An Introduction to the Developmental Model

of Intercultural Sensitivity (DMIS)

Workshop for G.R.A.C.E. Summit with Meck Groot, Justice Ministries Coordinator

CLARA BARTON AND MASSACHUSETTS BAY DISTRICTSMay 18, 2013

Culture:“the way we do things

around here”

Navigating Difference in the Beloved Community

Layers of Culture

Dress, food, housing, artifacts, etc.

Purpose, meaning, cosmology, interpretation, theories, why, relationships, notions of the sacred

Words, “frames,” naming

Developmental Model ofIntercultural Sensitivity (DMIS)

DenialMisses difference

PolarizationJudges difference• Defense• Reversal

MinimizationDe-emphasizes difference

AcceptanceDeeply comprehends difference

AdaptationBridges across difference

Milton Bennett

Denial

Primary emotion: indifference

Polarization:Reversal

ThemWrongOthers

UsRightSelf

Primary emotion: fear / anger

Polarization:Reversal

ThemRightOthers

UsWrongSelf

Primary emotion: shame

Polarization: Reversal

As manifested in a marginalized group

Polarization: Reversal

As manifested in a dominant group

"We Are All One” by Dawn Jones

MinimizationHumanist?Atheist?Jewish?Pagan?Muslim?Taoist?Christian?Buddhist?

Of course! You’ll LOVEUnitarian Universalism!There’s a place for everyone.

Primary emotion: tolerance

Acceptance

Primary emotion: curiosity

Adaptation

Primary emotion: flexibility / tolerance for ambiguity

Stage Description Intervention/Skill

Denial Sticks with the familiar • Get exposed to difference

Defense:•Polarization•Reversal

Puts everyone in camps• Us vs. Them• Them vs. Us

• Look for commonality

Minimization Devalues difference because everyone’s like us

• Increase awareness of the particularities of one’s own culture

Acceptance Recognizes cultural difference

• Exercise curiosity about culture-specific information

Adaptation Shifts perspective & behavior depending on goal

• Clarify goals• Exercise empathy• Shift frames

Acceptance

Denial Adaptation

Minimization

Polarization

Acceptance

Denial Adaptation

Minimization

Polarization

Exclusive

“the Club”

Symbolic

Identity Change

Structural Change

…the ability to •create and maintain relationships across cultural difference •communicate with minimal loss or distortion•collaborate in order to accomplish something of mutual interest or need

Dr. Alvino E. Fantini

Intercultural Competence is…

Key Intercultural Skills• Cultural self-awareness• Empathy• Curiosity• Tolerance for ambiguity• Flexibility• Courage• Resilience

PLATINUM RULE:

Do unto others as they would

have done unto themselves.

Consider some differences of culture present in your congregation:

•What developmental stages are represented in your congregation’s responses to those differences?

•Where are you in that?

•What strategies for increasing intercultural competency might be most effective in your congregation?

Navigating Differences of Culture