Bennett, Milton J., ed. Basic concepts of intercultural communication: Selected readings. Intercultural Press, 1998.

A DEVELOPMETAL MODEL OF INTERCULTURAL SENSISTIVITY

Milton J. Bennett P. 26-30
Milton Bennett explains that intercultural understanding is individual process and defines it as
continuum of different levels of personal development in the recognition and acceptance of cultural
differences. Developing intercultural sensitivit means to develop capa!ilit to recogni"e and to accept
differences !et#een cultures$ perception of the #orld.
Developing sensitivit goes through the follo#ing stages of ethnocentrism and ethno relativism%
Ethnocentris Ethno rel!ti"is
1 & ' ( ) *
Deni!l De#ense Minii$!tion Acce%t!nce A&!%t!tion Inte'r!tion
Deni!l + complete denial of different #as of human existence ,-xample% !lac. slaves haven/t !een
treated as human !eings0.
De#ense + no# the others are recogni"ed !ut there is great hostilit and negative feelings to#ards them.
Differences are perceived as a danger for o#n group. 1here are negative attitudes and pre2udices to#ards
other groups ,-xample% pre2udice to#ards Je#s in II #orld ear0.
Minii$!tion + the existence of the others is tolerated, ! minimi"ing the differences !et#een groups. 3or
example 45e are all children of one 6od7. 1he pro!lem is that this means that all people are same as me,
or actuall, #e are all children of one, !ut M 6od.
Acce%t!nce + acceptance of the others ! respecting differences in !ehavior and values ,-xample% t#o
language schools0
A&!%t!tion + full respect and empath #ith others and adaptation of personal !ehavior depending on
cultural context ,-xample% parallel using of the same church for religious ceremonies of t#o different
religions% 8induism and Buddhism.0
Inte'r!tion + a!sor!ing and integrating some aspects of !ehavior and values of 4others7 into our culture,
!ut .eeping our o#n culture too ,-xample% integration of #ords, phrases of other culture, some aspect of
dressing and food etc0.

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