Sensation Seeking and the Integrated Model of Intercultural Communication Competence

Abstract

There is a recent body of research that draws a connection between sensation seeking and intercultural communication. In the present study, the relationship between sensation seeking and variables that contribute to intercultural communication competence are explored in the context of the Integrated Model of Intercultural Communication Competence. Four hypotheses were proposed. Results from structural equation modeling supported two of the proposed hypotheses. Though there was no direct relationship between sensation seeking and ICC, the results supported previous findings that sensation seeking has a positive relationship with ICC in the presence of mediating variables. The implications of the findings are discussed.