2culture shock

8/3/2019 2Culture Shock

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Culture ShockChallenges and Problems Encountered in Cultural Transition

Ian MacDonald, MSc.

ESSCA Budapest


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Cross-Cultural Transition

Most people go through four phases during cross-culturaltransition.

Euphoria

Culture ShockAcculturation

Stable State

Length of Each Phase Varies

Often Subconscious


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The Four Phases

1. Euphoria 2. Culture Shock 3. Acculturation

+

-

Time

Feelings

4. Stable State


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Phase 1: Euphoria

Excitement at Discovering a New Culture

Everything is New

Some Stay at This Stage

Tourists

Business Travellers


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Phase 2: Culture Shock

The frustration and confusion that result from beingbombarded by un-interpretable cues.

Adler, p. 227

Difficulty to understand host nationals behaviour

Difficulty to understand host nationals reactions to your

behaviour


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Phase 2: Culture Shock continued

Natural Response

Physical & Psychological Repercussions

Varies in degree

According to the Individual

According to the Country

Expatriates often stay together to feel better

Many never get beyond this stage


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Signs of Culture Shock

Homesickness

Boredom

Withdrawal

Need for Excessive Sleep

Compulsive Eating

Compulsive Drinking

Irritability

Exaggerated Cleanliness

Marital Stress

Family Tension & Conflict

Chauvinistic Excesses

Stereotyping of Host Nationals

Hostility towards Host

Nationals

Loss of Ability to Work

Effectively

Unexplained Fits of Weeping

Physical Ailments

Ferraro, p. 142


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Culture Shock is Stressful


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Culture Shock has Costs

Hinders Effectiveness

Cost of Premature Returns

$55,000 - $150,000

Excluding Potential Loss of Business


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Phase 3: Acculturation

Expatriates gradually grow accustomed to the newculture

They interpret behaviour better

They understand the language better

They learn to accept differences

Stress is reduced


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Phase 4: Stable State

Biculturalism

Acceptance of Most Differences

Some strain may continue

Some aspects of the new culture will be missed

Expatriation is a positive experience

Self-Development


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Marriage and Illness

Euphoria The Honeymoon - The Healthy Body

Culture Shock The Seven Year Itch - The Disease Sets In

Divorce Proceedings - And the Patient Dies

Acculturation Cant live with him, cant live without! - Recovery is Under Way

Stable State Diamond Wedding Anniversary - Full Recovery


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Minimising Culture Shock

Before

Choose the Right Person Dont Choose the Wrong Person!!

Avoid someone who claims not to suffer from Culture Shock

Develop Cultural Awareness Know that Culture Shock Exists

The Concept of Culture

Culture-Specific Knowledge

Including Language

Cultural Self-Awareness


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During

Develop Cross Cultural Skills Tolerance of Ambiguity

Flexibility

Patience

Empathy

Personalization of Observations

Showing Respect

Avoidance of Judgements

Sense of Humour

Create a Stability Zone An environment resembling ones home culture

But Avoid Ghettos


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Duringcontinued

Involve the Whole Family

Manage Stress

Exercise Meditation and Relaxation Exercises

Be Realistic

Let Go of Home

Realise there are No Absolutes

Keep Faith

Beware of host nationals knowledge Culture is subconscious

Accept lower effectiveness at the beginning


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Going Home

Disorientation when confronted with home culture

Often Unexpected

Even More Stressful

New Role in the Parent Company

Possible Lower Standard of Living in Home Country

Embellishment of Home Culture during Expatriation

Lack of Psychological Support on Re-entry

People Understand Cultural Entry Can be Difficult

Few People Realise Returning Home Can Be as Big a Shock


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Personal Experiences

Managerial Skills, Not Technical Skills Working abroad makes you more knowledgeable about the questions to

ask, not the answers.

I learned how to work in two cultures... to compromise, not to be a

dictator. Its very similar to two domestic cultures... like marketing andengineering.

Im more open-minded... more able to deal with a wide range ofpeople... because I ran into many other points of view.Adler, p.240

Tolerance for Ambiguity Because I only understood a fraction of what was really going on

overseas, maybe 50%, I had to make decisions on a fraction of thenecessary information. Now I can tolerate nonclosure and ambiguitybetter.

Things you never thought youd put up with, you learn to put up with...I always thought I was right, until I went overseas.

Adler, p.240


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Personal Experiences continued

Multiple Perspective I learned what it felt like to be a foreigner... I could see things

from their perspective.

I learned to anticipate... its the role of the diplomat.

Adler, p.240

Ability to Work with and Manage Others I increased my tolerance for other people. For the first time, I

was the underdog, the minority.

I became a soft-headed screamer. Im definitely better with

others now. I used to be more ruthless than I am now... I was the All-

American manager. Now, I stop and realise the human impactmore. I use others as resources. I do more communicating withothers in the organisation.

Adler, p.240

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