Integrative communication theory

Integrative communication theory is a theory of cross-cultural adaptation proposed by Young Yun Kim. The first widely published version of Kim's theory is found in the last three chapters of a textbook authored by William Gudykunst with Young Yun Kim as second author. See acculturation and assimilation.

Background of integrative communication theory

Young Yun Kim's assimilation Theory of Cross-Cultural Adaptation maintains that human transformation takes only one path, assimilative. Kim argues that all human beings experience conformity as they move into a new and culturally unfamiliar environment and that they do so by "unlearning" who they were originally. The concept, cross-cultural adaptation, refers to a process in and through which an individual achieves an increasing level of psychological and functional fitness with respect to the receiving environment. Kim's theory postulates a zero-sum process whereby assimilation or "adaptation" occurs only to the extent that the newcomer lose the characteristics of their original cultural identity, such as language, customs, beliefs and values.

Kim's theory however is self-contradictory for on one hand Kim argues that the newcomer "evolves" toward becoming exactly like the host majority by internalizing the majority's ways of thinking, feeling and behaving while unlearning their own. But on the other hand Kim argues that out of this transformation emerges an intercultural identity, that somehow exists beyond all the contingencies of culture and language itself. Kim claims that individuals that enter a new culture for varying lengths of time, and to include migrant workers, diplomats, and expatriates alike

Investigative efforts

Kim's research into cross-cultural adaptation started in the 1970s within a survey of Korean immigrants in the Chicago, Illinois area. It finally expanded to study other immigrant and refugee groups in the United States to include American Indians, Japanese and Mexican Americans, and Southeast Asian refugees. In addition to studying groups of immigrants, Young Yun Kim researched groups of students studying abroad in the United States, as well as international students in Japan, Korean expatriates in the United States and American expatriates in South Korea. The first outline of her theory was found in an article titled, "Toward an Interactive Theory of Communication - Acculturation", leading to a complete rendition of the theory in Communication and Cross-Cultural Adaptation: An Integrative Theory, which was further refined and updated with Becoming Intercultural: An Integrative Theory of Communication and Cross-Cultural Adaptation.

Kim states that there are five key "missing links" in cross-cultural adaptation literature, which her theory attempts to cover:

1. Lack of attention to macro-level factors, such as the cultural and institutional patterns of the host environment
2. Need to integrate the traditionally separate areas of investigation of long-term and short-term adaptation
3. Cross cultural adaptation must be viewed in the context of new learning and psychological growth to provide a more balanced and complete interpretation of the experiences of individuals in an unfamiliar environment
4. Efforts must be made to sort and consolidate the factors constituting and/or explaining the cross-cultural adaptation process of individuals
5. Divergent ideological premises of assimilationalism and pluralism need to be recognized and incorporated into a pragmatic conception of cross-cultural adaptation as a condition of the host environment as well as of the individual adapting to that environment.

