Question 1

Scholars suggests that all human beings share common experiences and values,regardless of intercultural differences.According to linguist and scholar Steven Pinker,what is a virtue that seems to be present to some degree across the globe?

Accepted Answer

According to the question, scholars suggest that all human beings share common experiences and values. The statement that "it is bad to harm others and good to help them" is a universal ethical principle that seems to be present to some degree across the globe.

Question 2

The selection committee is looking over the résumé of Abdul Ishtar,an applicant for the Dean of the College position.His records show he was born and raised in South Yemen,but has lived in the U.S.for the past 25 years.He has chaired the psychology department of a regional university for the past 12 years and his letters of recommendation are excellent.Some committee members express concern about the ability of a man raised in an Islamic culture to treat women fairly and objectively.Their resistance results in his exclusion as a finalist.Which barrier to effective interpersonal communication does this example reflect?

Accepted Answer

The committee's concern about Abdul Ishtar's ability to treat women fairly and objectively based solely on his cultural background reflects stereotyping and prejudice, which are barriers to effective interpersonal communication. This assumption is unfair and discriminatory. The other options (ethnocentrism, different communication codes, and assuming similarity) are not as relevant to this scenario as stereotyping and prejudice.

Question 3

Paras,a Southern Baptist,attended Mass at her boyfriend William's Roman Catholic church.During the service she didn't know when to stand,sit,or kneel;she didn't know the words to most of what the congregation recited aloud from memory;and she decided just to stay in her seat when William went to receive the Eucharist.By remaining at the service despite being confused and uncomfortable,which strategy for developing motivation did Paras seem to employ?

Accepted Answer

Paras seemed to tolerate the ambiguity of the unfamiliar Catholic service by staying and observing even though she was confused and uncomfortable. She did not let her lack of knowledge prevent her from attending the service with her boyfriend. This is an example of her using the strategy of tolerating ambiguity to develop her motivation.

Question 4

When Coors implemented its "turn it loose" marketing campaign in Spain,the result was a colloquial term for diarrhea.Which barrier to communication did the marketing team fail to overcome?

Accepted Answer

The marketing team failed to overcome different communication codes by not realizing that "turn it loose" had a colloquial meaning in Spain that was different from what was intended.

Question 5

Which barrier to effective intercultural communication is involved when Maddox,an American exchange student,is confused when his British host mother tells him to put the luggage in the "boot"?

Accepted Answer

Maddox is experiencing a difference in communication codes, as "boot" is British English for the American English "trunk."

Question 6

The theory that suggests that all people adapt their behavior to others to some extent is __________.

Accepted Answer

The theory that suggests that all people adapt their behavior to others to some extent is communication accommodation. This theory suggests that when people communicate, they adjust their speech, their vocal patterns, and their gestures to either match or contrast with the people they are interacting with.

Question 7

A confirmation class from the local Methodist church visited a nearby synagogue to experience worship from a different perspective.The synagogue provided the group with a guide.The guide explained what would happen during the service,showed them where to sit,how to respond at different times during the service,and was available afterwards to answer any questions.The participants here demonstrated their commitment to which strategy for improving intercultural communication?

Accepted Answer

The participants demonstrated their commitment to developing knowledge by learning about the practices and customs of a different culture through direct experience and guidance.

Question 8

Several researchers suggest that one of the best ways to enhance understanding when communicating over a period of time with someone from a different cultural background is to develop __________.

Accepted Answer

Developing a third culture involves creating a shared understanding and set of practices that incorporate elements from both cultures, facilitating better communication and understanding.

Question 9

Alexi is from the Netherlands and has made every attempt to "fit in" with her new American friends.While they may not be consciously aware of it,those friends have also been trying to adapt to Alexi's communication behaviors.This example demonstrates __________.

Accepted Answer

The communication accommodation theory posits that people adjust their communication styles to accommodate others during social interactions. This is exactly what is happening in the given scenario, as Alexi is adjusting her communication behavior to fit in with her American friends and they are likely doing the same in response.

Question 10

After receiving a bad grade on his chemistry exam,Liam decided to __________ by improving his studying habits in the hopes of scoring better on the next test.

Accepted Answer

Liam is reacting to his bad grade by trying to improve his studying habits for the next test. This shows that he is adapting reactively.

Question 11

Parker believes everything about America is better than anywhere else,and is especially proud of American culture.Parker may be said to be __________.

