us Barnga 2. Any game that changes the rules – examples: Broken Squares Build A Tower Opposite Hand Blindfold Make a Peanut Butter Sandwich 3. Ideally – the camping trip where everything goes wrong.

Dennis White, Ph. D. 207 S. 4th Ave. Sturgeon Bay, WI Dennis White, Ph.D. 207 S. 4th Ave. Sturgeon Bay, WI. 54235 Telephone 920-746-1346 Fax 920-746-1347 E-Mail dkwhite@itol.com