Publication Type: Conference Paper/Unpublished Manuscript
Abstract: High sensation seekers are not only more prone to experimenting with risky health behaviors, but may also be especially competent at forming social relationships and at social interaction. This study used a survey design (N = 444) to examine the likelihood of social initiative, motivation to communicate with culturally different others and intercultural friendships moderating the relationship between sensation seeking and risk-taking behaviors. The results of the study showed that sensation seeking is positively related to all risk-taking behaviors. Social initiative, motivation, and intercultural friendship do not moderate the relationship between sensation seeking and risk-taking behaviors. However, results do reveal that social initiative is inversely related to delinquency; motivation is inversely related to alcohol consumption, drinking and driving, fighting, delinquency, and drugs; and intercultural friendship is inversely related to alcohol consumption.

Publication Type: Conference Paper/Unpublished Manuscript
Abstract: This essay is a critical analysis of the current intercultural education, aimed at locating the problems and suggesting possible solutions. Based on a comprehensive investigation of the extant intercultural theories and conceptualizations of intercultural competence, I find two problems with intercultural education: 1) the intercultural education has been inappropriately reduced to individuals, that is, whether the intercultural communication can be successful is solely attributed to individual competence; 2) the intercultural education has been ignoring (consciously or unconsciously) the power relations embedded in intercultural communication.
To address these problems, given that there is inherent power difference in intercultural encounters, I suggest that it is urgent for scholars and educators to acknowledge the existence of power in intercultural communication and to perceive intercultural communication in the context of social power. As a consequence, the education of intercultural communication needs a new direction. I argue that critical pedagogy can help intercultural education go beyond the cultivation of individual competence and deal with the social power relations in the context of intercultural communication. At the end, I invite scholars to be reflexive on theorizing intercultural communication. After all, theories determine the direction of education and practices.

Publication Type: Conference Paper/Unpublished Manuscript
Review Method: Peer Reviewed
Abstract: Much of our population views intercultural relationships as negative, however many practical reasons exist for building and sustaining intercultural relations. Intercultural relationships of nearly every type have been recognized as unacceptable, abnormal, and "mixed up" throughout long stretches of history in the United States and around the world. It was not until 1967 in the United States that the Supreme Court nullified laws against interracial marriage (Loving v. Commonwealth of Virginia, 1967). Our past conceptions, ideals, and laws have created strong attitudes towards how the majority of people perceive intercultural relationships. Research shows that both men and women hold negative attitudes toward interracial relationships (Mills & Daly, 1995).
Through building and sustaining relationships with others from different cultures and races, we can acquire knowledge about the world, break stereotypes, and acquire new skills (Martin & Nakayama 1999). The diversity that is created by an intercultural relationship allows for increased creativity and improved problem solving (Cox & Blake 1991). Although many advantages of having intercultural relationships have been demonstrated through years of research, many attitudes of anti-interracial relationships continue to exist. This analysis will (1) synthesize research of peoples? perceptions of intercultural relationships, (2) discuss reasons why people perceive intercultural relationships as either negative or positive, (3) and discuss reasons why building and sustaining intercultural relationships have practical and positive benefits. Two main contexts among intercultural relationships are discussed: friendships and romantic relationships. Research in the areas of friendship selection, interracial/intercultural friendship, interracial/intercultural acceptance, interracial/intercultural contact, interracial dating, interracial marriage, and intercultural communication was reviewed. Suggestions for further research are made as well as commentary on the future of intercultural relationships.

Publication Type: Conference Paper/Unpublished Manuscript
Abstract: Past studies have largely focused on cross-cultural comparison of conflict management and concluded that Westerners tend to use competing, problem solving and aggressive approaches to handle their conflicts; whereas, Chinese tend to use avoiding approach to manage their conflicts. To date, no literature is available on intercultural conflicts between Chinese managers and Western subordinates. This study investigates conflict situation involving Chinese managers with Westerner as subordinates. Through field observation in a multinational company and in-depth interviews with a diverse group of Chinese managers and Western employees, this study found that Chinese managers tended to switch their conflict strategies overtimes while Western subordinates kept their confrontational strategy rather consistently even they were at a lower organizational status. Face was found an important influencing factor on choice of conflict strategy by Chinese but Westerners felt severity of conflicts, credibility and inter-relation were most influencing factors. This study of intercultural conflicts in the superior-subordinate relationship confirms some cultural patterns as well as adaptability in the context.

Publication Type: Conference Paper/Unpublished Manuscript
Abstract: ABSTRACT
This study examines imagined interactions (IIs) among young adults in the USA, Thailand, and Japan. A comparison of means across cultures on II characteristics reveals that the Japanese participants have the widest variety of imagined interaction partners, while the American participants are the most self-dominant in their imagined interactions and demonstrate the most II frequency. The Thai participants report the most positively valenced imagined interactions, and the least II self-dominance and partner variety. As for II functions, Japanese and Thai participants keep conflict alive via their imagined interactions more than the Americans. The Japanese participants utilize all four II functions more than the Thais and Americans, while the Thai participants use imagined interaction rehearsal the least.