What is the IDI?
The Intercultural Development Inventory (IDI) is a survey with proven validity and reliability that is used to evaluate an individual's intercultural competence, namely how well a person’s personal cultural identity relates to that of others. This is an important concept because the manner in which we treat our students and co-workers should align with their personal culture, not just ours. After completing the IDI, a profile is created for each participant which includes a report on personal intercultural competence and a plan for improvement.
There are five distinct orientations between the monocultural and intercultural mindsets. They are denial, polarization, minimization, acceptance, and adaptation and each of has a sequentially greater ability to recognize and have a more complete understanding of cultural difference. Denial and Polarization are considered “monocultural" in that one’s own culture is seen as the only culture and to some extent, is the “better” culture. Minimization is a transition stage; while still monocultural, at this stage a person starts having deeper insights about some other cultures. Acceptance and Adaptation are considered intercultural or “ethnorelative” in that one’s own culture is seen as equal among many other cultures.
PROFILING POWER
The IDI profile includes descriptive information on an individual's mindset and orientation. It is organized into categories and in reading my assessment I was able to learn: (1) where I think I am, (2) where the assessment thinks I am, (3) how those two orientations differ and why that may be significant, (4) which orientations are behind me without full competence, (5) which ones am I working toward, and (6) if I connect with my own culture.
Where do I place myself
on the continuum? Which orientations behind my
DO are incomplete ? |
Where does the IDI place me on the continuum?
Which orientations are in
front of my DO result? |
What's the difference? (For all you math lovers: PO - DO = OG.) How well do I connect with
my own cultural group? |
My Profile
I found my results to be very interesting. I am constantly going through a self-evaluation process, and I feel that I do a pretty good job of being honest with myself in addressing my non-strengths. (Although some may call these weaknesses, I feel that it is only a weakness if there is no improvement process.) I believe this assessment tool helps to identify those non-strengths relative to cultural competence, as well as to provide suggestions for improvement. With that being said, I'm glad that now I have information regarding my abilities to have an intercultural mindset.
No matter how a person feels about formal personality/behavioral assessment surveys, I feel that the IDI is at least a good jumping off point. It helps to gather perspective: I think I know where I am; this is where it says I am; this is where I would like to be. Even if the resulting profile isn't completely accurate personally, it is a great way to begin formulating a plan to broaden a person's cultural identity.
No matter how a person feels about formal personality/behavioral assessment surveys, I feel that the IDI is at least a good jumping off point. It helps to gather perspective: I think I know where I am; this is where it says I am; this is where I would like to be. Even if the resulting profile isn't completely accurate personally, it is a great way to begin formulating a plan to broaden a person's cultural identity.