Culture Shock [The 4 Stages of Adaptation]

Summary

This video explores the four stages of cultural transition people experience when living abroad or moving to a new town: Honeymoon, Frustration, Adjustment, and Adaptation. It discusses the emotional rollercoaster of culture shock, from initial excitement to frustration and eventual adaptation. Extreme cases, like the Paris Syndrome, highlight the severe effects of cultural disillusionment. The video also touches on reverse culture shock when returning home. The theory is based on Sverre Lysgaard’s research in the 1950s, showing a typical progression through these stages, and encourages viewers to share their own experiences in the comments.

Takeaways

• 😀 Culture shock consists of four stages: honeymoon, frustration, adjustment, and adaptation.
• 😀 In the honeymoon stage, everything feels exciting, and people are optimistic about their new environment.
• 😀 Frustration occurs when reality sets in, and individuals struggle to connect with local people and norms.
• 😀 During the adjustment stage, people become familiar with local customs, improve language skills, and begin to feel more comfortable.
• 😀 The adaptation stage is when individuals fully integrate into the new culture while maintaining their native identity.
• 😀 Some individuals experience extreme culture shock, like the Paris Syndrome, which can cause severe symptoms like anxiety and hallucinations.
• 😀 Reverse culture shock occurs when people returning to their home country feel alienated from their old way of life.
• 😀 Not everyone experiences all four stages; some may skip the honeymoon phase or never fully adapt.
• 😀 Toddlers sent to preschool without parental support can experience anxiety similar to culture shock and may have difficulty bonding with teachers.
• 😀 The research on culture shock by Sverre Lysgaard in the 1950s showed a clear pattern of emotional response to living abroad.
• 😀 The culture shock curve suggests that honeymoon lasts about 2 months, frustration lasts for about 6 months, and adaptation happens after nearly a year.

Q & A

What are the four stages of culture shock mentioned in the script?

The four stages of culture shock are Honeymoon, Frustration, Adjustment, and Adaptation.

What happens during the Honeymoon stage of culture shock?

During the Honeymoon stage, everything seems perfect. The people are friendly, the culture feels exciting, and there is a sense of optimism about the new environment.

What causes frustration in the second stage of culture shock?

In the Frustration stage, reality sets in, and people experience difficulties connecting with others due to barriers in communication and social norms. This can lead to feelings of homesickness and rejection of local traditions.

How does the Adjustment stage differ from the previous stage?

In the Adjustment stage, individuals begin to feel more comfortable as they start to understand local customs, acquire language skills, and make new friends. They feel more at ease in their new environment.

What is the significance of the Adaptation stage in culture shock?

The Adaptation stage represents full integration into the new culture. Individuals feel a sense of belonging, can fully participate in local life, and are able to maintain their original identity.

What is Paris Syndrome, and who is most affected by it?

Paris Syndrome is an extreme form of culture shock that typically affects some Japanese tourists in Paris. They arrive with high expectations but are confronted with negative experiences, leading to psychiatric symptoms such as anxiety and hallucinations.

What happens when individuals experience reverse culture shock?

Reverse culture shock occurs when people return to their home country after adapting to a new culture. They may feel alienated from their old way of life and experience difficulties reintegrating.

Why do some people skip the Honeymoon stage of culture shock?

Some individuals, especially those who are pushed into a new culture without preparation or support, may skip the Honeymoon stage and go directly into the Frustration stage. This can lead to prolonged feelings of frustration and difficulty in adjusting.

What does the research by Sverre Lysgaard reveal about the stages of culture shock?

Sverre Lysgaard’s research on culture shock, conducted in the 1950s, shows that the Honeymoon stage lasts about two months, followed by six months of frustration. Adjustment begins after roughly six months, and full adaptation typically occurs around a year.

How does the example of toddlers in preschool relate to the concept of culture shock?

The example of toddlers in preschool highlights the importance of emotional support when adjusting to new environments. Toddlers who are left without a familiar adult experience severe anxiety, which can hinder their ability to bond with teachers and lead to higher sickness rates, much like culture shock in adults.