Copyright by Tatiana Borisovna Segura 2008 - The University of ...

Adler describes culture shock as a sequence of five stages rather than three stages
which makes his classification more detailed and elaborate than the traditional one. The
first stage in Adler’s classification is a happy stage during which travelers experience
curiosity and excitement. The second stage is disintegration of old familiar cues; during
this stage difficulties start arising. The third stage is reintegration of new cues when the
ability to function in a new culture improves. In the fourth stage, reintegration becomes
gradual autonomy or the ability to function independently in a new culture. The fifth
stage is reciprocal interdependence, where travelers become truly bicultural and
comfortable with both cultures (Adler).
The notion of u-curve adjustment was broadened to a w-curve by Gullahorn and
Gullahorn who pointed out that returning home requires a new type of adjustment
(Gullahorn and Gullahorn). Pedersen notes that both the u-curve and w-curve designs are
flawed; their most serious weakness is the implication of a smooth linear cultural
adaptation. Pederson argues that, in reality, cultural adaptation is never linear and should
be viewed as a series of progressive and regressive steps (4).
Grunzweig and Rinehart note that the term ‘culture shock’ is out of date. The
negative connation of the term suggests to students that it is something that needs to be
avoided and minimized rather than embraced (17). The positive effect of personal growth
that is usually the ultimate outcome of going through a culture shock is not visible in the
term itself.
In summation, culture shock is a process that involves multiple progressive and
regressive stages. The ultimate outcome of culture shock is becoming truly bicultural and
comfortable with both cultures.
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