Question 1

People who share beliefs such as "The duck that squawks gets shot," or "Seeing is better than hearing," would be characterized as members of a(n) __________ culture.
A) individualistic
B) high context
C) polychronic
D) low uncertainty
E) high power

Accepted Answer

Beliefs such as "The duck that squawks gets shot" or "Seeing is better than hearing" are examples of high context cultures, where communication is often indirect and relies heavily on context and nonverbal cues. These cultures place a high value on shared knowledge and understanding among group members.

Question 2

In high context cultures, messages are
A) implicit.
B) explicit.
C) objective.
D) factual.
E) direct.

Accepted Answer

In high context cultures, communication relies heavily on implicit messages that are conveyed through nonverbal cues, context, and relationships. The actual words spoken may not carry as much weight as the underlying meaning.

Question 3

Which of the following is a low-context culture?
A) Chinese
B) German
C) Mexican American/Latino
D) African American
E) South Korean

Accepted Answer

German culture is typically considered a low-context culture, meaning the communication style emphasizes explicit and direct language rather than relying on subtleties or shared cultural understanding. This is in contrast to high-context cultures like Chinese and South Korean cultures, which place a greater emphasis on indirect communication and shared understanding of social cues and context. Mexican American/Latino and African American cultures are more variable and may have aspects of both high and low-context communication styles.

Question 4

Two co-workers are from different parts of the United States-one from Maine and the other from Alabama. While they have different dialects, they use a similar, more formal speaking style in professional settings. Which strategy of intercultural communication are they using?
A) being mindful
B) adapting to others
C) actively engaging others
D) being receptive to new information
E) respecting others' perspectives

Accepted Answer

The co-workers are adapting to each other's more formal speaking style in professional settings, indicating they are using the strategy of intercultural communication to adapt to others.

Question 5

Which dimension of culture best explains why, in places such as India, Kenya, and Argentina, people are driven less by a need to "get things done" and more by a sense of participation in events that create their own rhythm?
A) individualism-collectivism
B) power distance
C) gender expectations
D) time orientation
E) high-low context

Accepted Answer

This dimension of culture, time orientation, relates to how cultures value either a focus on the present moment or a more future-oriented perspective. In cultures where events and participation are prioritized, time is often seen as more fluid and less structured, leading to a less rigid approach to "getting things done." This can be seen in countries like India, Kenya, and Argentina, where community events and traditions are highly valued and prioritize participation over productivity.

Question 6

Ethnocentrism is a belief based on generalizations about a group of people that oversimplify their characteristics.

Accepted Answer

Ethnocentrism is the act of judging another culture solely based on the values and standards of one's own culture, rather than making oversimplified generalizations about a group's characteristics.

Question 7

Hinduism is the oldest of the world's major religions, dating back more than 3,000 years.

Accepted Answer

Hinduism is believed to have originated around 1500 BCE, making it one of the oldest religions in the world.

Question 8

Which of the following statements would be made by someone from a low context culture?
A) "I rely on facial expressions to interpret what others mean."
B) "Feelings are a valuable source of information."
C) "I try to maintain harmony in my communication with others."
D) "I like to be accurate, clear, and direct when I talk to others."
E) "I communicate in an indirect fashion."

Accepted Answer

Someone from a low context culture values direct and clear communication, which is reflected in option D, "I like to be accurate, clear, and direct when I talk to others."

Question 9

In the United States, whiteness is a culture.

Accepted Answer

Whiteness has been historically constructed as a dominant culture in the United States, shaping societal norms, values, beliefs, and behaviors. It encompasses a wide range of characteristics, including language, aesthetics, dress, religion, family structures, and social practices, that have been defined as representative of white people and deemed superior to other cultural expressions. This has created a system of privilege and power that benefits those who identify as white, while marginalizing and oppressing non-white individuals and communities.

Question 10

A culture is a learned set of shared interpretations about beliefs, values, and norms that affect the behaviors of a relatively large group of people.

Accepted Answer

This statement accurately defines what a culture is.

Question 11

Howard Giles' Communication Accommodation Theory
A) advocates mindfulness.
B) contrasts Western and Asian ways of thinking.
C) explains why collectivist and individualistic cultures have difficulty reaching agreement.
D) claims that when another group is attractive and powerful, we adapt our communication style to their speech behaviors and norms.
E) contends that ethnocentrism and stereotyping leads to racism.

Accepted Answer

Howard Giles' Communication Accommodation Theory asserts that people adjust their communication patterns to fit in with others when they perceive that doing so will help them achieve their goals. This is particularly true when another group is perceived to be attractive and powerful, as individuals tend to adapt their communication style to the norms and behaviors of those groups.

Answer: A
 While mindfulness is not a primary tenet of Howard Giles' Communication Accommodation Theory, some aspects of the theory suggest that individuals should be mindful of how they adapt their communication patterns in different contexts and with different groups.

Answer: E
 While ethnocentrism and stereotyping are relevant topics to this field, they are not central to Howard Giles' Communication Accommodation Theory.

Answer: B and C
 Howard Giles' Communication Accommodation Theory does not focus on the differences between Western and Asian modes of thinking, nor does it explain why collectivist and individualistic cultures may have difficulty reaching agreement. While these topics can be relevant to intercultural communication, they are not central to this particular theory.

