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3 A theory of cultural intelligence

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Cultural Intelligence
This chapter is in the book Cultural Intelligence
a theory of cultural intelligence3In this chapter we focus on the core elements of our theoretical framework usedto describe cultural intelligence. There are many reasons why we propose to de-velop such a concept, ranging from the theoretical extension of facet models of in-telligence to a practical justification based on the globalization in the workplace.Our desire to develop and present cultural intelligence reflects a view from manydifferent fields (for example, psychological, sociological, and anthropological). Theneed to understand why some people are more adept at adjusting to new culturalsurroundings than others is sufficient justification to explore a new theory of cul-tural intelligence. With the popularity of such concepts as emotional intelligence,personal intelligence, social intelligence, and so forth, our effort would be woefullyincomplete if we did not explore the difficulties one has in adjusting to new cul-tural contexts. This adaptation requires skills and capabilities quite different fromthose used by a person within his or her own cultural context. Three general com-ponents capture these skills and capabilities: cognitive, motivational, and behav-ioral. Without all three of these facets acting in concert, a person does not displaycultural intelligence.Cultural intelligence refers to a person’s capability to adapt effectively to new cul-tural contexts. This definition is not at all at odds with existing definitions of gen-eral or cognitive intelligence. For example, Sternberg and colleagues (2000) brieflytrace the history of intelligence theory back to the late nineteenth century (to suchtheorists as Galton and Cattell) and describe a common feature of intelligence asthe ability to adapt and adjust to one’s environment. Work on modern conceptual-izations of intelligence (for example, Cantor and Kihlstrom 1985; H. Gardner 1998;59
© 2022 Stanford University Press, Redwood City

a theory of cultural intelligence3In this chapter we focus on the core elements of our theoretical framework usedto describe cultural intelligence. There are many reasons why we propose to de-velop such a concept, ranging from the theoretical extension of facet models of in-telligence to a practical justification based on the globalization in the workplace.Our desire to develop and present cultural intelligence reflects a view from manydifferent fields (for example, psychological, sociological, and anthropological). Theneed to understand why some people are more adept at adjusting to new culturalsurroundings than others is sufficient justification to explore a new theory of cul-tural intelligence. With the popularity of such concepts as emotional intelligence,personal intelligence, social intelligence, and so forth, our effort would be woefullyincomplete if we did not explore the difficulties one has in adjusting to new cul-tural contexts. This adaptation requires skills and capabilities quite different fromthose used by a person within his or her own cultural context. Three general com-ponents capture these skills and capabilities: cognitive, motivational, and behav-ioral. Without all three of these facets acting in concert, a person does not displaycultural intelligence.Cultural intelligence refers to a person’s capability to adapt effectively to new cul-tural contexts. This definition is not at all at odds with existing definitions of gen-eral or cognitive intelligence. For example, Sternberg and colleagues (2000) brieflytrace the history of intelligence theory back to the late nineteenth century (to suchtheorists as Galton and Cattell) and describe a common feature of intelligence asthe ability to adapt and adjust to one’s environment. Work on modern conceptual-izations of intelligence (for example, Cantor and Kihlstrom 1985; H. Gardner 1998;59
© 2022 Stanford University Press, Redwood City

Chapters in this book

  1. Frontmatter i
  2. Contents vii
  3. Tables and figures ix
  4. Preface xi
  5. 1 Introduction 1
  6. I Theory and conceptual framework
  7. 2 Concept of intelligence 25
  8. 3 A theory of cultural intelligence 59
  9. 4 Cognitive basis of cultural intelligence 93
  10. 5 Motivational basis of cultural intelligence 124
  11. 6 Behavioral cultural intelligence 155
  12. II Applications to work organizations
  13. 7 Cultural intelligence assessment and measurement 185
  14. 8 Cultural intelligence and global work assignment 209
  15. 9 Integration and application: diversity work assignments 233
  16. 10 Training and developing cultural intelligence 258
  17. 11 Some concluding thoughts 304
  18. Works cited 313
  19. Index 357
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https://doi.org/10.1515/9780804766005-005

Chapters in this book

  1. Frontmatter i
  2. Contents vii
  3. Tables and figures ix
  4. Preface xi
  5. 1 Introduction 1
  6. I Theory and conceptual framework
  7. 2 Concept of intelligence 25
  8. 3 A theory of cultural intelligence 59
  9. 4 Cognitive basis of cultural intelligence 93
  10. 5 Motivational basis of cultural intelligence 124
  11. 6 Behavioral cultural intelligence 155
  12. II Applications to work organizations
  13. 7 Cultural intelligence assessment and measurement 185
  14. 8 Cultural intelligence and global work assignment 209
  15. 9 Integration and application: diversity work assignments 233
  16. 10 Training and developing cultural intelligence 258
  17. 11 Some concluding thoughts 304
  18. Works cited 313
  19. Index 357
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