Written in a conversational style, this book introduces students to the foundations of intercultural communication, a vibrant discipline within the field. Authors Stella Ting-Toomey and Leeva Chung take a multicontextual, inclusive approach that balances international and intercultural communication issues against U.S. domestic diversity issues. In addition to emphasizing a value-oriented perspective on intercultural encounters, the text contains a robust ethical chapter, complete with specific guidelines that will help students become ethical intercultural communicators.

By integrating current empirical research with lively intercultural examples, the authors ask thought-provoking questions and pose ethical dilemmas for students to ponder. The text offers a sprawling treatment of such topics as ethnic and cultural identity change, culture shock and intercultural adjustment, romantic relationships and raising bicultural children, global identity challenges, and decision-making choices in intercultural ethics.

"One of the best undergraduate textbooks in intercultural communication."--Kenneth C.C. Yang, University of Texas at El Paso

"Provides a good balance between the serious and fun aspects of studying intercultural communication. I particularly like the way the book has questions as chapter titles to introduce the more formal study of the field. The book provides more comprehensive coverage of the major concepts of intercultural communication than the competition."--Susan Opt, Salem College

"This is an excellent text when teaching large lecture sections. The concepts are designated within the text in a way that the students can pick them out and know what it is that they are expected to study for exams."--Marcella La Fever,California State Stanislaus

Stella Ting-Toomey is Professor of Human Communication Studies at California State University, Fullerton.

Leeva C. Chung is Professor of Communication Studies at the University of San Diego.

Dedication Page

Preface

Acknowledgments

About the Authors

Part One: Fundamental Concepts in Intercultural Communication

1: Why Study Intercultural Communication?

Practical Reasons to Study Intercultural Communication

Adjusting to Global Workplace Heterogeneity

Adapting to Domestic Workforce Diversity

Engaging in Creative Multicultural Problem Solving

Comprehending the Role of Technology in Global Communication

Facilitating Better Multicultural Health Care Communication

Enhancing Intercultural Relationship Satisfaction

Fostering Global and Intrapersonal Peace

Deepening Cultural Self-Awareness and Other-Awareness

Culture: A Learned Meaning System

Surface-Level Culture: Popular Culture

Intermediate-Level Culture: Symbols, Meanings, and Norms

Deep-Level Culture: Traditions, Beliefs, and Values

Stamping Your Intercultural Passport

2: What Is Intercultural Communication Flexibility?

Defining Intercultural Communication: A Process Model

Intercultural Communication Process: Overall Characteristics

Intercultural Communication: Meaning Characteristics

Practicing Intercultural Communication Flexibility

Three Content Components: Knowledge, Attitude, and Skills

Three Criteria: Appropriateness, Effectiveness, and Adaptability

Developing Intercultural Communication Flexibility

A Staircase Model

An Essential Hook: A Mindful Perspective

Deepening Intercultural Process Thinking

Process Consciousness: Underlying Principles

Intercultural Reality Check: Do-Ables

3: What Are the Essential Cultural Value Patterns?

Functions of Cultural Values

Analyzing Cultural Values

Identity Meaning Function

Explanatory Function

Motivational Function

Ingroup-Outgroup Evaluative Function

Analyzing Cultural Value Dimensions

Discovering Cultural Values

Identity: Individualism-Collectivism Value Pattern

Power: Small-Large Power Distance Value Pattern

Uncertainty: Weak-Strong Uncertainty Avoidance Value Pattern

Sex Roles: Feminine-Masculine Value Pattern

Additional Value Orientation Patterns

Value Orientations: Background Information

Meaning: Activity Value Orientation

Destiny: People-Nature Value Orientation

Time: Temporal Value Orientation

Individual Socialization Development

Independent Versus Interdependent Self-Construal

Horizontal Versus Vertical Self-Construal

Internal Versus External Locus of Control

Intercultural Reality Check: Do-Ables

4: What Are the Keys to Understanding Cultural and Ethnic Identities?

Family and Gender Socialization

Families Come in Different Shapes

Gender Socialization and Interaction Patterns

Group Membership: Intercultural Boundary Crossing

The Process of Acculturation and Enculturation

Systems-Level Factors

Individual-Level Factors

F2F and Network-Level Factors

Mass Media-Level Factors

Group Affiliation and Identity Formation

Cultural Identity Conceptualization

Ethnic Identity Conceptualization

Ethnic/Racial Identity Change Process

Cultural-Ethnic Identity Typological Model

Racial-Ethnic Identity Development Model

Multiracial and Biracial Identity

Intercultural Reality Check: Do-Ables

Part Two: Crossing Cultural and Communication Boundaries Adaptively

5: What Is Culture Shock?

Unpacking Culture Shock

Characteristics of Culture Shock

Pros and Cons of Culture Shock

Approaching Culture Shock: Underlying Factors

Initial Tips To Manage Culture Shock

Intercultural Adjustment: Developmental Patterns

The U-Curve Adjustment Model

The Revised W-Shaped Adjustment Model

Culture Shock: Peaks and Valleys

Reentry Culture Shock

Reentry Culture Shock: Surprising Elements

Resocialization: Different Returnees' Profiles

Intercultural reality Check: Do-Ables

6: What Is the Connection Between Verbal Communication and Culture?

Human