Deck 4: Intercultural Communication

Question 1

A definition of 'culture' is:

A) relative to the country we are speaking about.
B) relative to the racial group we are speaking about.
C) easily understood but not easily defined.
D) complex and unnecessary.
E) easily defined by looking at language.

Answer 1

C

Question 2

Proxemics is:

A) the use of speech patterns in communication.
B) the use of the landscape in communication.
C) the use of the mouth and eyes in communication.
D) the use of clothing and appearance in communication.
E) the use of space in communication.

Answer 2

E

Question 3

Socialisation effects happen:

A) as a result of peer pressure.
B) when we are children.
C) when we are adolescents.
D) when we are adults.
E) at all stages of our lives.

Answer 3

E

Question 4

Hofstede's individualism-collectivism is:

A) a measure of how a culture values the older members of its society.
B) a measure of how much a culture values the group efforts of its society.
C) a measure of how much a culture can be said to be a community.
D) a measure of personal potential.
E) a measure of how much a culture values individual autonomy as opposed to collective teamwork.

Question 5

Hofstede's masculinity-femininity is:

A) a measure of maleness vs. femaleness in a culture.
B) a measure of how much having 'machismo' is valued.
C) a measure of how attractive the males vs. females are in a culture.
D) a measure of assertiveness and achievement as opposed to nurturance and social support in a culture.
E) a measure of the relative importance of masculine and feminine features within a culture.

Question 6

Hofstede's power distance is:

A) related to the distance at which people stand together.
B) a measure of how powerful a manager is.
C) related to strength of character or willpower.
D) a measure of status or power differences between two managers.
E) a measure of the strength of a manager's verbal style.

Question 7

1.Which of the following statements resembles a mainstream Australian cultural value?
a. Contracts are often disregarded and not legally binding.
b. Being on time is important.
c. Business acquaintances are not possible friends.
d. Efficiency is measured in terms of costs and benefits.
e. It is considered best to be dressed formally in a business situation.
f. The rules of the social class one grew up in should be followed.

Question 8

Kinesics is the study of:

A) the kinetic energy of speakers.
B) the jaw and facial muscles.
C) body language.
D) movement-oriented non-verbal communication.
E) touching behaviours.

Question 9

The dimensions of history and worldview affect us by:

A) reminding us of our past.
B) affecting a culture's outlook on life.
C) helping us to understand ourselves better.
D) giving us a way of identifying ourselves.
E) being the most important intercultural dimension.

Question 10

Chronemics is:

A) the use of time in communication.
B) communicating with clocks and watches.
C) the use of history to describe a culture or society.
D) communication that occurred in the past
E) communication that might occur in the future.

Question 11

Non-verbal communication is:

A) communication that does not include speech.
B) another name for 'body language'.
C) anything that isn't the written word.
D) more than just body language: it includes time, space, furniture and clothing.
E) communication that does not include the use of verbs

Question 12

Which of the following is the best definition of 'intercultural communication'?

A) Communication between different people from different countries.
B) Communication between different subcultures in Australia.
C) Communication between groups or individuals from different cultural backgrounds.
D) Communication between people from different linguistic groups.
E) Communication between people from different religious groups.

Question 13

Humour conducted in computer-meditated contexts is:

A) always welcome when communicating with someone from China, especially if it involves making fun of one's colleagues and superiors.
B) always welcome when communicating with someone from Mexico, especially if it involves making jokes about one's family.
C) always a risky idea, especially if it is a professional context.
D) always welcome when communicating with someone from Australia, except if the situation is tense.
E) always welcome when communicating with someone from Denmark, except if the humour is sarcastic in tone.

Question 14

Hofstede's uncertainty avoidance is:

A) how cultures adapt to change and deal with risk.
B) how cultures cope with conflict.
C) how cultures deal with power differences.
D) how cultures avoid risks.
E) how cultures manage cultural anxiety.

Question 15

2.Which of the following values relates to a low-context culture?
a. Future orientation
b. Cooperation
c. Formality
d. Hierarchy/status
e. Tradition
f. Directness

Question 16

Paralinguistics is the study of:

A) the verbal and non-verbal associated behaviour surrounding language.
B) the speech patterns of paraplegic accident victims.
C) body language.
D) ways of speaking more efficiently.
E) the true meaning of a person's verbal message.

Question 17

According to Edward T.Hall, in order to respond appropriately, high-context cultures:

A) do not need to understand the message.
B) need to understand the message.
C) do not need to understand the context.
D) need to understand the context.
E) evaluate other cultures as backward or incompetent.

Question 18

Computer-mediated communication with other cultures is:

A) similar to ordinary communication between cultures.
B) similar to ordinary communication between cultures, as long as people are honest and self-disclosing.
C) more problematic than ordinary communication between cultures.
D) almost impossible, due to language difficulties.
E) less problematic than ordinary communication between cultures.

Question 19

How do dress, hairstyles, makeup and appearance impact communication?

A) They have little impact. Non-verbal communication is more important.
B) They provide messages about status and socioeconomic background.
C) They draw attention to a person.
D) They reinforce what a person has to say.
E) They undermine an individual's verbal message.

Question 20

Which of the following is a principle of language relativity?

A) We use language daily to relate to each other.
B) Language is how we interact with others.
C) The structure of a language impacts how its speakers see the world.
D) People can only think about things they have words for.
E) Some words are untranslatable.