Question 12

The term culture is limited to a person's country of origin, skin color, or ancestral heritage.

Accepted Answer

Culture is not limited to a person's country of origin, skin color, or ancestral heritage. Culture encompasses a wide range of factors, including language, beliefs, customs, behaviors, and values that are shared within a particular group or community. It can extend beyond national borders and may be influenced by various factors such as geography, religion, history, and social and economic systems.

Question 13

In many countries and for many cultures, religion is the culture.

Accepted Answer

In some countries and cultures, religion plays such a significant role that it forms a significant part of their overall culture. In such cases, religion and culture are deeply intertwined.

Question 14

Culture does not affect your life in obvious ways.

Accepted Answer

Culture plays a significant role in shaping an individual's beliefs, values, and behaviors. It influences their communication style, social norms, and worldview. Culture affects one's personal and professional relationships, decision-making, and overall quality of life. Therefore, it has a profound impact on an individual's life in both visible and subtle ways.

Question 15

Co-cultures exist within a mainstream society.

Accepted Answer

Co-cultures are groups of people who share some characteristics or experiences that distinguish them from the dominant culture, but they exist within the same society. They may have different beliefs, values, and practices, but they interact with the mainstream society and share some aspects of its culture.

Question 16

If you interact with people in a culture that respects its elders, you may hesitate to question the views of an older person or senior official. Which observation about how effective communicators accommodate one another is represented by your hesitation?
A) Communication similarities and differences exist in all conversations.
B) The manner in which we perceive the communication of others will determine how we evaluate our interaction with others.
C) Language and behavior convey information about social status and group membership.
D) Accommodation varies in its degree of appropriateness, and norms guide the accommodation process.
E) Conversations are always adapted to others when interacting with those who are culturally unalike yourself.

Accepted Answer

This situation represents the concept of accommodation, in which individuals adjust their communication style to fit the norms and expectations of their conversation partner. In this case, the cultural norm to respect elders and senior officials may lead to accommodation by hesitating to question their views. The appropriateness of accommodation varies based on cultural norms and expectations.

Question 17

Which theory explains that powerful, wealthy groups at the top of a society determine who will communicate and be listened to?
A) Hofstede's Dimensions of Culture
B) Kramarae's Muted Group Theory
C) Crawford's Mediated Communication Theory
D) Blumenbach's Racial Discrimination Theory
E) Prothero's Religious Literacy Theory

Accepted Answer

Kramarae's Muted Group Theory explains that powerful, wealthy groups at the top of a society determine who will communicate and be listened to. According to this theory, women and other marginalized groups are often muted or silenced in communication because language and communication practices are structured around the dominant group.

Question 18

Christianity is the oldest of the world's religions, dating back more than 2,000 years.

Accepted Answer

Hinduism, Judaism, and other ancient religions predate Christianity, which began around 2,000 years ago.

Question 19

Mindfulness involves being fully aware-in your _________________, emotional feelings, and conscious mind-of the present moment without making judgments.
A) cognitive thoughts
B) stereotypical thinking
C) physical body
D) interpretations
E) logical judgments

Accepted Answer

Being fully aware in your physical body means being present in the sensations and experiences of your body, such as feeling your breath, noticing tension or relaxation, and being in tune with your bodily movements. This is a key aspect of mindfulness that helps to anchor you in the present moment.

Question 20

The concept of culture is much broader than words such as nationality, race, and ethnicity.

Accepted Answer

Culture involves the shared beliefs, behaviors, and customs of a group of people, which can transcend national, racial, and ethnic boundaries. It can also include factors such as religion, socioeconomic status, gender, and age.

Quiz 3: Adapting to Others

People who share beliefs such as "The duck that squawks gets shot," or "Seeing is better than hearing," would be characterized as members of a(n) __________ culture.

In high context cultures, messages are

Which of the following is a low-context culture?

Two co-workers are from different parts of the United States-one from Maine and the other from Alabama. While they have different dialects, they use a similar, more formal speaking style in professional settings. Which strategy of intercultural communication are they using?

Which dimension of culture best explains why, in places such as India, Kenya, and Argentina, people are driven less by a need to "get things done" and more by a sense of participation in events that create their own rhythm?

Ethnocentrism is a belief based on generalizations about a group of people that oversimplify their characteristics.

Hinduism is the oldest of the world's major religions, dating back more than 3,000 years.

Which of the following statements would be made by someone from a low context culture?

In the United States, whiteness is a culture.

A culture is a learned set of shared interpretations about beliefs, values, and norms that affect the behaviors of a relatively large group of people.

Howard Giles' Communication Accommodation Theory

The term culture is limited to a person's country of origin, skin color, or ancestral heritage.

In many countries and for many cultures, religion is the culture.

Culture does not affect your life in obvious ways.

Co-cultures exist within a mainstream society.

If you interact with people in a culture that respects its elders, you may hesitate to question the views of an older person or senior official. Which observation about how effective communicators accommodate one another is represented by your hesitation?

Which theory explains that powerful, wealthy groups at the top of a society determine who will communicate and be listened to?

Christianity is the oldest of the world's religions, dating back more than 2,000 years.

Mindfulness involves being fully aware-in your _________________, emotional feelings, and conscious mind-of the present moment without making judgments.

The concept of culture is much broader than words such as nationality, race, and ethnicity.