Ting-Toomey, Stella & Chung, Leeva C. - What is Culture Shock?

Question 1

What is the main difference between a tourist and a sojourner?

Answer 1

A tourist stays for a short period of time and is less likely to experience culture shock, whereas a sojourner stays for a longer period and may experience culture shock due to the adjustment to a new environment.

Question 2

What are some characteristics of culture shock?

Answer 2

Culture shock involves identity disorientation, loss of values, status, or profession, strain for psychological adaptation, rejection by members of the new culture, confusion, and powerlessness in coping with the environment.

Question 3

What are the three dimensions of disorientation in culture shock?

Answer 3

Affective: Anxiety, confusion, and disorientation.

Behavioral: Not knowing how to act or what to do according to new norms.

Cognitive: Incompetence in interpreting unfamiliar cultural behaviors.

Question 4

What are the cons of culture shock?

Answer 4

Psychosomatic problems (e.g., headaches), affective turmoil (e.g., loneliness, isolation), and cognitive exhaustion (difficulty making sense of new cultural cues).

Question 5

What are the pros of culture shock?

Answer 5

If you are able to get pat the first period of confusion, you get an enhanced well-being, self-esteem, emotional richness, tolerance for ambiguity, improved social interactions, and greater cognitive flexibility.

You also get used to experimenting new ideas and handling behaviour, and stretch beyond usual boundaries of thinking and experiencing.

Question 6

How does voluntary motivation impact culture shock?

Answer 6

Sojourners who voluntarily move to a new place are generally better at adapting to culture shock compared to immigrants or refugees because they are more motivated to engage with the new culture.

Question 7

How does cultural distance affect culture shock?

Answer 7

High cultural distance (e.g., differences in values, language, and social systems) leads to more severe culture shock. However, an assumed similarity between cultures can lead to higher cultural frustration.

Question 8

What is the U-Curve Adjustment Model?

Answer 8

It consists of three phases:

1. Initial Adjustment (honeymoon): Optimistic phase.
2. Crisis (slump): Stressful phase where reality sets in.
3. Regained Adjustment: Settling in and learning to cope.

Question 9

What does the W-Shape Adjustment Model add to the U-Curve model?

Answer 9

It includes a second U curve when the individual returns to their home culture, facing a re-entry cultural shock and readjusting to their original environment.

Question 10

What are the stages in the revised W-Shape, ting-toomey, model of intercultural adjustment?

Answer 10

1. Honeymoon
2. Hostility
3. Humorous (laughing at one’s blunders)
4. In-sync (feeling “at home”)
5. Ambivalence (grief and nostalgia for the host culture)
6. Re-entry cultural shock
7. Re-socialization (integrating new experiences into home culture)

Question 11

What is psychological adjustment in the context of culture shock?

Answer 11

Psychological adjustment involves coping with cross-cultural transitions, experiencing feelings of well-being and satisfaction.

It may also include adjustment depression, characterized by chronic strain, low self-esteem, and low mastery.

Cognitive coping strategies such as positive self-talk and situational appraisal help individuals cope with new cultural cues and settings.

Question 12

What are some key strategies for cognitive coping during culture shock?

Answer 12

Cognitive coping strategies include positive self-talk (talking to yourself and analyzing the situation), convincing yourself that you will be able to cope, and engaging in positive situational appraisal.

Question 13

What does sociocultural adjustment involve?

Answer 13

Sociocultural adjustment is the ability to fit within the society of the new setting. It involves executing appropriate and effective interactions, both quality and quantity, with locals. Greater sociocultural adjustment leads to lower levels of depression and hopelessness, and is facilitated by culture-specific knowledge, contact with locals, language fluency, and longer residence in the host culture.

Question 14

How can sociocultural adjustment be improved?

Answer 14

Sociocultural adjustment can be improved by interacting with more people and situations, learning from even negative interactions, and enhancing culture-specific knowledge (e.g., language fluency and understanding of local customs).

Question 15

What is communication competence in the context of culture shock?

Answer 15

Communication competence is the ability to communicate and adapt effectively in a new cultural environment. It involves knowledge of cultural sensitivities, motivation to adapt, activation of appropriate communication skills, mastery of culture-based contextual rules, and achieving successful outcomes in intercultural exchanges.

Question 16

What are the key mindset tendencies for effective communication competence?

Answer 16

The key mindset tendencies include mindfulness, cognitive flexibility, tolerance/handling of ambiguity, behavioral flexibility, and cross-cultural empathy (understanding and empathizing with the new setting and the locals).

Question 17

What are some important personality attributes for adjusting to a new culture?

Answer 17

Important personality attributes include high tolerance for ambiguity, an internal focus of control (inner-directed motivations), personal flexibility, and mastery. These traits indicate a person’s likelihood to naturally adjust well to a new cultural setting and fit in with the host culture.

Question 18

What are some tips for managing culture shock effectively?

Answer 18

Address emotional insecurity and vulnerability when they arise.

Induce effective adaptation by learning about new cultures and increasing motivation.

Keep expectations realistic and increase familiarity with the new culture.

Improve linguistic fluency and develop strong ties (friends) and weak ties (acquaintances).

Be mindful of interpersonal behavior and suspend ethnocentric evaluations of the host culture.

Question 19

What is the Honeymoon stage in the W-curve model?

Answer 19

The Honeymoon stage is characterized by excitement and exhilaration about the new cultural environment. Although individuals may not completely understand the local behavior, they accept it and enjoy the initial “friendly” contact. It is a period of optimism and fascination.

