The Sensitive-Area Complex: A Contribution to the Theory of Guided Culture Contact

Abstract

A visitor's attitudes toward and images of an alien culture are affected by his perception of the host culture's view of the status of his own country. The visitor perceives hostility as an active component of low-status ascription when interaction includes verbal references to certain "sensitive areas." The latter are the subjects of long-standing criticism of his culture by colonial powers, the mere mention of which recalls the historical hostility. These perceived assaults enhace his personal identification with the prestige of his home country, and he reacts by erecting a set of mechanisms in defense and praise of his country.