For both Malaysian Malays and African-Americans effective cross-cultural
communication included the following categories: Positive Personal Characteristics, Cooperative Communication Technique, Cultural Awareness, and Responding to Perceived Needs. These categories are based on reported behaviors. There was, however, a significant difference between the two groups with what was defined as effective with Malaysian-Malays emphasizing Responsive to Perceived Needs and African-Americans emphasizing Positive Personal Characteristics. The ineffective cross-cultural communication included the following categories: Temperament, Uncooperative Communication Technique, Negative Personal Characteristics, Problems from Unfulfilled Needs and Misinformation. No difference in ineffective cross-cultural communication was found between the Malaysian-Malays and the African-Americans.