Intercultural Development

Continuum

Intercultural CommunicationAnn Gross

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

Intercultural Development Continuum

Basic Concepts 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

◦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

Generalizations vs. Stereotypes

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

Commonalities vs. Differences

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

IDC – Moving From a Monocultural Mindset to an Intercultural Mindset

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.

Monocultural Mindsets

Other cultures viewed through lens of one’s own culture

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

Stage One - Denial of Difference

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

Stage Two - Polarization

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

Stage Three -Minimization of Difference

Global MindsetsAble to view interactions from multiple

cultural perspectives

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”

Stage Four -Acceptance of Difference

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

Stage Five -Adaptation to Difference

Dr. Milton Bennett and

Dr. Mitch Hammer’s

Intercultural Development Inventory

(IDI)

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)

Intercultural Development Inventory

• Denial • Polarization (Defense/Reversal)• Minimization• Acceptance• Adaptation• Cultural Disengagement (sense of not

belonging to a culture)

What the IDI Measures –