The Game Being Played

The Game Being Played

Theories of Intercultural Communication

Daniel W. Spencer

University of Oklahoma

Masters in International Relations

FINAL COMPOSITION

Culture and Communication 

Summer June 2012

karismadaniel@hotmail.com

Author’s Note: Daniel W. Spencer is a student at the University of Oklahoma. This final composition paper was written for International Studies in Culture and Communication. All correspondence should be directed to Daniel Spencer at karismadaniel@hotmail.com.

Gudykunst (2003) divides Intercultural communication theories in to five categories: (1) Theories focusing on effective outcomes, (2) theories focusing on accommodation or adaptation, (3) theories focusing on identity management or negotiation, (4) theories focusing on communication networks, and (5) theories focusing on acculturation or adjustments. I chose to discuss the strengths and weakness of the Communication Accommodation Theory (CAT), which falls under "theories focusing on accommodation or adaptation." Secondly, I’ll discuss Cultural Identity Theory, which falls under "theories focusing on identity negotiation or management." Finally, I will discuss the Anxiety/Uncertainty Management Theory, which falls under "theories focusing on effective outcomes."

Uncertainty can be “the inability to predict or explain others’ attitudes, behavior, or feelings,” and anxiety is described as “feelings of being uneasy, tense, worried, or apprehensive ” (Gudykunst, 2003). The Anxiety/Uncertainty Management is based on Berger and Calabrese’s (1975) uncertainty reduction theory. The theory helps explain effective interpersonal and intergroup communication and argues that there are basic and superficial causes of effectiveness communication. Gudykunst (2003) contends that “anxiety and uncertainty management are the basic cause of effective communication, and the effect of other variables on effective communication is mediated through anxiety and uncertainty...