In the world of communication, there are many theories that describe different ways people communicate. According to Dr. Thomas Hanitzsch, associate professor of communication at the University of Munich in Germany, "Communication Theory is an international forum publishing high-quality, original research on the theoretical development of communication across a wide range of disciplines » (“Communication theory”). One specific communication theory that will be highlighted is the face negotiation theory developed by Stella Ting-Toomey. Simply put, Dr. Ting-Toomey suggests that conflict is a consequence of identity management at an individual and cultural level and occurs when the face of an individual or group is threatened. Similarly, people from low-context individualistic cultures interact differently from high-context collectivist cultures. This means that "people from collectivist cultures with an interdependent self-image are concerned with putting on an 'other face' or a 'mutual face', and therefore adopt a conflict style of 'avoiding or integrating'" (Griffin List "). Similarly, “people from individualistic cultures with an independent self-image are concerned with protecting their own face, so they adopt a ‘domination’ conflict style” (Griffin “List”). Mentioned above, Stella Ting-Toomey is the individual who developed the face negotiation theory and she is also a professor of communications at California State University, Fullerton. Dr. Ting-Toomey was born in Hong Kong and came to the United States to attend the University of Iowa in 1972, a decision based on chance (Rindelre “Doctor Stella”). To date, Dr. Ting-Toomey is a well-known theorist, prolific author, and professor at California State University, middle of article ......heory_list>.Rinderle, Susan. “Dr. Stella Ting-Toomey Profile Interview.” STELLA TING-TOOMEY's home on the web. College of Communications, May 2003. Web. November 15, 2011. “Stella Ting-Toomey’s Home on the Web.” STELLA TING-TOOMEY's home on the web. College of Communications, 2006. Web. November 15, 2011. “The Face Matrix: An Updated Theory of Face Negotiation.” » Theorizing on intercultural communication. Ed. William B. Gudykunst. 1st ed. London: SAGE, 2004. 71-92. Print.Ting-Toomey, Stella. “Culture, face grooming, and interpersonal conflict management styles: A study of five cultures.” International Journal of Conflict Management. Emerald Group Publishing Limited. Internet. November 16. 2011. .