CoKulturModelle

CoKulturModelle, also known as Co-Cultural Models, is a theoretical framework used in the field of intercultural communication to understand how individuals from different cultural backgrounds interact and adapt within a dominant culture. Developed by John Oetzel and Richard L. Spicer, this model focuses on the strategies individuals employ to navigate and negotiate their cultural identities within a majority culture.

The CoKulturModelle framework identifies four primary strategies that individuals may use: cultural adaptation, cultural separation, cultural assimilation, and cultural hybridization. Cultural adaptation involves modifying one's behavior to fit within the dominant culture while maintaining aspects of one's original culture. Cultural separation entails maintaining a distinct cultural identity and minimizing interaction with the dominant culture. Cultural assimilation is the process of fully adopting the norms and values of the dominant culture, often at the expense of one's original cultural identity. Cultural hybridization, on the other hand, involves blending elements from both cultures to create a new, unique cultural identity.

This model is particularly useful in understanding the experiences of minority groups, immigrants, and individuals in multicultural societies. It highlights the dynamic and complex nature of cultural identity and the various ways individuals negotiate their cultural affiliations. The CoKulturModelle framework has been applied in various fields, including education, business, and social work, to promote intercultural understanding and effective communication.