Ch. 5: Understanding and Managing Culture Shock

Sojourners

Temporary residents abroad with specific goals.

Culture Shock

a demanding and disorienting experience. Sparked by anxiety and uncertainty which results from losing familiar signs and symbols

Affectively

Emotional responses like anxiety and loneliness.

Behaviorally

Lack of skills for effective communication.

Cognitively

Difficulty interpreting unfamiliar behaviors.

Pros of Culture Shock

Positive effects like resilience and cognitive flexibility.

International Students

Over 5.5 million studying outside their home countries.

Global Workplace Transferees

Employees moving across multiple borders for work.

Third Culture Kids

children of intercultural-international families

Cross-Cultural Kids

Children from intercultural families facing identity issues.

International Tourists

Short-term visitors for non-work-related purposes.

Cultural Distance

Differences in values, customs, and communication styles.

Instrumental Goals

Task-based objectives like business or academic success.

Socioemotional Goals

Goals related to relationships and personal development.

Personal expectations factors

The anticipatory process and predictive outcome of an upcoming situation.

Psychological Adjustment

Internal strategies to enhance well-being during transitions.

Positive Self-Talk

Recognizing own strengths to build mental resilience.

Sociocultural Adjustment

Ability to interact effectively in a new culture.

Cultural Adjustment Competence

Skills for adapting to cultural norms and communication.

Behavioral Flexibility

Adapting behavior to align with others' cultural norms.

Cultural Empathy

Understanding others' experiences through their cultural lens.

Personality Attributes

High tolerance for ambiguity, internal locus of control, and worldview flexibility help sojourner’s psychological adjustment.

“Cultural fit” proposition – importance of a good match between sojourners’ personality types and host cultural norms (e.g., independent-self sojourners may be more compatible with individualistic cultural norms).

Cultural Fit

Compatibility between sojourner's traits and host culture.

U-Curve Adjustment Model

Three phases: initial adjustment, crisis, recovery.

Crisis Phase

Overwhelming stress due to cultural challenges.

Initial Adjustment Phase

Optimistic phase of cultural adaptation.

Crisis

Stressful phase of cultural overwhelm and incompetence.

Regained Adjustment

Incremental adaptation using trial-and-error strategies.

Honeymoon Stage

Euphoria and curiosity upon entering new culture.

Frustration/Hostility Stage

Emotional upheaval with loss of self-esteem.

Culture Shockers

Types of sojourners experiencing cultural adjustment issues.

Early Returnees

Leave prematurely using aggressive or passive strategies.

Time Servers

Minimal host contact, avoid engagement with culture.

Participators

Actively commit to adjusting and learning culturally.

Rebounding/Humorous Stage

Learn to laugh at cultural mistakes, form friendships.

In-Sync Adjustment

Feeling at home with social acceptance and fluency within new culture.

Ambivalence Stage

Mixed emotions about returning home, feeling nostalgic.

Reentry Culture Shock

Unexpected stress when reentering your familiar culture

Resocialization

Quietly readjusting with few changes to behavior.

Alienators

Struggle to fit back into home culture.

Transformers

Cultural bridge-builders integrating multiple cultural practices.

Peaks and Valleys

Identity change process with emotional highs and lows.

W shape adjustment model

Understand that peaks and valleys are part of an identity change and growth process.

Stay alert and keep track of various adjustment goals in the new culture

Take time to savor and experience fully; keep a cultural journal and record memorable moments.

Culture shock adjustment

Develop strong and weak ties to cushion yourself in times of crisis

Participate in host culture’s major celebration events

Reverse Homesickness

Stress upon returning to home culture

Portable Tribe

Global individuals with flexible cultural identities.

Intercultural Communication Competence

Skills to effectively communicate across cultures.

Culture shock involves

cultural mediators, or cultural-sensitive mentors to light the way

Maya Angelou

Acclaimed poet and civil rights activist.

Honorary Degrees

Recognition awarded for contributions to education.

I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings

Angelou's autobiographical book about her youth.