Question 1

While GM found resistance to cubicle office environments in both American and Indian laboratories, the reasons for the discontent differed. Why?
A) The American employees were more concerned about privacy.
B) The American employees were more concerned about energy efficiency.
C) The Indian employees were more concerned about a quiet work environment.
D) The Indian employees were more concerned about status.

Accepted Answer

The answer of While GM found resistance to cubicle office...

Question 2

Which of the following statements best represent the relationship between nonverbal communication and language?
A) Language and nonverbal communication can only be learned simultaneously.
B) Language provides less precise information than nonverbal communication.
C) Nonverbal communication is unconscious to a greater degree than language.
D) Nonverbal communication has less subcultural variation than language.

Accepted Answer

Nonverbal communication is often unconscious or automatic, whereas language requires conscious effort to produce and comprehend. This does not mean that nonverbal communication can only be learned simultaneously with language (A) or that it is inherently more precise than language (B). Additionally, nonverbal communication varies greatly across cultures and subcultures (D), so it is not accurate to say that it has less subcultural variation than language.

Question 3

Imagine that you are responsible for teaching new employees from Mexico about American social customs. With reference to Hall's typology of proxemics described in the chapter, write a short document that informs your new colleagues of American expectations for each category of distance.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Imagine that you are responsible for teaching...

Question 4

Which of the following statements is true of nonverbal communication and social roles?
A) Children use more nonverbal communication than adults.
B) Women are able to read nonverbal cues better than men.
C) Workers use nonverbal communication primarily to display rank.
D) Nonverbal cues are specific to social status within most cultures.

Accepted Answer

Research in psychology and communication studies has consistently found that women, on average, are more adept at interpreting nonverbal cues than men. This skill allows them to be more effective in understanding emotions and intentions without the need for explicit verbal communication.

Question 5

You are a businessperson from the U.S. (a low-context culture) initiating a new relationship with a company in Kuwait (a higher-context culture). Based on this information, describe the culturally appropriate expectations of gift-giving between the two groups.

Accepted Answer

The answer of You are a businessperson from the U.S....

Question 6

Elizabeth Würtz found different strategies for communication on McDonald's websites across cultures. How do these strategies correlate with high-and low-context cultures? Provide examples to support your explanation.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Elizabeth Würtz found different strategies for communication...

Question 7

Explain the appropriate technique for exchanging business cards with colleagues in Korea. What information is conveyed in this transaction, and why is this information important in this cultural context?

Accepted Answer

The answer of Explain the appropriate technique for exchanging business...

Question 8

Why has video conferencing never taken off as a tool for telecommuting in the U.S. and Europe?
A) It is prohibitively expensive.
B) People are concerned about privacy and etiquette.
C) Gestures and facial expressions do not significantly improve communication.
D) Seeing an employee's home through the video is considered inappropriate.

Accepted Answer

People have concerns about privacy and etiquette when using video conferencing for telecommuting. This includes worries about background noise, interruptions, and distractions from family members or pets. Additionally, there may be hesitation around using video technology for sensitive conversations or discussions.

Question 9

What is the key shortcoming of drawings as a form of communication?
A) They are incomplete and may need further explanation.
B) Drawings are informal and therefore not appropriate for business situations.
C) They are of little help with working in multilingual groups.
D) Cultures are so variable that few drawings are mutually understandable.

Accepted Answer

Drawings are a visual form of communication and while they can convey a lot of information, they may not always be complete or clear without further explanation or context.

Question 10

Are facial expressions primarily determined by biology or by culture? After considering the variations and common trends in facial expressions across cultures, make an argument for one side of this nature-nurture debate. Support your position with examples.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Are facial expressions primarily determined by biology...

Quiz 3: Communicating Across Cultures: the Nonverbal Dimension

While GM found resistance to cubicle office environments in both American and Indian laboratories, the reasons for the discontent differed. Why?

Which of the following statements best represent the relationship between nonverbal communication and language?

Imagine that you are responsible for teaching new employees from Mexico about American social customs. With reference to Hall's typology of proxemics described in the chapter, write a short document that informs your new colleagues of American expectations for each category of distance.

Which of the following statements is true of nonverbal communication and social roles?

You are a businessperson from the U.S. (a low-context culture) initiating a new relationship with a company in Kuwait (a higher-context culture). Based on this information, describe the culturally appropriate expectations of gift-giving between the two groups.

Elizabeth Würtz found different strategies for communication on McDonald's websites across cultures. How do these strategies correlate with high-and low-context cultures? Provide examples to support your explanation.

Explain the appropriate technique for exchanging business cards with colleagues in Korea. What information is conveyed in this transaction, and why is this information important in this cultural context?

Why has video conferencing never taken off as a tool for telecommuting in the U.S. and Europe?

What is the key shortcoming of drawings as a form of communication?

Are facial expressions primarily determined by biology or by culture? After considering the variations and common trends in facial expressions across cultures, make an argument for one side of this nature-nurture debate. Support your position with examples.