Question 1

Studies have shown that people often have cultural biases of which they're not even consciously aware.

Accepted Answer

Overcoming ethnocentrism and stereotyping is not a simple task,even for people who are highly motivated to do so.Plus,research suggests that people often have beliefs and biases that they are not even aware of - and that may even conflict with the beliefs they think they have.

Question 2

Companies concerned that religious differences may cause friction among employees

Accepted Answer

B)Religion brings potential for controversy in a work setting.On the one hand,some employees feel they should be able to express their beliefs in the workplace and not be forced to "check their faith at the door." However,companies want to avoid situations in which openly expressed religious differences cause friction between employees or distract them from their responsibilities.Proctor & Gamble,a company admired for its diversity policies,is among the firms that do not allow organized religious activities at their facilities.

Question 3

When writing to audiences whose first language is not English,using plenty of transitions

Accepted Answer

A)Writing clearly is always important,but it is essential when you are writing to people whose first language is not English.One recommendation is to use plenty of transitions.Help readers follow your train of thought by using transitional words and phrases.Talking down would be overenunciating words or oversimplifying sentences.Helping your reader follow your train of thought with transitions will not confuse them and is useful regardless of whether the reader comes from a high or low context culture.

Question 4

Citing numbers and dates

Accepted Answer

D)You should always cite numbers and dates carefully.In the U.S.,12-5-11 means December 5,2011,but in many other countries,it means May 12,2011.Dates in Japan and China are usually expressed with the year first,followed by the month and then the day.Thus,to write December 5,2011,you should write it as 2011-12-05.Similarly,in the U.S.and Great Britain 1.000 means one with three decimal places,but it means one thousand in many European countries.

Question 5

When adapting to business cultures,a sense of humor

Accepted Answer

B)One important guideline for adapting to any business culture is to maintain a sense of humor.A sense of humor is a helpful asset,allowing people to move past awkward and embarrassing moments.When you make a mistake,simply apologize and if appropriate,ask the other person to explain the accepted way,and then move on.In some situations,humor is inappropriate in the workplace.But,regardless of your position or culture,if used carefully and judiciously,it can help.

Question 6

Although U.S.business is becoming more international and more culturally diverse,intercultural skills are still low on the list of companies' employee requirements.

Accepted Answer

Today's increasingly diverse workforce encompasses a wide range of skills,traditions,backgrounds,experiences,outlooks,and attitudes toward work - all of which can affect communication.Supervisors face the challenge of connecting with these diverse employees,motivating them,and fostering cooperation and harmony among them.Over the past few decades,many innovative companies have changed the way they approach diversity,from seeing it as a legal requirement to seeing it as a strategic opportunity to connect with customers and take advantage of the broadest possible pool of talent.

Question 7

Most people belong to only one culture.

Accepted Answer

Culture is a shared system of symbols,beliefs,attitudes,values,expectations,and norms for behavior.In addition to the culture you share with all the people who live in your country,you belong to other cultural groups,including an ethnic group,possibly a religious group,and perhaps a profession that has its own special language and customs.Many regions of a country also have a specific culture.

Question 8

Compared to younger employees,older workers

Accepted Answer

C)Older workers can offer broader experience,the benefits of important business relationships nurtured over many years,and high degrees of "practical intelligence" - the ability to solve complex,poorly defined problems.In U.S.culture,age is sometimes associated with declining powers and the inability to keep pace.However,in many Asian societies,the oldest employees hold the most powerful jobs,the most impressive titles,and the greatest degrees of freedom and decision making authority.Today's workplaces can have three or even four generations working side by side.Each of these generations has been shaped by dramatically different world events,social trends,and technological advances,so it is not surprising that they often have different values,expectations,and communication habits.

Question 9

If you are preparing to conduct business with others from a different culture,

Accepted Answer

D)Even a small amount of research and practice will help you get through many business situations.In addition,most people respond positively to honest effort and good intentions and many business associates will help you along if you show an interest in learning more about their cultures.You will gradually accumulate considerable knowledge,which will help you feel comfortable and be effective in a wide range of business situations.There is no minimum amount of time or effort that must be spent to understand another's culture.

Question 10

Culture is inborn,not learned.

Accepted Answer

People learn culture directly and indirectly from other members of their group.As you grow up in a culture,you are taught by the group's members who you are and how best to function in that culture.Sometimes you are explicitly told which behaviors are acceptable; at other times you learn by observing which values work best in a particular group.In these ways,culture is passed on from person to person and from generation to generation.

