Understanding Intercultural Communication

Understanding Intercultural Communication, 3rd Edition (UIC3) emphasizes a perspective that integrates intersectional identity complexity with a strong values orientation in shaping intercultural contact. We address contemporary issues such as the important roles and effects of technology in our everyday intercultural lives. This is an introductory book designed for undergraduate students, teachers, and practitioners searching for a user-friendly textbook on the fundamentals of intercultural communication. With the lens of flexible intercultural communication, we thread through an abundance of intercultural material with a very practical theme. By integrating current empirical research with lively intercultural examples, the authors ask thought-provoking questions and pose ethical dilemmas for students to ponder.

Table of Contents:
Contents Preface About the Authors Acknowledgments PART I FUNDAMENTAL CONCEPTS IN INTERCULTURAL COMMUNICATION Chapter 1 Why Study Intercultural Communication? Six Practical Reasons to Study Intercultural Communication The Impact of Technology on Everyday Intercultural Communication The Global and Domestic Diversity Workforce The "New Norm": Nontraditional Interpersonal Relationships (Relationship Development, Families, and Identity Complexity) Global Health Care Concerns and Opportunities Personal Empowerment, Social Advocacy, and Social Justice Inclusivity Reason: Increasing Self-Awareness and Other-Sensitivity Culture: A Learned Meaning System Surface-Level Culture: Artifacts and Pop Culture Intermediate-Level Culture: Symbols, Meanings, and Norms Deep-Level Culture: Traditions, Beliefs, and Values Updating Your (Virtual) Intercultural Passport Discussion and Practical Application Questions Chapter 2 What Is Intercultural Communication Flexibility? Defining Intercultural Communication: A Process Model Intercultural Communication Process: Overall Characteristics Intercultural Communication: Meaning Construction Characteristics Cultivating Intercultural Communication Flexibility Three Content Components: Knowledge, Attitude, and Skills Three Criteria: Appropriateness, Effectiveness, and Adaptability Practicing Intercultural Communication Competence A Staircase Model An Essential Hook: A Mindful Perspective Deepening Intercultural Process Thinking and Outcome Goals Process Consciousness: Underlying Principles Movements Toward Outcome Goals Intercultural Reality Check: Doables Discussion and Practical Application Questions Chapter 3 What Are the Essential Cultural Value Patterns? Functions of Cultural Values Analyzing Cultural Values Identity Meaning Function Ingroup-Outgroup Evaluative Function Explanatory Function Motivational Function Analyzing Cultural Value Continuum Dimensions Discovering Cultural Continuum Values Identity: Individualism-Collectivism Value Dimension Power: Small-Large Power Distance Value Dimension Uncertainty: Weak-Strong Uncertainty Avoidance Value Dimension Sex Roles: Feminine-Masculine Value Dimension Understanding Personality Styles and Value Tendencies Independent Self-Construal Versus Interdependent Self-Construal Horizontal Versus Vertical Personality Style Uncertainty-Oriented Versus Certainty-Oriented Attributes Androgynous Versus Conventional Sex Role Dispositions Cultural Values Connecting With Personality Styles and Social Situations Additional Classical Value Orientation Patterns Value Orientations: Background Information Meaning: Activity Value Orientation Destiny: People-Nature Value Orientation Time: Temporal Value Orientation Intercultural Reality Check: Doables Discussion and Practical Application Questions Chapter 4 What Are the Keys to Understanding Cultural and Ethnic Identities? Family and Gender Socialization Families Come in Different Shapes Gender Socialization and Interaction Patterns Group Membership: Intercultural Boundary-Crossing Factors The Process of Acculturation and Enculturation Systems-Level Factors Individual-Level Factors Interpersonal Face-to-Face and Relational Network Factors Mass Media and Social Media Usage Factors Intergroup Adaptive Strategies Sociocultural Group Affiliation and Identity Formation Conceptualizing Cultural Identity Conceptualizing Ethnic Identity Ethnic-Racial Identity Change Process Cultural-Ethnic Identity Typological Model Racial-Ethnic Identity Development Model Identity Complexity Multiracial and Biracial Identity Intercultural Reality Check: Doables Discussion and Practical Application Questions Part II CROSSING CULTURAL AND COMMUNICATION BOUNDARIES ADAPTIVELY Chapter 5 What Is Culture Shock? Unpacking Culture Shock Characteristics of Culture Shock Pros and Cons of Culture Shock Culture Shock Encounters: A Variety of Culture Shockers International Students and Cultural Exchange Students Global Workplace Transferees and Global Mobility Families Third Culture Kids/Global Nomads (TCK/GN) International Tourists as Short-Term Sojourners Initial Tips to Manage Culture Shock Culture Shock Factors, Adjustment Approaches, and Strategies Motivational Orientations and Personal Expectations Cultural Distance Factors and Two Adjustment Approaches Initial Cultural Adjustment, New Media, and Social Support Cultural Adjustment Competence Strategies Personality Attributes Intercultural Adjustment: Developmental Patterns The U-Curve Adjustment Model The Revised W-Shaped Adjustment Model Culture Shock Adjustment Summary: Peaks and Valleys Reentry Culture Shock Reentry Culture Shock: Surprising Elements

About the Author :
Stella Ting-Toomey is Professor of Human Communication Studies at California State University, Fullerton. Leeva C. Chung is Professor at the University of San Diego.

Review :
Understanding Intercultural Communication is an up-to-date and practical text designed to foster student thinking about intercultural interactions. The examples and scenarios presented in each chapter provide students an opportunity to explore intercultural concepts in depth." - Todd Lee Goen, Christopher Newport University Understanding Intercultural Communication lives up to its title. This textbook presents the critical perspectives and scholarship on key concepts and issues that will make intercultural communication understandable to today's students. After identifying issues and providing relevant examples, the text offers 'doable' actions as suggestions for achieving positive, effective intercultural communication." - Armeda Reitzel, Humboldt State University This text has a handle on intercultural communication topics and issues with true life applications and accounts. If you are looking for a thorough examination of local and global topics, Understanding Intercultural Communication is the text for you and your students." - Craig E. Soaries, Gordon State College