The Roles of Social Complexity Belief and Perceived Contact Characteristics in Cultural Intelligence Development Among Individuals Receiving Contact-Based Training

Contact-based cross-cultural training (CCT) is essential in cultural intelligence (CQ) development; however, little is known about how individual differences and training characteristics influence CQ development. This work argues that in the context of contact-based CCT, a participant’s social complexity belief predicts the perception of disconfirmation in culturally shaped expectations, and ultimately his or her CQ development. Furthermore, using person–situation interactionist research, this study explores the interaction of social complexity belief with perceived optimal contact characteristics: common goals, personalized contact, equal status, and support of authorities. The hypotheses were tested in a pre- and postdesign study involving 174 management students who participated in a multiweek contact-based CCT. The results reveal that social complexity belief is positively associated with CQ development and that the perception of disconfirmation mediates this relationship. The perception of common goals by a CCT participant during contact attenuates the positive effect of his or her social complexity belief on the perception of disconfirmation. These findings highlight the importance of considering individual differences and training characteristics in CCT design and selection.