In the world of communication, there are many theories that describe the 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 that publishes high-quality, original research on the theoretical development of communication from a wide range of disciplines” ( "Communication theory"). One specific communication theory that will be highlighted is 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. Likewise, people from individualistic, low-context cultures interact differently than collectivist, high-context cultures. This means that “people from collectivistic cultures with an interdependent self-image are concerned with putting on an 'other face' or 'mutual face,' so they adopt a conflictual 'avoidance or integration' style” (Griffin “List”). Similarly, "people from individualistic cultures with an independent self-image are concerned with protecting their face, so they adopt a confrontational 'domination' style" (Griffin "List"). Previously mentioned, Stella Ting-Toomey is the individual who developed the theory of facial negotiation and 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, s...... 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 about intercultural communication. Ed. William B. Gudykunst. 1st ed. London: SAGE, 2004. 71-92. Print.Ting-Toomey, Stella. “Culture, Face Maintenance, and Interpersonal Conflict Management Styles: A Study of Five Cultures.” International Journal of Conflict Management. Emerald Group Publishing Limited. Network. November 16. 2011. .