Coping with culture shock: a study of stressors, adjustments and stereotypes among chinese students at bangkok university

Theoretical Orientation

1. 
   Culture shock
   

Oberg (1960) first introduced the term ‘culture shock’ to describe the experience of migration from one culture to another (Austin, 2007). It is originally conceptualized as “the consequence of strain and anxiety resulting from contact with new culture and the feeling of loss, confusion, and impotence resulting from loss of accustomed culture cues and social rules” (Winkelman, 1994). In another word, initially, this term was used to describe the confusion, disorientation, and disheartenment that accompanied intercultural contact and migration (Austin, 2007). Smalley (1963) referred to culture shock as rejection and homesickness. Also, according to Taft (1977), culture shock is conceptualized as comprising six distinct aspects, including the strain of adapting to the new cultures, a sense of loss, confusion in role expectations and self-identity, a feeling of being rejected by members of the new culture, and anxiety and feelings of impotence due to not being able to cope with the new environment. Obviously, early definitions of this term focused mainly on the psychological and cognitive reactions of sojourners entering a new culture (Lin, 2006). In these conceptualizations, culture shock is consistently

associated with a series of symptoms of discomfort, dislocation, and abnormality (Lin, 2006).

Winkelman (1994) also examined some causes of culture shock such as stress and cognitive fatigue. Additionally, McDermott (1992) focused on social isolation and normlessness, two components of alienation. However, if uncertainty, anxiety, stress, and alienation are defined as causes of culture shock, there must be precauses, factors that lead to these causes of culture shock (Lin, 2006).

2. Four-Stage model of Culture Shock

Oberg (1960) initially postulated a four-stage model of culture shock:

(Source: University of Minnesota, International Students)

• 
  Stage 1: Honeymoon. An initial admiration and fascination with the host culture, usually consisting of superficial relationships and cordial interactions.
  

• 
  Stage 2: Crisis. Initial differences in values, language, signs and symbols lead to feelings of inadequacy, frustration, despair and anger.
  

• 
  Stage 3: Recovery. The crisis is gradually resolved through acquisition of knowledge, skills and values appropriate to the host culture, including language.
  

• 
  Stage 4: Adjustment. An ability to function effectively within and enjoy the new culture, despite occasional feelings of anxiety or stress.
  

3.