Deck 4: Communicating Across Cultures

Question 1

Intercultural communication most likely occurs when ________.

A)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 one culture migrate to another region
D)the communication process between two cultures is hindered

Answer 1

B

Question 2

Phil sent an email requesting Mel to join him in the conference room at 2 P.M.and to bring the final report on the building's floor plans.However, Mel's personal secretary skips reading the entire email and just informs Mel to join Phil in the conference room at 2 P.M.This is an example of ________.

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

Answer 2

C

Question 3

________ describes the process of sharing meaning by transmitting messages through media such as words, behavior, or material artifacts.

A)Ethics
B)Communication
C)Planning
D)Strategy

Answer 3

B

Question 4

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

A)Attribution
B)Dissonance
C)Miscommunication
D)Affirmation

Question 5

When a member of one culture imposes his or her cultural practices on a member of another culture, cross cultural communication takes place.

Question 6

Trust improves cross-cultural communication by ________.

A)making sure that all of the business transactions are based on arm's-length relationships
B)replacing formal legal contracts for global firms
C)encouraging the open exchange of ideas and information
D)helping people plan for known circumstances

Question 7

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 technology used in the medium of communication
D)the difference between two individuals' life space

Question 8

According to the GLOBE project, workers from countries that ranked low on performance orientation, e.g., Russia or Greece, ________.

A)do not take hard facts and figures seriously
B)prefer direct and explicit communication
C)make avoiding conflict a priority
D)do not encourage friendly relationships

Question 9

According to Hall and Hall, when people experience a failure in communication, they tend to blame the confusion on the other person's stupidity, deceit, or craziness.This process of trying to explain the other person's behavior is known as ________.

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

Question 10

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

A)noise
B)encoded message
C)decoded message
D)feedback

Question 11

Communication to managers is of vital importance because it ________.

A)demonstrates the manager's depth of knowledge
B)immediately results in an increase of revenue
C)indicates technological advancement
D)greatly helps in negotiating future plans

Question 12

Tom manages a U.S.pharmaceutical subsidiary located in Ireland.In order to communicate effectively with Irish employees and improve their productivity, Tom should ________.

A)emphasize achieving objective end results
B)challenge the employees to perform better
C)provide positive support to employees
D)address conflicts during group meetings

Question 13

Brenda is the head of a sports firm in Sweden.In order to communicate effectively with her workers, Brenda should ________.

A)build friendly relationships and encourage two-way dialogues
B)communicate information in a direct and explicit way
C)communicate information with facts and figures
D)exchange gifts with her employees frequently

Question 14

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

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

Question 15

According to the GLOBE project, a coworker 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 gift exchange before talking business
D)a direct approach along with facts and figures

Question 16

Which of the following will help an international business manager cultivate trust in cross-cultural communications?

A)staying away from conflicts that need to be addressed
B)making communications as formal as possible and refraining from open communications
C)socializing when possible and making friendly contacts with persons involved
D)establishing trust and achieving hidden agenda without being conspicuous

Question 17

The term communication is the process of gathering messages through the Internet and printed media.

Question 18

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 19

Cultural noise is the cultural variables that undermine the communication of intended meaning.

Question 20

Anything that serves to undermine the communication of the intended meaning is typically referred to as noise.

Question 21

Subtle differences in eye behavior are known as ________.

A)proxemics
B)tics
C)stereotypes
D)oculesics

Question 22

Which of the following terms is used to refer to the positive or negative evaluations, feelings, and tendencies that individuals harbor toward objects or concepts and effects the communication process?

A)customs
B)attitudes
C)traditions
D)values

Question 23

Attribution is the process by which people send messages to each other across various cultures.

Question 24

The term ________ refers to behavior that communicates without words.

A)thought patterns
B)nonverbal communication
C)intrapersonal communication
D)cultural noise

Question 25

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)personal space invasion
B)rudeness
C)curiosity
D)reluctance

Question 26

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

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

Question 27

In an interview, a British journalist asked a German athlete, "Are you a typical German?" When asked to clarify, the journalist explained that a typical German loved machines, worked hard, and was dependable.This is an example of ________.

