Intercultural communication and the adjustment of the Sojourner.

Abstract

Intercultural adjustment is described, in general, by means of a W-curve function or culture shock. However, very little apparent integration exists among the various approaches for explaining or understanding the sojourner's adjustment. Social patterns of behavior and personality traits have not been very successful in explaining intercultural adjustment, while social interaction and background and situational factors have been of somewhat greater value. These divergent approaches can be more meaningfully understood in relation to adjustment to the degree that they facilitate or impede intercultural communication. Thus, intercultural communication appears to be both an integrating and crucial factor for understanding the adjustment of the sojourner.

Development of a cultural self-awareness approach to instruction in intercultural communication.

“…The following observations were made during the trial administrations of the exercise: (1) Although the video recordings show staged performances, they were found to have a high degree of plausibility among the various groups to whom they were shown.…”

Assessing the intercultural sensitivity of American expatriates in Kuwait

“…In a study to determine abilities involved in functioning interculturally, Hammer, Gudykunst and Wiseman (1978) derived three main factors of intercultural effectiveness: (a) the ability to deal with psychological stress, (b) the ability to communicate effectively, and (c) the ability to establish interpersonal relationships. Brein and David (1971) found that adjustment was "highly dependent on the [sojourner's] achievement of effective interpersonal relations with hosts" (p. 216). Benson (1978) and Church (1982) found that interaction was considered to be a major factor in sojourner adjustment.…”

“…In addition to the possibility of transition shock, different lengths of time spent on the sojourn result in different types of experiences. According to Brein and David ( 1971 ), sojourns of two or three years have qualities which distinguish them from shorter visits. It is thought that in the longer period of time, individuals would find it necessary to interact with the new culture, and at least observe, if not learn, new ways of behaving.…”

Intercultural Sensitivity and Cross-cultural Adjustment among Malaysian Students Abroad

“…On the other hands, maladjustment creates mobility difficulties while sojourning overseas due to the unavailability familiar materials and life support and misunderstanding of the host nationals' way of life culturally. Cultural shock literatures (example sees, Adler, 1975;Brein & David, 1971;Oberg, 1960;Ward, Bochner & Furnham, 2001) deliberated that the difficulties interacting with host nationals caused the misinterpretation of cultural clues which seem unreasonable, annoying or impolite either from sojourners or host national point of views.…”