A Theory of Cultural Intelligence PDF

Earley, P. Christopher & Ang, Soon - A Theory of Cultural Intelligence Intelligence is the ability to learn, understand, and think in a logical way about things definition of cultural intelligence: Persons capability to adapt to new social con...

Earley, P. Christopher & Ang, Soon - A Theory of Cultural Intelligence Intelligence is the ability to learn, understand, and think in a logical way about things definition of cultural intelligence: Persons capability to adapt to new social contexts and environments Cultural Intelligence is rooted in General Intelligence Theory, which defines intelligence as "the ability to adapt to one's own environment." It consists of three core dimensions: 1. Direction: Understanding what needs to be done. 2. Adaptation: Customizing, implementing, and monitoring actions based on the situation. 3. Criticism: Evaluating and judging one's own approach to improve eLectiveness justification for its development-- Cultural intelligence (CQ) has been developed as a necessary extension of General Intelligence Theory to address the complexities of interacting in diverse cultural contexts. While traditional intelligence focuses on cognitive abilities in familiar environments, cultural intelligence recognizes the importance of adapting to and functioning eLectively in culturally unfamiliar settings. three facets of cultural intelligence: understanding the definition of CQ is not enough, it requires: If any one of these 3 factors are weak = low CQ cognitive o metacognitive / cognitive flexibility o Cognitive Facet: The cognitive facet of cultural intelligence closely aligns with the traditional view of intelligence, focusing on using knowledge eLectively in various contexts. It involves understanding the social environment, handling information, navigating unfamiliar cultural environments, and recognizing social cues. o In terms of Cultural Intelligence, the cognitive facet plays a fundamental role in social interaction. It allows individuals to store, process, and retrieve social information, aiding comprehension and functioning within a cultural context. This process is tied to Identity Theory, which highlights the influence of multiple role identities on behavior. Motivational- depending on the interest, drive, and confidence an individual has to adapt to new cultural settings o self-enhancement: aLected by opportunities in the context o self-eLicacy  o self-consistency; high consistency lower CQ because you reject information that is inconsistent with self image Behavioural o Behavioral Response Patterns are shaped by the salience of identities and the cultural context of the individual actors, demonstrating how cognitive facets guide interactions across diverse cultural settings. o aptitude o ability o Skill o High CQ Sadri, Houman A. & Flammia, Madelyn - Mass Communication overview/definition of media and media sources Media are the main way that large numbers of people receive info and entertainment (through television, radio, newspapers, and the internet) influence of the media The mass media knows how to influence the public through the way that they transmit information to its viewers, understanding how to process information as a way to persuade them. Sadri and Flammia define persuasion as the process by which one’s perspectives or behaviours are influenced by receiving a message. Shannon & Weaver theorized a model of communication in 1948 which shows the encoding and decoding process that a message takes starting from its sender and arriving at its receiver travelling through a channel with noise and eventual feedback media bias / confirmation bias / persuasion Persuasion is defined as the process by which an individual’s perspectives or behaviors are influenced through receiving a message. Confirmation bias-Confirmation bias During presidential elections, people tend to seek information that paints the candidate they support in a positive light, while dismissing any information that paints them in a negative light o Conversely, individuals can select content that aligns with their own interests, avoiding challenges to their pre-existing beliefs, a phenomenon known as "confirmation bias." Media bias Recently, this type of influence has dramatically increased in mass media through social media platforms like Google and Facebook, which have massive daily users, using this to instill political views and propaganda and gain advantages in electoral processes  model of communication The Elaboration Likelihood Model (ELM), developed by Richard Petty and John Cacioppo in 1986, is a comprehensive model of persuasion that integrates strategies with the broader model of communication. elaboration likelihood model According to the ELM, humans have two types of memory banks: working memory and long-term memory. Working memory is where information is actively processed and