Definition and Nature of Intercultural

Communication
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 INTERCULTURAL
COMMUNICATION
Intercultural communication happens when individuals
interact, negotiate, and create meanings while bringing
in their varied cultural backgrounds (Ting-Toomey,
1999).

For some scholars, intercultural communication pertains

to communication among people from different
nationalities (Gudykunst, 2003). Still, others look at
intercultural communication as communication that is
THE DEVELOPMENTAL MODEL
OF INTERCULTURAL
SENSITIVITY
Stage 1: Denial.
Stage 2: Defense.
Stage 3: Minimization.
Stage 4: Acceptance.
Stage 5: Adaptation.
Stage 6: Integration.
STAGE 1: DENIAL.
The individual does not recognize
cultural differences.

An individual in the denial stage might be

heard saying:
“All cities are the same; they all have tall
buildings, fast food chains, and coffee
shops.”
 Stage 2: Defense.

The individual starts to recognize cultural

differences and is intimidated by them, resulting
in either a superior view on own culture or an
unjustified high regard for the new one.

An individual in the defense stage might be heard

saying:
“This culture does not view life the way we do; our
culture is certainly better.” “Their ways are better than
Stage 3: Minimization.

Although individuals see cultural

differences, they bank more on the
universality of ideas rather than on
cultural differences.

An individual in the minimization stage might

be heard saying:
“Once we see through the cultural
differences, we really are just the same!”
Stage 4: Acceptance.

The individual begins to appreciate important

cultural differences in behaviors and eventually
in values.

An individual in the acceptance stage might be heard

saying:
“These people and I have different values and
experiences, and I think we can learn from one
another.”
Stage 5: Adaptation.

The individual is very open to world views when

accepting new perspectives.

An individual in the adaptation stage might be heard

saying:
“To address our issue, I have to adjust my approach to
consider both my own and my counterpart’s
background.”
Stage 6: Integration.

Individuals start to go beyond their own

cultures and see themselves and their
actions based on multifarious cultural
viewpoints.

An individual in the integration stage might

be heard saying:
“I can look at things from the perspective of
various cultures.”
CHARACTERISTICS OF
COMPETENT
INTERCULTURAL
 CHARACTERISTICS OF
COMPETENT
INTERCULTURAL
1. flexibility and the ability to tolerate high levels of
COMMUNICATORS
uncertainty
2. reflectiveness or mindfulness
3. open-mindedness
4. sensitivity
5. adaptability
6. ability to engage in divergent thinking (or thinking
creatively) and systems-level thinking (or thinking how
each one in a system or organization influences each
Read each statement. If it displays bias or insensitivity, write the group/element being
misrepresented (gender, social status, age, religion, culture). If not, write “OK.”
1. “Each employee must wear his ID at all times.”
2. “You won’t understand if I explain; you’re too young.”
3. “Japanese people are so rigid and stoic!”
4. “Don’t buy those shades; only low-class people wear those.”
5. “Lolo, this is an iPhone. ‘i-Phone.’ It is a very complicated device, but I’ll explain it
to you simply. It is used to talk to people from other places.”
6. “All staff members have to submit their leave requests before the day ends.”
7. “My belief is the absolute truth. Other religions simply got it wrong.”
8. “Manang, let’s go, I’ll treat you. I bet you haven’t eaten sushi in your entire life.”
9. “Catholics and Protestants do have big differences, but we must respect each
other’s beliefs.”
10. “You’re the youngest person in the family, but I trust that you can handle the
situation well.”
Instructions: Write T if the statement is true and F if the statement is false.
11. Intercultural communication occurs when there is interaction and negotiation
between or
among individuals from different cultural backgrounds.
12. Intercultural communication refers only to communication that happens between o
among individuals from different nations.
13. Communication that exists between or among individuals from different ethnic,
religious, and regional backgrounds and sexual orientations is not considered as
intercultural.
14. The DMIS by Bennett and Bennett (2004) can be used to understand those who do
not
recognize other cultures and cannot communicate interculturally.
15. The denial stage could be interpreted as distrust towards other cultures.
16. The acceptance stage refers to recognition of cultural differences.
17. In the adaptation stage, individuals begin to integrate with other cultures.
18. Cultural sensitivity matters in intercultural communication.