When you practice attributional complexity, you acknowledge that other people’s behaviors have complex causes. To develop this ability, observe others’ behavior, and analyze the various forces influencing it. For example, rather than deciding that a classmate’s reserved demeanor or limited eye contact means she’s unfriendly, consider the possibility that these behaviors might reflect cultural differences.

Also, learn as much as you can about different cultures and co-cultures, so that you can better understand people’s communication styles and preferences. Experiencing other cultures through observation, travel, or interaction is a great way to sharpen your intercultural communication competence (Arasaratnam, 2006).

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In addition, routinely use perception-checking to avoid attributional errors, and regularly demonstrate empathy to identify with others. In situations in which the cultural gaps between you and others seem impossibly wide, try to see things from their perspectives, and consider the motivations behind their communication. Examine how people from diverse backgrounds make decisions, and compare their approaches to yours. Finally, ask others to explain the reasons for their behavior, and then accept and validate their explanations (“That makes sense to me”) rather than challenging them (“You’ve got to be kidding!”). Avoid making statements such as, “I know that people like you act this way because you think that . . .”; you’ll only come across as presumptuous.