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
