Ethno-National Attitudes as Intercultural Competence Predictors in University Students: Gender Differences

Abstract

The search for predictors of intercultural competence (ICC) development is one of the important challenges of modern psychology in connection with globalization in all the spheres of modern life, including university education. The purpose of the present research is to show that the ethno-national attitudes (ENA), which Khukhlaev et al. consider as an individual’s predisposition to assess the nationality/ethnicity can determine the severity of ICC features in male and female university students. The sample includes 219 (75% female) first–third year Russian university students. ICC was measured with the author’s modification of the intercultural sensitivity scale (ISS) by Khuhlaev and Chibisova. ISS is based on the Developmental Model of Intercultural Sensitivity, (DMIS) by Bennett and includes 4 subscales: Minimization, Absolutization, Ambivalence, Acceptance. ENA (Nationalistic, Patriotic, Neutral, Negativistic) were determined with the “Scale of ethno-national attitudes” by Khukhlaev, Kuznetsov, and Tkachenko. Descriptive statistics methods, Wilcoxon W-test, and multiple regression analysis were used for statistical analysis in the R software environment, version 3.5.2. The findings of our research showed that Nationalistic and Patriotic ENA are the strongest predictors of studied ICC scales and have an opposite negative impact on Acceptance and Absolutization in both male and female students. This fact should be taken into account in the context of ICC developments.

Effects of Cognitive Knowledge and Intercultural Behavioral Skills on Cultural Stereotypes and Intercultural Affect: A Case of Elementary Students’ Perspective on Islam

“…In contrast to the current findings, previous studies have found that intercultural awareness could promote a better understanding of others, resulting in positive effects [ 91 , 92 ]. However, it could appear that within the current study, intercultural awareness might not directly cause negativity toward others but instead increase the focus and preference towards one’s own culture [ 93 , 94 ]. The DMIS argued that information about a particular culture is not sufficient to prepare individuals for intercultural communication.…”

Cognitive Abilities and Academic Achievement as Intercultural Competence Predictors in Russian School Students

“…In the final version of the ISS, the total raw scores for each subscale can range from 0 to 80 points. This version of the questionnaire has been well tested on different samples of Russian university and school students in our previous research ( Gridunova et al 2017 ; Gridunova 2018 ; Novikova et al 2017 ; Novikova et al 2019 ; Novikova et al 2020 ).…”

“…In Russian ICC studies based on the modified version of DMIS, it was shown that male university students are more inclined to absolutize intercultural differences, i.e., ethnocentrism ( Logashenko 2015 ; Gridunova 2018 ), but, in general, gender differences are not very significant ( Novikova et al 2020 ). In other Russian studies based on the model by Barrett ( 2018 ), it was revealed that “for women, the success of intercultural interaction depends on practical skills, self-education, the ability to listen and understand, readiness for cooperation, tolerance; and for men—from respect and responsibility, adaptability, knowledge and their critical reflection” ( Makhmutova et al 2020 ).…”

“…Personality traits from the Five-Factor Model (FFM) or the “Big Five” (neuroticism, extraversion, openness to experience, agreeableness and conscientiousness) are often considered as factors and predictors of ICC and similar concepts in international ( Hofstede and McCrae 2004 ) and, more recently, Russian psychology ( Gridunova et al 2017 ; Gridunova 2018 ; Novikova et al 2017 ; Novikova et al 2019 ; Novikova et al 2020 ). Numerous international studies have shown that openness to experience (the FFM personality trait that is often associated with intelligence and creativity) is the most universal predictor of ICC and similar concepts compared to other traits ( Bakalis and Joiner 2004 ; Huang et al 2005 ; Wang and Ching 2015 ; etc.).…”

Intercultural Sensitivity and Ethnocentrism Levels of Theology Students in a Turkish University Sample

“…On the other hand, it is also important to determine the variables that affect these attitudes. Novikova et al (2020) suggest a complex study of different intercultural competency predictors, such as social and cultural contexts and experiences, social attitudes, personality traits, national and/or cultural origin, gender, and age. In this sense, we aim to broadly examine the variables that affect intercultural sensitivity and ethnocentrism levels in a certain group.…”