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?