4-6 stages reflect ethnorelativism in cross-cultural communication. During these three phases, a person gradually treats all culture as reasonable and try to understand every behavior from the aspect of cultures behind.
In his theory, Bennett describes what changes occur when evolving through each step of the scale. Summarized, they are the following:
Schools play an important role in shaping the multicultural perspective of students. A study published in 2011 by Frank Hernandez and Brad W. Kose found that the Bennett Scale provides a robust measure of principals' cultural competence in terms of how they understand differences. Principals' DMIS orientation how they could influence their understanding of social justice and further make them implement different leadership practices for diverse schools. Specifically, the researchers provided various explanations of the pervasive performance gap that sees white children outperforming their black or Latino classmates on standardised tests, academics, and school completion based on the Bennett Scale as a theoretical framework. Education professionals may rationalize school policies and activities for cultural diversity and help achieve cultural equality in the educational environment by determining which of the six phases of intercultural sensitivity the particular principal is in. For instance, a principal in minimization phase may organize international cuisine festivals in the school, or use cultural and heritage festivals as opportunities for intercultural education. But since it overlooks cultural distinctions, the school might not consider to launch a multicultural program or make curriculum changes that respect students' cultural nuances.
Another study applied Bennett Scale to the curriculum of university general education courses. In the current context of globalization and growing diversity in schools, experiencing and learning about cultural differences in the school environment is an important instructional method. This study used Bennett Scale as an analytical model, coded and quantitatively analyzed data of cross-cultural sensitivity among 48 students from multicultural backgrounds receiving university general education. According to the findings, a diversity curriculum that motivates students to share and practice their viewpoints on social issues is more likely to foster empathy and raise levels of cross-cultural sensitivity than one that only emphasizes information comprehension with assignments including material reading and essay writing.
Bennett Scale has mostly been applied to analysis on people's cross-cultural sensitivity, but some scholars have expanded its application to organizational communications. Informed by Bennett Scale and Botan's Five steps in Issue Management model, Radu Dumitrascu developed a new corporate adaption model and follow-up intercultural communication approaches for international business. According to how they handle cultural diversity and cultural affiliations and localize themselves through communication, structural adjustments, strategies, and tactics, five types of organizations are defined: denying/intransigent, minimizing/resistant, minimizing/cooperative, adaptive/cooperative, integrative.
Bennett Scale is recognized for defining clear ethnocentric and ethnorelative stages, however, it is also considered by some scholars to be too idealistic to be practiced in the reality. Primary critiques include:
Besides, several researchers report a struggle to determine participants' orientation within the six stages of Bennett Scale due to the lack of transitional middle ground between stages. The model is also critiqued for working well in nations where multiculturalism is easily embraced, like the United States, but its practical applicability in isolated or undeveloped nations where people have little exposure to other cultures is still questioned.
