Question 1

Why is linguistic knowledge important to intercultural communication competence?

Accepted Answer

B

Question 2

The quality of knowing how one is perceived as a communicator as well as one's strengths and weaknesses is called:

Accepted Answer

Self-knowledge refers to the understanding of one's own characteristics, including how one is perceived as a communicator, and an awareness of one's strengths and weaknesses.

Question 3

When a person realizes that he or she is not experiencing success in intercultural interactions, but is not sure why, it is a case of:

Accepted Answer

Conscious incompetence occurs when a person recognizes that they are not skilled in a certain area but does not understand specifically why or how to improve. In the context of intercultural interactions, this means the individual knows they are not succeeding but cannot pinpoint the exact reasons or solutions.

Question 4

If Jurgen, from Germany, is communicating with his friend Koji from Japan and accidentally offends Koji, who never tells him, what approach may Jurgen have been using to communicate?

Accepted Answer

Jurgen was likely using unconscious incompetence, meaning he was not aware of his lack of skill or knowledge in communicating effectively with Koji, leading to the accidental offense without realizing it.

Question 5

How can the practice of dialogue help someone become a better intercultural communicator?

Accepted Answer

True dialogue involves mutual respect, equality, and supportiveness, which are crucial for effective intercultural communication. It allows individuals to genuinely listen and understand each other's perspectives, fostering better intercultural interactions.

Question 6

In an intercultural context, empathy refers to:

Accepted Answer

Empathy in an intercultural context involves the ability to put oneself in someone else's position, understanding their perspective and feelings within their cultural context, which is what option B describes.

Question 7

Which of the following is the most important dimension of intercultural competence?

Accepted Answer

Motivation is the most important dimension of intercultural competence because it drives individuals to seek out opportunities to interact with people from different cultures, learn about their perspectives, and develop the skills and knowledge necessary to communicate effectively across cultures.

Question 8

Linguistic knowledge leads to higher intercultural competence because:

Accepted Answer

Knowing the difficulty of learning a second language helps us develop empathy for individuals who face challenges in new cultural contexts, which is a key component of intercultural competence.

Question 9

The D.I.E. exercise is helpful in understanding intercultural dynamics because:

Accepted Answer

The D.I.E. (Describe, Interpret, Evaluate) exercise emphasizes the importance of separating observation (description) from interpretation and evaluation to avoid misunderstandings and improve communication across cultures. Confusing these levels can indeed lead to ineffective communication.

Question 10

Which of the following is true about the role of motivation in intercultural communication?

Accepted Answer

Historical and political contexts can significantly influence an individual's motivation to engage in intercultural communication, as these factors shape perceptions, attitudes, and openness towards other cultures.

Question 11

The ease in dealing with situations in which there is a great deal of unknown is called:

Accepted Answer

Tolerance for ambiguity is the ability to deal with situations in which there is a great deal of unknown. It is the ability to remain calm and collected in the face of uncertainty and to make decisions without having all of the information.

Question 12

Cross-cultural empathy is called:

Accepted Answer

Cross-cultural empathy is referred to as "transpection," which involves understanding and empathizing with people from different cultural backgrounds.

Question 13

Which is an example of an interpretive statement?

Accepted Answer

Interpretive statements involve a personal interpretation or judgment about a situation rather than just stating facts. Choice D, "I think you are getting behind in your classes," is an interpretation of someone's academic performance, not a simple factual statement. Choices A, B, and C are examples of factual statements or expressions of emotion without an interpretive judgment.

Question 14

If Nadini, who is from India, is really trying hard to communicate as appropriately and effectively as possible with her American classmates, she is operating from which level of competence?

Accepted Answer

Conscious competence refers to the stage where an individual is aware of what they are doing and is making an effort to learn or perform a skill correctly. Nadini's effort to communicate effectively with her American classmates indicates that she is consciously applying herself to improve her communication skills, which aligns with the definition of conscious competence.

Question 15

The critical approach to intercultural communication competence reminds us that:

Accepted Answer

The critical approach emphasizes understanding individuals' competence within the context of broader societal forces, including political, economic, and historical influences, rather than focusing solely on individual skills or motivations.

Question 16

Which of the following characterizes intercultural alliances?

Accepted Answer

Intercultural alliances are characterized by orientations of affirmation, which involve recognizing and valuing cultural differences and working collaboratively across cultures.

Question 17

The D.I.E. exercise helps us to determine if we are communicating in all of the following ways EXCEPT:

Accepted Answer

The D.I.E. exercise (Description, Interpretation, Evaluation) is a framework used to improve communication and understanding by separating observations (Description), interpretations (Interpretation), and value judgments (Evaluation). It does not explicitly focus on communicating "educationally," which is not part of the D.I.E. acronym or its intended process.

Question 18

The Japanese model of intercultural listening includes which of the following?

Accepted Answer

The Japanese model of intercultural listening emphasizes careful consideration by the speaker, nonthreatening communication, and thoughtful, nonthreatening responses by the listener, making all the options correct.

Question 19

Which of the following is true about building coalitions?

Accepted Answer

Building coalitions can involve complex negotiations and interactions, during which individuals might confront challenges or conflicts that affect their sense of self or identity. This process can lead to feelings of identity injury as people navigate differences and work towards common goals.

Question 20

The textbook authors suggest that the most important knowledge a competent intercultural communicator needs is:

Accepted Answer

Self-knowledge is crucial for intercultural communication because it helps an individual understand their own biases, perspectives, and cultural background, which in turn facilitates better understanding and communication with people from other cultures.

Quiz 12: Striving for Engaged and Effective Intercultural Communication