The AUM Theory can be found in Chapter 10 on pages 131 through 133 in our book. The AUM theory is, "an intercultural theory that claims high levels of uncertainty and anxiety lead to greater misunderstanding when strangers don't communicate mindfully." In other words, if one meets a stranger who is culturally different, and is anxious when doing so, they may misunderstand what is being said to them and take the communication in a negative way.
I find this theory to be meaningful because it really explains how deeply our feelings can effect our ability to communicate. If someone is extremely anxious, (past Gudykust's upper threshold) then they may not even be able to communicate at all. I know from all my own personal experiences, I don't communicate well even with people I am closed to when I'm not emotionally sound, so I can guarantee that if I felt threatened by someone culturally and was not emotionally sound, I would do an extremely poor job communicating.
~Tornn
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