Bennett, Milton J. (1986-01-01). "A developmental approach to training for intercultural sensitivity". International Journal of Intercultural Relations. Special Issue: Theories and Methods in Cross-Cultural Orientation. 10 (2): 179–196. doi:10.1016/0147-1767(86)90005-2. ISSN 0147-1767. https://dx.doi.org/10.1016/0147-1767%2886%2990005-2
Bennett, Milton J. (1986-01-01). "A developmental approach to training for intercultural sensitivity". International Journal of Intercultural Relations. Special Issue: Theories and Methods in Cross-Cultural Orientation. 10 (2): 179–196. doi:10.1016/0147-1767(86)90005-2. ISSN 0147-1767. https://dx.doi.org/10.1016/0147-1767%2886%2990005-2
Littlejohn, Stephen W. (2021). Theories of human communication. Karen A. Foss, John G. Oetzel (Twelfth ed.). Long Grove, Illinois. ISBN 978-1-4786-4667-9. OCLC 1259328675.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link) 978-1-4786-4667-9
Bennett, Milton J. (1986-01-01). "A developmental approach to training for intercultural sensitivity". International Journal of Intercultural Relations. Special Issue: Theories and Methods in Cross-Cultural Orientation. 10 (2): 179–196. doi:10.1016/0147-1767(86)90005-2. ISSN 0147-1767. https://dx.doi.org/10.1016/0147-1767%2886%2990005-2
Littlejohn, Stephen W. (2021). Theories of human communication. Karen A. Foss, John G. Oetzel (Twelfth ed.). Long Grove, Illinois. ISBN 978-1-4786-4667-9. OCLC 1259328675.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link) 978-1-4786-4667-9
Bennett, Milton J. (2017-06-27). "Developmental Model of Intercultural Sensitivity". The International Encyclopedia of Intercultural Communication: 1–10. doi:10.1002/9781118783665.ieicc0182. ISBN 9781118783948. S2CID 151315097. 9781118783948
Hammer, Mitchell R.; Bennett, Milton J.; Wiseman, Richard (July 2003). "Measuring intercultural sensitivity: The intercultural development inventory". International Journal of Intercultural Relations. 27 (4): 421–443. doi:10.1016/s0147-1767(03)00032-4. ISSN 0147-1767. https://dx.doi.org/10.1016/s0147-1767(03)00032-4
Littlejohn, Stephen W. (2021). Theories of human communication. Karen A. Foss, John G. Oetzel (Twelfth ed.). Long Grove, Illinois. ISBN 978-1-4786-4667-9. OCLC 1259328675.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link) 978-1-4786-4667-9
Bennett, Milton J. (2017-06-27). "Developmental Model of Intercultural Sensitivity". The International Encyclopedia of Intercultural Communication: 1–10. doi:10.1002/9781118783665.ieicc0182. ISBN 9781118783948. S2CID 151315097. 9781118783948
Bennett, Milton J. (2017-06-27). "Developmental Model of Intercultural Sensitivity". The International Encyclopedia of Intercultural Communication: 1–10. doi:10.1002/9781118783665.ieicc0182. ISBN 9781118783948. S2CID 151315097. 9781118783948
Bennett, Milton J. (2017-06-27). "Developmental Model of Intercultural Sensitivity". The International Encyclopedia of Intercultural Communication: 1–10. doi:10.1002/9781118783665.ieicc0182. ISBN 9781118783948. S2CID 151315097. 9781118783948
Hammer, Mitchell R.; Bennett, Milton J.; Wiseman, Richard (July 2003). "Measuring intercultural sensitivity: The intercultural development inventory". International Journal of Intercultural Relations. 27 (4): 421–443. doi:10.1016/s0147-1767(03)00032-4. ISSN 0147-1767. https://dx.doi.org/10.1016/s0147-1767(03)00032-4
Littlejohn, Stephen W. (2021). Theories of human communication. Karen A. Foss, John G. Oetzel (Twelfth ed.). Long Grove, Illinois. ISBN 978-1-4786-4667-9. OCLC 1259328675.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link) 978-1-4786-4667-9
Bennett, Milton J. (2017-06-27). "Developmental Model of Intercultural Sensitivity". The International Encyclopedia of Intercultural Communication: 1–10. doi:10.1002/9781118783665.ieicc0182. ISBN 9781118783948. S2CID 151315097. 9781118783948
Hammer, Mitchell R.; Bennett, Milton J.; Wiseman, Richard (July 2003). "Measuring intercultural sensitivity: The intercultural development inventory". International Journal of Intercultural Relations. 27 (4): 421–443. doi:10.1016/s0147-1767(03)00032-4. ISSN 0147-1767. https://dx.doi.org/10.1016/s0147-1767(03)00032-4