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

Question 28

Which of the following is one of the reasons that language frequently causes miscommunication during international business situations?

A)frequent use of idioms with explanations
B)translating a local language too literally
C)speaking the local language with a native accent
D)conveying information using appropriate body language or symbols

Question 29

Which of the following would most likely occur in a low-contact culture?

A)colleagues greeting each other by formal touch
B)colleagues standing close to each other
C)colleagues maintaining a respectful distance while greeting each other
D)colleagues greeting each other by giving a peck on the cheek

Question 30

The Topangins are a minority group in the Canary Island, with a set of preferences, attitudes, and taboos, distinct from that of the national culture.Therefore, they are often overlooked when foreign businesses choose to customize their products for the inhabitants of the islands.The Toro-Hessian community is an example of ________.

A)cultural universal
B)monoculture
C)subculture
D)stratification

Question 31

Which of the following terms refers to the influence of closeness and space on communication?

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

Question 32

________ is one of the elements of nonverbal communication.

A)Ethnicity
B)Gender
C)Kinesic behavior
D)Language

Question 33

The tendency of Americans to look people in the eye contrasts with the tendency of the British to keep looking away while conversing.Such differences are categorized as ________.

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

Question 34

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

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

Question 35

What cultural variables create noise in cross-cultural communication? Use the steps in the communication process to explain methods of controlling cultural noise.

Question 36

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

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

Question 37

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

A)coworkers spending time together socially
B)managers using hand motions to express emotion
C)managers bowing to their seniors as a token of respect
D)coworkers putting an arm over their colleague's back

Question 38

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 39

Josh, a tourist from the United States, goes on a five-day trip to Japan.Apart from learning their rich history and heritage, he notices that people do not shake hands, but bow to each other.He is most likely to conclude that the Japanese have a ________.

A)low-context culture
B)monotheistic culture
C)polychronic culture
D)low-contact culture

Question 40

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

A)increased diversity in the global workforce
B)reduced incidence of outsourcing
C)dominance of English in business communication
D)decline in the status of the United States as a superpower

Question 41

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

A)Time serves to order life into compartments.
B)People in polychronic cultures focus on only one task at a time.
C)Polychronic people focus on relationships rather than material systems.
D)Polychronic people are highly driven to complete tasks by assigned deadlines.

Question 42

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 43

________ refers to how something is said rather than the content-i.e., the rate of speech, the tone and inflection of voice, other noises, laughing, or yawning.

A)Proxemics
B)Paralanguage
C)Object language
D)Kinesic behavior

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 and thoughts are expressed in words.

Question 45

Which of the following is a characteristic of a person in a monochronic culture?

A)considers time to be flexible
B)adheres to plan commitments
C)focuses on multiple tasks at a time
D)is accustomed to long-term relationships

Question 46

In ________ cultures, communication occurs within an extensive network of close personal and business relationships.

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

Question 47

Which of the following is an element of paralanguage?

A)hand gesture
B)body posture
C)yawning
D)personal touch

Question 48

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, many tasks are handled simultaneously; in low-context cultures, only one task is handled at a time.
D)In high-context cultures, work time is flexible; in low-context cultures, work time is not flexible.

Question 49

In ________ cultures, people expect others to understand unarticulated moods, subtle gestures, and environmental clues.

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

Question 50

Which of the following is a characteristic of a person from a polychronic culture?

A)focuses only on one thing at a time
B)changes plans frequently
C)adheres to time commitments
D)is accustomed to short-term relationships

Question 51

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 52

Which of the following is true about high-context cultures?

A)One has to "read between the lines" and interpret meaning from one's general understanding.
B)Communication media is entirely explicit and information is readily available.
C)People convey their thoughts and plans in a direct, straightforward communication style.
D)People are talkative, obvious, and redundant.

