Deck 4: Communicating Across Cultures

Question 1

According to Hall and Hall, when people experiencing a failure in communication blame the problem on the other person's stupidity, ________ has most likely occurred.

A) cultural noise
B) attribution
C) stereotyping
D) kinesic behavior

Answer 1

B

Question 2

In the Greek culture, a manager's primary role is to ________.

A) provide positive feedback to workers
B) practice participative management
C) foster autonomy among workers
D) assign workers tasks and deadlines

Answer 2

D

Question 3

Intercultural communication most likely occurs when ________.

A) unclear messages are transmitted between members of the same culture
B) a member of one culture sends a message to a member of another culture
C) people from different cultures try to explain each others' behavior
D) the communication process between two cultures is hindered

Answer 3

B

Question 4

Studies by Mintzberg demonstrate that most managers spend ________ of their time talking to people.

A) less than 5%
B) about 15%
C) about 30%
D) over 50%

Question 5

International managers can most likely cultivate trust in cross-cultural communications by doing all of the following EXCEPT ________.

A) attempting to resolve conflicts
B) maintaining open communications
C) establishing a professional relationship
D) socializing and making friendly contact

Question 6

Tom manages a U.S. pharmaceutical subsidiary located in Ireland. In order to communicate effectively with Irish employees, Tom should most likely ________.

A) speak explicitly and directly
B) demand that specific results be met
C) provide positive support to workers
D) address conflicts during group meetings

Question 7

________ is the process in which people look for the explanation of another person's behavior.

A) Attribution
B) Cultural noise
C) Stereotyping
D) Affirmation

Question 8

Which of the following terms refers to the process of sharing meaning by transmitting messages through media such as words, behavior, or material artifacts?

A) differentiation
B) attribution
C) communication
D) expropriation

Question 9

Which of the following does NOT constitute a normal interpersonal communication task for managers?

A) coordinating activities
B) disseminating information
C) motivating employees
D) giving speeches at conferences

Question 10

Which of the following is the primary cause of noise in the communication process?

A) a lack of cultural empathy
B) ineffective listening skills
C) the speaker's attributions
D) an individual's life space

Question 11

Which of the following is NOT a cultural variable in the communication process?

A) ethnicity
B) attitudes
C) paralanguage
D) thought patterns

Question 12

Trust most likely improves cross-cultural communication by ________.

A) enabling managers to network effectively
B) replacing formal legal contracts for global firms
C) encouraging the open exchange of ideas and information
D) eliminating all variables that hinder the communication process

Question 13

Which of the following terms refers to any cultural variables that undermine the communication of intended meaning?

A) cultural savvy
B) cultural empathy
C) cultural noise
D) cultural attribution

Question 14

According to the GLOBE project, a co-worker or subordinate from Sweden, a country ranking low on assertiveness, would most likely prefer ________.

A) explicitness in communication
B) a two-way dialogue
C) a formal contract
D) cultural noise

Question 15

Research by the World Values Study Group shows that people from ________ have the highest degree of trust in others.

A) China
B) Brazil
C) Turkey
D) Romania

Question 16

Which of the following is NOT one of the reasons that language frequently causes miscommunication during international business situations?

A) being unable to speak a local language
B) translating a local language too literally
C) missing meanings conveyed through body language
D) assuming that others use similar reasoning processes

Question 17

If you assume that every member of a society or subculture has the same characteristics or traits, you are guilty of ________.

A) attribution
B) stereotyping
C) cultural noise
D) kinesic behavior

Question 18

According to communication researchers Samovar, Porter, and Jain, ________.

A) cultural factors permeate the communication process
B) noise is filtered out of all cross-cultural communications
C) culture does not influence with whom we choose to speak
D) communication behavior is not largely dependent on culture

Question 19

According to the EU, Google is violating privacy laws by ________.

A) selling photos of users' homes
B) storing users' search results and IP addresses
C) sharing users' computer addresses with other users
D) posting users' personal data on social networking sites

Question 20

Anything that serves to undermine the communication of the intended meaning is known as ________.

A) noise
B) ambiguity
C) divergence
D) feedback

Question 21

Which of the following is a true statement?

