1. Intercultural Communication Ann Gross

2.  Grounded theory (evidence based), used to explain predictable stages people go through, based on their intercultural experiences  Based on The Developmental Model of Intercultural Sensitivity (DMIS), created by Dr. Milton Bennett, Co-Director of the Intercultural Communication Institute, Portland Oregon

3.  Predicts intercultural communication competence – ability to communicate effectively and appropriately in a variety of contexts  Requires culturally sensitive knowledge, a motivated mindset and skill set  Person focuses appropriately on cultural commonalities and cultural differences  Development follows predictable stages

4. ◦ Cultural Generalization – statement of probability based on systematically collected data; tendency of a majority of cultural group members ◦ Stereotype – application of a cultural generalization to every member in a cultural group, or generalizing from only a few group members

5.  In intercultural interactions, need to find some balance between the two  At different stages on IDC, person tends to focus more on one or the other  Attitudes toward cultural differences also change through the stages

6.  Monocultural Mindset – ◦ Use own cultural values and practices to make sense of other culture’s differences and similarities ◦ Rely on broad stereotypes ◦ Less complex understanding of other cultures

7.  Intercultural/Global Mindset – ◦ Make sense of differences and similarities using one’s own and other cultures’ values and practices. ◦ Use cultural generalizations to help understand complex differences and commonalities.

8. Other cultures viewed through lens of one’s own culture

9.  When people have not interacted in depth with other cultures; may avoid interaction  Overly simple views of other cultures; stereotypes  Seem accepting, but have a tendency to dehumanize outsiders

10.  Focused on cultural differences, which are seen as negative or threatening  Dualistic thinking (good/bad; us vs. them)  Two Forms: ◦ Defense – Uncritical of own culture, more critical of other; exclusion of others; backlash actions ◦ Reversal – Overly critical of own culture, uncritical of other cultures

11.  Highlight cultural commonalities and universal values and principles, but may overlook cultural differences  Accept superficial cultural differences, but think all humans are basically the same (“Like me”)  Tendency to define commonality in ethnocentric terms (own culture seen as everyone’s reality)  Can lead to acceptance of institutionalized privilege

12. Able to view interactions from multiple cultural perspectives

13.  Recognize that all cultures are equally complex and valid  Beginning of ability to interpret behavior, values, perceptions etc. within a cultural context  Acceptance does not mean that one likes or approves of all aspects of each culture  Can lead to “liberal paralysis” – fear of being judgmental or taking action  Able to “Talk the talk,” but not yet “Walk the walk”

14.  Development of a flexible mindset and skillset needed for intercultural communication competence  Ability to see things from others’ points of view (empathy), and  Ability to adapt behaviors to act in culturally appropriate ways

15. Intercultural Development Inventory (IDI)

16.  Reliable and valid cross-cultural self-assessment instrument for individual feedback related to the Intercultural Development Continuum  Used as a tool to target most appropriate intercultural communication training for person  Developed and validated by Dr. Milton Bennett and Dr. Mitchell Hammer (Professor of Intercultural Communication, The American University, Washington, DC)

17. Denial Polarization (Defense/Reversal) Minimization Acceptance Adaptation Cultural Disengagement (sense of not belonging to a culture)