Question 53

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

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

Question 54

Carlos has an appointment with Higuain in a half hour at his office.However, Carlos decides to take care of some personal errands on his way to the office and informs Higuain.Carlos does not make it on time for the appointment.Higuain most likely concludes that Carlos is from a ________.

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

Question 55

The executives from Carlo Foods, United States, are in Japan to negotiate with Jeong, the head of a local investment firm.While Jeong listens to their plans, he realizes that there are considerable amounts of calculation errors in the market statistics involved in the plan.He starts showing signs of impatience and folds his hands, with a frown on his face.The executives realize that something is wrong and are confused about it.Jeong most likely belongs to a ________.

A)low-contact culture
B)high-context culture
C)high power-distance culture
D)polychronic culture

Question 56

Which of the following is true about monochronic and polychronic cultures?

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 nonlinear way; polychronic cultures focus on only one single event at a time.
D)Monochronic cultures tolerate many events occurring simultaneously; polychronic cultures treat time as a tool for bringing order to life.

Question 57

The international business manager of Toro Automobiles, based in London, is currently in Indonesia negotiating with potential partners to set up a manufacturing plant.He is intrigued and startled by the lack of apprehension shown by every person he has met in standing close to him when greeting him.This is because the persons or the groups involved in the meeting are a part of a ________.

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

Question 58

In high-context cultures, ________.

A)feelings and thoughts are not explicitly expressed
B)information is readily shared
C)people have high sensory involvement
D)nonverbal communication is not important

Question 59

In ________ cultures, people tolerate many things occurring simultaneously and change plans frequently.

A)polychronic
B)low-contact
C)material
D)haptic

Question 60

Classified and compartmentalized, time serves to order life in a ________.

A)monochronic culture
B)low-contact culture
C)high-contact culture
D)polychronic culture

Question 61

The term kinesic behavior refers to communication through body movements-posture, gestures, facial expressions, and eye contact.

Question 62

In high-context cultures, feelings and thoughts are not explicitly expressed.

Question 63

The term paralanguage refers to how something is said rather than the content-i.e., the rate of speech, the tone and inflection of voice, other noises, laughing, or yawning.

Question 64

In low-contact cultures, people prefer to stand close, touch a great deal, and experience a "close" sensory involvement.

Question 65

Language is a frequent cause of miscommunication, stemming from a person's inability to speak the local language, a poor or too-literal translation, a speaker's failure to explain idioms, or a person missing the meaning conveyed through body language or certain symbols.

Question 66

Which of the following is a characteristic of the Japanese ningensei style?

A)reciprocity
B)explicitness
C)verbal agility
D)immediate feedback

Question 67

In low-context cultures, key information is embedded in the context rather than made explicit.

Question 68

Kinesics deals with the influence of space on communication-both personal space and office space or layout.

Question 69

Al Razim, a construction engineer, recently traveled to Germany in order to find investors for his real-estate project.While he finally succeeded in getting an investor, he was surprised by the explicitness of the Germans.Sometimes all he got was a direct "No." This is because Germans are a ________ culture.

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

Question 70

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

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

Question 71

The Japanese ningensei style of communication refers to the preference for humanity, reciprocity, a receiver orientation, and an underlying distrust of words and analytic logic.

Question 72

In polychronic cultures, people focus on one thing at a time and adhere to time commitments.

Question 73

In high-contact cultures, people prefer much less sensory involvement, standing farther apart and touching far less.

Question 74

Kinesics and proxemics are elements of nonverbal communication.

Question 75

Stereotyping occurs when a person assumes that every member of a society or subculture has the same characteristics or traits.

Question 76

List the cultural variables in the communication process and explain the different types of nonverbal communication.

Question 77

In high-context cultures, feelings and thoughts are not explicitly expressed; instead, one has to read between the lines and interpret meaning from one's general understanding.

Question 78

In monochronic cultures, time is experienced in a linear way, with a past, a present, and a future, and time is treated as something to be spent, saved, made up, or wasted.

Question 79

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

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

Question 80

The term object language, or material culture, refers to the value of the material artifacts given to the parties involved in order to show our goodwill.