The Relationship Between Emotional Intelligence and
Cross-Cultural Adaptability: Theory and Practice
Purpose
• The purpose of this study was to investigate
the relationship between Cross-Cultural
Adaptability and Emotional Intelligence to
determine if there are definable and
measurable characteristics of cross-cultural
effectiveness.
• The goal was to see what could be learned
about the relationship between personality,
emotional control, interpersonal relationships
and adaptability.
Hypotheses
• It was hypothesized that cross-culturally effective individuals
would show resilience, flexibility and the capacity to handle
stress, as measured by a test of personality.
• It was also hypothesized that cross-culturally adaptable
people would show signs of emotional intelligence through
their ability to manage their emotions and display empathy,
as measured by a test of emotional intelligence.
• In addition, it was hypothesized that this sample would seek
out interpersonal relationships.
• Finally, it was expected that the CCAI would be highly
correlated with all of the above.
What is the Cross-Cultural Challenge?
“One faces emotional
disconnection during a crosscultural interaction. Depending
on the layers of defenses used
to cope with this disconnection,
one may or may not be
conscious of the emotions that
one is experiencing. When these
painful, emotional experiences are not responded to effectively
and competently over time, prejudicial stance towards crosscultural differences may develop which really serves as a defense
against anxiety and the fear of difference and implies a lack of
mastery over the uncomfortable feelings of being different.”
Allport, 1954
Culture Shock
• Culture shock is the loss of the familiar
as well as the confrontation with the
unknown.
• It is the emotional response to cultural
differences.
• It involves emotions of anxiety,
frustration, alienation and excitement.
Cross-Cultural Effectiveness
• Gardner (1962) cited the “universal
communicator” who was stable, extroverted
and intuitive.
• Ruben (1976) discussed empathy and
tolerance for ambiguity.
• Cui and Awi (1992) cited social-emotional
factors including maintaining relationships.
Emotional Intelligence
• A cross-section of interrelated
emotional and social competencies,
skills, and facilitators that determine
how effectively we understand and
express ourselves, understand
others and relate with them, and cope
with daily demands.
• EI skills include empathy, impulse
control, optimism, and selfawareness.
The Cross-Cultural Adaptability Inventory (CCAI)
• Developed as a 50-question self-scoring training
instrument designed to give feedback to
individuals about his or her potential for crosscultural effectiveness
• Designed to be culture general
• Promotes self-awareness
• Facilitates decisions about working or living in a
cross-cultural environment
CCAI Dimensions
The inventory is comprised of four factors:
•Emotional Resilience
•Flexibility/Openness
•Perceptual Acuity
•Personal Autonomy
Emotional Resilience
• Comprised of 18 items
• Taps a person’s ability to handle
stressful feelings and bounce back
from setbacks
• Involves tolerating ambiguity, a
sense of humor and dealing with
people in new or unfamiliar
situations
Flexibility/Openness
• Comprised of 15 items
• Measures a nonjudgmental and
tolerant attitude toward others
• Involves flexibility with regard to new
people, ideas and experiences
Perceptual Acuity
• Comprised of 10 items
• Most closely associated with
empathy
• Sensitivity to verbal and non-verbal
cues
• Ability to understand behavior
within the context of culture
Personal Autonomy
• Comprised of 7 items
• Measures the strength of a
person’s values, beliefs and
personal identity within an
unfamiliar setting
• Score is often modified by
previous cross-cultural
experience or gender
Sample
• Data taken from 381 reality television
finalists and competitors
•190 Men, ages 21 to 69
•191 Women, ages 21 to 69
Measures
•
Personal Data Questionnaire: (age, gender, ethnicity, family background,
psychiatric and medical history, education, etc.)
•
The Cross-Cultural Adaptability Inventory (CCAI): The inventory consists of
50 questions, and individuals rated themselves on a six-point Likert scales on the
dimensions of Emotional Resilience, Flexibility/Openness, Perceptual Acuity and
Personal Autonomy.
•
The Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory (MMPI-2): A 567-item
True/False objective personality test comprised of 13 clinical scales that can be
applied to a wide variety of clinical and non-clinical populations.
•
The Fundamental Interpersonal Relations Orientation-Behavior (FIRO-B): A
54-item instrument that gathers critical insights into how an individual's needs for
inclusion, control, and affection can shape his or her interactions with others.
•
The Emotional Quotient Inventory (EQI): A 133-item inventory that gives
scores on five composite scales, with 15 subscales, that measures emotional and
social competencies.
Summary of Results
• Cross-cultural effectiveness is
associated with low neuroticism,
extroversion and the need for
interpersonal attachments
• There is a strong correlation
between measures of emotional
intelligence and cross-cultural
adaptability.
CCAI and the MMPI-2
K Scale
SI Scale
Anxiety
Scale
ER Scale .304
-.422
-.327
F/O Scale .335
-.337
-.282
CCAI
Total
-.377
-.294
.327
CCAI and FIRO-B
Expressed
Affection
CCAI Total
.309
Wanted
Affection
.193
CCAI and EQ-i
CCAI Total
Total EQ
Empathy
.426
.442
Conclusion
• The constructs on the CCAI
correlate with emotional
intelligence.
• Low neuroticism, good stress
tolerance, extroversion and
need for attachment are
essential to cross-cultural
effectiveness.
• Developing empathy, emotional
self-awareness and emotional
regulation is predictive of crosscultural success.