Question 11

Cultural context refers to the pattern of physical cues,environmental stimuli,and implicit understanding that conveys meaning between members of the same culture.

Accepted Answer

Every attempt at communication occurs within a cultural context - the pattern of physical cues,environmental stimuli,and implicit understanding that convey meaning between two members of the same culture.In a high-context culture,people rely less on verbal communication and more on the context of nonverbal actions and environmental setting to convey meaning.In a low-context culture such as the U.S.,people rely more on verbal communication and less on circumstances and cues to convey meaning.

Question 12

Ability differences among employees and customers

Accepted Answer

A)Colleagues and customers with disabilities that affect communication represent an important aspect of the diversity picture.People whose hearing,vision,cognitive ability,or physical ability to operate electronic devices is impaired can be at a significant disadvantage in today's workplace.To help,designers can emphasize web accessability,taking steps to make websites more accessible to people whose vision is limited.Employers can invest in a variety of assistive technologies that help people with disabilities perform activities that might otherwise be difficult or impossible.Those technologies include devices and systems that help workers communicate orally and visually,interact with computers and other equipment,and enjoy greater mobility in the workplace.There are eight main types of cultural differences: contextual,legal and ethical,social,nonverbal,age,gender,religious,and ability.

Question 13

Ethnocentrism is the tendency to have an equally unbiased view of all ethnic groups.

Accepted Answer

Ethnocentrism is the tendency to judge other groups according to the standards,behaviors,and customs of one's own group.Given the automatic influence of one's own culture,when people compare their culture to others,they often conclude that their own group is superior.

Question 14

In conversations with a nonnative English speaker with whom you have a longstanding business relationship,you notice that he consistently makes language mistakes that could hurt his credibility.In response,you should

Accepted Answer

C)Everyone can contribute to successful intercultural communication.For example,if a nonnative English speaker is making mistakes that could hurt his or her credibility,you can offer advice on the appropriate words and phrases to use.Most language learners truly appreciate this sort of assistance as long as it is offered in a respectful manner.Plus,chances are that while you are helping,you will learn something about the other person's culture and language too.

Question 15

International business communication has been hampered by tightening trade barriers throughout the world.

Accepted Answer

Because of communication and transportation technologies,natural boundaries and national borders are no longer the impassable barriers they once were.Local markets are opening to worldwide competition as businesses of all sizes look for new growth opportunities outside their own countries.Thousands of U.S.businesses depend on exports for significant portions of their revenues.

Question 16

In conversations with others whose first language is not English,you should

Accepted Answer

A)As a listener,you will need some practice to get a sense of vocal patterns.The key is simply to accept what you hear first,without jumping to conclusions about meaning or motivation.Let other people finish what they have to say.If you interrupt,you may miss something important.You will also show a lack of respect.If you don't understand a comment,ask the person to repeat it.

Question 17

Members of low-context cultures place more emphasis on nonverbal communication than on verbal communication.

Accepted Answer

In a low-context culture such as the U.S.,people rely more on verbal communication and less on circumstances and cues to convey meaning.In such cultures,rules and expectations are usually spelled out through explicit statements such as "Please wait until I'm finished" or "You're welcome to browse." The primary task of communication in low-context cultures is exchanging information.

Question 18

A group of men and women of various ages working together is an example of cultural diversity.

Accepted Answer

Cultural diversity can include race,age,military experience,parental status,thinking style,gender,ethnic background,sexual orientation,physical ability,and economic status.This is an example of diversity in gender and age.

Question 19

When ethnocentric people stereotype an entire group of people,they are usually justified in doing so.

Accepted Answer

Distorted views of other cultures or groups can result from stereotyping - assigning a wide range of generalized attributes to an individual on the basis of membership in a particular culture or social group.For example,assuming that an older colleague will be out of touch with the youth market and thinking that a younger colleague cannot be an inspiring leader are examples of stereotyping age groups.

Question 20

Which of the following is not a common nonverbal difference among various cultures?

Accepted Answer

E)Nonverbal communication can be a reliable guide to determining the meaning of a message - but this situation holds true only if the sender and receiver assign the same meaning to nonverbal signals.Even the simplest hand gestures can mean two different things in Brazil and Colombia.The best advice is to observe the way people behave in the following areas: greetings,personal space,touching,facial expressions,eye contact,posture,and formality.

Quiz 3: Communicating in a World of Diversity