scholarly journals Cross-Cultural Sensitivity and Intensity of Interaction in Study Abroad: A Developmental Approach

Author(s):  
Ariadna Sánchez Hernández
Author(s):  
Sunil Bhatia

This chapter investigates how neoliberal globalization is not just an economic concept or an economic condition; rather, it brings with it shifts in the spheres of culture psychology and identity. It specifically analyzes how personality and assessment tests and cross-cultural workshops on identity and difference that are primarily developed from Euro-American psychology are utilized in the Indian information technology and call center industry. The cross-cultural framework developed primarily by Western psychologists provided the most important tools, concepts, and vocabularies to understand “culture” in cultural sensitivity workshops and extended training seminars held for offshore companies, such as in India. These workshops promoted highly reified ideas about culture in which Indian work culture was viewed as inefficient, hierarchical, feudal, and indirect, whereas European culture was framed as egalitarian, professional, assertive, and non-hierarchical. This chapter reveals how neoliberal psychological discourses of self, identity, and happiness are becoming a mainstay of Indian culture and society.


2005 ◽  
Vol 48 (5) ◽  
pp. 593-607 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kam-shing Yip

Authentization, indigenization, cultural sensitivity, cultural competence and globalization are controversial issues in cross-cultural social work. In this article, the writer tries to clarify all these related concepts. In terms of various Asian cultural contexts, a model of dynamic Asian response and exchange in the field of cross-cultural social work practice in Asian countries is suggested. French L'authentization, l'indigénisation, la sensibilité culturelle, la compétence interculturelle et la mondialisation sont des questions controversées en travail social interculturel. Dans cet article, l'auteur tend à clarifier ces concepts interliés et suggère une réponse et des échanges asiatiques dynamiques dans le contexte culturel diversifié des contrées de l'Asie. Spanish La autencización, la indigenización, la sensibilidad cultural, la competencia cultural y la globalización son asuntos controvertidos en el trabajo social transcultural. El autor trata de clarificar todos estos relacionados conceptos. Respecto a varios contextos culturales de Asia, el autor sugiere un modelo dinámico de intercambio y respuesta asiática a la práctica de trabajo social transcultural en países de Asia.


1994 ◽  
Vol 75 (2) ◽  
pp. 801-802 ◽  
Author(s):  
Joel Klein

Over an 11-week course on multiculturalism in Canada, scores on the Cross-Cultural Sensitivity Scale for 16 students did not change. Also, no significant differences were found between 6 minority students and 10 majority students at pre- or at posttest.


2018 ◽  
Vol 8 (4) ◽  
Author(s):  
Matthias Hennings ◽  
Shin Tanabe

Many Japanese universities have created short-term study abroad programs with the aim of offering a satisfying study abroad experience to international students. Based on a survey of 131 international students, this paper analyzes these students’ objectives and their relation to student satisfaction. As the results show, many students regard their experience of living in Japan as more important than their academic pursuits. Furthermore, for students with prior knowledge of Japanese, improving language skills tends to result in higher satisfaction, while for students who do not speak the local language, achieving cross-cultural skills is a major factor for having a satisfying experience.


Author(s):  
Clyde W Yancy ◽  
Jill A Foster ◽  
Gregory D Salinas ◽  
Andrew R Sanchez ◽  
Linda L Casebeer

Background: The CDC advocates improved physician cultural competence to reduce disparities in cardiovascular (CV) health. Cultural competence may be particularly important to establish an effective therapeutic alliance to mitigate CV risk. This study sought to better understand physician elements of cultural competence that can be targeted to improve cardiovascular health in minority populations. Methods: Family physicians, internists, cardiologists and neurologists practicing in the southern US were queried in this survey. Participants assessed their cross-cultural knowledge, skills, attitudes, and training using 5-point scales. Office managers of respondents were then invited to complete a separate survey assessing compliance with 3 Culturally and Linguistically Appropriate Services (CLAS) standards relevant to the office setting. Results: Among 697 respondents, 57% considered sociocultural issues important in patient interactions. Prior training was reported by 76%, but 18% considered multicultural health training of little importance. On average, self-assessed knowledge (10 items) and skill (15 items) were moderate. More than 3 of 4 physicians reported little or no knowledge of CLAS standards; more than half reported limited knowledge of traditional healing. Striking differences were noted among physicians of different racial groups with blacks consistently reporting greater self-awareness, knowledge and skill compared to whites (p< .01). Significant differences did not emerge between primary care and specialist physicians. A subset of 124 office practices participated in the CLAS assessment. Though physicians were largely unaware of CLAS standards, compliance was 98% for Standard 1 (culturally appropriate care), 67% for Standard 2 (workforce diversity) and 25% for Standard 3 (staff CLAS training). Conclusions: Physicians and their office staff have modest levels of cultural sensitivity as well as moderate cross-cultural knowledge and skills, but deficits, especially among physicians and particularly as a function of physician race, are present in important areas. Building upon this foundation to achieve greater proficiency in cross cultural care may improve the quality of care and reduce disparities in CV health.


2020 ◽  
Vol 24 (5) ◽  
pp. 535-554
Author(s):  
Agnieszka Chwialkowska

While some institutions require their students to spend a semester abroad as a prerequisite to earning a business degree, academics challenge the view that travel abroad helps students become culturally competent. Many students admit that they failed to immerse themselves in a cross-cultural environment. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to identify the components of exchange study abroad programs (ESP) that facilitate student cross-cultural learning (CCL). Building on transformative learning theory (TLT), we propose and test a conceptual model of relationships between different components of exchange programs and student CCL. The data collected from more than 700 students participating in a semester and two-semester-long programs are analyzed through logistic regression. This research contributes to the literature on the effectiveness of ESP by identifying the key components that maximize positive outcomes for students. By building on TLT, it reveals the importance of getting out of one’s comfort zone and providing students with support during the ESP. This study bears practical implications as it provides academic institutions and students with important insights that help maximize student CCL.


2012 ◽  
Vol 2012 ◽  
pp. 1-5 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ken Russell Coelho ◽  
Chardee Galan

Recent empirical findings document the role of nonverbal communication in cross-cultural interactions. As ethnic minority health disparities in the United States continue to persist, physician competence in this area is important. We examine physicians' abilities to decode nonverbal emotions across cultures, our hypothesis being that there is a relationship between physicians' skill in this area and their patients' satisfaction and outcomes. First part tested Caucasian and South Asian physicians' cross-cultural emotional recognition ability. Physicians completed a fully balanced forced multiple-choice test of decoding accuracy judging emotions based on facial expressions and vocal tones. In the second part, patients reported on satisfaction and health outcomes with their physicians using a survey. Scores from the patient survey were correlated with scores from the physician decoding accuracy test. Physicians, regardless of their ethnicity, were more accurate at rating Caucasian faces and vocal tones. South Asian physicians were no better at decoding the facial expressions or vocal tones of South Asian patients, who were also less likely to be satisfied with the quality of care provided by their physicians and to adhere to their physicians' recommendations. Implications include the development of cultural sensitivity training programs in medical schools, continuing medical education and public health programs.


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