2. Offers structure that explores how people experience cultural differences.
According to Bennett and Bennett (2004), there are six (6) stages.
1.Stage 1: Denial
2. Stage 2: Defense
3. Stage 3: Minimization
4. Stage 4: Acceptance
5.Stage 5: Adaptation
6.Stage 6: Integration
3. STAGE 1: DENIAL
•The individual does not recognize cultural differences.
•
This stage is often created based on the belief that a
person's culture is the only real culture
• People in this stage often fail to see cultural differences
and tend to isolate themselves from other groups.
4. "All cities are the same, they all have tall buildings,
fast food chains, and coffee shops."
"As long as we speak the same language, there's no
problem"
EXAMPLES
An individual in denial stage might be heard saying:
1.
2.
5. The individual starts to recognize cultural differences and is
intimidated by them, resulting in either a superior view on own
culture or an unjustified high regard for the new one.
During this stage, learners often feel as though their culture is
the only good culture (Bennet, 2011)
A person in defense may feel threatened by other cultures and
their differences.
STAGE 2: DEFENSE
6.
An individual in defense stage might be heard saying:
"Their ways are better than my own; I wish I were one of
them."
"I wish that these people would just talk the way we do."
1. "This culture does not view life the way we do, our culture is
certainly better.
"
1.
2.
7.
Although individuals see cultural differences, they bank
more on the universality of ideas rather than in cultural
differences.
People in this stage, begin to recognize that all people
are people, whether they have different traditions and
cultures or not. (Cushner, McClelland & Safford, 2012,
p.158)
STAGE 3: MINIMIZATION
8. "Once we see through the cultural differences, we really are
just the same."
"It's a small world after all."
"No matter what their culture, people are pretty much
motivated by the same things."
An individual in minimization stage might be heard saying:
9. The individual begins to appreciate important
cultural differences in behaviors and eventually in
values.
This stage promotes the belief that one's own
culture is just one of the many cultures that exist in
the world.
STAGE 4: ACCEPTANCE
10.
"These people and I have different values and
experiences, and I think we can learn from one
another"
"I always try to study about a new culture before I go
there or interact with the people."
An individual in acceptance stage might be heard saying:
11.
The individual is very open to world views when accepting
new perspectives.
Learners begin to be more competent in how to
communicate with people of other cultures.
An important aspect of this stage is that the learner will be
able to see the word through another's "eyes"
STAGE 5: ADAPTATION
12. "To address our issue, I have to adjust my
approach to consider both my own and my
counterpart's background."
"I can maintain my values and also behave in
culturally appropriate ways."
An individual in adaptation stage might be heard
saying:
13. Individuals start to go beyond their own cultures and see
themselves and their actions based on multifarious cultural
viewpoints.
Individuals that often reach integration are often culture
mediators. They are able to help others understand different
cultures and promote unity between these two cultures.
(Cushner, McClelland & Safford, 2012, p.165)
STAGE 6: INTEGRATION
14. "I can look at things from the perspective of various
cultures".
"Everywhere is home, if you know enough about how
things work there."
"I feel most comfortable when I'm bridging differences
between the cultures I know."
An individual in integration stage might be heard saying:
