Abstract
The purpose of this study is to determine the factors affecting the intercultural sensitivity perception levels of Psychological Counseling and Guidance students. This study was conducted in Pamukkale University which is located in the western part of Turkey. Data were gathered from 524 freshmen, sophomore, junior and senior students who are studying in the Psychological Counseling and Guidance department. The study was designed as a survey research. As a data collection tool, “Intercultural Sensitivity Scale” which was developed by Chen and Strasto (2000) and adapted to Turkish language by Bulduk, Tosun, and Ardic (2011) was employed. In the analysis of the data, the t-test and the one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) were used. According to the findings of the study, it was determined that the more grade level rises, the more students’ intercultural sensitivity perception level increases. It was found that the intercultural sensitivity perception levels were higher for students who stated that their experiences during undergraduate studies affected their views on cultural differences positively and for those having lived with various cultures than other participants. It was also found that the factors affecting the intercultural sensitivity perception level of students who are studying in Psychological Counseling and Guidance department are such; grade level, experience in undergraduate level, the longest place of settlement, a situation of being with different cultures. When the situation of being with different cultures increases intercultural sensitivity is considered, making widespread of international and national student exchange programs such as ERASMUS and FARABI and arranging educational settings by giving place for interaction with various cultures might be suggested.
Highlights
How the educational institutions and workers in such institutions evaluate and interpret personal and cultural differences is an important indicator for a democratic society
Making operational definitions of “culture”, “cultural difference”, “interculturalism”, “intercultural competence”, and “intercultural sensitivity” used in this research study and explaining the relations among these concepts are thought to be useful in terms of the clarity of this study
This study sought to answer following questions: 1) What are the intercultural sensitivity perception levels of students who are studying in Psychological Counseling and Guidance department?
Summary
How the educational institutions and workers in such institutions evaluate and interpret personal and cultural differences is an important indicator for a democratic society. It is seen unavoidable that personal and cultural differences affect communication and interaction among people, institutions, and societies at the same time in terms of the communication process. Being sensitive to differences is beneficial for both effective and suitable communication and democratic development of a society. When the literature is examined, there are many and various definitions of culture. In this study, the definition of culture which was based given by Güvenç (1997) as “a complex whole which is consisted of all moral and material things that a human being as a member of society learns, and teaches by experiencing and doing it” In this study, the definition of culture which was based given by Güvenç (1997) as “a complex whole which is consisted of all moral and material things that a human being as a member of society learns, and teaches by experiencing and doing it” (p. 15)
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