Cross-Cultural Competence (3C) has been researched in civilian domains for many years and several validated scales were developed to assess how well civilians (e.g., expatriate workers, students abroad, etc.) might perform in other cultures, or how quickly they will adapt to a new culture and feel at home. Because such research may not be directly applicable to military populations, the 3CI was developed specifically to measure the dimensions of 3C that are important and relevant in achieving military missions in other cultures.
Welcome message from author
This document is posted to help you gain knowledge. Please leave a comment to let me know what you think about it! Share it to your friends and learn new things together.
Purchase Order #: SEA877 Line Item: 010 Prepared for: RED-INC 48015-1 Pine Hill Run Road Lexington Park, MD 20653 Prepared by: Carol A. Thornson Karol G. Ross Cognitive Performance Group 3662 Avalon Park E. Blvd., Suite 205 Orlando, FL 32828
Description of the Cross-Cultural Competence Inventory (3CI)
The Cross-Cultural Competence Inventory (3CI) is a self-report measure that was designed for the military in order to predict how an individual or a unit is likely to perform in cross-cultural encounters. This will enable the Services to:
Better assess the readiness of our forces
Target training to those skills that help achieve missions in the field
Assess the effectiveness of cultural training
Design more authentic cultural training exercises
Guide the future development of cultural training efforts
Background
Cross-Cultural Competence (3C) has been researched in civilian domains for many years and
several validated scales were developed to assess how well civilians (e.g., expatriate workers,
students abroad, etc.) might perform in other cultures, or how quickly they will adapt to a new
culture and feel at home. Because such research may not be directly applicable to military
populations, the 3CI was developed specifically to measure the dimensions of 3C that are
important and relevant in achieving military missions in other cultures.
3CI Subscale Dimensions
Following validation of this instruent, the dimensions that the 3CI measures include: (1) Cultural
Adaptability; (2) Engagement; (3) Mission-Focus; and (6) Determination.
Cultural Adaptability Subscale
This subscale assesses the tendency to enjoy, relate to, and feel comfortable in other cultures and
with people from those cultures. An example item from this subscale is: “When dealing with people
of a different ethnicity or culture, understanding their viewpoint is a top priority for me.”
Those scoring high on this subscale are likely to be more adaptable in cross-cultural interactions,
especially those requiring diplomacy, an open mind, and the ability to relate to those from other
cultures. They enjoy exploring other cultures and will quickly learn as much as they can about
those cultures. Those scoring low on this subscale likely do not enjoy exploring other cultures or
As outlined above, the 3CI is a 43-item instrument to measure the four dimensions of 3C. A six-point Likert scale is used throughout the inventory, with respondents indicating the extent to which they (1) “Strongly Disagree” to (6): “Strongly Agree” with each statement. Five items to screen for those participants who are engaging in impression management or social desirability bias are added to this scale, bringing the total number of items to 48. The 3CI can be administered in person as a paper-and-pencil survey (see Appendix A) or at a secure site online with an optional demographics form inquiring as to age, rank, gender, and deployment history.
Online Administration
If administration is online, a brief Explanation of Research & Informed Consent is provided for you
and data will be sent to you upon request as an Excel spreadsheet. The URL that will direct
respondents to the Explanation & Informed Consent, followed by the demographics and 3CI is:
https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/3CI_Survey_Link
In-Person Administration
If administration is in person, copies of the 3CI can be printed out from Appendix A. An Explanation
of Research is provided in Appendix B. This can be added to your Informed Consent or amended
and/or expressed verbally to respondents at the in-person data collection, should you choose to do
BACKGROUND: The Department of Defense has identified cross-cultural competence (the
ability to interact effectively with foreign nationals) as one of the most critical determinants of
success in military missions today. By completing this survey, you are contributing to important
research toward understanding the factors associated with such skills.
INSTRUCTIONS: Please read the 48 statements below and for each statement, please indicate
your level of agreement with that statement, from strongly disagree to strongly agree.
Please remember that there are no right or wrong answers; therefore, your FIRST response is
usually your BEST response.
Thank you for taking the time to participate in this important research.
1. I enjoy presenting information to a group of friends.
Strongly Strongly
Disagree Agree
2. I think having clear rules and order at work is essential for success.
Strongly Strongly
Disagree Agree
3. After an interruption, I don't have any problem resuming my concentrated style of
working.
Strongly Strongly
Disagree Agree
4. When dealing with people of a different ethnicity or culture, understanding their
viewpoint is a top priority for me.
Strongly Strongly
Disagree Agree
5. If I see someone I know, I usually stop and talk to them.
Strongly Strongly
Disagree Agree
6. I've never known someone I didn't like.
Strongly Strongly
Disagree Agree
7. I try to look for a logical explanation or solution to almost every problem.
Strongly Strongly
Disagree Agree
8. A job is often successful because you understand the people you're working with well.
Strongly Strongly
Disagree Agree
9. When I go shopping, I have no trouble deciding what I want to buy.
Strongly Strongly
Disagree Agree
10. I enjoy interacting with people from different cultures.
Strongly Strongly
Disagree Agree
11. When I want to feel more positive emotions (happiness or amusement), I change what I'm
thinking about.
