As we continue to work toward a better understanding of global issues and
intercultural sensitivity, educators must identify areas where we can facilitate positive
change in ourselves and in our students. This descriptive study incorporates the
Intercultural Development Inventory to measure orientations toward cultural differences
of three aspiring student groups, the Corps of Cadet Leaders, the Peer Diversity Leaders
and the Tsunami Fulbright Leaders, as described in the Developmental Model of
Intercultural Sensitivity (DMIS). The DMIS assumes that construing cultural difference
can become an active part of one’s worldview, resulting in an expanded understanding
of one’s own and other cultures, and an increased competence and sensitivity in
intercultural relations.
The quantitative portion of this study was reported using appropriate quantitative
techniques. The data collected was processed and initially scored using the Intercultural
Development Inventory (IDI). Data was then further analyzed using a statistical
software program (SPSS) and statistical correlations, multivariate analysis of variance
(MANOVAs) were computed.
This study is unique in that it breaks new ground in the measurement of the levels of
intercultural sensitivity of three groups of students from various organizations at the
university level. The Intercultural Development Inventory, distributed to 38 students,
revealed that students in this small study are all in a stage of denial, defense or
minimization.
The study points to recommendations for change, from a developmental training
perspective, to encourage students to become effective in their intercultural
relationships. Use of the IDI and interventions to assist in finding ways to increase
cultural sensitivity will assist aspiring student leaders in all walks of life.
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:tamu.edu/oai:repository.tamu.edu:1969.1/ETD-TAMU-2010-08-8259 |
| Date | 2010 August 1900 |
| Creators | Palsa, Michele M. |
| Contributors | Rosser, Manda, Cummins, Richard |
| Source Sets | Texas A and M University |
| Language | en_US |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | thesis, text |
| Format | application/pdf |
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