A Cultural Psychological Approach to Analyze Intercultural Learning: Potential and Limits of the Structure Formation Technique

Authors

  • Doris Weidemann Westsächsische Hochschule Zwickau

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.17169/fqs-10.1.1246

Keywords:

intercultural learning, subjective theories, lay theories, structure formation technique, Taiwan, China, adjustment, face, Germany

Abstract

Despite the huge interest in sojourner adjustment, there is still a lack of qualitative as well as of longitudinal research that would offer more detailed insights into intercultural learning processes during overseas stays. The present study aims to partly fill that gap by documenting changes in knowledge structures and general living experiences of fifteen German sojourners in Taiwan in a longitudinal, cultural-psychological study. As part of a multimethod design a structure formation technique was used to document subjective theories on giving/losing face and their changes over time. In a second step results from this study are compared to knowledge-structures of seven long-term German residents in Taiwan, and implications for the conceptualization of intercultural learning will be proposed. Finally, results from both studies serve to discuss the potential and limits of structure formation techniques in the field of intercultural communication research. URN: urn:nbn:de:0114-fqs0901435

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Author Biography

Doris Weidemann, Westsächsische Hochschule Zwickau

Doris WEIDEMANN is Professor of Intercultural Training with focus on the Greater China area at the University of Applied Sciences of Zwickau, Germany. Her research interests include cultural and cross-cultural psychology, German-Chinese communication, and the challenges of transnational research collaboration.

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Published

2009-01-28

How to Cite

Weidemann, D. (2009). A Cultural Psychological Approach to Analyze Intercultural Learning: Potential and Limits of the Structure Formation Technique. Forum Qualitative Sozialforschung Forum: Qualitative Social Research, 10(1). https://doi.org/10.17169/fqs-10.1.1246

Issue

Section

Application, Innovation, Reflection and Training of Qualitative Methods