Synopses & Reviews
Publisher Comments
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.
Review
"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
About the Author
Leeva C. Chung is Professor of Communication Studies at the University of San Diego.
Table of Contents
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