Integrating intercultural communication and cross-cultural psychology: Theoretical and pedagogical implications

While psychology and communication have borrowed theories and methodologies from each other, much scholarly discussion tends to focus on the flow from psychology to communication. Relatively less attention has been paid to the work in communication that adds to psychology, particularly in examining the processes of developing relationships with culturally different others. It is timely for us to look at how communication theory and methodology have contributed to psychology in understanding differences between groups, as well as in improving intergroup relations. This paper focuses on intercultural communication, particularly acculturation of immigrants and sojourners as a clear intersection between cross-cultural psychology and communication. We aim to identify points of departure and points of integration between the two fields, drawing implications for theory in both fields and suggesting specific pedagogical tools to develop intercultural communication awareness and competence among psychology students.