Do intercultural skills and interpersonal skills inform each other?
This is one of the most intriguing issues in the examination of
intercultural competence. Examining the concepts of intercultural
competence versus interpersonal competence—a distinction that my
students often find unclear—is helpful in understanding and developing
intercultural competence.
What differentiates intercultural skills from interpersonal skills? It seems that intercultural competence is an expanded dimension of interpersonal competence. Thus, intercultural competence includes certain characteristics, intentions and skills that relate to cultural difference.
Think about this: When we talk about interpersonal, do we begin with the assumption that there is not much difference among individuals, but when we talk about intercultural, do we automatically assume there is significant difference and must make an effort to work effectively with difference? Does interpersonal assume we’re just trying to work effectively?
Are there additional elements to intercultural competence not included in interpersonal competence? If so, what are they? How much of intercultural skill is different from interpersonal skill? Does one need to be interpersonally competent to achieve intercultural competence? Can clear distinctions be made and, if so, what are they? How many of these competencies are trainable?
The relational aspects of both intercultural and interpersonal interaction appear to factor equally during successful cultural interaction. One element required for the development of intercultural skills that is not needed in interpersonal skill building is a great deal of knowledge about how culture shapes people's perceptions and actions. Interculturally competent people possess both intercultural and interpersonal skills and the sensitivity to work around difference and pursue their goal of cross-cultural understanding. Having the ability to synthesize, they draw on their own cultural experiences and the experiences of others to understand different perceptions of the same situation.
The relational aspects of interaction discussed here (intercultural/interpersonal) appear to factor equally into those moments during cultural interaction when emotional connection takes place.
Alan Fogel, a developmental psychologist, who speaks to this developmental process of the relational perspective in his book Developing Through Relationships: Origins of Communication, Self and Culture, claims that "communicative connections to other people are fundamental to the workings of the human mind and self.” Alfred Schultz, a social phenomenologist, describes this kind of connection as seeing “my own stream of consciousness and yours in a single, intentional act which embraces them both ... having a sense that the other person’s stream of consciousness is flowing along a track that is temporarily parallel with your own ... synchronized and interlocked.” In their book entitled Systems Theory and Family Therapy: A Primer, Becvar & Becvar interpret this connection as “... allowing for the movement to and through successive stages of growth and development.”
Framing one’s perceptual images in this way suggests people becoming interwoven, able to be in the moment. This framing focuses on interdependence.
~ The Fighting Irish—A Story of Connection ~
One of my fondest memories of my family’s exposure to cultural difference is when we hosted a teenage girl from Northern Ireland during a turbulent period in that country’s religious history. My youngest daughter served as the host sister. The program’s orientation prepared us for the realities of the religious and political strife occurring there; yet, none of us will forget watching those 12 Irish teenagers—an equal number of Catholics and Protestants—exit the customs gate at O’Hare Airport. Immediately, our young visitors grouped themselves by religious affiliation as their host families began to sort out who belonged to which family.
The month-long program involved service projects, group discussions, social events, and host-family interactions. Additionally, these bright and eager teenagers, chosen for their leadership qualities and academic accomplishments, were required to attend weekly services at the church of the religion opposite their own. The experience proved to be a successful and enriching one for all involved, so much so that a stunning image of their departure remains vivid in my mind: As they were preparing to board the plane for home, this group of young people—so obviously divided upon their arrival in the United States—were hugging each other and tearfully coming to terms with the idea that they could no longer be friends once they returned to Ireland. They were about to return to a culture that clearly impeded connection across religious differences.
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Posted on LinkedIn 8/12/15
What differentiates intercultural skills from interpersonal skills? It seems that intercultural competence is an expanded dimension of interpersonal competence. Thus, intercultural competence includes certain characteristics, intentions and skills that relate to cultural difference.
Think about this: When we talk about interpersonal, do we begin with the assumption that there is not much difference among individuals, but when we talk about intercultural, do we automatically assume there is significant difference and must make an effort to work effectively with difference? Does interpersonal assume we’re just trying to work effectively?
Are there additional elements to intercultural competence not included in interpersonal competence? If so, what are they? How much of intercultural skill is different from interpersonal skill? Does one need to be interpersonally competent to achieve intercultural competence? Can clear distinctions be made and, if so, what are they? How many of these competencies are trainable?
The relational aspects of both intercultural and interpersonal interaction appear to factor equally during successful cultural interaction. One element required for the development of intercultural skills that is not needed in interpersonal skill building is a great deal of knowledge about how culture shapes people's perceptions and actions. Interculturally competent people possess both intercultural and interpersonal skills and the sensitivity to work around difference and pursue their goal of cross-cultural understanding. Having the ability to synthesize, they draw on their own cultural experiences and the experiences of others to understand different perceptions of the same situation.
The relational aspects of interaction discussed here (intercultural/interpersonal) appear to factor equally into those moments during cultural interaction when emotional connection takes place.
Alan Fogel, a developmental psychologist, who speaks to this developmental process of the relational perspective in his book Developing Through Relationships: Origins of Communication, Self and Culture, claims that "communicative connections to other people are fundamental to the workings of the human mind and self.” Alfred Schultz, a social phenomenologist, describes this kind of connection as seeing “my own stream of consciousness and yours in a single, intentional act which embraces them both ... having a sense that the other person’s stream of consciousness is flowing along a track that is temporarily parallel with your own ... synchronized and interlocked.” In their book entitled Systems Theory and Family Therapy: A Primer, Becvar & Becvar interpret this connection as “... allowing for the movement to and through successive stages of growth and development.”
Framing one’s perceptual images in this way suggests people becoming interwoven, able to be in the moment. This framing focuses on interdependence.
~ The Fighting Irish—A Story of Connection ~
One of my fondest memories of my family’s exposure to cultural difference is when we hosted a teenage girl from Northern Ireland during a turbulent period in that country’s religious history. My youngest daughter served as the host sister. The program’s orientation prepared us for the realities of the religious and political strife occurring there; yet, none of us will forget watching those 12 Irish teenagers—an equal number of Catholics and Protestants—exit the customs gate at O’Hare Airport. Immediately, our young visitors grouped themselves by religious affiliation as their host families began to sort out who belonged to which family.
The month-long program involved service projects, group discussions, social events, and host-family interactions. Additionally, these bright and eager teenagers, chosen for their leadership qualities and academic accomplishments, were required to attend weekly services at the church of the religion opposite their own. The experience proved to be a successful and enriching one for all involved, so much so that a stunning image of their departure remains vivid in my mind: As they were preparing to board the plane for home, this group of young people—so obviously divided upon their arrival in the United States—were hugging each other and tearfully coming to terms with the idea that they could no longer be friends once they returned to Ireland. They were about to return to a culture that clearly impeded connection across religious differences.
Note: To comment, click "Name/URL" on the dropdown menu. Enter name or blog ID in the name field, and leave the URL field blank.
Posted on LinkedIn 8/12/15
