What are Critical Incidents?

This ‘core concept’ paper is a compilation of quotations from many different authors who have written about critical incidents. It is organised to provide a framework for understanding and exploring the topic from an intercultural perspective. It starts by presenting some different perspectives on critical incidents, and then considers their value to the intercultural field, their use in intercultural training, and their use in intercultural research.

What is Rapport?

The term ‘Rapport’ is widely used in different fields and is typically regarded as extremely important for interactional ‘success’. Yet there is little sharing across disciplines and minimal integration. This compilation of quotations presents the range of understandings of rapport that exists in different disciplines, organising them under common themes.

What is Culture?

This ‘core concept’ paper is a compilation of quotations from many different authors who have written about culture. It is organised to provide a framework for understanding and exploring the topic from an intercultural perspective. It covers the following aspects: 1. Definitions of culture; 2: Key characteristics of culture (14 of them!); 3: Inadequate conceptions of culture; 4: Levels of analysis and fallacies to avoid; 5: Culture and related terms; 6: Culture and identity.

What is Mindfulness?

This ‘core concept’ paper is a compilation of quotations from authors who have written on the topic of mindfulness. It is organised to provide an introductory overview to the topic from an intercultural perspective and covers the following aspects: 1. Understanding mindfulness & mindlessness; 2: Psychological perspectives on mindfulness; 3: Mindfulness and intercultural interaction; 4: Developing mindfulness; 5: Shared mindfulness.