Literaturnachweis - Detailanzeige
Autor/in | Marsh, David |
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Titel | Minimalism vs. Maximalism in Intercultural Research and Training. |
Quelle | (1994), (28 Seiten)
PDF als Volltext |
Sprache | englisch |
Dokumenttyp | gedruckt; online; Monographie |
Schlagwörter | Stellungnahme; Communication Problems; Communication Research; Cross Cultural Training; Cultural Influences; Ethnocentrism; Higher Education; Intercultural Communication; Research Needs |
Abstract | Like Antarctica, the fields of cross- and intercultural communication are claimed by many, explored by not so many, and understood by perhaps rather few. The most popular references in this area reflect a "maximalist" perspective, generally cross-cultural, which advocates the view that culture is a monolithic and static entity and that people's culture will largely determine their way of interacting with others. A "minimalist" perspective, largely intercultural, allows a greater focus to be placed on the individual and the situation. In their pursuit of descriptions of socio-cultural knowledge in intercultural communication, researchers from different disciplines have approached the area from different angles and some may have fallen victim to myopia resulting from ethnocentricity and ideological self-fulfillment. Four broadly delimited fields characterize present research interests: communication science, social psychology, anthropological linguistics, and sociolinguistics. The pursuit of problem identification and the desire to forward means for problem solution have resulted in a heavy focus on communication breakdown as opposed to communication success. Researchers are faced with a dilemma--they must deal with and explain systematic intercultural differences, but they also have to study each interaction as a separate achievement on its own. Situational adaptability is a means to raise the level of intercultural communication to a higher level of empirical validation and relevance to real people in a real world. An approach to intercultural communication as pertaining to situational parameters is both overdue and promising. (Contains 70 references.) (Author/RS) |
Erfasst von | ERIC (Education Resources Information Center), Washington, DC |