Question 20

What happens during the Hostility stage in the W-curve model?

Answer 20

the Hostility stage involves emotional turmoil, often referred to as culture shock. There is a significant loss of self-esteem and self-confidence. Individuals feel consciously incompetent, emotionally drained, and may struggle with adapting to new cultural norms.

Question 21

What is the Humorous stage in the W-curve model?

Answer 21

During the Humorous stage, individuals learn to laugh at their own blunders. They recognize both the pros and cons of their home and host cultures. Small frustrations are balanced by small triumphs, and individuals can compare both cultures realistically, without being overly optimistic or pessimistic.

Question 22

What is the In-sync stage in the W-curve model?

Answer 22

In the In-sync stage, individuals feel “at home” and experience a sense of identity security and inclusion. They achieve social acceptance and support, and can interpret previously “bizarre” local customs and behaviors. They are also able to speak the local language fluently.

Question 23

What happens during the Ambivalence stage in the W-curve model?

Answer 23

The Ambivalence stage occurs when individuals come back down to a second culture shock (Hostility stage). They feel a mix of grief, nostalgia, and pride. There is a relief and sorrow about leaving the host culture, along with a desire to share their experience upon returning home.

Question 24

What is Re-entry cultural shock in the W-curve model?

Answer 24

Re-entry cultural shock refers to the challenges faced when returning to one’s home culture, also known as “reverse cultural shock.” This stage can be unexpected and more severe, especially if there is a significant cultural difference between the host and home cultures.

Question 25

What is Re-socialization in the W-curve model?

Answer 25

In the Re-socialization stage, individuals either return to their previous roles and behaviors, burying their new experiences and skills, or they find ways to reintegrate into their previous setting. Some may act as agents of change, integrating their new cultural insights into their home culture.

Question 26

What are the characteristics of culture shock?

Answer 26

Culture shock is characterized by feelings of anxiety, confusion, and frustration when adapting to a new culture. It includes emotional turmoil, loss of self-esteem, difficulty in understanding local customs, and a sense of disorientation in unfamiliar environments. Individuals may feel isolated and may struggle to communicate effectively.

Question 27

What are the 3 dimensions of disorientation during culture shock?

Answer 27

The three dimensions of disorientation during culture shock are:

Cognitive disorientation: Difficulty in understanding new customs, norms, and behaviors.

Emotional disorientation: Feelings of frustration, anxiety, and homesickness.

Behavioral disorientation: Difficulty in adjusting behavior and communication styles to the host culture.

Question 28

What are some pros and cons of culture shock?

Answer 28

Pros:
- Personal growth and increased cultural sensitivity.
- Greater understanding of diverse perspectives.
- Enhanced problem-solving and coping skills.

Cons:
- Emotional distress, frustration, and isolation.
- Difficulty in adapting to unfamiliar social norms.
- Loss of confidence and feelings of incompetence.

Question 29

What are the underlying factors of culture shock?

Answer 29

The underlying factors of culture shock include:

Cultural differences: Significant differences in social norms, values, and behaviors.

Language barriers: Difficulty in communication can heighten feelings of isolation.

Separation from familiar support systems: Being away from family and friends can create emotional vulnerability.

Expectations vs. reality: Unrealistic expectations about the new culture can lead to disappointment.

Question 29

What is intercultural adjustment?

Answer 29

Intercultural adjustment is the process of adapting to a new cultural environment. It involves developing the skills to interact effectively with people from different cultures, understanding cultural norms and values, and achieving emotional stability and social acceptance in the new setting.

Question 30

What are some tips to manage culture shock?

Answer 30

Tips to manage culture shock include:
- Learn about the new culture to increase motivation and understanding.

• Keep expectations realistic and avoid idealizing the host culture.
• Increase linguistic fluency to facilitate communication.
• Develop both strong ties (close friends) and weak ties (acquaintances).
• Be mindful of your behavior and try to adapt to social norms.
• Suspend ethnocentric evaluations of the host culture.

Question 31

What is the U-curve adjustment model?

Answer 31

1. Initial adjustemnt (honeymoon)
   - Optimistic/elation phase
   
   2. Crisis (slump)
      
      • Reality sets in, stressful phase/reality (incompetence to cope)
   3. Regained adjustment
      
      • Settling in and learning to cope

Question 32

What is the W-shape model of intercultural adjustment?

Answer 32

they added more stuff, the second U in the W is when you get back into your own setting (same hostility setting but now back at home, step 5 “re-entry cultural shock”)
1. Honeymoon
2. Hostility
3. Humorous (laughing at yourself for maybe not dealing with something how you would want to)
4. At-home (how you handled the situation and you seemed to be coping well
5. Re-entry cultural shock
6. Re-socialization

Question 33

What is the revised W-shape adjustment model proposed by Ting-Toomey and Chung (2012)?

Answer 33

The revised W-shape model of intercultural adjustment proposes smoother transitions between stages, as opposed to the sharp transitions in the original model. The stages include:

Honeymoon: Excitement and positivity about the new culture.

Hostility: Emotional turmoil and loss of self-esteem during culture shock.

Humorous: Learning to laugh at cultural mistakes and comparing cultures realistically.

In-sync: Feeling at home and accepted within the host culture.

Ambivalence: A mix of feelings of nostalgia and grief as individuals prepare to leave the host culture.

Re-entry cultural shock: Reverse culture shock when returning home.

Re-socialization: Adapting back to home culture, with some acting as agents of change.