From “Laying the Foundations” to Building the House: Extending Orbe's (1998) Co-Cultural Theory to Include “Rationalization” as a Formal Strategy

Abstract

We extend co-cultural theory to include an additional communication strategy: rationalization. Rationalization is defined as instances where individuals provide alternative explanations for communication rather than labeling them as forms of injustice (e.g., racially insensitive, prejudice, or discriminatory). Thirty co-researchers were interviewed about Black and White communication challenges from a co-cultural theoretical lens. Participants employed rationalization to process intercultural tension. Specifically, Black participants rationalized being watched in public, racial comments, workplace practices and treatment, and racism.