Abstract
Intercultural misunderstandings involve a number of complex causes which can easily escalate into conflicts. Since conflicts are also complex, it is not easy to find solutions because there is no one solution for all problems. Systems Theory, transdisciplinarity, and the social ecological model take a holistic approach in investigating complex phenomena. They permit the creation of a theoretical framework based on previous empirical research and theories across scientific disciplines to identify the relevant elements of complex phenomena and to understand the interrelationship of these elements. Intercultural misunderstandings and conflicts are very complex phenomena because they include culture, perception, identity, ethnocentrism, relationships, trust building and conflict management as well as intercultural commu-nication competence which entails cognition, metacognition, and social metacognition. Since most em-pirical studies focus on isolated, individual elements in specific contexts, this article describes the theoretical framework of how the various findings and theories developed in different scientific disciplines can be used to form a cohesive framework to help circumvent intercultural misunderstandings and conflicts. In so doing, it follows the general principles of Systems Theory, transdisciplinarity, and the social ecological model.
Highlights
In today’s world, intercultural encounters have become common
While culture has some influence on people’s communication, culture does not explain all aspects of human communication because how individuals communicate with one another and manage conflicts is influenced by individual characteristics
Intercultural communication competence and trust are key elements in preventing or overcoming misunderstandings and conflicts. Such competence and trust are created through cognition, metacognition, and social metacognition. In exploring these different elements of intercultural misunderstandings and successful conflict management in line with Systems Theory and the social ecological model, this article applies the principles of transdisciplinarity (Mittelstrass 2003; Mokiy 2013) by borrowing the theoretical constructs, i.e. theories, from various related scientific disciplines; primarily from communication science and psychology
Summary
In today’s world, intercultural encounters have become common. While in the past only a few select individuals met and interacted with interlocutors from other countries, today intercultural encounters happen almost everywhere — at work, in school, or even in the supermarket. Such competence and trust are created through cognition, metacognition, and social metacognition In exploring these different elements of intercultural misunderstandings and successful conflict management in line with Systems Theory and the social ecological model, this article applies the principles of transdisciplinarity (Mittelstrass 2003; Mokiy 2013) by borrowing the theoretical constructs, i.e. theories, from various related scientific disciplines; primarily from communication science and psychology. A broader theoretical framework based on the triangulation of different theories reduces potential biases (Frodeman 2010) That is why this theoretical framework explores the interrelationship of meaning, culture, perception, identity, ethnocentrism, relationships, trust, conflicts, cognition, metacognition, social metacognition, and intercultural communication competence
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