1. Instructor: Çağrı Topal
BA 4216 Cross-cultural Studies in Organizations Theories of intercultural communication
Instructor: Çağrı Topal

2. Theories Organize and summarize the knowledge of different cultures
Clarify complex cultural relationships
Help focus on important variables and relationships
Help determine what and how to observe and interpret
Help predict scientifically

3. Language and intercultural communication
Linguistic competence
Non-linguistic competence
Emotional and interpersonal factors
Intercultural experience and practice

4. Types of theories Psychological Individuals Sociological
Conditions of individuals

5. Culture shock theory Initial contact Initial culture shock
Superficial adjustment
Depression/isolation
Reintegration/compensation stage
Autonomy/independence stage

6. General systems theory
Stress resulting from the lack of understanding of host culture
Adaptability as the capacity to alter some old ways to accommodate new ways
Cognitive adaptation: intercultural identity
Affective adaptation: psychological health
Operational adaptation: functional fitness
One-way relationship between the foreigner and the host culture

7. Uncertainty reduction theory
Communication to reduce uncertainty and anxiety
Developing trust through communication
Communication facilitated by trust
Reciprocal relation between trust and communication
Decrease in uncertainty and anxiety through trust and communication
No responsibility of the host-country members

8. Convergence theory Communication as a dynamic process of convergence
Communication as a series of converging cycles of information exchange toward a greater degree of mutual understanding
Conditions of unrestricted communication
Cultural preconceptions and divergence
Cost of developing and sustaining convergence not considered
Power relations ignored
No responsibility for host nationals

9. Interpersonal theory Concepts Intimacy or closeness (starting point)
Performance or competence (ending point)
Features
Context
Conduct
Content
Communication as an interpersonal relationship building