Bennett, Milton J. (2017-06-27). "Developmental Model of Intercultural Sensitivity". The International Encyclopedia of Intercultural Communication: 1–10. doi:10.1002/9781118783665.ieicc0182. ISBN 9781118783948. S2CID 151315097. 9781118783948
Littlejohn, Stephen W. (2021). Theories of human communication. Karen A. Foss, John G. Oetzel (Twelfth ed.). Long Grove, Illinois. ISBN 978-1-4786-4667-9. OCLC 1259328675.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link) 978-1-4786-4667-9
Littlejohn, Stephen W. (2021). Theories of human communication. Karen A. Foss, John G. Oetzel (Twelfth ed.). Long Grove, Illinois. ISBN 978-1-4786-4667-9. OCLC 1259328675.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link) 978-1-4786-4667-9
Bennett, Milton J. (2017-06-27). "Developmental Model of Intercultural Sensitivity". The International Encyclopedia of Intercultural Communication: 1–10. doi:10.1002/9781118783665.ieicc0182. ISBN 9781118783948. S2CID 151315097. 9781118783948
Bennett, Milton J. (2017-06-27). "Developmental Model of Intercultural Sensitivity". The International Encyclopedia of Intercultural Communication: 1–10. doi:10.1002/9781118783665.ieicc0182. ISBN 9781118783948. S2CID 151315097. 9781118783948
Bennett, Milton J. (1986-01-01). "A developmental approach to training for intercultural sensitivity". International Journal of Intercultural Relations. Special Issue: Theories and Methods in Cross-Cultural Orientation. 10 (2): 179–196. doi:10.1016/0147-1767(86)90005-2. ISSN 0147-1767. https://dx.doi.org/10.1016/0147-1767%2886%2990005-2
Bennett, Milton J. (2017-06-27). "Developmental Model of Intercultural Sensitivity". The International Encyclopedia of Intercultural Communication: 1–10. doi:10.1002/9781118783665.ieicc0182. ISBN 9781118783948. S2CID 151315097. 9781118783948
Littlejohn, Stephen W. (2021). Theories of human communication. Karen A. Foss, John G. Oetzel (Twelfth ed.). Long Grove, Illinois. ISBN 978-1-4786-4667-9. OCLC 1259328675.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link) 978-1-4786-4667-9
Bennett, Milton J. (2017-06-27). "Developmental Model of Intercultural Sensitivity". The International Encyclopedia of Intercultural Communication: 1–10. doi:10.1002/9781118783665.ieicc0182. ISBN 9781118783948. S2CID 151315097. 9781118783948
Bennett, Milton J. (2017-06-27). "Developmental Model of Intercultural Sensitivity". The International Encyclopedia of Intercultural Communication: 1–10. doi:10.1002/9781118783665.ieicc0182. ISBN 9781118783948. S2CID 151315097. 9781118783948
Littlejohn, Stephen W. (2021). Theories of human communication. Karen A. Foss, John G. Oetzel (Twelfth ed.). Long Grove, Illinois. ISBN 978-1-4786-4667-9. OCLC 1259328675.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link) 978-1-4786-4667-9
Bennett, Milton J. (2017-06-27). "Developmental Model of Intercultural Sensitivity". The International Encyclopedia of Intercultural Communication: 1–10. doi:10.1002/9781118783665.ieicc0182. ISBN 9781118783948. S2CID 151315097. 9781118783948
Bennett, Milton J. (2017-06-27). "Developmental Model of Intercultural Sensitivity". The International Encyclopedia of Intercultural Communication: 1–10. doi:10.1002/9781118783665.ieicc0182. ISBN 9781118783948. S2CID 151315097. 9781118783948
Littlejohn, Stephen W. (2021). Theories of human communication. Karen A. Foss, John G. Oetzel (Twelfth ed.). Long Grove, Illinois. ISBN 978-1-4786-4667-9. OCLC 1259328675.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link) 978-1-4786-4667-9
Bennett, Milton J. (2017-06-27). "Developmental Model of Intercultural Sensitivity". The International Encyclopedia of Intercultural Communication: 1–10. doi:10.1002/9781118783665.ieicc0182. ISBN 9781118783948. S2CID 151315097. 9781118783948
Bennett, Milton J. (2017-06-27). "Developmental Model of Intercultural Sensitivity". The International Encyclopedia of Intercultural Communication: 1–10. doi:10.1002/9781118783665.ieicc0182. ISBN 9781118783948. S2CID 151315097. 9781118783948
