IS MILTON BENNETT'S MODEL OF INTER CULTURAL SENSITIVITY REALLY INTER CULTURAL?

Abstract. Milton Bennett's model of inter cultural sensitivity development is one of the most common and acknowledged models in non-formal education and training. Partially being based on its author's personal overseas living and working experience (US Peace Corps volunteer in Micronesia from 1968-1970 and fifteen years of teaching and training experience in inter cultural communication), it resides theoretically on wider phenomenological approach to the construction of different cultural meanings. The founding hypothesis of the model in question is dynamical. Cultural differences are understood not as posited but as constructed processes and therefore may be subjected to further development. It an ideal case, it is presupposed that development occurs beginning from stage of an utter ethnocentrism and moves forward towards an ultimate ethno-relativistical point of view. The latter stage is reflected in cultural and moral relativism, as well as in capability for fully intentional, (auto-)reflexive empathy. Bennett's model designates six stages of inter cultural sensitivity development. These are: 1) denial of cultural differences; 2) defense of the culturally binary world-view; 3) minimization of differences; 4) their acceptance; 5) adaptation; 6) integration of cultural differences into one's own, constructed and ever constructing self. We analyze all of the stages proposed by Bennett, especially concentrating our attention on the final, integrating stage. Founding our argumentation on theoretical reasons, as well as on personal significant overseas living experience, we question the alleged cultural and moral “statelessness” of this stage. Contrary to Bennett's conception, we show that the so-called integrative stage of inter cultural sensitivity is no more than a pseudo-universalistic outgrowth of one specific type of culture.

Milton Bennett's inter cultural sensitivity development model, ethnocentrism, ethno-relativism, cultural differences, construction, Western culture

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