assessed, while long-term memory is used for storing information for future access. Retrieving information from long-term memory can be time-consuming, especially if it has not been accessed regularly. The ELM also identifies two routes to persuasion: the central route and the peripheral route. The central route involves the long-term memory bank, relies on the quality of the argument, and requires high message elaboration. It emphasizes the eLortful processing of information or messages. Peripheral route uses working memory bank and like attractiveness or credientals symbolic politics in the media Symbolic Politics: Humans are naturally creatures of symbols, which are subjective to specific groups of people and evoke human emotions. For example, in the USA, symbols like the Boston Tea Party, Pearl Harbor, and 9/11 carry significant emotional weight. Taking 9/11 as an example, it provoked emotions such as sadness, anger, fear, and hatred, compounded by a lack of world knowledge and distorted media coverage. This combination created a recipe for various problems, ranging from harassment of Muslims to international disputes political perceptions Political Perceptions: These refer to impressions of the characteristics and positions of nations, as well as their domestic and international policies. Political perceptions are shaped by personal knowledge or experiences and, most importantly, the media, which serves as the primary source of information. According to cultivation theory, television presents a worldview that is often inaccurate. Additionally, pundits, or opinion makers, play a significant role in shaping these perceptions fake news This possibility allowed organized groups to exploit the lack of content supervision to create material that conditioned readers toward specific agendas or indoctrination through false data, exaggerations, disinformation, or hoaxes, commonly referred to as fake news. group conflict Group Conflict:  The media often portrays society through the lens of social group or category polarization, such as racial (e.g., Black/White), ethnic (e.g., Americans/Japanese), or religious (e.g., Christian/Islamic) divisions. This portrayal encourages spectators to align with in-groups, which represent the existing social universe and are socially acceptable to the majority. Conversely, out-groups are often disregarded, representing an imported social universe that is not considered socially acceptable by the majority. This dynamic leads to a discriminatory process fueled by misinterpretations, fallacies, and racial distortions. Intercultural Contact occurs when media products and their associated social universe are exported to other nations undergoing a transition to accept a new, foreign social universe. For example, Hollywood movies often play a significant role in this process. Cultural Imperialism refers to the promotion or imposition of a culture from a more powerful society onto a less powerful one. Acculturation describes the cultural changes that occur as a result of contact between two groups. media and power Media and Power: o Power refers to the ability to influence and change the behavior of others. o Hard Power involves using military and economic means to influence the behavior or interests of others. o Soft Power, as defined by Joseph Nye, is the ability of a country to attract and persuade through culture, ideas, behavior, and the capacity to be heard Schwartz, Shalom, H. - An Overview of the Schwartz Theory of Basic Values definition of values- Values are what is important to us in life. Values are used to explain both organization and change in various contexts. On a personal level, values shape an individual’s behavior, beliefs, and decisions. On a social level, values guide the structure and functioning of societies and cultural groups. justification for the development of a theory of values nature of values Researchers have identified 10 types of values that are universally recognized across cultures. These include: 1. Power, which emphasizes control, dominance, and authority. 2. Achievement, focusing on success, competence, and personal accomplishments. 3. Hedonism, which is the pursuit of pleasure, enjoyment, and sensual gratification. 4. Stimulation, encouraging excitement, novelty, and challenges.  5. Self-direction, valuing independence, creativity, and autonomy. 6. Universalism, which emphasizes broad-mindedness, tolerance, and social justice. 7. Benevolence, focusing on caring, compassion, and interpersonal relationships. 8. Tradition, valuing customs, religious beliefs, and traditional practices. 9. Conformity, which emphasizes self-discipline, moderation, and restraint. 