Question 1

Country singers Marty Stewart and Travis Tritt and their record label decided to change the culture of the Country and Western music scene. With their now famous "No Hats" tour, the singers abandoned conventional country and western fashion (they threw away their hats, let their hair grow long, and wore t-shirts) and tried to appeal to larger and younger audiences with a grinding, sexy message. The process that these singers went through is best described as a ________.

Accepted Answer

The process described is a culture production system (CPS), where artists and their record label create and promote new cultural meanings and styles to appeal to different audiences.

Question 2

The indulgence versus restraint dimension of Hofstede's Dimensions of National Culture deals with the extent to which a society allows relatively free gratification of basic and natural human drives related to enjoying life.

Accepted Answer

The indulgence versus restraint dimension of Hofstede's Dimensions of National Culture indeed deals with the extent to which a society allows relatively free gratification of basic and natural human drives related to enjoying life.

Question 3

In a culture production system, the communications subsystem ________.

Accepted Answer

The communications subsystem gives meaning to new products and provides a symbolic set of attributes.

Question 4

Once a culture is established it doesn't change. An apparent change in a culture is simply the emergence of a new culture.

Accepted Answer

Cultures are not static, they are constantly evolving and changing over time. New customs, beliefs, and practices are introduced, and existing ones may be modified or abandoned. While the emergence of a new culture may be a significant event, it is not the only way that a culture can change. Cultures can be affected by a variety of factors, including technological innovation, social and political movements, migration, and globalization.

Question 5

A metaphysical myth fulfills the cultural function of explaining how the components of the universe relate to each other.

Accepted Answer

The answer of A metaphysical myth fulfills the cultural function...

Question 6

What term refers to desired end states that can apply to many different cultures?

Accepted Answer

Terminal values are desired end states that can apply to many different cultures. Instrumental values refer to the behaviors and means of achieving those end states, while more refers to socially accepted norms specific to a particular culture.

Question 7

Hofstede's Dimensions of National Culture organizes cross-cultural values based on power distance, individualism, masculinity, uncertainty avoidance, long-term orientation, and indulgence.

Accepted Answer

This statement is true. Hofstede's Dimensions of National Culture describes these six dimensions as important factors in understanding cultural differences and values across different countries and societies.

Question 8

Casting directors, textbook authors, and retail buyers are all examples of formal gatekeepers in the culture production process.

Accepted Answer

Formal gatekeepers refer to those individuals or organizations that have the power to determine what cultural products are produced and distributed to the masses. Casting directors determine which actors get hired for roles, textbook authors determine what information is presented to students, and retail buyers determine which products are sold in stores, all of which make them formal gatekeepers in the culture production process.

Question 9

Romance novels often follow a cultural formula.

Accepted Answer

Romance novels often follow a cultural formula in terms of plot, character, and setting. There are certain expectations and tropes that readers of the genre look for and enjoy.

Question 10

Which of the following best supports the argument that tourism is a sacred experience?

Accepted Answer

Seeking authentic experiences that differ from daily, mundane activities shows that tourism is more than just a leisure activity, but rather a quest for something deeper and more meaningful. This supports the idea that tourism can be a sacred experience, as it involves a spiritual or emotional connection with a different culture or environment.

Question 11

Passing a driving test to receive a driver's license is an example of a rite of passage.

Accepted Answer

A rite of passage is a ceremony, tradition, or event that marks a significant transition in a person's life. Obtaining a driver's license and being able to legally operate a vehicle is often seen as a rite of passage for teenagers and young adults.

Question 12

The ________ assumes that people link very specific product attributes to terminal values.

Accepted Answer

The means-end chain model assumes that people link specific product attributes to higher level values, or "ends," they hope to achieve through the use of the product. The model argues that marketers should understand this connection and communicate how their products fulfill these higher level values to create stronger brand associations and customer loyalty. Knowledge structure theory is more concerned with how consumers store and organize information about products in their minds, while diffusion of innovation and cultural production system model are broader frameworks for understanding how new ideas and cultural practices spread through society.

Question 13

A style typically begins as a risky or unique statement by a relatively small group of people.

Accepted Answer

This statement is true. Most styles start as a bold or unconventional expression by a small number of individuals before gaining broader acceptance or popularity.

Question 14

Profane consumption involves consumer objects and events that are ordinary.

Accepted Answer

Profane consumption refers to the consumption of ordinary consumer objects and events, as opposed to sacred consumption which involves items or experiences that hold a special symbolic or religious significance.

Question 15

The Macah, a Native American tribe from the Northwest, built functional seagoing canoes that are considered works of art by modern shipbuilders. By definition, these boats would be considered ________.

Accepted Answer

The sentence describes the canoes built by the Macah tribe as "functional," which suggests that they were primarily used for practical purposes rather than as purely aesthetic objects. Additionally, the sentence notes that modern shipbuilders consider them to be "works of art," but it does not say that the Macah tribe intended for them to be seen as such. Therefore, it is most appropriate to consider these canoes to be craft products rather than high art products, low art products, or style and cultural icons (although they may certainly have cultural significance as well).

Question 16

In many cultures, stories feature talking animals that act as mediating figures.

Accepted Answer

Many cultures have traditional stories featuring talking animals who often act as mediating figures between humans and supernatural beings.

Question 17

Thomas and his family recently toured the Gettysburg battlefield on their vacation. The area was rich in history. While walking, Thomas remembered all the accounts of the battle that he had read in school. He finally understood why this place had such a special meaning in American history and to Americans in general. This tour is best classified as an example of ________ consumption.

Accepted Answer

The tour of the Gettysburg battlefield is a sacred consumption as it has a special meaning in American history and to Americans in general, which is associated with cultural values, beliefs, and history.

Question 18

Raymond Chandler wrote classic American detective stories. By always using certain roles for his characters and props that were appropriate to the genre, Chandler's novels followed a(n) ________.

Accepted Answer

Chandler's consistent use of certain roles and props in his detective stories indicates that he was following a cultural formula for the genre.

Question 19

Most holidays commemorate a cultural myth.

Accepted Answer

Most holidays have a story or myth behind them that is celebrated by the culture or community. For example, Christmas celebrates the birth of Jesus Christ, and Halloween commemorates the ancient Celtic festival of Samhain.

Question 20

Kyle liked to think he could program anything digital. He created a new video game, and a major industry firm wanted to buy it from him. He was bothered by their insistence that he modify the game by including a popular product's logo on the clothing of his main character. In this example, Kyle is concerned about the practice of ________.

Accepted Answer

Advergaming is the practice of incorporating advertising messages or products into video games. Kyle is concerned about this practice when the firm wants him to include a popular product's logo on the clothing of his main character.

Quiz 3: Cultural Influences on Consumer Decision-Making