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Culture and Relationships
Theory & Research in Intercultural Communication—COM 372
John R. Baldwin—Illinois State University
A systems explanation
A systems explanation
Process (Throughput):
Communication patterns:
•Conflict
•Self-disclosure
•Power negotiation, etc.
Input:
Motives/Goals
Definitions of relationship
Cultures of origin
Cultural values, communication
Family cultures
Output:
Stability
Satisfaction
Family adjustment
Increased society tolerance
“Third” (family/rel) culture”
More on Systems Approach
System Environment
– Open/closed systems Input/Throughput/Output Homeostasis/Dynamic Equilibrium Feedback
– Positive: Change the system!– Negative: Keep the system the same!
First/Second-order system change!– The problem may not be that there is no feedback
but that the rules the system is following do not work! Plus ça change, plus c’est la même chose…
Input: Questions
What are some “input” factors that might impact intercultural, intergroup, or other sorts of relationships?
How might the input factors change between:– International couples– Intergroup couples (religious, ethnicity, etc.)– Stigmatized couples
Input: Motives
Lampe (1981, 1982): – What are the main reasons that people date
interethnically?– What are the main reasons people do not?
Do people date & marry for the same reasons? (Brazil example)
Input: Differences (issues)(Romano, 1988)
Values
In-laws
Food and drink
Sex
Male/females roles
Time
Place of residence
Politics
Dealing w/stress
Friends
Illness/suffering
Religion
Food & drink
Social class
Language/Comm
Raising children
Ethnocentrism
Process: Issues (Markoff, 1977) Problems in communication
(verbal, NV differences) Difference in values The concept of marriage (e.g.,
Char, Collier) Individual behavior and
practices (not cultural) Prejudices and stereotypes
(yes, even in marriage!) The surrounding family
(distance --> greater success!)
Process IssuesWhat are some “process”
issues intercultural couples might face?
What leads (IC) relationships to develop?
What are some ways IC couples might resolve cultural differences?
Process: Issues (Graham, Moeai, & Shizuru, 1985)
The Romeo & Juliet Effect “Internal” versus “External” problems
– individual living habits
– interference with extended family
– children
– different cultural customs
– time with friends
– language difficulties
– financial problems
Process: IR Dating/Marriage
Are the issues the same in interracial dating and marriage as in “intercultural” dating and marriage?
What about “interfaith” marriage?
Process: SolutionsTseng’s 5 Patterns of ICM Adjustment One-Way Adjustment: One partner gives in to the
culture of the other Alternative Adjustment: The couple alternates between
cultural Simultaneous Adjustment: Elements of both cultures
are adopted at the same time. Mixing: Within a given culture or time, the couple uses
aspects of one culture or the other. Tseng uses an example like "enchiladas tonight, sushi tomorrow night." = Compromise (as opposed to submission, consensus, or obliteration).
Creative Adjustment: The couple adopts elements of neither culture, but finds their "own" way
Intercultural RelationshipsSome explanations of relational growth
– Propinquity: Shared spaces interaction potential– Similarity-Attraction Hypothesis: It’s similarity that
makes relationships grow– URT: No…it’s your ability to predict and explain the
other or (AUM) to reduce your anxiety– Social Penetration Theory: : Self-disclosure
• Depth & breadth of SD
• 4 stages of relationships
– Dialectical approach: Tensions…– Turning points: Key moments…
Evaluating a theory
Does it make sense with everyday life? (e.g., by working through a single example)
Are there enough counterexamples to expand the theory?
Does it fit prior research?Does it meet goals of type of theory?How does it address theory evaluation standards?How does it compare to other theories?
Theory evaluation standards
•Scope, boundaries: How broad is it? Is what it covers clear?•Logical consistency: Does it hold together well?•Parsimony: Is it appropriately simple? •Testability (if scientific): Can the propositions be measured and tested? •Predictive ability (if scientific): Can we make good predictions with the variables provided? •Heurism: Does it lead to new study or theory? Does it stand the “test of time”? •Explanatory power: Does it explain most cases, or are there classes of cases it does not explain? •Utility: Is it useful in everyday life?
Anxiety-Uncertainty Management
Background: URTConcepts:
– Stranger– Anxiety and Uncertainty (not =!)– Effectiveness (and adaptation)– Mindfulness vs. Scripts– Thresholds– Management
AUM: Refining the structure
A list of variablesKnowledge, Motivation, SkillsHofstede’s DimensionsCurrent structure
– Proximal factors– Distal (secondary) factors– Order and direction of influence
AUM
Application: My Big Fat Greek Wedding– http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QcAL5ljKvqE (3.57)
– http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b6mAAky_5og (3.25)
Evaluation:
International Marriaegs in Japan (Quasha & Quasha, 2012)
MethodConcepts specific to Japanese relationships?What are some specific aspects of the
relationships the authors describe that illustrate the role of culture in relationship?
What are some other specific aspects of relationships you recall from the readings?