Developing Developing Intercultural SensitivityIntercultural Sensitivity

The Journey from Ethnocentrism to Ethnorelativism

Dennis White, Ph.D.

USA-Canada YE Conference

Jan 30 - Feb. 1, 2004

Ethnocentrism:

The universal tendency for any culture to see its own values and practices as natural and correct.

Ethnocentrism:

All cultures are ethnocentric - and must be to impart their values to their members.

Ethnorelativism:

The acquired ability to see many values and behaviors as cultural rather than universal.

Ethnorelativism:

This approach attempts to understand values and behaviors from the point of view of that culture, rather than as right or wrong.

Ethnorelativism:

It assumes that one’s own culture is no more central to describing

and evaluating reality than any other -

regardless of one’s strongly held preferences

Ethnocentrism is similar to egocentrism.

Ethnorelativism is similar to empathy.

The Golden RuleThe Golden Rule

Do unto others as you would have others Do unto others as you would have others do unto you.do unto you.

The Platinum RuleThe Platinum Rule

Do unto others as they would Do unto others as they would have you do unto them.have you do unto them.

Developing cultural sensitivity and

competence requires moving from

Ethnocentrism to Ethnorelativism

CultureAn integrated system of learned behavior patterns that are characteristic of any given society. It refers to the total way of life, including how people think, feel and behave.

Metaphorically, culture is the lens through which we view the world.

Developing Intercultural Sensitivity

The Experience of Difference

Denial Defense Minimization

Ethnocentric Stages Ethnorelative Stages

Acceptance Adaptation Integration

Model developed by Dr.. Milton Bennett, Portland State University

1. In some ways, all people are alike.

2. In some ways people are like others in the same group.

3. In some ways people are unique.

There may be far fewer people in categories 1 and 3, and many more in category 2 than most people would like to believe.

1. In some ways, all people are alike.

2. In some ways people are like others in the same group.

3. In some ways people are unique.

Developing Intercultural Sensitivity

The Experience of Difference

Denial Defense Minimization

Ethnocentric Stages Ethnorelative Stages

Acceptance Adaptation Integration

Model developed by Dr.. Milton Bennett, Portland State University

In empathy, there is a risk of becoming so skilled at understanding someone else’s point of view, that one’s own beliefs are not as firm.

In ethnorelativism, the risk is the same. One may find deeply ingrained beliefs are not as firmly held.

1. Unconscious 1. Unconscious Incompetence.Incompetence.

2.2. Conscious Conscious Incompetence.Incompetence.

3.3. Conscious Competence.Conscious Competence.

4.4. Unconscious Unconscious Competence.Competence.

The steps in developing The steps in developing cultural competencecultural competence

Stages of Culture Stages of Culture Shock:Shock:

• Initial enthusiasm and euphoriaInitial enthusiasm and euphoria• Irritability and negativismIrritability and negativism• Gradual adjustment and Gradual adjustment and

adaptationadaptation• Integration and bi-culturalism Integration and bi-culturalism

““Culture shock pushes me out of Culture shock pushes me out of my comfort zone”my comfort zone”

Comment from an exchange studentComment from an exchange student

Under pressure, we tend to fall back Under pressure, we tend to fall back on what is comfortable, habitual, and on what is comfortable, habitual, and unconscious.unconscious.

Even when we know how to follow a Even when we know how to follow a cultural practice, and can do it, the cultural practice, and can do it, the tendency is to fall back.tendency is to fall back.

Normal Distribution of Any Cultural Trait

Frequency

Amount of Trait

Example: Individualism vs. Group Orientation

A typical student

Comparing Two Cultures (on any given trait)

In this example, there is some overlap, but the two cultures are mostly different

After Adaptation

After Adaptation

Culture Shock

The unconscious need to get back The unconscious need to get back to the comfort zone can lead to to the comfort zone can lead to several phenomena:several phenomena:

1. The early return.1. The early return.

2. The “exchange student” sub-2. The “exchange student” sub- culture. culture.

3. The late-stage confrontation.3. The late-stage confrontation.

Culture Shock CycleCulture Shock Cycle

Pre-Departure Months

Normal Level of Feelings

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 Return …...

Rotary Youth Exchange

Adapted from a model by Robert Kohls

There is nothing as practical as There is nothing as practical as a good theory or a good model.a good theory or a good model.We need to understand this We need to understand this process in order to help us process in order to help us predict training needs, predict training needs, anticipate problems, and anticipate problems, and understand our own issues as understand our own issues as we work in Rotary Youth we work in Rotary Youth Exchange.Exchange.

Training experiences that are useful will push Training experiences that are useful will push the edges of students’ comfort zones.the edges of students’ comfort zones.

1. Simulations – 1. Simulations – Bafa BafaBafa BafaAn Alien Among UsAn Alien Among UsBarngaBarnga

2. Any game that changes the rules – 2. Any game that changes the rules – examples:examples:

Broken Squares Build A TowerBroken Squares Build A TowerOpposite Hand Blindfold Opposite Hand Blindfold

Make a Peanut Butter Sandwich Make a Peanut Butter Sandwich

3. Ideally – the camping trip where everything 3. Ideally – the camping trip where everything

goes wrong. goes wrong.

Dennis White, Ph.D.Dennis White, Ph.D.207 S. 4th Ave.207 S. 4th Ave.Sturgeon Bay, WI. 54235Sturgeon Bay, WI. 54235Telephone 920-746-1346Telephone 920-746-1346Fax 920-746-1347Fax 920-746-1347E-Mail dkwhite@itol.comE-Mail dkwhite@itol.com