Honorio Gonzalez

EDU 533
Intercultural Competence
Chapter 12 Notes
Explain the outcomes of intercultural contact
Both fictional and nonfictional accounts of intercultural contacts are replete with
references to individual and cultural changes it is generally accepted that intercultural
communication creates stress for most individuals (p. 290). In intercultural
communication, the certainty of ones own cultural frameworks is gone, and there is a
great deal of uncertainty about what other code systems mean (p. 290). Furthermore,
peoples reactions change over time and such changes in the way people react to
intercultural contacts are called adaption (p. 290).
Explain culture shock adaptation
Sustained intercultural contact requires total immersion in another culture may produce a
phenomenon that has been called culture shock (p. 292). That is, culture shock is said to
occur when people must deal with a barrage of new perceptual stimuli that are difficult to
interpret because the cultural context had changed (p. 292). Often associated with culture
shocks are the U-curve and W-curve hypothesis of cultural adaptation and the U-curve
hypothesis has been extended into the W-curve, which includes the person reposes to his
or her own culture upon return (p. 292-293). It posits that a second wave of culture shock,
which is similar to the first and has been called re-entry shock, may occur when the
individual returns home and must readapt to once taken-for-granted practices that can no
longer be followed without question (p. 293). Though initially regarded as plausible, the
U-curve and the W-curve do not provide sufficiently accurate description of the
adaptation process (p. 293). The term culture shock can now be seen to describe a pattern
in which the individual has severe negative reactions on contact with another culture and
such extreme responses, however, in which the persons knowledge, motivation, and
skills are initially insufficient to cope with the strangeness of a new culture, are among
many likely reactions (p. 294). We therefore prefer the more general term adaptation to
refer to the pattern of accommodation and acculturation that results from peoples contact
experiences with another culture and it is through adaptations that personal
transformation from cultural contact takes place (p. 294).
Explain types of adaptation
Efforts to describe the adaptation process suggest a more complex set of patterns than the
U-curve and W-curve hypotheses provided and there is ample evidence to suggest that the
adaptation process had multiple dimensions or factors associated with it (p. 294).
Psychological adaptation refers to ones personal well being and good mental health while
in the intercultural setting and sociocultural adaptation refers to ones competence in
managing the everyday social interactions that occur in daily life (p. 294).
Explain forms of acculturation
Assimilation occurs when it is deemed relatively unimportant to maintain ones original
cultural identity but is important to establish and maintain relationships with other
cultures 9p. 294-295). When an individual or group retains it original identity while
seeking to maintain harmonious relationships with other cultures, integration occurs (p.
295). If a culture does not want positive relationships with another culture and if it also
wishes to retain its cultural characteristics, separation occurs (p. 295). When individuals

or groups neither retain their cultural heritage nor maintain positive contacts with the
other cultural groups, marginalization occurs (p. 295).
What are ethical considerations for intercultural competence? Are cultural values
relative or universal?
Those who attempt to achieve intercultural competence must face a number of ethical
dilemmas must face a number of ethical dilemmas and there are three key ethical
dilemmas (p. 299). The first is summarized in the adage When in Rome, do as the
Romans do and the second asks if it is possible to judge a particular belief, value, norms,
and social practice as morally reprehensible; the third dilemma relates to the
consequences of intercultural contacts (p. 299). A second ethical issue confronting the
intercultural communicator is whether is ever acceptable to judge the people of a culture
when their behaviors are based on a radically different set of beliefs, values, norms, and
social practices (p. 301). A culturally relativistic point of view suggests that every culture
has its own set of values and that judgments can be made only within the context of the
particular culture (p. 301). Furthermore, David Kales argues that there are two values that
transcend all cultures, which are the human spirit and world peace (p. 301). Finally,
ethical intercultural communicator continually struggle with the dilemmas presented by
differences in cultural values (p. 301).
Apply to your personal beliefs. Apply to Christian beliefs. Application.
For me, there are no relative cultural values because it is not a principle that would is
biblical in nature. It is Mans attempt at trying to excuse something with another bad
excuse. Furthermore, it also shows at how everything is not as it seems in the world
today. It would be like someone holding a double standard to some they liked and
something they didnt like, but couldnt give a good reason for it. I also cannot believe
this because I would be leaning on my own understanding, which is sinful in nature and
therefore untrustworthy in nature. But by the grace of God, I can change this through the
guidance of His Word.
Biblical Links
Everyone that who hears these words of Mine and does not act on them, will be like a
foolish man who built his house on the sand Matthew 7:26. These words have never
been any clearer. God had already given us His answers through His Word, and any who
wish not to follow it is like the foolish man. But He gave us free will and its up to us to
decide what we do with that free will. Whether we use it for good or evil, we can always
find the answer through Gods Word for our lives.