10. Security, focusing on safety, stability, and order in society. explanation of the circular structure- The circular structure of values suggests that values are interconnected and can be grouped along diLerent dimensions. These dimensions represent broad categories of values that are related to each other in various ways, forming a continuous loop where values within each category influence one another Dimensions o Openness to Change: Values related to the desire for independence, action, readiness to change o Conservation: Values that emphasize preservation of the past (tradition), resistance to change, order o Self-Enhancement: Values focused on personal success, dominance over others o Self-Transcendence: Values that prioritize concern/interest for others, social justice, and equality (e.g., universalism, benevolence) connections and oppositions between o the values themselves o the dimensions The Schwartz Theory of Basic Values identifies shared motivational emphases between adjacent values. These connections reflect how certain values complement or support each other, forming a structure that influences behavior and attitudes. Power and Achievement o Social superiority and esteem. Achievement and Hedonism o Self-centered satisfaction. Hedonism and Stimulation o A desire for aYectively pleasant arousal. Stimulation and Self-Direction o Intrinsic interest in novelty and mastery. Self-Direction and Universalism o Reliance upon one’s own judgment and comfort with the diversity of existence.  Universalism and Benevolence o Enhancement of others and transcendence of selfish interests. Benevolence and Tradition o Devotion to one’s in-group. Benevolence and Conformity o Normative behavior that promotes close relationships. Conformity and Tradition o Subordination of self in favor of socially imposed expectations. Tradition and Security o Preserving existing social arrangements that give certainty to life. Conformity and Security o Protection of order and harmony in relationships. Security and Power o Avoiding or overcoming threats by controlling relationships and resources Ting-Toomey, Stella & Chung, Leeva C. - What is Culture Shock? characteristics of culture shock Characteristics of Culture Shock: Culture Shock refers to the stressful transitional period when individuals move from a familiar environment into an unfamiliar one. During this time, an individual’s identity is threatened as they are confronted with unfamiliar social and cultural norms. There are unfamiliar cues in the new setting, making it diLicult to interpret behaviors and communication. The cultural safety net that people rely on in their home culture vanishes, leaving them without familiar sources of support or understanding. Any interaction may feel awkward or stressful due to the uncertainty of how to behave in the new cultural context. Individuals may experience a perceived threat, leading to feelings of fear or vulnerability as they navigate the unfamiliar environment 3 dimensions of disorientation AYective Feelings of anxiety, confusion, disorientation, and perplexity as individuals adjust to the new cultural environment. Behavioral Confusion around unfamiliar norms and rules, leading to diLiculty in determining the appropriateness and eYectiveness of communication in the new culture. Cognitive  Incompetence in interpreting bizarre or unfamiliar behaviors, making it hard to understand or navigate cultural practices pros and cons Pros and Cons of Culture Shock Cons: Psychosomatic Problems: Prolonged stress can lead to physical and mental health issues. AYective Turmoil: Individuals may experience feelings of loneliness, isolation, and depression. Cognitive Exhaustion: The diLiculty in making accurate attributions or conclusions about unfamiliar behaviors can cause mental fatigue. Pros: Well-being: Culture shock can lead to heightened positive self- esteem, emotional richness, and enhanced tolerance for ambiguity. Behavioral Competence: Individuals develop behavioral competence in social interactions, gaining cognitive openness and flexibility. Optimism: It can foster enhanced optimism about oneself, others, and the environment. Personal Growth: Experiencing culture shock allows individuals to experiment with new ideas and ways of handling behaviors, pushing them beyond their usual boundaries of thinking and experiencing underlying factors Motivational Orientation: o Voluntary Motivation: Those who choose to experience a new culture tend to manage culture shock more eYectively. Sojourners (vs. immigrants/refugees) face less pressure to conform, as their stay is temporary. They often receive a friendlier welcome and generally have a more pleasant experience. Personal Expectations: o Anticipation of the Situation: People anticipate the upcoming experience, predicting the outcome and forming expectations. o Realistic Expectations: These facilitate intercultural adaptation, as accurate and positive expectationsmake it easier to manage stress. Cultural Distance: o High Cultural Distance: The greater the cultural diYerences, the more severe the culture shock. Factors like values, language, verbal/nonverbal styles, religious, sociopolitical, and economic systems influence cultural distance.  