Planning Intercultural Interaction: Extending Anxiety/Uncertainty Management Theory.

Building on assumptions of framing theories of anxiety/uncertainty management and planning, we considered how planning differs in intra- versus inter- cultural contexts, as well as how self-monitoring and tolerance for ambiguity are associated with plan complexity, anxiety, and uncertainty with reference to an anticipated interaction with a stranger. One hundred and eight American females responded to a videotape of either an American or a Korean confederate with whom they believed they would be holding a conversation. The content and complexity of respondents' plans were examined in conjunction with type of interaction, interaction anxiety, attributional certainty, self-monitoring, and tolerance for ambiguity. Plan content and complexity were not predicted by any of the variables assessed. However, self-monitoring and tolerance for ambiguity were associated with anxieties related to the planned interaction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]