cultural, theme 3

blending

the tendency of multicultural individuals to blend traits from different cultures

frame-switching

the tendency of multicultural individuals to alternate between different cultures —> deep cognitive and psychological change (switching between cultural mindsets or frames of reference based on context)

code-switching

more surface-level behavioral change (changing language, way of dressing, tone etc.)

Bicultural identity integration

the extent to which bicultural people see their two cultures as compatible or in opposition to each other

High bicultural identity integration

integrating aspects of both cultures into daily life

Low bicultural identity integration

seeing the 2 cultures as oppositions and feeling like they should choose between 2 identities, depending on the situation

promotion orientation

focused on achieving success or gains (more common in American contexts)

prevention orientation

focused on avoiding failure or losses (more common in Chinese contexts)

third culture kids (TCK’s)

kids who travel while growing up and spend large parts of their informative years in host cultures

first culture: parents

second culture: current host culture

third culture: the other cultures the kid was exposed to previously

—> can cause cultural homelessness: no strong connection to one certain culture

moral relativism

the belief that what is right and wrong is objective, depending on different cultural factors

ABC model of adaptation

A = Affective: emotional responses and stress management (Stress and Coping theory)

B = Behavioral: learning of cultural norms and social skills (Culture Learning theory)

C = Cognitive: identity perception of self and others (Social identification theory)

Culture Learning Theory (behavioral)

adaptation is seen as a skill acquisition process —> acquiring new culturally appropriate social behaviors

factors that influence this: language skills, duration of stay, cultural distance etc.

Stress and Coping Theory (affective)

cultural shock = stressful event —> emphasizes emotional resilience, psychological well-being and coping strategies

Social Identification Theory (cognitive)

focuses on self-concept and identity in a new cultural setting (includes the 4 acculturation strategies)

the acculturation process —> 3 aspects:

• psychological adaptation (emotional well-being)

• sociocultural adaptation (competence in host culture)

• cognitive adaptation (identity and perception shifts)

3 types of networks

• Monocultural networks (with people from your heritage culture) —> maintain home culture

• Bicultural networks (with people from the host culture) —> facilitates learning and adaptation

• Multicultural networks (other migrant from different cultures) —> provides mutual support

culture synergy

mutual adaptation instead of the migrant only needing to adapt (in context of teachers with international students)