What is the intercultural sensitivity scale?
David Craig
Updated on April 04, 2026
Intercultural Sensitivity Scale (ISS) is the main assessment tool for measuring intercultural sensitivity as an affective component of intercultural communication competence.
What are examples of intercultural sensitivity?
Being open to learning about the traditions and beliefs of other cultures. Being aware of your own culture and how it has influenced you. Examining your own biases and prejudices. Seeking knowledge about other cultures, especially those that you encounter often.
What is your intercultural sensitivity?
Intercultural sensitivity can be defined as “an individual’s ability to develop emotion towards understanding and appreciating cultural differences that promotes appropriate and effective behavior in intercultural communication” (Chen & Starosta, 1997, p. 5).
What are the 6 stages of developmental model of intercultural sensitivity?
The six developmental stages of intercultural communication and sensitivity:
- Denial.
- Defense.
- Minimization.
- Acceptance.
- Adaptation.
- Integration.
- Retreat.
How is cultural sensitivity shown example?
Example: People who seamlessly interact with others from different cultures by following the norms of that culture. They feel that they can respect their own values while adapting to the values of other cultures they interact with. They use empathy effectively.
What does cultural sensitivity refer to?
awareness and appreciation of the values, norms, and beliefs characteristic of a cultural, ethnic, racial, or other group that is not one’s own, accompanied by a willingness to adapt one’s behavior accordingly.
How can I be Interculturally competent?
Ten smart ways to become interculturally competent:
- Know and identify with your own culture first.
- Study other cultures in more depth than a standard Facebook entry.
- Study or, even better, speak other languages.
- Listen carefully, even in your own culture and language.
- Respect communication preferences.
Why do I need to be Interculturally competent?
What is intercultural competence, and why is it important? Intercultural competence is a valuable asset in an increasingly globalised world where we are more likely to interact with people from different cultures and countries who have been shaped by different values, beliefs and experiences.
What is the 4th stage of developing intercultural sensitivity?
Acceptance
4. In the fourth stage. Acceptance, an individual recognizes and values cultural differences without evaluating those differences as positive or negative. This stage moves an individual from ethnocentrism to ethnorelativism.
