Cultural Intelligence

Cultural intelligence (also cultural quotient, or CQ) seeks to help communicators understand why some people are able to function effectively in culturally diverse situations, while others struggle. Specifically addressed is the form of intelligence that allows a person to understand and reason in situations involving cultural diversity. In our increasingly global environment, CQ has since been applied to countless disciplines and situations ranging from military operations to religion and family communication, to library [Page 235]sciences, to public relations. As such, it provides useful information related to how one copes in multicultural situations and is often related to the ability to succeed in culturally diverse groups. In other words, it addresses steps and approaches a person can take to be effective in culturally diverse situations.

Cultural intelligence is complementary to the more familiar concepts of cognitive intelligence (IQ) and emotional intelligence (EQ). In fact, the proposed four dimensions of CQ are based on foundations for the multiple foci of intelligence that outline both mental function and the actual display of behavior. These foci include (1) metacognitive (control of cognition), (2) cognitive (knowledge structures), (3) motivational (ability to focus energy on a task), and (4) behavioral (outward action or behavior).

P. Christopher Earley and Soon Ang (2003) used these factors to help explain cultural intelligence by featuring four dimensions. First, metacognitive CQ involves active thinking, or higher order cognitive processes, related to people and situations as it deals with a person's level of conscious cultural awareness. For example, when those with high metacognitive CQ are involved in cross-cultural interactions, they consciously question their cultural assumptions, reflect during the interaction, and adjust or adapt their cultural knowledge. As a result, those with high metacognitive CQ are more likely to act in culturally appropriate ways, meaning they have an increased chance of achieving their desired outcomes when communicating in cross-cultural situations. As a person makes sense of culturally diverse experiences, the person must judge their own thought processes. In other words, by using awareness and knowledge about one's own culture and the assumptions one may have about other cultures as a tool, expectations and assumptions are adjusted based on a person's actual experiences.

Next, cognitive CQ addresses a person's knowledge of cultural norms, values, and practices. It is believed these norms can be obtained formally, through education, or informally, through personal experiences. Cognitive CQ has three key elements, each of which is believed to influence thoughts and behaviors. These elements include one's knowledge of culture, cultural environment, and one's own culture. As a result, a person with high cognitive CQ is expected to experience less confusion during intercultural communication. Cognitive CQ may include the simple concept of how cultures are similar or different. When assessing these similarities and differences, a person might take into account rules of specific languages and communication; norms associated with values and beliefs; and overarching business, economic, legal, and political systems.

The third dimension, motivational CQ, features the effort one makes to operate in a culturally diverse situation. Such efforts are thought to be a result of how a person analyzes a situation. Analysis involves looking at triggers, such as a person's perceived ability to accomplish a desired outcome, and the value they place on this end result. If someone has high motivational CQ, that means they probably make great efforts or assign additional energy toward learning about, functioning in, and ultimately being successful in cross-cultural interactions. In other words, motivational CQ involves a person's interest and confidence level during inclusion in culturally diverse situations. Motivating factors may involve anything from the benefits the person thinks he or she attains, to having confidence that he or she can be successful in these situations, to simply enjoying culturally diverse interactions.

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