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Intercultural Adjustment: Developmental Patterns - Coggle Diagram
Intercultural Adjustment: Developmental Patterns
The U-Curve Adjustment Model
In interviewing over two hundred Norwegian Fulbright grantees in the United States, Lysgaard (1955) developed a three-phase intercultural adjustment model that includes
(1) initial adjustment (is the optimistic or elation phase of the sojourners’ adjustment process)
(2) crisis (is the stressful phase)
(3) regained adjustment (the settling-in phase, when sojourners learn to cope effectively with the new environment)
The Revised W-Shape Adjustment Model
the honeymoon
hostility, humorous,
in-sync
ambivalence
reentry culture shock
resocialization stages.
Culture Shock: Peaks and Valleys
In sum, the revised W-shape adjustment model basically emphasizes the following characteristics, which can influence the progress of the sojourners’ identity change process.
(1) They must understand the peaks and valleys, and positive and negative shifts, that constitute identity change in an unfamiliar environment, realizing that the frustration-and-triumph roller coaster ride is part of the change-and-growth process.
(2) They must be aware and keep track of their instrumental, relational, and identity goals in the new culture; success in one set of goals (e.g., making new friends) can affect triumph in another set of goals (e.g., newfound friends can help to solve a school-related problem).
(3) They must give themselves some time and space to adjust; they should keep a journal or blog to express their daily feelings and random thoughts, and they should also keep in touch with people in their home culture via Facebook, letters, e-mails, and Skype.
(4) They must develop both strong ties (meaningful friendships) and weak ties (functional social connections, e.g., with supportive teachers, caring counselors, or friendly grocers) to cushion themselves and seek help in times of crisis.
(5) They must reach out to participate in the host culture’s major cultural events—art and music festivals, parades, local museums, or national sports—and immerse themselves in this once-in-a-lifetime experience and learn to enjoy the local culture as much as possible.