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ASSESSMENT OF BENNETT'S MODEL OF DEVELOPMENTAL INTERCULTURAL SENSITIVITY

Lucie Cviklova

Abstract

While analyzing various models of socialization and construction of self, it is argued in favour of Milton Bennett's developmental model of intercultural sensitivity and the importance of intercultural communicative competence. Classical developmental models elaborated by authors such as Sigmund Freud, Lawrence Kohlberg, Peter Berger and, Thomas Luckmann emphasize the relevance of primary and secondary socialization; some of them also considered defence mechanisms against alternative cultural and symbolic worlds. On the other hand, Milton Bennett's scale, or developmental model of intercultural sensitivity (DMIS), describes different responses to cultural differences. Under the circumstances of globalization the most important contribution to developmental theories and intercultural communication has been the original thesis that an individual can move from an ethnocentric phase to an ethnorelative one. The ethnocentric phase has been characterised by several stages, such as denial of difference (the individual becomes aware of difference between cultures), defence against difference (the person is introduced to similarities between cultures), and minimization of difference (the person understands the importance of intercultural difference); the ethnorelative phase is determined by acceptance of difference (the individual becomes aware of other cultures), adaptation to difference, and integration of difference (individual develops empathy towards the other culture). Apart from the comparison to classical models, the introduction and the conclusion point to alternative perspectives on cultural differences that have been presented by authors such as Edward Hall, Geert Hofstede, and Fons Trompenaars.

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DOI resolver: doi.org/10.5593/sgemsocial2018/3.4/S13.011

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