Chapter 13

Adapting to Diversity: Culture Shock

Culture Shock

Physical or emotional discomfort experienced by those adjusting to a new environment (p 249)

Often this effects our everyday habitual behaviors, things takes for granted in our home culture

Causes of Culture Shock

Loss of familiar signs – physical or social cues that we have become accustomed to are lacking in the new culture (p 251)

Communication breakdown – inability to communicate in the same way that we did in our home culture

Personal crisis

Stages in Culture Shock

Preliminary Stages – the traveler is still at home preparing for the trip; feelings of anticipation and possible regret

Spectator Stage – arrival in the new place; a tide of emotions and a blur of events

Stages in Culture Shock

Participant Stage – the person will have to now start to really live; look for basic things such as food and will now start a job or school

Shock Stage – this happens after the person has been in the new place for a period of time and problems begin to surface, some that may be difficult to handle in the new place; hostility toward the new country and its members