Organizing principles

• Adaptation as a Natural and Universal Phenomenon
  • The theory of integrative communication rests on the human instinct to struggle for equilibrium when met with adversarial environmental conditions as experienced in a new culture. This experience is not limited to any one region, cultural group, or nation, but is a universal concept of the basic human tendencies that accompany the struggle on each individual when they are faced with a new and challenging environment.
• Adaptation as an All-Encompassing Phenomenon
  • Before efforts at racial and cultural integration in the United States, the main thrust was assimilation. The stress was on the ideology of the "model minority" which states that the only standard for "appropriate," "effective," and "competent" thinking (cognition), feeling (affect), and behavior (functional fit) was a presumed majority mainstream culture. The immigrant newcomer was compelled to internalize mainstream ways of thinking, feeling, and behaving or be marginalized. Beginning even before World War II and certainly after, efforts at racial and ethnic integration grew dramatically and the model minority ideology became untenable (Kramer, 2003 ). But even into the twenty-first century we see remnants of it. An example is Young Yun Kim's cross-cultural adaptation theory. The theory focuses on the unitary nature of psychological and social processes and the reciprocal functional personal environment interdependence. This view takes into account micro-psychological and macro-social factors into a theoretical fusion "vertical integration" of theory. While cross-cultural adaptation theory itself is a fusion of previous ideas, it is not about racial or ethnic integration but instead assimilation. And as such it is unlike the works of Bateson, Ruesch and Bateson, Watzlawick Beavin, and Jackson, and Buss and Kenrick Kim's approach is unilinear. The sojourner must conform to the majority group culture in order to be "communicatively competent." Evolutionary progress for the individual requires the individual to "abandon identification with the cultural patterns that have constituted who one is and what one is" (p. 377). These patterns are not just behavioral but "appropriate" ways of thinking as defined by the majority mainstream reality. In contradistinction from Gudykunst and Kim's version of adaptive evolution, Eric M. Kramer, in his theory of Cultural Fusion (2011, 2010, 2000a, 1997a, 2000a, 2011, 2012) maintains clear conceptual separation between assimilation, adaptation, and integration. Only assimilation involves conformity to a pre-existing form. Kramer's (2000a, 2000b, 2000c, 2003, 2009, 2011) theory of Cultural Fusion, which is based on systems theory and hermeneutics, argues that first it is impossible for a person to unlearn themselves and second that "growth" is, by definition, not a zero sum process that requires the disillusion of one form for another to come into being but rather a process of learning new languages and cultural repertoires (ways of thinking, cooking, playing, working worshipping, and so forth). One need not unlearn a language in order to learn a new one. Cognitive complexity involves the ability to code switch between repertoires, not a zero growth, zero-sum process as Gudykunst and Kim claim (2003, p 383). Learning is growth, not unlearning.
• Adaptation as a Communication-Based Phenomenon
  • A person begins to adapt only as they communicate with others in their new environment. Integration relies on that interaction with the host society and the degree to which an individual adapts depends on the amount and nature of communication with members of the host society.
• Theory as a System of Description and Explanation
  • The present theory is designed to identify the patterns that are commonly present within a clearly defined set of individual cases and to translate these patterns into a set of generalized and interrelated statements. The fact that humans will adapt in a new environment was not questioned, but rather how and why individuals adapt.
• Theorizing at the Interface of Deduction and Induction
  • Kim's research has switched between deductive and inductive processes – between the conceptual realm of logical development of ideas from a set of basic assumptions about human adaptation and empirical substantiation of the ideas based on proofs available in social science literature. In her research, Kim introduced anecdotal stories and testimonials of immigrants and sojourners available in non-technical sources such as reports, biographies, letters, diaries, dialogues, commentaries, and other materials in magazines, newspapers, fiction and nonfiction books, radio programs, and televisions programs. These individual accounts are not scientific data, but rather serve as a vital source of insights into the "lived experiences" of cross cultural adaptation.
• Focal Concepts and Boundary Conditions
  • Kim employs two central terms in Integrative Communication Theory, adaptation and stranger, in order to help define the theory. Stranger incorporates in it all individuals who enter and resettle in a new cultural or sub-cultural environment.

Process of cross-cultural adaptation

All human beings are born into an unfamiliar environment and are brought up to become part of a culture. This process is known as enculturation, and refers to the organization, integration, and maintenance of a home environment throughout the formative years along with the internal change that occurs with increasing interaction of the individual in its cultural environment.

Entering a new culture

Adopting a comprehensive and cooperative approach to communication practices is necessary to move into a new culture of integrative communication. As an individual, a group, or an organization. Invest in cultural sensitivity training to get insight into the customs, values, and modes of communication unique to the new culture. As a result, people and groups may become more sensitive to the variety of viewpoints and methods that integrative communication encompasses. Promote candid communication and attentive listening among team members. Establish forums where people can freely express their thoughts and experiences in order to promote a culture that values and listens to a variety of viewpoints.

Dismantle departmental or functional operational walls to foster multidisciplinary collaboration. To include thoughts from many viewpoints, promote cooperation amongst varied teams and areas of expertise. To improve communication abilities, offer opportunities for training and development. Workshops on effective teamwork, cross-cultural communication, and conflict resolution may be part of this. Make sure the leadership is dedicated to the integrative communication principles. It is imperative for leaders to exemplify the conduct they wish to witness throughout the company and proactively foster an environment of cooperation and diversity.

Integrative communication theory suggests that these varying levels of integration within a culture directly impact the individual's experience in the new culture, which other research suggests. According to Don C. Locke, one major difference among members of various cultural groups within America is the degree to which they have immersed themselves into the culture of the United States. He states that members of culturally diverse groups can be placed into several categories. Bicultural individuals are able to function as competently in the dominant culture as their own while holding on to manifestations of their own culture. Traditional individuals hold on to a majority of cultural traits from the culture of origin and reject many traits of the dominant culture. A third type of individual will acculturate and give up most cultural traits of the culture of origin and traits of the dominant culture. Finally, a marginal individual does not fit into the culture of origin nor into the dominant culture.

The stress-adaptation-growth dynamic

Kim has developed an integrative communication theory of cross-cultural adaptation which conceives adaptation as a dialectic process of the "stress-adaptation-growth" dynamic that gradually leads to greater functional fitness and psychological health with regards to the host environment. This portion of Kim's theory focuses on the stress that inevitably accompanies a cross-cultural move, as the individual strives to retain aspects of their old culture while also attempting to integrate into the new one. The internal conflict that arises results in a state of disequilibrium of emotional "lows" of uncertainty confusion, and anxiety. People handle this change in various ways, to include avoidance, denial, and withdrawal, as well as regression into pre-existing habits in order to eliminate discomfort in the new environment. Others develop new habits and begin the process of adaptation, allowing them to become better suited to their environment. Once this occurs, a period of growth often accompanies. The stress adaptation growth dynamic, therefore, is not a linear process but a back and forth endeavor that will entail periods of regression and subsequent progression. Assimilation can be defined as the process by which a person takes material into their mind from the environment, which may mean changing the evidence of their senses to make it fit, whereas accommodation is the difference made to one's mind or concepts by the process of assimilation.

The structure of cross-cultural adaptation

Personal communication: host communication competence

Communication is a prerequisite for successful adaptation of individuals into a new environment. This relies on decoding, or the capacity of strangers to receive and process information, as well as encoding, or the designing and executing mental plans in initiating or responding to messages. There are three commonly recognized categories:

1. Cognitive: Includes such internal capabilities as the knowledge of the host culture and language, history, institutions, worldviews, beliefs, norms, and rules of interpersonal conduct.
2. Affective: Affective competence facilitates cross-cultural adaptation by providing a motivational capacity to deal with various challenges of living in the host environment, the openness to new learning, and the willingness to participate in emotional and physical aspects of the host environment.
3. Operational: Operational competence relates to the other aspects of host communication competence and facilitates strangers' outwardly expressing their cognitive and affective experiences.

Host social communication

It would be beneficial to have additional background or definition because "host social communication" is not a phrase that is commonly used in communication studies or related subjects. Here are some common things to keep in mind when it comes to communication when hosting, be it events, get-togethers, or online platforms. When organizing an event, good communication is essential. This comprises timely and lucid information regarding the event's goal, itinerary, and any other pertinent elements. Make use of a variety of communication platforms, including emails, social media, announcements, and invitations. It's crucial for event or social gathering hosts to create a friendly atmosphere.

Ethnic social communication

The study and comprehension of communication both inside and between ethnic groups is referred to as ethnic social communication. It entails looking at the interactions, information sharing, and linkages people from different ethnic backgrounds make both inside their communities and with other groups. Acknowledge and honor the differences in culture among ethnic groups. Encourage cultural competency and sensitivity to handle cross-cultural communication well. Recognize the variety of languages spoken by different ethnic groups. Understanding the subtleties of language use is vital for good communication, as language plays a critical part in communication.

Environment

A multidisciplinary approach, integrative communication theory integrates ideas from communication studies, sociology, psychology, and anthropology to better understand communication processes. Create an atmosphere that promotes cooperation between professionals in various fields. Workshops, seminars, and multidisciplinary research projects can help achieve this. Create open lines of communication and information exchange between academics, practitioners, and researchers. Regular gatherings, conferences, and internet forums can all fall under this category.

Predisposition

An individual can better prepare themselves to enter a new environment, both physically and emotionally, which will have a positive effect on their ability to transition. This takes into account the mental, emotional, and motivational readiness to deal with the new environment, including understanding of the new language and culture. Having an open mind helps to alleviate some of the culture shock that is associated with assimilation into the new environment.

See also

• Acculturation
• Enculturation
• Intercultural communication principles