Stages of Cultural Adaptation

Stage one : Initial Euphoria /The Honeymoon

• Arrive with great expectations and positive mind set

• Anything new is intriguing, fascinating and exciting

• Focus on similarities and how people everywhere are really very much alike

• May last from a week or two to a month or more

Everything usually goes fairly smoothly.

Stage Two: Irritation and Hostility

• Focus turns from similarities to the differences which are suddenly everywhere

• Become easily frustrated by the differences

• Often feel inadequate and unproductive

• Little difficulties become major sources of irritation

• Experience culture shock as the reality of the new life hits

Stage Three: Gradual Adjustment

 • Has adopted some of the local values and feels less isolated

• Finds increased self confidence

• Becomes integrated into a new social network

• Happens subtly and gradually

• Crisis is over and slowly learn to function under new conditions 

Stage Four: Adaptation or Biculturalism

• Increased enjoyment found in new customs and ways of doing/saying things

• Ability to function in two cultures with confidence

• Life may be just as good or even better than before

• Realization that there will be things you will miss when you pack up and return home – anticipate reality of reverse culture shock!

Ethnocentrism stages:

◆ The universal tendency  for any culture to see its  own values and practices as natural and correct. 

 ◆All cultures are ethnocentric - and must be to impart their values to their members.

◆ The acquired ability to see many values and behaviors as cultural rather than universal.

◆ This approach attempts to understand values and behaviors from the point of view of that culture, rather than as right or wrong.