Predictors of intercultural communication competence

• Published in: International journal of intercultural relations 1989, Vol.13 (3), p.349-370
• Main Authors: Wiseman, Richard L., Hammer, Mitchell R., Nishida, Hiroko
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Biological and medical sciences; College Students; Competence; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; Intercultural Communication; Japan; Psychology. Psychoanalysis. Psychiatry; Psychology. Psychophysiology; Social Distance; Social interactions. Communication. Group processes; Social psychology; United States of America
• ISSN: 0147-1767; 1873-7552
• DOI: 10.1016/0147-1767(89)90017-5

This study examined the relationship between intercultural communication (ICC) competence and knowledge of the host culture and cross-cultural attitude. ICC competence was conceptualized as a multidimensional construct which included culture-specific understanding of other, culture-general understanding, and positive regard for other. Using Gudykunst, Wiseman, and Hammer's model, the cross-cultural attitude consists of cognitive (stereotypes), affective (ethnocentrism), and conative (social distance) components. A total of 887 subjects (206 from Japan, 681 from United States participated in the study which obtained subjects' open-ended reactions to 44 intercultural situations, and ratings to 29 standardized test items, a social distance scale, and three questions regarding their knowledge of the other culture. Data analysis using the pat routine of the LISREL V computer program revealed that the different dimensions of ICC competence had varying relations with the three components of the cross-cultural attitude and knowledge of the other culture. Implications were drawn from the findings and future research foci were recommended. Cette etude examine la relation entre la capacite de communication interculturelle et la perspective d'une culture tri-dimensionnelle. La capacite de communication interculturelle est un concept multidimensionnel qui inclus la comprehension d'une culture specifique, differente de la sienne, la comprehension de plusieurs cultures en general, l'acceptation de comportements differents, un regard positif envers les autres. Emprunt du modele de Gudykunst, Wiseman & Hammer, nous considerons que la perspective d'une culture tri-dimensionnelle presente des caracteristiques cognitives, affectives et de comportements. 887 sujets (dont 206 du Japon et 681 des EtatsUnis) ont participe a une enquete. Il leur a ete demande de reagir spontanement face a 44 situations interculturelles differentes, d'evaluer 29 tests standards, une echelle sociale, et de repondre a trois questions portant sur leurs connaissances des autres cultures. Le recours au logiciel d'analyse LISREL V nous a permis de noter que les differentes capacites de communications interculturelles ont des interferences variees avec les trois caracteristiques de la perspective d'une culture tri-dimensionnelle et de la connaissance d'une autre culture. Les resultats de cette enquete nous ont conduit a certaines hypotheses, un travail de recherche pointu portant sur ces aspects est souha