The Social Cognition of Acculturation: Moderating Role of NCC and Communication Skills

The authors argue that the early post-entry period is particularly important for the further acculturation of immigrants. In two studies, they examined communication efficiency at arrival, early host friendships, and the tolerance to confront ambiguity and uncertainty (need for cognitive closure, Kruglanski & Webster, 1996) as determinants of culture maintenance, contact with host community members, and acculturation experiences. The authors supposed that early host contact, and high communication effectiveness at arrival help to reduce uncertainty and anxiety in interactions with host community members, ease contact, and facilitate positive acculturation experiences. The authors found that immigrants who perceived their communication at arrival (Study 1, N = 314) and at present (Study 2, N = 216) as effective were more likely to establish contact to host community members and experience the acculturation as positive. Furthermore, in both studies early host friendships were positively correlated to later host contact and positive acculturation experiences, and negatively correlated to culture maintenance. In addition, Study 1 showed that early host friendships and perceived communication effectiveness at arrival are less important for immigrants with a low need for cognitive closure than for those with a high need for cognitive closure. Study 2 revealed that the effect of early contact with the host group on acculturation orientations is mediated by a decrease in intergroup anxiety, and an increase in perceived communication effectiveness.