1. Culture and Relationships
Theory & Research in Intercultural Communication—COM 372
John R. Baldwin—Illinois State University

2. A systems explanation

3. A systems explanation Output: Input: Process (Throughput): Stability
Satisfaction
Family adjustment
Increased society tolerance
“Third” (family/rel) culture”
Input:
Motives/Goals
Definitions of relationship
Cultures of origin
Cultural values, communication
Family cultures
Process (Throughput):
Communication patterns:
Conflict
Self-disclosure
Power negotiation, etc.

4. More on Systems Approach
Environment
Open/closed systems
Input/Throughput/Output
Homeostasis/Dynamic Equilibrium
Feedback
Positive: Change the system!
Negative: Keep the system the same!
First/Second-order system change!
The problem may not be that there is no feedback but that the rules the system is following do not work! Plus ça change, plus c’est la même chose…

5. Input: Questions
What are some “input” factors that might impact intercultural, intergroup, or other sorts of relationships?
How might the input factors change between:
International couples
Intergroup couples (religious, ethnicity, etc.)
Stigmatized couples

6. Input: Motives Lampe (1981, 1982):
What are the main reasons that people date interethnically?
What are the main reasons people do not?
Do people date & marry for the same reasons? (Brazil example)

7. Input: Differences (issues) (Romano, 1988)
Values
In-laws
Food and drink
Sex
Male/females roles
Time
Place of residence
Politics
Dealing w/stress
Friends
Illness/suffering
Religion
Food & drink
Social class
Language/Comm
Raising children
Ethnocentrism

8. Process: Issues (Markoff, 1977)
Problems in communication (verbal, NV differences)
Difference in values
The concept of marriage (e.g., Char, Collier)
Individual behavior and practices (not cultural)
Prejudices and stereotypes (yes, even in marriage!)
The surrounding family (distance --> greater success!)

9. Process Issues
What are some “process” issues intercultural couples might face?
What leads (IC) relationships to develop?
What are some ways IC couples might resolve cultural differences?

10. Process: Issues (Graham, Moeai, & Shizuru, 1985)
The Romeo & Juliet Effect
“Internal” versus “External” problems
individual living habits
interference with extended family
children
different cultural customs
time with friends
language difficulties
financial problems

11. Process: IR Dating/Marriage
Are the issues the same in interracial dating and marriage as in “intercultural” dating and marriage?
What about “interfaith” marriage?

12. Process: Solutions Tseng’s 5 Patterns of ICM Adjustment
One-Way Adjustment: One partner gives in to the culture of the other
Alternative Adjustment: The couple alternates between cultural
Simultaneous Adjustment: Elements of both cultures are adopted at the same time.
Mixing: Within a given culture or time, the couple uses aspects of one culture or the other. Tseng uses an example like "enchiladas tonight, sushi tomorrow night." = Compromise (as opposed to submission, consensus, or obliteration).
Creative Adjustment: The couple adopts elements of neither culture, but finds their "own" way

13. Intercultural Relationships
Some explanations of relational growth
Propinquity: Shared spaces interaction potential
Similarity-Attraction Hypothesis: It’s similarity that makes relationships grow
URT: No…it’s your ability to predict and explain the other or (AUM) to reduce your anxiety
Social Penetration Theory: : Self-disclosure
Depth & breadth of SD
4 stages of relationships
Dialectical approach: Tensions…
Turning points: Key moments…

14. Evaluating a theory
Does it make sense with everyday life? (e.g., by working through a single example)
Are there enough counterexamples to expand the theory?
Does it fit prior research?
Does it meet goals of type of theory?
How does it address theory evaluation standards?
How does it compare to other theories?

15. Theory evaluation standards
Scope, boundaries: How broad is it? Is what it covers clear?
Logical consistency: Does it hold together well?
Parsimony: Is it appropriately simple?
Testability (if scientific): Can the propositions be measured and tested?
Predictive ability (if scientific): Can we make good predictions with the variables provided?
Heurism: Does it lead to new study or theory? Does it stand the “test of time”?
Explanatory power: Does it explain most cases, or are there classes of cases it does not explain?
Utility: Is it useful in everyday life?

16. Anxiety-Uncertainty Management
Background: URT
Concepts:
Stranger
Anxiety and Uncertainty (not =!)
Effectiveness (and adaptation)
Mindfulness vs. Scripts
Thresholds
Management

17. AUM: Refining the structure
A list of variables
Knowledge, Motivation, Skills
Hofstede’s Dimensions
Current structure
Proximal factors
Distal (secondary) factors
Order and direction of influence

18. AUM Application: My Big Fat Greek Wedding Evaluation:
(3.57)
(3.25)
Evaluation:

19. International Marriaegs in Japan (Quasha & Quasha, 2012)
Method
Concepts specific to Japanese relationships?
What are some specific aspects of the relationships the authors describe that illustrate the role of culture in relationship?
What are some other specific aspects of relationships you recall from the readings?