Accepted Answer

Parker's belief that America is superior and his pride in American culture indicate that he is ethnocentric, meaning he values his own culture above all others.

Question 12

Which idea suggests that the more contact you have with someone who is different from you,the more positive regard you will have for that person?

Accepted Answer

The contact hypothesis suggests that the more contact individuals have with people who are different from them, the more their attitudes towards that group will become positive. This idea is supported by research and is often used as a strategy to reduce prejudice and increase intergroup cooperation. Accommodation theory refers to the process of adjusting one's communication style to match that of the person they are interacting with. Intercultural communication competence theory focuses on developing skills to effectively communicate across cultural differences. Ethnocentrism is the belief that one's own culture is superior to others.

Question 13

Frederique is the leader of a country in which citizens tend to have a low tolerance for uncertainty.Which action should Frederique undertake to make his people feel most secure?

Accepted Answer

Enforcing rigid rules and elaborate codes of conduct can provide a sense of structure and predictability, which can make people with low tolerance for uncertainty feel more secure. Informal expectations or a laissez-faire leadership approach could lead to ambiguity and confusion, causing further anxiety. Allowing issues to sort themselves out naturally could also amplify uncertainty, as there would be no clear guidance for how to handle them.

Question 14

What skill is involved when you take into account the other person's thoughts,feelings,values,background,and overall perspective when communicating?

Accepted Answer

Social decentering involves considering the perspective of the other person and taking into account their thoughts, feelings, values, and background when communicating. This skill helps to promote understanding and avoid misunderstandings or miscommunication. Negative judgments and causal attribution may be involved in communication, but they are not specifically focused on understanding the other person's perspective. Enculturation refers to the process by which individuals learn and adopt the cultural practices and values of their society, which may influence their communication style, but it is not directly related to considering the other person's perspective.

Question 15

Communication researcher Milton Bennett calls the ultimate other-oriented principle the "Platinum Rule," which states: __________.

Accepted Answer

The Platinum Rule emphasizes the importance of understanding and respecting others' preferences and needs by treating them how they want to be treated, rather than assuming they want to be treated as we would want to be treated (as in the Golden Rule).

Question 16

Jamal is visiting Norway as a Rotary exchange student.Shortly after his arrival there,he began to feel confused,anxious,and stressed,causing him to question the wisdom of committing himself to this exchange.Based upon Jamal's reaction,what is he most likely experiencing?

Accepted Answer

Jamal is most likely experiencing culture shock, which is a common reaction when individuals are exposed to a new culture that is significantly different from their home culture. Symptoms of culture shock can include confusion, anxiety, and stress, which are all feelings that Jamal is experiencing. Ethnocentrism refers to viewing one's own cultural group as superior to others, so it is not relevant in this situation. Intercultural communication and enculturation are related topics, but they do not describe Jamal's current experience of culture shock.

Question 17

What term describes a judgment formed about someone before you know all the facts or background information?

Accepted Answer

Prejudice is defined as a preconceived judgment or opinion formed without just grounds or before sufficient knowledge. Discrimination refers to the negative treatment of individuals based on specific characteristics, and caricature refers to a comically exaggerated representation of someone or something. Communication code refers to a system of signals used to communicate a message. Therefore, the best choice is C, prejudice.

Question 18

Haile celebrates Christmas each year,while her husband,Pietro,grew up celebrating Hanukkah.During their first winter season together,the couple observed a common theme between both traditions,gift giving;cooked food that was representative of both traditions;and listened to jazz music rather than traditional holiday music.Which strategy does this best demonstrate for adapting communication?

Accepted Answer

The couple developed a "third culture" by finding commonalities between their different holiday traditions and creating new traditions that combined elements from both cultures.

Question 19

Which element of intercultural competence is defined as an internal state of readiness to respond to something?

Accepted Answer

Motivation is the internal state of readiness to respond to something, driving individuals to engage in intercultural interactions.

Question 20

Svetlana and Kyla have a close friendship despite the fact that the leader of Svetlana's country has labeled Kyla's country as an enemy.Which suggestion to avoid ethnocentrism does this demonstrate?

Accepted Answer

By maintaining their friendship despite the political tensions between their countries, Svetlana and Kyla are separating politics from the person and avoiding ethnocentrism. They are not letting their government's stance towards each other get in the way of their personal relationship.

Quiz 4: Interpersonal Communication and Diversity: Adapting to Others