| Using uncertainty reduction theory, the goal of this dissertation research was to examine the intercultural communication training effectiveness on the three training outcomes: uncertainty, anxiety, and intercultural communication competence (ICC). Multivariate analysis of covariance (MANCOVA) was chosen as the statistical model, with two independent variables (training methods and training content), three dependent variables (uncertainty, anxiety, and ICC), and four covariates (gender, intercultural exposure, intercultural relationships, intercultural motivation). The experiment was conducted using six treatment groups (intellectual/culture-general, intellectual/culture-specific, experiential/culture-general, experiential/culture-specific, combination/culture-general, and combination/culture-specific) and one control group. There were 113 subjects in the treatment groups and 54 subjects in the control group.; The results of the study indicated that training had no effect on the three dependent variables. In addition, different types of training methodology and content had no effect on the dependent variables. Post hoc analyses were then conducted to examine further possible underlying factors that may have contributed to the nonsignificant findings. ANOVAs were conducted treating the demographic variables as additional independent variables. The findings from the post hoc analyses indicated that gender, prior experience abroad (living or studying abroad), and close and/or casual international friendships had an impact on the three training outcomes. Specifically, female trainees, trainees with prior experience abroad (living or studying abroad), and trainees with close or casual international friendships had lower levels of uncertainty and anxiety and higher levels of ICC than male trainees, trainees with no prior experience abroad, and trainees who had no international friendships. Furthermore, the intellectual and combination methods were more effective in lowering uncertainty, anxiety, and ICC than the experiential method.; Despite the nonsignificant results on the main hypotheses, this study revealed an important finding in intercultural communication training research. Future research should consider the findings in this study as an important step in developing an effective training program. |
