Intercultural Conflict Patterns and Intercultural Training Implications for Koreans1

Scholars and practitioners have developed intercultural training models and techniques and attempted to assess directions in the field by identifying training methodologies and their related theoretical foundations. However, there has been very little effort to apply and test empirically the efficacy and suitability of Euro-American intercultural training models and theories for Asians, especially for Koreans. The author presented differences focusing on language, thought patterns, and value orientations between Asians and Euro-Americans, and introduced some concepts and characteristics of Korean interpersonal interactions. The author also introduced studies in which researchers attempted to test the Western training models on Asian participants and pointed out inappropriateness of the training models. Based on the above discussions, the author suggested that intercultural trainers consider these differences and alter training approaches and methods to reflect the learning styles and cultural backgrounds of trainees from Asia, and in this case, Korean cultures.