Arve Gunnestad
Resilience in a Cross-Cultural Perspective: How resilience is generated in different cultures.Abstract
In this study I will explore how resilience is related to culture. Do different cultures generate resilience in different ways? As a background I present a model of resilience developed from a review of a number of studies as well as my own research. This model shows how the various protective factors can be divided into three main groups, and how different combinations of these factors develop resilience through some basic psychological processes. Based on a dynamic definition of culture, the article presents examples of three different cultures and how they generate resilience.
The article then briefly discusses four issues in relation to resilience and culture:
1. Protective factors – universal or contextual,
2. Different ways of creating resilience,
3. Resilience and vulnerability from culture,
4. Minority and majority cultures, biculturalism and resilience.
In the discussion the article make comparisons between Southern African culture and Norwegian culture. Lastly, the article highlights some possible educational implications of the study.
Keywords: processes in resilience, protective factors, vulnerability, Latino Youth, North American Indian First Nation, educational implications.
Seth Ayim Gyekye
Causal Attributions for Industrial Accidents: A Culture-Comparative AnalysisAbstract
Theory and research on causal attribution have primarily focused on Western population samples. Given the important cultural differences that have been noted between Western (individualistic) and Eastern (collectivistic) cultures, l undertook a cross-cultural comparative analysis of causality attributions related to serious accidents between Ghanaian and Finnish industrial workers. The data comprised 529 participants: 73 victims, 65 witnesses, and 71 supervisors from Finland, and 121 victims, 117 witnesses, and 82 supervisors from Ghana. Consistent with my predictions, l found the Ghanaian participants to be more contextual in their causality attributions. Compared to their Finnish counterparts, they externalised their faults and work failures and were rather defensive in their explanations. The discussion is focused on the cultural, cognitive and motivational factors for the divergence causality assignment.
Key Words: Self-defensive attribution, individualism-collectivism, cross-cultural, self-esteem, self-esteem enhancement.
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Carel Jansen, Jos van Baal & Eefje Bouwmans
Investigating culturally-oriented fear appeals in public information documents on HIV/AIDSAbstract
Two public information texts including different fear appeals aimed at AIDS prevention were evaluated by participants from three countries: 147 participants came from the Netherlands, 109 from Spain and 179 from South Africa (varying ethnical backgrounds). The results of the experiment suggest that HIV/AIDS communication that emphasizes the severity of the disease and the vulnerability of the target audience can be successful, provided that the members of the target audience feel confident enough about their own capabilities to adopt self-protective behavior. As for possible interaction effects of fear appeals and cultural orientation, the outcomes of a similar experiment reported in Murray-Johnson et al. (2001) could not be replicated. None of the predicted effects occurred. An explanation may partly be found in problems concerning frequently used measurement instruments for cultural orientation.
Keywords: HIV/AIDS communication, Netherlands, Spain, South Africa, self confidence, self-protective behaviour.
Haruthai Putrasreni Numprasertchai & Fredric William Swierczek
Dimensions of Success in International Business Negotiations: A Comparative Study of Thai and International Business NegotiatorsAbstract
The success of international business relationships depends on effective business negotiations. Negotiators need to be well prepared. Understanding how to achieve international business negotiation outcomes and the factors relevant to the process will allow negotiators to be more successful.
Based on theories of negotiation with a cultural focus, this study focuses on the dimensions of negotiating outcomes and process as perceived by Thai and International business negotiators related to past cross-cultural international business negotiations. From a review of negotiation practices a questionnaire focusing on positive retrospective negotiation experiences was developed and sent to executives working in Thailand. The results indicate that the important outcomes for successful cross-cultural negotiators are future-oriented prospects and performance. An information focus and a relationship orientation are the dominant keys to success identified by both Thai and International negotiators. Tactics and protocol are much less emphasized in successful experiences. International business negotiators significantly emphasize a specific time orientation more than their Thai counterparts.
Keywords: International business, negotiators, negotiating process, negotiating outcomes, future-oriented prospects, relationship orientation, executives in Thailand.
Janet M. Roberts
Wearing the Hijab: An argument for moderate selective acculturation of newly immigrated Arab-American womenAbstract
The goal of this research is to examine how Arab women newly emigrated to the United States struggle to decide how to blend with or into the fabric of this country while still retaining their culture, language and religion in a manner that is comfortable and acceptable to them. All the interviewees were Arab/Muslim women from the countries of Iraq and Lebanon. The research also examines the conflict among Muslim women over the decision as to whether or not to wear the hijab or veil covering their heads.
This research is important in creating an understanding of the needs and differences, as well as the desires and similarities, of Arab/Muslim women and American women. It is also important for differentiating between assimilation, multiculturalism and selective acculturation. Any research and analysis that works to emphasize common values and acceptance of differences also works toward the building of a peaceful community.
Keywords: acculturation, dissonant/consonanr/selective moderate acculturation, assimilation, multiculturalism, Arab/Muslim women, individualist culture, collectivist culture, cultural brokers.Xingsong Shi
Intercultural Transformation and Second Language SocializationAbstract
In order to make a fuller interpretation of second language socialization processes in intercultural communication contexts, this study looks into the basic assumptions of language socialization and the tenets of intercultural transformation studies before arguing for the feasibility of weaving the two research paradigms to create a more inclusive theoretical framework of intercultural language socialization. An elaboration of such a framework holds promise to enable a more panoramic interrogation of the joint development of L2 learners’ language competence and sociocultural knowledge in complex intercultural communicative contexts. This effort will not only expand and enrich the two research paradigms themselves, but also compensate for the dearth of research in this interdisciplinary field.
Key Words: Intercultural transformation, second language socialization
Jonas Stier
Internationalisation, intercultural communication and intercultural competenceAbstract
This article assumes that the internationalization of higher education demands more elaborate pedagogical approaches to utilise the experiences of multiethnic student groups and to facilitate every student’s acquisition of intercultural competencies. Drawing from three internationalisation ideologies embedded in the educational discourse, it is argued that intercultural communication – as a field of study or a discipline – can play a key role in this endeavour. Twelve fields of consideration, when international educators work with students, are also identified. Keywords: internationalization, ideology, intercultural competence, curriculum.