Intercultural Communication Paper (and INCA Survey) Instructions

Behaviour They take into account all the differences and the various aims of the partners in a situation and, when appropriate, make them explicit. They are calm in ambiguous situations. They find constructive and satisfactory solutions to complex and ambiguous situations ii) BEHAVIOURAL FLEXIBILITY The significance In interaction with people of other cultures, it is not possible to achieve goals effectively without taking into consideration the behaviour considered ‘normal’ in the immediate environment, and the expectations one’s partner has of what ‘good’ behaviour is. It is therefore necessary to be flexible and to a certain degree able to adapt to the immediate environment to achieve co-operation and understanding. Behavioural flexibility is the ability to adapt one’s own behaviour to different requirements and situations. In their own cultures, people usually know the behaviour that is expected and that is considered appropriate. Usually this would be a small spectrum of possible ways of behaving. When people from different cultures meet, their usual behaviour might not be appropriate for other people who do not react to behaviour in the way expected. Thus it is essential in intercultural situations to be able to expand and adapt one’s own repertoire of behaviour. Persons with intercultural competence thus show the ability to perceive intercultural signals and they are able to use different strategies of behaviour in different situations. Persons with a high degree of behavioural flexibility are able to use a broad spectrum of behaviour adapted to specific situations. In the same situation they can act in different ways. They perceive even weak signals in situations and are able to adapt their behaviour accordingly. They also take into account how their own behaviour influences others, and are able to take on the types of behaviour of others. Persons with a low degree of behavioural flexibility always act in the same way, even in situations when they meet persons from other cultures. They are unable to consider different alternatives of action in a situation. They will not deviate from a previously determined behavioural procedure. An inflexible person will not notice the negative effects of their own behaviour on others. Thus they cannot adapt their own behaviour to specific situations or take on types of behaviour from others.

INCA – Intercultural Competence Assessment – www.incaproject.org 5