WHAT IS CULTURE SHOCK
Culture shock is the feeling of insecurity or anxiety caused by the loss of familiar signs and symbols associated with socialisation, and an emotional and psychological reaction we may experience when moving to or visiting a new country or cultural context that is very different from the one we come from.
It can involve a sense of disorientation and stress due to the differences in culture, customs, values and norms that we encounter.
Symptoms of culture shock can include feelings of isolation or loneliness, irritability or frustration, a longing to go home, problems with sleep or appetite, anxiety or stress.
If you are interested in learning more about culture shock, here are some researchers who have studied the concept of culture shock.
K. OBERG
Canadian anthropologist who explained the feelings common to those facing their first cross-cultural experience. In doing so, he identified four stages of culture shock that are still commonly used.
SVERRE LYSGAARD
In 1955, Sverre Lysgaard developed a ‘U-curve’ theory that worked with three stages of cultural adaptation. The Europhoria phase, the Frustionation phase and the Adaptation phase. In 1963, Gullahorn and Gullahorn further developed this theory into a ‘W-curve’, where the emotional ups and downs form a W. The Europhoria phase, Frustionation phase and Adaptation phase are the same, but then there is another dip, when the traveller returns to their home country and finds it changed.
Margalit Cohen-Emerique
Developed a method to uncover the cultural norms, values and behaviours that influence the encounter between people and form a filter through which they interpret and react to others. This avoids the negative fog that often surrounds intercultural understanding and helps us to examine cultural frames of reference in an objective way, opening up a space for negotiation that is less characterised by preconceptions and prejudices.
Adler, P.S. (1975)
"The Transitional Experience: an Alternative View of Culture Shock". Journal of Humanistic Psychology.
A POSTIVE OR REVERSE CULTURE SHOCK
While culture shock is usually a challenging experience, it can also be beneficial when it adds personal growth and intercultural understanding. By learning about other cultures and gaining insight and understanding of cultural differences, we can develop an empathetic attitude towards people from different backgrounds. This will help us to thrive in an increasingly globalised world and open up new opportunities for personal and professional growth.
If you’ve spent time abroad, it’s also important to recognise that it’s natural to feel anxiety, frustration and stress – reverse culture shock – when you return home. You are not the same person. It can be difficult for those around you to understand and challenging to re-establish yourself.
