Phases of Culture Shock (general term describing the problems people face in their transition from a familiar to unfamiliar setting) from Transactional Nursing: A Book of Readings:
Brink and Saunders, two medical anthropologists, have extended the work of Oberg, whose original paper described four phases of culture shock and named the first phase the "Honeymoon Phase." The other phases were described but not named. The following attempts to name and extend Oberg's discussion.
1. Phase One. "The Honeymoon Phase" is marked by excitement. The desire to learn about the people and their customs is great; sightseeing is anticipated with pleasure; and getting to work and accomplishing all the goals envisioned at home provide the basis for this phase. Travelers, visiting dignitaries, and other temporary functionaries may never experience any other phase but this one.
2. Phase Two. "The Disenchantment Phase" generally does not begin until the individual has established residence, i.e., where he begins to become aware of the setting as his area of residence. This sense of awareness often is associated with the realization that one is "stuck here" and cannot get out of the situation. What was "quaint" may become aggravating. Simple tasks of living are time consuming because they must be done in a different way. This beginning awareness often results in frustration--either frustration because the indigenous population is too stubborn to see things your way or frustration because you can't see things their way and are constantly making social errors. Embarrassment coupled with feelings of ineptness attack self-image or self-concept. Particular, individual styles of behavior are developed over the years through the principles of inertia and economy. Usually the individual is unaware of the operation of these principles and their effect on him. They form part of ethnocentrism: "The way I do things is the right way to do things." The disenchantment phase directly threatens ethnocentrism because the host country believes exactly the same way about its customs and sees no reason to change its ways. Phase two includes a reexamination of one's self from the vantage point of another set of values. In this phase, failure often outweighs success.
To this, add loneliness. No one knows you well enough to reaffirm your sense of self-worth. The distance from home is magnified. This form of nostalgia for the past and the familiar seems to have two effects. Mail and visitors from home assume immense importance as a contact with people who believe in you and think you are important. To protect yourself from these feelings of loneliness and lack of self esteem, you attack the presumed cause of these feelings--the host country. Feelings of anxiety and inadequacy are often expressed through depression, withdrawal, or eruptions of anger at frustration. This period in the culture shock syndrome is the most difficult to live through and this is the period where people "give up and go home."
3. Phase Three. "The Beginning Resolution Phase." Oberg described this phase as the individual seeking to learn new patterns of behavior appropriate to the setting, attempting to make friends in the indigenous population, and becoming as much of a participant-observer as possible in the ceremonies, festivals, and daily activities of the new setting.
This phase seems to be characterized by the reestablishment of a sense of humor. Social errors no longer are devastating to the ego. The host culture no longer is considered all bad and home all wonderful. This phase seems to be facilitated greatly by the arrival of fellow countrymen who are "worse off" and need help. You can show off what you have learned, you are important because you are sought for advice, you feel needed by the newcomer.
At this point also, the individual becomes aware that things seem easier; friendships are being developed; home is still distant, but less relevant. Letters from home somehow seem peripheral to current interests and concerns. Letters to home become more superficial; explanation of what is becoming familiar would take up too much time.
Without really becoming aware of the process one slowly adapts to the new situation. Each small discovery, each small victory in learning the new rules is satisfying, and helps to restore one's sore and damaged ego.
4. Phase Four. "The Effective Function Phase." This means being just as comfortable in the new setting as in the old. Having achieved this phase, the individual will probably experience reverse culture shock when he returns home. Or, the individual may decide only to go home for visits, but make the new culture his own.
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updated 9/99