A) Monochronic cultures experience time in a linear way; polychronic cultures view time as having a past, present, and future.
B) Monochronic cultures treat time as a tool for bringing order to life; polychronic cultures tolerate many events occurring simultaneously.
C) Monochronic cultures experience time in a non-linear way; polychronic cultures view time as having a past, present, and future.
D) Monochronic cultures tolerate many events occurring simultaneously; polychronic cultures treat time as a tool for bringing order to life.

Question 22

Understanding foreign languages is especially important for international managers because of the increasing ________.

A) diversity in the global workforce
B) number of offshored service jobs
C) reliance on the Internet by MNEs
D) amount of foreign direct investment

Question 23

Subtle differences in eye behavior are known as ________.

A) proxemics
B) paralanguage
C) object language
D) oculesics

Question 24

The manner in which people communicate through architecture, office design, and cars is known as ________.

A) object language
B) oculesics
C) paralanguage
D) ningensei

Question 25

The considerable variation between Americans and Chinese in the use of silence during meetings is an aspect of ________.

A) proxemics
B) haptics
C) paralanguage
D) object language

Question 26

Posture, gestures, facial expressions, and eye contact are examples of ________.

A) kinesic behavior
B) proxemics
C) paralanguage
D) oculesics

Question 27

Which of the following is an example of proxemics?

A) using facial expressions
B) standing close to others
C) speaking quickly
D) using a translator

Question 28

Which of the following is a true statement regarding kinesic behavior?

A) Facial expressions have the same meaning in all cultures.
B) Minor variations in body language are insignificant.
C) Obscene hand gestures are universally interpreted.
D) The meaning of body movements varies by culture.

Question 29

A person working in a high-contact culture will most likely experience which of the following?

A) co-workers spending time together socially
B) managers using hand motions to express emotion
C) managers speaking to subordinates quickly and rudely
D) co-workers greeting each other with a double handshake

Question 30

Which of the following terms refers to the distance between people (personal space) with which a person feels comfortable?

A) oculesics
B) kinesics
C) aesthetics
D) proxemics

Question 31

Which of the following is recognized as a low-contact culture?

A) Eastern Europeans
B) Arabs
C) South Americans
D) Asians

Question 32

A ________ culture is characterized by people standing close together and touching a great deal.

A) low-contact
B) low-context
C) high-contact
D) high-context

Question 33

The tendency of Americans to look people in the eye contrasts with the tendency of Japanese people to bow their heads. Such differences are categorized as ________.

A) oculesics
B) proxemics
C) paralanguage
D) object language

Question 34

All of the following are elements of paralanguage EXCEPT ________.

A) laughter
B) rate of speech
C) eye contact
D) tone of voice

Question 35

During a business meeting in the United States, a relaxed posture is acceptable, but in Europe or Asia such body language would most likely be interpreted as ________.

A) embarrassment
B) rudeness
C) sadness
D) ignorance

Question 36

Which of the following will most likely be emphasized by an instrumental communicator?

A) persuasion
B) message content
C) body language
D) emotions

Question 37

Which of the following terms refers to how something is said rather than the content?

A) proxemics
B) paralanguage
C) object language
D) kinesic behavior

Question 38

________ are elements of nonverbal communication.

A) Ethnicity and language
B) Proxemics and ethnicity
C) Kinesic behavior and proxemics
D) Language and object language

Question 39

All of the following are common characteristics of people from high-contact cultures EXCEPT that they ________.

A) tough others frequently
B) live in warmer climates
C) prefer to work alone
D) stand close to others

Question 40

Changing the meaning of words by changing the inflection of your voice is an example of ________.

A) paralanguage
B) object language
C) proxemics
D) oculesics

Question 41

Which of the following is a true statement about polychronic cultures?

A) Time serves to order life into compartments.
B) Switzerland and Germany are polychronic cultures.
C) Polychronic people focus on relationships rather than material systems.
D) Polychronic people are highly driven to complete tasks by assigned deadlines.

Question 42

Larry is a top-level manager at Smart-Tech, an American semiconductor firm. Larry is heavily involved in the negotiation procedures between Smart-Tech and a Saudi Arabian financial group. The Arabs want to invest in the semiconductor industry by entering into a joint-venture with Smart-Tech. Smart-Tech and the Saudi Arabian financial group plan to build two semiconductor manufacturing facilities--one in the U.S. and one in Saudi Arabia. Smart-Tech executives are considering the idea of negotiating the final terms of the contract via videoconferences rather than sending Larry and his team to Saudi Arabia. Which of the following undermines the argument that Larry should negotiate via videoconference?

