Abilities
According to co-cultural theory, another factor that influences the selection of communicative practices, including those enacted during conflict, are the abilities of individuals (Orbe, 1998b).
Existing research has done some work to establish what is appropriate, expected, and satisfying within different cultures ( Hecht et al., 1992; Hecht, Ribeau, et al., 1989; Martin et al., 1994). Additional research is needed, however, in terms of the abilities of different racial and ethnic group members to enact specific strategies. For instance, research can explore the range of abilities within and across different groups (Orbe, 1998a), as well as individuals’ capability to enact conflict strategies that seemingly contradict in-group cultural norms. Existing studies on codeswitching (e.g., Seymour & Seymour, 1979) could be used as a foundation for these efforts. Yet the focus, according to Ribeau (1995), should not be on universal, generalized definitions of what constitutes competence or incompetence, but instead on the ongoing abilities to manage interracial/interethnic conversations effectively in diverse settings. In this regard, what is seen as appropriate behavior should be consistent with intra- and interra- cial/interethnic norms, situational demands, and individual responses (Hecht et al., 2003; Ribeau, 1995).A particularly interesting line of research within this topical focus could involve individuals who are bicultural or multicultural. According to M. -S. Kim and Leung (2000), “whether through immigration, sojourning, marriage, adoption, or birth, a wide range of people are actively carrying the frames of reference of two or more cultures” (p. 253). Adler (1987; see also Bennett, 1993) suggested that multicultural people can embrace all aspects of their multiple cultural experiences; such individuals may be capable of reconciling the conflicts posed by competing styles and, ultimately, achieve high levels of communication competence within different cultural contexts.
Hence, future research can explore how the ability to enhance one’s effectiveness during conflict situations is informed by a multicultural identity. For instance, Lindsley and Braithwaite (1996), in their research on U.S. managers in maquiladoras (U.S. American- owned assembly plants in Mexico), presented some evidence that continuous and everyday interracial/interethnic interactions can lead to a multicultural identity (Adler, 1987). In a similar vein, Hamby (2003/2004) explored the communication of biracial (Black/White) individuals in the African American community. Her assertion was that a fully integrated biracial identity, in this context, incorporated conflict styles traditionally associated with both European Americans and African Americans. While such research could look at the abilities of such persons, other potential studies could explore how individuals conceptualize varying perceived costs and rewards of interracial/inter- ethnic interactions.