The role of culture theory in cross-cultural training A multimethod study of culture-specific, culture-general, and culture theory-based assimilators

In a multimethod evaluation of cross-cultural training tools, a theory-based individualism and collectivism assimilator (ICA), compared to a culture-specific assimilator for Japan, a culture-general assimilator for sensitizing people to cultural differences, and a control group, was found to have significant effects on a number of criterion measures, such as the intercultural Sensitivity Inventory, the Category Width Scale, attribution making, and satisfaction with the training. The findings show promise for theory-based culture assimilators.