Achieving synchrony: A foundational dimension of intercultural communication competence

A substantial amount of research evidence exists to indicate that, synchrony, a state of symmetric or complementary nonverbal configurations and rhythms in face-to-face interactions, engenders a cohesive and cooperative communicative relationship between interactants. This theoretical essay examines the pertinent literature in psychology, anthropology, and communication to observe that: (a) synchrony is a universal phenomenon rooted in both biopsychological and sociocultural forces of entrainment; (b) differences in cultural synchronic systems render at least some level of stress-producing dyssynchrony in intercultural interactions; and (c) the challenge of dyssynchrony, in turn, presents an opportunity for individual communicators to initiate and facilitate synchrony in their intercultural interactions. Based on these observations, the author argues that a person's ability to foster synchrony is a basic dimension of intercultural communication competence, and explicates four theorems in which two categories of communication behaviors, individuation and consonance, and two identity orientations, inclusivity and security, are identified as key factors contributing to an individual's ability to foster intercultural synchrony.