Multicultural Competence: Contributions from Cultural Sensitivity and Cultural Intelligence

Abstract

Constructs associated with multicultural competence have been studied in self-contained lines of investigations, thus preventing consensual propositions of the competence. To bridge such fragmentation and enhance our understanding of multicultural competence, two leading constructs – Cultural Sensitivity and Cultural Intelligence – are contrasted and compared in their ability to explain multicultural adaptation. Findings indicate a scant overlap between the nomological networks and suggest that overarching operationalizations of multicultural competence might lack theoretical utility. Results highlight the value of fine-grained capabilities, especially metacognitive and knowledge of local culture, and suggest that the malleability of the competence lies on pre-existing dispositional traits.