A) Middle Easterners are skeptical of using technology.
B) The Middle Eastern culture is low-contact and low-context.
C) Business transactions in the Middle East tend to be lengthy and primarily nonverbal.
D) Relationships and hospitality are prerequisites for business transactions in the Middle East.

Question 43

John Smith travels back and forth between the U.S. and Saudi Arabia as an international manager. On John's most recent trip to Saudi Arabia, he presents his business associate, Tariq Ahmed, with a silk scarf. The scarf is intended as a gift for Tariq's wife. John's actions will most likely be viewed by Tariq as ________.

A) a thoughtful gesture from the American
B) an inappropriate and impolite gesture
C) a bribe punishable by imprisonment
D) an obligation that must be reciprocated

Question 44

Which of the following is most likely a characteristic of low-context cultures?

A) Work and social relationships are inseparable.
B) Individuals base meaning on subtle gestures.
C) Individuals must read between the lines.
D) Feelings are expressed in words.

Question 45

In the Asian culture, silence is best described as a(n) ________.

A) signal that negotiations are over
B) desirable form of expression
C) indication of displeasure
D) sign of animosity

Question 46

Which of the following is NOT true about monochronic cultures?

A) Time is viewed as something to be spent.
B) Monochronic people change plans frequently.
C) Monochronic people focus on one task at a time.
D) Short-term relationships are normal and acceptable.

Question 47

The ringi system common in Japanese organizations is best described as a ________.

A) method for interpreting information
B) bottom-up decision-making process
C) method of relaying informal messages
D) top-down decision-making process

Question 48

Communication in ________ cultures occurs within an extensive network of close personal and business relationships.

A) low-context
B) monochronic
C) high-context
D) polychronic

Question 49

Which of the following is most likely characteristic of communication channels in low-context cultures like Germany?

A) rapid spread of information
B) informal flow of information
C) upward flow of information
D) controlled flow of information

Question 50

"Time serves to order life" refers to the role of time in ________.

A) monochronic systems
B) object language
C) paralanguage
D) polychronic systems

Question 51

Larry is a top-level manager at Smart-Tech, an American semiconductor firm. Larry is heavily involved in the negotiation procedures between Smart-Tech and a Saudi Arabian financial group. The Arabs want to invest in the semiconductor industry by entering into a joint-venture with Smart-Tech. Smart-Tech and the Saudi Arabian financial group plan to build two semiconductor manufacturing facilities--one in the U.S. and one in Saudi Arabia. Larry has recently arrived in Saudi Arabia for the purpose of negotiating the final terms of the contract. Which of the following statements undermines the argument that Larry should adhere to a strict agenda when negotiating with the Arabs?

A) Both Saudi Arabia and the U.S. are low-contact cultures.
B) Both Saudi Arabia and the U.S. are high-contact cultures.
C) Saudi Arabia is a polychronic culture.
D) Saudi Arabia is a monochronic culture.

Question 52

People in ________ cultures expect others to understand unarticulated moods, subtle gestures, and environmental clues that people from ________ cultures simply do not process.

A) low-context; high-context
B) low-contact; high-contact
C) high-context; low-context
D) monochronic; polychronic

Question 53

All of the following are characteristics of most people from polychronic cultures EXCEPT ________.

A) being highly distractible
B) segmenting meeting topics
C) changing plans often
D) holding open meetings

Question 54

People from ________ cultures tolerate many things occurring simultaneously and change plans frequently.

A) polychronic
B) monochronic
C) material
D) haptic

Question 55

Which of the following is considered a high-context culture?

A) Asia
B) Germany
C) Switzerland
D) Scandinavia

Question 56

International managers working in the Middle East should do all of the following for effective communication EXCEPT ________.

A) conducting business personally
B) being flexible regarding schedules
C) expressing doubts in group settings
D) taking time to form friendships

Question 57

Larry is a top-level manager at Smart-Tech, an American semiconductor firm. Larry is heavily involved in the negotiation procedures between Smart-Tech and a Saudi Arabian financial group. The Arabs want to invest in the semiconductor industry by entering into a joint-venture with Smart-Tech. Smart-Tech and the Saudi Arabian financial group plan to build two semiconductor manufacturing facilities--one in the U.S. and one in Saudi Arabia. Larry has recently arrived in Saudi Arabia for the purpose of negotiating the final terms of the contract. Which of the following undermines the argument that Larry should express his doubts about aspects of the contract during open meetings with the Arab group?

