Intercultural Adjustment Training In The Context Of IC: An Application Of AUM Theory

Intercultural communication competence (ICC) research becomes growingly important with the ever-increasing development of globalization in China. A literature review shows that it is feasible to raise intercultural communication competence of Chinese interactants through this training program based on Gudykunst's AUM theory. This anxiety/uncertainty management (AUM) theory suggests that effectiveness of communication is a function of individuals' abilities to manage their uncertainty and anxiety. The purpose of this article is to illustrate how anxiety/uncertainty management (AUM) theory can be applied to intercultural adjustment training and to examine the role of individualism-collectivism in training within this theoretical perspective. The effect of anxiety and uncertainty on perceived effectiveness of communication was examined in the way of doing presentation in the international conference in present study. The results indicate that there is a moderate, negative relationship between anxiety and attributional confidence (the inverse of uncertainty) across relationships and cultures. The results also reveal that anxiety or uncertainty of presenters can be overwhelmed effectively through this training program. Initially, the theory, as applied to intercultural adjustment, is summarized briefly. Next, a seven session training program based upon the theory is suggested. The 121 subjects involved in the research are postgraduates with potentiality to communicate with foreigners. They filled out the sheets of questionnaires. Data were collected and processed with SPSS for verifying of construct validity. In qualitative aspect, diary process has been used, and 121 dairies were investigated with care. From the training program, a great improvement exit in pro-training diary. This research will provide guideline or help for assessment of intercultural communication competence, intercultural training and foreign language learning.