Question 1

Which term best classifies the role of the U.S. flag and the bald eagle in United States culture?

Accepted Answer

The U.S. flag and the bald eagle are best classified as symbols in United States culture because they represent American ideals, identity, and patriotism without using words.

Question 2

According to the New York State Comptroller's office, 138 languages are spoken in Queens, New York. This illustrates that which of the following can vary within and among cultures?

Accepted Answer

The fact that 138 languages are spoken in Queens, New York, directly illustrates the variation of language within and among cultures, showcasing the diversity of linguistic practices in a specific geographic area.

Question 3

(Which best describes the standards by which a culture judges what is good, desirable, or beautiful?

Accepted Answer

Values are the standards by which a culture judges what is good, desirable, or beautiful, guiding people's behavior and views about what is important in life.

Question 4

Which of the following describes the rules or expectations that guide people's behavior within a culture?

Accepted Answer

Norms are the rules or expectations that guide people's behavior within a culture, dictating how individuals should act in specific situations.

Question 5

Elena is used to kissing her friends on both cheeks as a form of greeting in her native country. She notices that her new friends in the United States get uncomfortable with this, thus showing her she is violating her friends'

Accepted Answer

Elena's behavior violates the social norms of her new friends in the United States, where kissing on both cheeks as a greeting is not a common practice, leading to their discomfort. Norms are the unwritten rules that dictate the acceptable behavior in a society or group.

Question 6

Which of the following is NOT a cultural difference that influences how people communicate with each other?

Accepted Answer

Ethnocentrism is not a cultural difference that influences communication styles; rather, it is a belief or attitude that one's own culture is superior to others. The other options (orientation toward time, power distance, and communicative context) are all cultural dimensions that affect communication.

Question 7

Research shows that the U.S., Canada, Great Britain, and Australia are the most highly

Accepted Answer

The U.S., Canada, Great Britain, and Australia are known for their individualistic cultures, where personal achievements and independence are highly valued.

Question 8

In class, Mark frequently interrupts Professor Chang, asking direct questions and sometimes challenging her statements. Mark believes it is his right to question an instructor, as that is how he learns. Professor Chang also calls on Mark frequently in class, as she knows he will have a comment or observation related to the lecture. This style of classroom interaction represents what type of culture?

Accepted Answer

This scenario exemplifies an individualistic culture, where personal achievement and individual rights are valued. Mark's behavior of openly questioning and challenging the instructor reflects the emphasis on individual expression and the right to one's own opinions, characteristics of individualistic societies.

Question 9

Chin believes her primary responsibility is to her family, community, and employer. She considers the needs of her in-groups more important than her own needs. This example illustrates what type of culture?

Accepted Answer

Chin's behavior exemplifies a collectivistic culture, where the focus is on the group rather than the individual. In such cultures, people prioritize the needs and goals of their in-group (family, community, employer) over their own personal needs and desires.

Question 10

The motto "I am my family and my family is me" is representative of what type of culture?

Accepted Answer

The motto "I am my family and my family is me" emphasizes the importance of family and group over the individual, which is a hallmark of collectivistic cultures. Collectivistic cultures value the goals, well-being, and views of the group more highly than those of the individual.

Question 11

People in a _____________________ culture are taught that their primary responsibility is to their families, their communities, and their employer.

Accepted Answer

Collectivistic cultures emphasize the needs and goals of the group as a whole over the needs and wishes of each individual. In these cultures, people are taught from a young age that their primary responsibility is to their families, communities, and employers, rather than to their own individual desires and achievements.

Question 12

Which term best describes cultures that emphasize the importance of knowing oneself, being self-sufficient, and being true to what one wants in life?

Accepted Answer

Individualistic cultures prioritize personal goals, autonomy, and self-expression, aligning with the emphasis on knowing oneself, being self-sufficient, and pursuing personal desires.

Question 13

Which term best describes a culture in which people are expected to be direct, to say what they mean, and to avoid "beating around the bush"?

Accepted Answer

Low-context cultures are characterized by direct communication where people are expected to express their thoughts and intentions clearly and straightforwardly, without relying heavily on context, non-verbal cues, or reading between the lines.

Question 14

Sue has an issue with her best friend. Rather than state the problem directly, Sue talks indirectly about the issue so her friend won't be embarrassed. With which type of cultural affiliation does Sue most likely identify?

Accepted Answer

Sue's approach of talking indirectly about the issue to avoid embarrassment aligns with high-context communication, which is characteristic of cultures where people rely heavily on the context and non-verbal cues to convey meaning, rather than direct verbal communication.

Question 15

In what type of culture would a supervisor publicly reprimand an employee, directly stating the employee's shortcomings in front of others?

Accepted Answer

In a low-context culture, communication is direct and explicit, so a supervisor might openly criticize an employee in front of others.

Question 16

The belief that all people are created equal and that no one person or group should have excessive power is characteristic of what type of culture?

Accepted Answer

Low-power-distance cultures emphasize equality among people and the minimization of power differences, aligning with the belief that no one should have excessive power over others.

Question 17

In which instance is Mia most likely functioning in a low-power-distance culture?

Accepted Answer

Low-power-distance cultures are characterized by a more egalitarian approach to power and authority, where individuals feel more comfortable questioning or challenging those in positions of authority, such as professors.

Question 18

Maricel is from the Philippines, where she has been taught that certain people or groups deserve more power than others and that respecting power is more important than equality. Maricel is from a ________________ culture.

Accepted Answer

Maricel's cultural background, where there is a significant emphasis on the acceptance of unequal power distribution and a hierarchy that values respect for authority, aligns with the characteristics of a high-power-distance culture. High-power-distance cultures accept and expect power to be distributed unequally within society and organizations.

Question 19

Because the U.S. tends to value sex-differentiated roles and places value on qualities such as achievement and the acquisition of resources, the U.S. could be considered a moderately _____________________ culture.

Accepted Answer

The U.S. is considered a moderately masculine culture because it values achievement, success, and the acquisition of resources, which align with the characteristics of masculine cultures in Hofstede's cultural dimensions theory.

Question 20

Which of the following statements represents a feminine culture?

Accepted Answer

Feminine cultures value nurturing roles and do not strictly adhere to traditional gender roles, making the scenario where the husband stays home to care for the children while the wife is the primary wage earner a representation of a feminine culture.

Quiz 2: Culture and Communication