Understanding Intercultural Transitions Slide 1 8 Understanding Intercultural Transitions

Chapter Summary Types of Migrant Groups Culture Shock Migrant-Host Relationships Cultural Adaptation Identity and Adaptation Thinking Dialectically about Intercultural Transitions

Types of Migrant Groups A migrant is a person who leaves the primary cultural context in which he or she was raised and moves to a new cultural context for an extended period of time.

Types of Migrant Groups Four types of migrant groups: Sojourners (short-term, voluntary) Immigrants (long-term, voluntary) Short-term refugees (involuntary) Long-term refugees (involuntary)

Culture Shock Culture shock is a relatively short-term feeling of disorientation and discomfort due to the unfamiliarity of surroundings or the lack of familiar cues in the environment.

Culture Shock Most migrants experience culture shock. People are less likely to experience culture shock if they separate themselves from the new environment.

Culture Shock Long-term adaptation is difficult for most people, and people generally resist it in the short term. Some people adjust to only some parts of a new culture.

Migrant-Host Relationships Types of migrant-host relationships: Assimilation – the migrant wants relationships with other groups, and: a. is welcome in the host culture b. gives up aspects of his/her culture

Migrant-Host Relationships Types of migrant-host relationships: Assimilation c. Conflicts may arise if forced on migrants by the dominant culture. d. discrimination over time can discourage maintenance of one's native cultural heritage.

Migrant-Host Relationships Types of migrant-host relationships: 2. Separation: a. voluntary separation b. segregation

Migrant-Host Relationships Types of migrant-host relationships: 3. Integration occurs when migrants have an interest in maintaining their original cultures and maintaining daily interactions with other groups.

Migrant-Host Relationships Types of migrant-host relationships: 4. Marginalization occurs when there is little interest in maintaining cultural ties with either the dominant culture or the migrant culture.

Migrant-Host Relationships Types of migrant-host relationships: Combined Modes of Relating a. Migrants may may integrate in some areas of life and assimilate in others. b. Migrants generally have to adapt to some extent in the new culture. c. Adaptation is a process.

Migrant-Host Relationships Types of migrant-host relationships: Combined Modes of Relating, cont. d. It occurs in context. e. It varies with each individual. f. It is circumscribed by relations of dominance and power.

Cultural Adaptation Models of Cultural Adaptation 1. The Anxiety and Uncertainty Management Model (Gudykunst, 1995): The goal of effective communication is met by reducing anxiety and uncertainty (uncertainty reduction). a. predictive uncertainty b. explanatory uncertainty

Cultural Adaptation Models of Cultural Adaptation, cont. 2. The U-Curve theory a. Stage 1: Excitement and anticipation I b. Stage 2: Culture shock c. Stage 3: Adaptation

Cultural Adaptation Models of Cultural Adaptation, cont. 3. The Transition Model a. Fight approach I b. Flight approach c. Flex approach

Cultural Adaptation Models of Cultural Adaptation, cont. 4. The Communication-System Model (Kim) a. Adaptation is a communicative process requiring interpersonal communication competencies

Cultural Adaptation Models of Cultural Adaptation 4. The Communication-System Model, cont. b. Process of stress, adaptation, and growth c. Frequent communication leads to more culture shock but better adaptation

Cultural Adaptation 4. The Communication-System Model, cont. d. Three options: i. Reject new idea ii. Incorporate into existing framework iii. Change framework

Cultural Adaptation 4. The Communication-System Model, cont. e. Three stages: i. Taking for granted ii. Making sense iii. Coming to understand

Cultural Adaptation Individual Influences Several individual characteristics may influence adaptation: - age - gender - preparation - expectations

Cultural Adaptation Context and adaptation Contextual influences on adaptation include: - receptivity of culture - status and power - class issues - discrimination - conflict between recent and long-term immigrants

Outcomes of adaptation Cultural Adaptation Outcomes of adaptation - Psychological health - Functional fitness - Intercultural identity

Identity and Adaptation Migrants develop multicultural identities based on three issues: 1. The extent to which they want to maintain their own identity, language, and way of life; 2. The extent to which they want to interact with others in the new culture; and 3. The ownership of political power.

Identity and Adaptation Adapting on Reentry 1. When sojourners return to their original cultural contexts, they may experience reentry shock. 2. W-curve theory of adaptation 3. Differences between first and second U- curve: personal change and expectations.

Identity and Adaptation Living on the Border 1. Transnationalism calls into question notions like nation-states, national languages, and coherent cultural communities. 2. When people frequently go back and forth between cultures, they may develop a multicultural identity.

Thinking Dialectically About Intercultural Transitions Dialectical differences shape the intercultural migrant's identity and the changes that this identity undergoes. - privilege-disadvantage - personal-contextual