The Bennett Scale of Intercultural Development

Read your mindset We’ll discuss: Advantages to having this mindset Disadvantages to having this mindset

Denial Mindset #1 Doesn’t really believe that cultural differences exist Tends to stay in their comfort zone

Polarization – Mindset 2 and 3 Recognizes that culture affects peoples’ behavior, attitudes, and worldviews JUDGES cultures – tends to either think one’s own culture is superior, or thinks that other cultures are superior to one’s own

Minimization – Mindset 4 Recognizes and understands that cultures affect people’s behaviours, attitudes, and worldviews Tends to believe that despite cultural differences, human beings are “all the same” with similar motivations, needs, and desires

Acceptance – Mindset 5 Understands how culture shapes peoples’ worldviews, behaviours, and attitudes Can recognize difference without being judgemental Exemplify an open, empathetic, learning mindset

Adaptation – Mindset 5 Everything from the “Acceptance” mindset, PLUS: Can adapt one’s behaviour when working and communicating with people from other cultures Often have lots of experience living in working in different places, speaking multiple languages

Smarty-Pants Terms for Intercultural Literacy Ethnocentrisim – evaluation of other cultures according to preconceptions originating in the standards and customs of one's own culture. Ethnorelativism – An acquired ability to see many values and behaviors as cultural rather than universal.

Adaptation to Difference The Goal? Adaptation to Difference Individuals are able to: Expand their own worldviews to accurately understand other cultures and behave in a variety of culturally appropriate ways. Use empathy to understand and be understood across cultural boundaries. Act properly outside of one’s own culture. At this stage, one is able to “walk the talk.” It is a long process to get to Adaptation! It is not easy. But it is deeply rewarding.

A few things we know about developing intercultural competence Cultural knowledge does not necessarily lead to competence. Cultural contact does not necessarily lead to competence. Cultural contact may lead to reduction of stereotypes. Language learning may not be sufficient for cultural learning. Source: Kozai Group

Questions you should ask yourself as you’re working with people from different backgrounds: Do I measure people’s behaviour based off of my own culturally conditioned expectations? Can I easily view knowledge, cultural artifacts, or issues from multiple perspectives? What worldviews are demonstrated by the actions I take? Can I demonstrate or mentor intercultural development?

Ways to Improve Your Intercultural Competence Read about different groups of people from writers of different backgrounds Listen to other viewpoints. Ask questions. (But don’t be a jerk about it.) Understand that changing or adapting your viewpoint is not a weakness – it’s actually a good thing if it’s a result of logic, experience, and evidence Travel. And not just to places that are tourist friendly. Spend some time in the ditches, if you can. Don’t be afraid throw-away your pre-conceived notions of how something “should” universally be Whatever your normal routine is… just find a way to get outside of your comfort zone