Question 1

In the staircase model of intercultural communication, the stage at which an individual is "mindlessly mindful" and can code-switch effortlessly between the two different intercultural communication systems is the _______ stage.

Accepted Answer

The stage at which an individual is "mindlessly mindful" and can code-switch effortlessly between the two different intercultural communication systems is the unconscious competence stage. This is because the individual has internalized the different communication systems and can use them without consciously thinking about it. Conscious competence refers to the stage where an individual is able to use the different communication systems, but it requires conscious effort and thought. Conscious incompetence is the stage where an individual is aware of their lack of intercultural communication skills. Unconscious incompetence is the stage where an individual is not aware of their lack of intercultural communication skills.

Question 2

The "mindlessly mindful" stage refers to the _______ stage in the staircase model.

Accepted Answer

The "mindlessly mindful" stage corresponds to the "unconscious competence" stage in the staircase model, where a skill has been practiced so much that it can be performed effortlessly without conscious thought.

Question 3

In visiting Bhutan, Andrew starts taking intentional steps to increase his intercultural knowledge and combines his knowledge with culture-sensitive practice. Andrew is at the _______ stage of the staircase model.

Accepted Answer

At the conscious competence stage, a person is aware of their lack of intercultural knowledge and actively takes steps to increase their understanding while also being mindful of cultural differences in their actions and behavior. Andrew is intentionally working on intercultural knowledge and culture-sensitive practice, indicating he is at the conscious competence stage.

Question 4

According to the process principle of intercultural communication, intercultural communication often involves varying degrees of _______ intergroup perceptions.

Accepted Answer

Intercultural communication often involves varying degrees of biased intergroup perceptions due to the cultural differences, stereotypes and prejudices that people hold about other cultures. These biased intergroup perceptions can lead to misunderstandings, conflicts and communication breakdowns in intercultural interactions.

Question 5

A(n) _______ is a cultural violation on the behavioral level when our meanings do not overlap with one another in viewing the same behavior, which can create communication awkwardness or embarrassment.

Accepted Answer

The term "culture bump" refers to a situation in which there is a mismatch in the interpretation of behavior between two people from different cultures. This can lead to awkwardness or embarrassment in communication. A and B are incorrect because they do not refer to this specific phenomenon. D is incorrect because it is a broad term that refers to a group of people who share a culture.

Question 6

An ethnocentric mindset means understanding a communication behavior from the other person's cultural frame of reference.

Accepted Answer

An ethnocentric mindset is the belief that one's own cultural beliefs and values are superior to others, and therefore it does not involve understanding a communication behavior from the other person's cultural frame of reference.

Question 7

An ethnocentric mindset can include both unconscious and conscious attitudes in favoring the ingroup standard to the exclusion of outgroup standard.

Accepted Answer

An ethnocentric mindset can involve both conscious and unconscious biases towards one's own ingroup and against outgroups, leading to a preference for ingroup norms and disregard or devaluation of outgroup norms.

Question 8

An "ethnorelative mindset" means the mindful integration of knowledge, open-minded attitude, and systematic practice of culture-sensitive communication skills in dealing with cultural differences.

Accepted Answer

An "ethnorelative mindset" does indeed refer to the integration of knowledge, an open-minded attitude, and culture-sensitive communication practices when dealing with cultural differences.

Question 9

The first starting stage of the staircase model of flexible intercultural communication involves becoming aware of behaving incompetently.

Accepted Answer

The first stage actually involves becoming aware of one's own cultural identity and recognizing how it influences perceptions and interactions with others.

Question 10

The staircase model of communication competence is a situational-based model-we can be quite competent in dealing with one cultural group but totally incompetent in dealing with other cultural groups.

Accepted Answer

The staircase model acknowledges that communication competence is situational-based, meaning that one's competence may vary depending on the cultural group they are interacting with. Thus, one may be competent in dealing with one cultural group but incompetent in dealing with another.

Question 11

Briefly define the term intercultural communication and explain one of its characteristics.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Briefly define the term intercultural communication and...

Question 12

Briefly describe the one of the three contexts involved in the "interactive situation" characteristic of intercultural communication.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Briefly describe the one of the three...

Question 13

Briefly describe the two kinds of learning that can help increase knowledge about intercultural communication; give an example for each.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Briefly describe the two kinds of learning...

Question 14

Name and briefly describe one of the four stages in the staircase model of intercultural communication.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Name and briefly describe one of the...

Question 15

Briefly define a culture bump (or well-meaning clash), and give an example.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Briefly define a culture bump (or well-meaning...

Quiz 2: What Is Intercultural Communication Flexibility