o Expectation of Low Cultural Distance: If individuals expect fewer diYerences, they may experience higher frustration (e.g., British in Australia, Colombians in Mexico). o "Assumed Similarity": Overlooking cultural diYerences can lead to a cultural clash spiral. Psychological Adjustment: o Cross-Cultural Transitions: Feelings of well-being or satisfaction. o Adjustment Depression: Chronic strain, low self-esteem, and low mastery can occur during adjustment. o Cognitive Coping Strategies: Positive self-talk and positive situational appraisals help in managing stress. Sociocultural Adjustment: o Ability to fit in and execute appropriate and eYective interactions with locals. o Quality and quantity of interactions aYect the level of depression and hopelessness. o Greater sociocultural adjustment is linked to: Culture-specific knowledge and contact with locals. Language fluency. A longer period of residence. Communication Competence: o Involves culture-sensitive knowledge, motivation to adapt, and the activation of appropriate communication skills. o Mastery of culture-based contextual rules leads to successful intercultural interactions. o Mindset tendencies that aid competence: Mindfulness, cognitive flexibility, tolerance for ambiguity, behavioral flexibility, and cross-cultural empathy. Personality Attributes: o Good general adjustment and positive psychological well- being are linked to: High tolerance for ambiguity (e.g., accepting unclear situations). Internal focus of control (e.g., inner-directed drives and motivations). Personal flexibility and mastery. o Cultural Fit: A good match between the sojourner's personality (e.g., extrovert/introvert) and the host culture’s norms promotes better adjustment. tips to manage culture shock Address emotional insecurities  Learn and encourage eLective adaptation outcomes Develop strong ties and weak ties Suspend ethnocentric evaluations of host culture Be mindful of interpersonal behaviour intercultural adjustment U-curve adjustment model The U-Curve Adjustment Model (Lysgaard, 1955): Initial Adjustment (Honeymoon): o This phase is characterized by optimism and excitement. Individuals feel elated and enthusiastic about their new cultural environment. Crisis (Slump): o This is the stressful phase where individuals face diYiculties in adapting. Feelings of incompetence or frustration arise as they struggle to cope with the challenges of the new culture. Regained Adjustment: o During this phase, individuals start to settle in and learn to cope more eYectively with the new cultural environment. They develop strategies to manage their stress and adapt to the culture W-Shap model of intercultural adjustment The W-Shape Model of Intercultural Adjustment (Gullahorn and Gullahorn, 1963): Honeymoon: o The initial phase characterized by excitement and enthusiasm about the new culture. Hostility: o A phase of frustration and disillusionment where individuals feel alienated or challenged by cultural diYerences. Humorous: o A phase where individuals begin to view the diYerences in culture with humor and develop a more adaptive outlook. At-home: o This phase reflects a sense of comfort and adjustment where individuals start feeling at ease and integrated into the new culture. Re-entry Culture Shock: o Upon returning to their home culture, individuals may experience a new form of culture shock as they readjust to familiar norms and routines. Re-socialization: o The final phase involves readjusting and integrating into the home culture, often incorporating new perspectives gained from the foreign experience  revised W-shape adjustment model The Revised W-Shape Adjustment Model (Ting-Toomey and Chung, 2012): Honeymoon: o The initial phase of excitement and enthusiasm about the new culture, where everything seems exciting and fresh. Hostility: o A phase of frustration and cultural conflict, where individuals feel disillusioned or challenged by the diYerences between their home culture and the new one. Humorous: o At this stage, individuals begin to develop a sense of humor about the cultural diYerences, making the adjustment process easier. In-sync: o A phase of eYective adaptation where individuals feel comfortable and well-adjusted, experiencing a harmonious balance with the new culture. Ambivalence: o A stage where individuals may feel conflicted, unsure about their place in the new culture, as they start to reflect on their original culture and the new one. Re-entry Culture Shock: o Upon returning to their home culture, individuals experience shock and diYiculty adjusting back to familiar norms and values. Re-socialization: o The final phase where individuals successfully reintegrate into their home culture, often incorporating new perspectives and insights from their intercultural experience.