Kalervo Oberg

Kalervo Oberg (1901–1973) was a Finnish-born anthropologist who worked in North America and is widely credited with introducing the concept of “culture shock.” Trained in anthropology, he became known for applied fieldwork and for advising on social and administrative issues in cross-cultural settings. Oberg conducted research and professional work in Africa and Latin America, experiences that informed his influential observations about the psychological and social strains of entering unfamiliar cultures. His writings helped popularize “culture shock” as a framework for understanding adjustment abroad, especially among expatriates, diplomats, and development workers. Oberg’s legacy endures in anthropology and intercultural communication studies.