Michael J. McCloskey

Bio: Michael J. McCloskey is an academic researcher from Springer Science+Business Media. The author has contributed to research in topics: Cross-cultural competence & Competence (human resources). The author has an hindex of 4, co-authored 10 publications receiving 85 citations.

A Developmental Model of Cross-Cultural Competence at the Tactical Level

Abstract: : Non-kinetic engagements in multi-cultural settings are becoming the norm for deployed Soldiers, and the ability to operate effectively within these environments is critical to mission success Soldiers must be able to rapidly adapt to unfamiliar surroundings without extensive prior knowledge of the region or its people Ongoing training development efforts are addressing the need for general cross-cultural competence (3C) To support these efforts, this research aimed to identify the critical components of 3C and describe how 3C develops in Soldiers Five components of 3C were identified: Cultural Maturity, Cognitive Flexibility, Cultural Knowledge, Cultural Acuity, and Interpersonal Skills These components and their corresponding KSAAs were used in identifying four levels of 3C development: Pre-Competent, Beginner, Intermediate, and Advanced This model establishes a foundation from which to create an online tool that measures competence of an individual Soldier and provides feedback to support improvement The tool may also be useful for evaluating the effectiveness of cross-cultural training initiatives This model is specifically focused on understanding tactical level operations, but can be customized for applications across domains, both within and outside military settings

Assessing the Development of Cross-Cultural Competence in Soldiers

Abstract: : The contemporary operational environment is often characterized by ambiguous, multi-cultural contexts, where Army Soldiers must rapidly adapt without extensive prior knowledge of a region or its people. Ongoing training development efforts are addressing the need for general cross-cultural competence, but this broad competence must be clearly defined and assessed in order to determine if Soldiers are being adequately prepared. To support this goal, this research effort examined how cross-cultural competence develops in Soldiers, and how that competence supports mission success. Using multiple methodologies, including cognitive task analysis, critical incident elicitation, and review of existing models, we developed a model of cross-cultural competence that includes 28 knowledge, skills, attitudes and abilities (KSAAs) over four levels of development. This model will inform the development of metrics to assess Soldiers' cross-cultural competence and provide relevant feedback.

Measuring Learning and Development in Cross-Cultural Competence

Abstract: : For deployed US military personnel, cross-cultural skills are more important than ever before Cross-cultural competence is critical to mission success, and specifically, because Soldiers can no longer predict where their next deployments may be, general cross-cultural competence (the ability to immediately adapt and assess in culturally unfamiliar environments to support mission success) is emerging as a critical competency In the performance of this Phase II SBIR research and development effort, the research team conducted Cognitive Task Analysis methodologies with more than 400 Soldiers to create a developmental model of Army cross-cultural competence This model describes the development of the knowledge, skills, aptitudes, and abilities that comprise cross-cultural competence in Army small unit leaders Five unique, but interacting, factors of cross-cultural competence were identified through the research The resultant model serves as a basis for an assessment methodology that includes self-report measures, situational judgment tests, and cultural vignettes The model and metrics provided the foundation for the Cross-Cultural Assessment Tool (C-CAT), an online program that assesses an individual Soldier?s cross-cultural competence and provides mission-relevant competence ratings, descriptions of individual strengths/weaknesses and how these can impact mission performance, and suggestions for improvement

Cross-Cultural Competence in the Department of Defense: An Annotated Bibliography

Abstract: : Given the current operational context, research both inside and outside the DoD has increasingly focused its efforts on better understanding the factors that contribute to effective cross-cultural performance. Of particular interest is the role cross-cultural competence (3C) plays in Service members' ability to navigate cultural environments, as well as the specific knowledge, skills, and abilities that military training should be targeting to improve performance-related outcomes. Over the past ten years, numerous studies and theoretical pieces have been developed that explore these issues as they relate to both military and general populations. This annotated bibliography represents an initial attempt to gather this collection of work into a single, comprehensive review to be used as a reference for those conducting research in this domain. Annotations hail from a number of different disciplines, including military psychology, organizational psychology, anthropology, and sociology, and range in content from theoretical to empirical studies, efforts at model building and computer technologies for understanding, and various methods for teaching and assessing 3C.

Toward sustainable development through nurturing diversity

Abstract: Perception of the feeling of guilt experienced by the defendant is known to affect judicial sentencing. This influence differs depending on the defendant’s ethnic identity. We investigated the hypothesis that the perception of an out-group defendant’s level of host society’s norms adoption could mediate this mechanism. 64 native Belgian participants were randomly assigned to two experimental conditions, which differed in the presence or absence of guilt expressed by an out-group defendant during his audition, in a given scenario. Participants’ impression of the defendant’s social skills (warmth), his level of host’s society norms adoption, and the severity of the sentence they would attribute to this defendant were then measured. A double mediation was tested in order to explain the effect of perceived feeling of guilt on sentencing through the perception of both the defendant’s level of norms adoption and his warmth. Results revealed that all the hypotheses included in the double mediation were confirmed. These results emphasize the importance of inferences about the level of Norms Adoption by out-group members. An out-group member feeling guilty triggers inferences about his/her level of norms adoption, which is perceived as higher in comparison to a defendant who does not feel guilty. This inference induces a better perception of his social skills (warmth), which corresponds to a higher ability to be accepted in the group. In turn, it leads to a milder sentence. Limitations and implications are discussed.