Measuring Cross-Cultural Competence in Soldiers and Cadets: A Comparison of Existing Instruments

摘要

Assessment tools are needed to support efforts to train and develop cultural capabilities in Soldiers and other military personnel. The Army and other Services have implemented training and education programs to develop cultural capabilities in military personnel; however, methods and tools to assess cultural learning are lacking. The goal of the present research was to identify metrics developed to assess cross-cultural competence and related constructs in non-military populations and to compare them in an Army sample. Cadets at the U.S. Military Academy and active-duty Soldiers completed the Cultural Intelligence Scale, the Multicultural Personality Questionnaire and the Intercultural Development Inventory. Results showed substantial convergence among the three measures, as well as correlations with biographical variables previously linked with cross-cultural competence. Results also indicated that officers have higher levels of intercultural development and traits than NCOs. Current findings and past research suggest that the MPQ shows promise for predicting intercultural performance; however, due to our sample, we were unable to examine the measure's structure. Future research should examine the extent to which these traits can be influenced through training and other developmental interventions. Future research into the assessment of cross- cultural competence should also explore alternatives to self-report measures.