According to Kim,
Thestress-adaptation-growth dynamicdoes not play out in a smooth, steady, and linear pro-
gression, but in a dialectic, cyclic, and continual“draw-back-to-leap”pattern. Each stressful
experience is responded to with a“draw back,”which, in turn, activates adaptive energy
to help individuals reorganize themselves and“leap forward.”...[This] process continues
as long as there are new environmental challenges, with the overall forward and upward
movement in the direction of greater adaptation and growth.^7
In less theoretical terms, Kim’s theory contends that when someone enters a new cul-
tural environment, his or her initial reaction will be some level of stress as he or she learns
how to become functional. If the sojourner remains in the new culture, the process of stress
and adaptation will continue but produce lessening levels of stress as he or she becomes
more culturally competent. The progression is graphically illustrated in Figure 11.1.Managing Culture Shock and Enhancing Acculturation
As has been noted throughout previous chapters, people are moving from place to place
around the world in greater numbers and with increased regularity. Regardless of whether
they are relocating for a defined period of time, such as a vacation, a study program, or a
business opportunity, or permanently, as in the case of immigrants, these individuals are
faced with the demanding task of learning to live in a new cultural environment, and they
often encounter difficulties adapting to their host culture. The process of cultural adjust-
ment can be a lengthy, formidable task that requires attaining a large body of knowledge
about the new culture. New arrivals must acquire additional linguistic and social skills inFIGURE 11.1 The Stress-Adaptation-Growth DynamicGrowth Over TimeAdaptationStressSource:Y.Y.Kim,Becoming Intercultural: An Integrative Theory of Communication and Cross Cultural Adaptation(Thousand
Oaks, CA: Sage, 2001), 59.
384 CHAPTER 11• The Challenges of Intercultural Communication: Managing Differences
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