A Theory of Proculturation [electronic resource] : Development of the self through intercultural communication / by Vladimer Lado Gamsakhurdia.

Chapter 1. Introduction - Towards a developmental and systemic understanding of intercultural mental dynamics -- Chapter 2. Considering the systemic and culturally sensitive model of the self-structure -- Chapter 3. Critical consideration of theoretical features of major bidimensional models of acculturation -- Chapter 4. Considering anthropsychological models of intercultural dynamics and cultural evolution -- Chapter 5. Semiotic dynamics of intercultural communication and its meaning for self-construction - theory of proculturation -- Chapter 6. General conclusions - considering developmental and constructive nature of proculturation - towards the phenomenon-focused methodology.

In each connection with new cultural contexts a new hybrid state of cultural adaptation is constructed enabling people to adjust to new conditions by creating innovative solutions for the self. This book aims to provide a brief presentation of innovative cultural psychological theory of proculturation reflecting and oriented on the understanding of semiotic and developmental dynamics of higher mental phenomena while engaging alien signs through intercultural communication. The exploration and theoretical understanding of developmental dynamics (such as self and identity construction) of people who live in immigration or multicultural, or even multi-ethnic societies, the research builds its new focus in contrasts with the acculturation theories currently present in social psychology. The theory of proculturation has been built in opposition to cross-cultural psychological theories as well as mainstream theories of acculturation research dominated by bidimensional theoretical models. Instead, this theory is constructed based on theoretical explorations which are rooted in cultural semiotics and developmental psychological paradigm on human psychology.