Includes bibliographical references and index.

Table of contents Part I Conceptual Foundations --
1 Introduction --
Conceptualizing communication --
Conceptualizing culture --
Differentiating terminology --
Plan for the book --
Summary --
Study questions --
Suggested readings --
2 An Approach to the Study of Intercultural Communication --
The concept of the stranger --
Intergroup and interpersonal behavior --
Anxiety/uncertainty management --
An organizing model for studying communication with strangers --
Summary --
Study questions --
Suggested readings. Part II Influences on the Process of Communicating with Strangers --
3 Cultural Influences on the Process --
Individualism-collectivism --
Hofstede's dimensions of cultural variability --
Kluckhohn and Strodbeck's value orientations --
Parsons' pattern variables --
Structural tightness --
Cultural communication --
Summary --
Study questions --
Suggested readings --
4 Sociocultural Influences on the Process --
Membership in social groups --
The nature of social identities --
Social identities influencing our communication with strangers --
Identity negotiation in intergroup encounters --
Summary --
Study questions --
Suggested readings --
5 Psychocultural Influences on the Process --
The nature of expectations --
Stereotypes --
Intergroup attitudes --
Changing our expectations of strangers --
Summary --
Study questions --
Suggested readings --
6 Environmental Influences on the Process --
Physical environment --
The situation --
Situational norms and rules --
Psychological environment --
Summary --
Study questions --
Suggested readings. Part III Interpreting and Transmitting Messages --
7 Interpreting Messages --
Perceptual processes --
Making attributions --
Cognitive styles --
Patterns of thought --
Summary --
Study questions --
Suggested readings --
8 Verbal Massages --
The nature of language --
Cultural variations in language usage --
Cultural variations in verbal messages --
Language usage in communicating with strangers --
Summary --
Study questions --
Suggested readings --
9 Nonverbal Messages --
The nature of nonverbal communication --
Cross-cultural variability in nonverbal messages --
Nonverbal cues in communicating with strangers --
Summary --
Study questions --
Suggested readings. Part IV Interaction with Strangers --
10 Communicating Effectively with Strangers --
Defining communication effectiveness and competence --
Approaches to the study of effective communication --
Components of perceived competence --
Summary --
Study questions --
Suggested readings --
11 Managing Conflict and Negotiating Face --
The nature of conflict --
Cultural and ethnic differences in managing conflict --
Face and facework --
Face-negotiation theory --
Intergroup conflict --
Summary --
Study questions --
Suggested readings --
12 Developing Relationships with Strangers --
Universal aspects of relationships --
Cross-cultural variations in interpersonal and romantic relationships --
The development of interpersonal relationships with strangers --
Romantic relationships with strangers --
Summary --
Study questions --
Suggested readings --
13 Adapting to New Cultures --
Cross-cultural adaptation --
The centrality of communication --
The role of predisposition and environment --
Adaptation and psychological health --
Summary --
Study questions --
Suggested readings --
14 Becoming Intercultural --
Encountering different cultures --
The process of intercultural transformation --
Intercultural personhood --
Promoting intercultural growth --
Summary --
Study questions --
Suggested readings --
15 Building Community --
Walking a narrow ridge --
Characteristics of community --
Community and public life --
Civic engagement --
Ethical aspects in building community with strangers --
Principles of community building --
Summary --
Study questions --
Suggested readings.

Summary:
Communicating with Strangers provides a comprehensive overview of important theory and research in intercultural communication. The authors look at the basic processes of intercultural communication and tie those processes to the practical task of creating understanding between people from different cultures and ethnic groups.
Features new to the fourth edition:
· Based on recent research, this edition includes expanded coverage of topics such as interethnic dating, in-group biases, ethnic identities, prejudiced communication, face and face work, cultural and ethnic differences in conflict, and changing expectations for strangers' behaviors.
· This edition includes new material on topics such as cultural communication, the content of stereotypes, power in intergroup interactions, interaction involvement, politeness rules, silence, apologies, implicit theories of social groups, self-ingroup relationships in collectivistic cultures, and civic engagement.
· Principal theories of intercultural communication have been incorporated throughout the book. Examples include theories on identity negotiation and identity management in Chapter 4, theories of overt and covert prejudice in Chapter 5, theories such as conversational constraint theory and communication accommodation theory in Chapter 8, and face-negotiation theory in Chapter 11.