Strongly Strongly
Disagree Agree
12. I've never been late for an appointment.
Strongly Strongly
Disagree Agree
13. I can be more successful at my job if I understand what's important to other people.
Strongly Strongly
Disagree Agree
14. I'm confident I'd be able to socialize with people from different cultures.
Strongly Strongly
Disagree Agree
15. It's often difficult for me to suppress thoughts that interfere with what I need to do.
Strongly Strongly
Disagree Agree
16. I could change my verbal behavior (e.g., accent, tone) if a cross-cultural interaction
requires it.
Strongly Strongly
Disagree Agree
17. My behavior is usually an expression of my true inner feelings, attitudes, and beliefs.
Strongly Strongly
Disagree Agree
18. If I have a job to do with other people, I like to get to know them well.
Strongly Strongly
Disagree Agree
19. I often control my emotions by changing the way I think about the situation I'm in.
Strongly Strongly
Disagree Agree
20. When trying to solve a problem I foresee several long-term consequences of my actions.
Strongly Strongly
Disagree Agree
21. I believe that we shouldn't engage in leisure activities.
Strongly Strongly
Disagree Agree
22. When I interact with people from other cultures or ethnic backgrounds, I try to show my
appreciation of their culture.
Strongly Strongly
Disagree Agree
23. I enjoy talking in a large meeting of friends and acquaintances.
Strongly Strongly
Disagree Agree
24. When I'm faced with a stressful situation, I make myself think about it in a way that helps
me stay calm.
Strongly Strongly
Disagree Agree
25. Traveling to other cultures is something I enjoy.
Strongly Strongly
Disagree Agree
26. If my approach to a problem isn’t working with someone, I can easily change my tactics.
Strongly Strongly
Disagree Agree
27. I can make impromptu speeches on topics about which I have almost no information.
Strongly Strongly
Disagree Agree
28. It's easy for me to understand what it would feel like to be a person from a different
culture.
Strongly Strongly
Disagree Agree
29. I feel that there's really no such thing as an honest mistake.
Strongly Strongly
Disagree Agree
30. I am confident of my ability to communicate well with all kinds of people from all kinds
of ethnic and cultural backgrounds.
Strongly Strongly
Disagree Agree
31. Making sure everyone gets along in my team is one of my priorities.
Strongly Strongly
Disagree Agree
32. When considering most conflict situations, I can usually see how both sides could be
right.
Strongly Strongly
Disagree Agree
33. I can control my thoughts from distracting me from the task at hand.
Strongly Strongly
Disagree Agree
34. I'm sure I'd be able to handle all the stresses of adjusting to a new culture.
Strongly Strongly
Disagree Agree
35. When confronted with a problem, I can usually find several different solutions.
Strongly Strongly
Disagree Agree
36. I would enjoy visiting other countries that are unfamiliar to me.
Strongly Strongly
Disagree Agree
37. I've never hurt another person's feelings.
Strongly Strongly
Disagree Agree
38. I am confident I can get used to the unusual conditions of living in another culture.
Strongly Strongly
Disagree Agree
39. I would never describe myself as indecisive.
Strongly Strongly
Disagree Agree
40. When feeling stressed, I’m able to calm myself by thinking of other things.
Strongly Strongly
Disagree Agree
41. I tend to get to know my neighbors well.
Strongly Strongly
Disagree Agree
42. If I am in trouble, I find it difficult to think of something to do.
Strongly Strongly
Disagree Agree
43. Even after I've made up my mind about something, I'm usually eager to consider a
different opinion.
Strongly Strongly
Disagree Agree
44. When thinking about a problem, I consider as many different opinions on the issue as
possible.
Strongly Strongly
Disagree Agree
45. Our culture's ideas of right and wrong may not be right for all cultures in the world.
Strongly Strongly
Disagree Agree
46. When I want to feel less negative emotions (sadness, frustration, or anger), I change what
I'm thinking about.
Strongly Strongly
Disagree Agree
47. I'm able to work well with others to help them find better ways to do their job.
Strongly Strongly
Disagree Agree
48. People have different methods that are equally successful in solving a problem.
Strongly Strongly
Disagree Agree
Appendix B
Explanation of Research
EXPLANATION OF RESEARCH
PURPOSE OF STUDY: The current assessment tool was developed by Cognitive Performance Group in conjunction with researchers from the University of Central Florida and the Defense Equal Opportunity Management Office (DEOMI). This tool was designed to assess Warfighter readiness to work closely with people from other cultures in order to achieve military missions, as well as to support DoD policy decisions about training, education, and operations. YOUR PARTICIPATION will consist of providing demographic information as to age, rank, gender, and deployments, followed by a cultural survey. Participation in this study is voluntary. If you choose not to participate, this action will not affect your relationship with the DoD and there will be no loss of benefit to which you would otherwise be entitled.