Bennett, Milton J. (2017-06-27). "Developmental Model of Intercultural Sensitivity". The International Encyclopedia of Intercultural Communication: 1–10. doi:10.1002/9781118783665.ieicc0182. ISBN 9781118783948. S2CID 151315097. 9781118783948
Littlejohn, Stephen W. (2021). Theories of human communication. Karen A. Foss, John G. Oetzel (Twelfth ed.). Long Grove, Illinois. ISBN 978-1-4786-4667-9. OCLC 1259328675.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link) 978-1-4786-4667-9
Littlejohn, Stephen W. (2021). Theories of human communication. Karen A. Foss, John G. Oetzel (Twelfth ed.). Long Grove, Illinois. ISBN 978-1-4786-4667-9. OCLC 1259328675.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link) 978-1-4786-4667-9
Bennett, Milton J. (2017-06-27). "Developmental Model of Intercultural Sensitivity". The International Encyclopedia of Intercultural Communication: 1–10. doi:10.1002/9781118783665.ieicc0182. ISBN 9781118783948. S2CID 151315097. 9781118783948
Best practices, best thinking, and emerging issues in school leadership. William A. Owings, Leslie S. Kaplan. Thousand Oaks, Calif.: Corwin Press. 2003. ISBN 0-7619-7862-3. OCLC 50803476.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: others (link) 0-7619-7862-3
Hernandez, Frank; Kose, Brad W. (July 2012). "The Developmental Model of Intercultural Sensitivity: A Tool for Understanding Principals' Cultural Competence". Education and Urban Society. 44 (4): 512–530. doi:10.1177/0013124510393336. ISSN 0013-1245. S2CID 144580919. http://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/0013124510393336
Hernandez, Frank; Kose, Brad W. (July 2012). "The Developmental Model of Intercultural Sensitivity: A Tool for Understanding Principals' Cultural Competence". Education and Urban Society. 44 (4): 512–530. doi:10.1177/0013124510393336. ISSN 0013-1245. S2CID 144580919. http://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/0013124510393336
Hernandez, Frank; Kose, Brad W. (July 2012). "The Developmental Model of Intercultural Sensitivity: A Tool for Understanding Principals' Cultural Competence". Education and Urban Society. 44 (4): 512–530. doi:10.1177/0013124510393336. ISSN 0013-1245. S2CID 144580919. http://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/0013124510393336
Beyond heroes and holidays : a practical guide to K-12 anti-racist, multicultural education and staff development. Enid Lee, Deborah Menkart, Margo Okazawa-Rey, Teaching for Change (2nd ed.). Washington, D.C.: Teaching for Change. 2002. ISBN 1-878554-17-4. OCLC 51074343.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: others (link) 1-878554-17-4
Hernandez, Frank; Kose, Brad W. (July 2012). "The Developmental Model of Intercultural Sensitivity: A Tool for Understanding Principals' Cultural Competence". Education and Urban Society. 44 (4): 512–530. doi:10.1177/0013124510393336. ISSN 0013-1245. S2CID 144580919. http://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/0013124510393336
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Educating citizens : preparing America's undergraduates for lives of moral and civic responsibility. Anne Colby (1st ed.). San Francisco, CA: Jossey-Bass. 2003. ISBN 978-0-7879-6515-0. OCLC 50858910.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: others (link) 978-0-7879-6515-0
Mahoney, Sandra L.; Schamber, Jon F. (2004). "Exploring the Application of a Developmental Model of Intercultural Sensitivity to a General Education Curriculum on Diversity". The Journal of General Education. 53 (3): 311–334. doi:10.1353/jge.2005.0007. ISSN 1527-2060. S2CID 144856538. https://dx.doi.org/10.1353/jge.2005.0007
Mahoney, Sandra L.; Schamber, Jon F. (2004). "Exploring the Application of a Developmental Model of Intercultural Sensitivity to a General Education Curriculum on Diversity". The Journal of General Education. 53 (3): 311–334. doi:10.1353/jge.2005.0007. ISSN 1527-2060. S2CID 144856538. https://dx.doi.org/10.1353/jge.2005.0007
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