Culture Shock

1
Lecture 13

• Culture Shock
• and
• Cultural Adaptation

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Dependence on Signs Cues

• We all depend on hundreds of signs and cues to
  function in our environment.
• But, in a new culture many of these things are
  gone.
• New ways of doing things.
• New ways of thinking.
• New ways of valuing.
• When these things are missing in our daily life,
  frustration and anxiety usually result.

3
Causes of Culture Shock

• Three basic causes of culture shock stand out
• 1. The loss of usual sues, signs and signals.
• 2. The collapse of normal interpersonal
  interaction.
• 3. A sense of danger to our personal unity.

4
Culture Shock

• def The stress associated with adapting to a new
  culture or unusual context.
• def The continuous, repeated occasions of
  disorientation through the loss of familiar
  signs, cues, and symbols used in social
  interaction.

5
Cycle of Culture Shock
Phase 1 Tourist phase (Euphoria)
Phase 4 Back to Normal Phase
Phase 2 Crisis phase (Depression)
Phase 3 Readjustment phase (Rebuilding)
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U-curve
adaptation
anticipation
shock, disorientation, identity crisis
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Symptoms of Culture Shock (Ecoshock)

• They can be
• Physiologically based
• Psychologically (Emotionally) based
• Social (Communication) based

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Physiologically based symptoms

• Overly concerned with health and cleanliness.
• Not feeling well.
• Constant headache
• Tension in neck and shoulders
• Upset stomach
• Sleeplessness
• Low energy level.
• Fatigue, feeling of being run-down or burned-out.

9
Psychologically (Emotionally) based symptoms

• Feelings of powerlessness helplessness.
• Fear of being cheated or robbed.
• Fear of injury.
• Homesickness (desire for home and friends).
• Stress, anxiety, loneliness, irritability,
  frustration, paranoia, disorientation,
  defensiveness.

10
Social (Communication) based symptoms

• Withdrawal from relationships and conversations.
• Excessive frustration and complaining.
• Local natives bashing.
• Defensive communication style.

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Ecoshock