A) Honor and dignity are extremely important to the Arab culture.
B) Time is a critical commodity in the Arab culture.
C) Arabs appreciate directness and honesty.
D) The Arab culture is high-contact.

Question 58

Which of the following is considered a polychronic culture?

A) North America
B) Switzerland
C) Germany
D) Saudi Arabia

Question 59

In high-context cultures, ________.

A) feelings and thoughts are not explicitly expressed
B) information is readily available
C) feelings and thoughts are expressed in words
D) messages are explicit

Question 60

Which of the following is the most accurate statement concerning the role of context in cross-cultural communication?

A) In high-context cultures, the message is implicit; in low-context cultures, the message is explicit.
B) In high-context cultures, there is a low sensory involvement; in low-context cultures, there is a high sensory involvement.
C) In high-context cultures, the message is explicit; in low-context cultures, the message is implicit.
D) In high-context cultures, there is a high sensory involvement; in low-context cultures, there is a low sensory involvement.

Question 61

________ is the process of translating the received symbols into the interpreted message.

A) Decoding
B) Transmitting
C) Encoding
D) Fragmenting

Question 62

The ________ preference for written communication, even for informal interactions, demonstrates the formality of their relationships.

A) French
B) German
C) Arab
D) American

Question 63

According to Kim's research, which of the following is a personality trait associated with resilience?

A) open-mindedness
B) interaction posture
C) extrovertedness
D) resourcefulness

Question 64

What is nonverbal communication? What forms does nonverbal communication take?

Question 65

Respect in cross-cultural communication is conveyed through all of the following EXCEPT ________.

A) eye contact
B) body posture
C) voice tone
D) gift giving

Question 66

The type of medium chosen for a message most likely depends on all of the following EXCEPT the ________.

A) nature of the message
B) need for personal interaction
C) level of importance of the message
D) industry associated with the message

Question 67

Communication over the Internet ________.

A) is generally unaffected by national and local laws
B) must be adjusted to differences in language and culture
C) will remain dominated by English-language sites in the foreseeable future
D) is as personal as face-to face cross-cultural communication because of social websites

Question 68

What is a person's life space? How does life space affect the communication process?

Question 69

All of the following are characteristic of the Japanese ningensei style of communication EXCEPT ________.

A) explicitness
B) reciprocity
C) receiver orientation
D) delayed feedback

Question 70

When encoding a message during cross-cultural communication, it is most effective for senders to ________.

A) use idioms
B) make gestures
C) rely on personal interpretations
D) speak slowly and loudly in English

Question 71

Recognizing that one's knowledge, perceptions, and beliefs are valid only for oneself and not for everyone else is known as ________.

A) other-oriented role behavior
B) orientation to knowledge
C) tolerance for ambiguity
D) interaction posture

Question 72

Why is trust important in communication? How can trust be cultivated in business relationships?

Question 73

Which of the following characteristics is shared by both openness in communication and resilience in communication?

A) tolerance for ambiguity
B) extrovertedness
C) resourcefulness
D) internal locus of control

Question 74

Interaction posture is best defined as the ________.

A) tendency to contradict the beliefs of others
B) understanding and modeling of local proxemics
C) ability to respond to others in a nonjudgmental way
D) capacity to be flexible to promote group communication

Question 75

The Japanese preference for humanity, reciprocity, and analytic logic is known as ________.

A) kieretsu
B) ringi-sho
C) ningensei
D) allogato

Question 76

What is the difference between instrumental and expressive communicators? What cultures exemplify each type?

Question 77

Personality traits such as ________ and ________ are categorized as openness.

A) persistence; resourcefulness
B) proper orientation to knowledge; internal locus of control
C) tolerance for ambiguity; extrovertedness
D) internal locus of control; external locus of control

Question 78

Effective intercultural communication can most likely be accomplished through all of the following methods EXCEPT ________.

A) encoding messages carefully
B) using short sentences
C) speaking in a loud voice
D) showing cultural sensitivity

Question 79

What is the best method for avoiding miscommunications?

A) taking detailed notes
B) learning foreign phrases
C) practicing projective listening
D) relying on a language interpreter

Question 80

Discuss the relationship between communication and noise.