Question 1

Laura values individualism and personal responsibility in herself and coworkers. These values are typical of North American culture.

Accepted Answer

North American culture, particularly in the United States and Canada, often emphasizes individualism and personal responsibility, reflecting a cultural value system that prioritizes individual rights and self-reliance.

Question 2

Our culture molds the way we think, behave, and communicate.

Accepted Answer

Culture significantly influences our perspectives, behaviors, communication styles, and decision-making processes, shaping our interactions and understanding of the world.

Question 3

Most Americans communicate with business associates at approximately 1½ feet.

Accepted Answer

Most Americans typically maintain a personal distance of about 4 feet for conversations with business associates, which is more than the 1½ feet mentioned.

Question 4

When verbal and nonverbal messages conflict, listeners tend to believe the verbal message.

Accepted Answer

Listeners tend to believe the nonverbal message when there is a conflict between verbal and nonverbal communication, as nonverbal cues are often perceived as more genuine and harder to control or fake.

Question 5

To improve your listening ability, focus both on what is spoken and what is unspoken.

Accepted Answer

Improving listening ability involves paying attention to both verbal communication and non-verbal cues such as body language, tone of voice, and facial expressions, which can provide additional context and understanding.

Question 6

Trying to write down the majority of what a speaker is saying can improve your listening skills.

Accepted Answer

Focusing on writing down the majority of what a speaker is saying can detract from active listening and understanding, as it may lead to missing key points while trying to capture everything verbatim. Active listening involves engaging with the content, asking questions, and summarizing to ensure comprehension, which can be hindered by excessive note-taking.

Question 7

Individuals in high-context cultures prefer direct verbal interaction, value individualism, rely on logic, say "No" directly, and give authority to written information.

Accepted Answer

High-context cultures prioritize indirect communication, value collectivism, rely on context and non-verbal cues, avoid saying "No" directly, and often place more importance on relationships and trust than on written information.

Question 8

Zach's company does business globally. By associating with people from diverse cultures, Zach can widen his knowledge of intercultural messages and can increase his tolerance of differences.

Accepted Answer

Exposure to diverse cultures through global business interactions can enhance understanding of intercultural messages and increase tolerance for differences, as it encourages learning and adaptation to various cultural norms and values.

Question 9

Most communication is nonverbal.

Accepted Answer

Most communication is nonverbal because it includes facial expressions, body language, tone of voice, and gestures, which convey a significant amount of information beyond what is said with words.

Question 10

The physical appearance of your business documents (such as resume and cover letter)transmit important nonverbal messages.

Accepted Answer

The design, layout, and overall presentation of business documents like resumes and cover letters can significantly influence the recipient's perception, conveying professionalism, attention to detail, and the sender's seriousness about the application or communication.

Question 11

Understanding a message involves listening to only the spoken words.

Accepted Answer

Understanding a message involves not only listening to the spoken words but also paying attention to non-verbal cues such as tone of voice, facial expressions, and body language.

Question 12

Communication style is the most important dimension of culture.

Accepted Answer

While communication style is a significant aspect of culture, it is not the most important dimension as culture encompasses a wide range of elements including values, beliefs, practices, customs, and social behaviors, among others.

Question 13

Individuals in Western cultures are more relaxed about social status and the appearance of power.

Accepted Answer

Individuals in Western cultures tend to be more egalitarian and less concerned with social status and the appearance of power compared to individuals in some other cultures.

Question 14

If you want to become a better listener, your first step is to stop talking.

Accepted Answer

Active listening involves focusing fully on the speaker, understanding their message, responding appropriately, and remembering what was said, which requires minimizing one's own speaking to better absorb and comprehend the information being shared.

Question 15

Brooke is listening to a difficult presentation on nanotechnology development. As a good listener, she should ask as many questions as possible during the presentation.

Accepted Answer

Asking too many questions during a presentation can disrupt the flow and might not be appropriate, especially if the presenter has a lot of material to cover. It's often better to note questions and ask them at designated Q&A times or after the presentation.

Question 16

Greg wants to make sure that his posture during his upcoming job interview affirms his interest in the position. To accomplish this, he should lean slightly forward, sit erectly, and maintain eye contact.

Accepted Answer

Leaning slightly forward, sitting erectly, and maintaining eye contact are nonverbal cues that can indicate interest and engagement, which are positive signals in a job interview context.

Question 17

The United States is an example of a low-context culture.

Accepted Answer

In a low-context culture, communication is explicit, and meaning is derived primarily from the words spoken rather than from the context of the conversation or nonverbal cues, which is characteristic of the communication style in the United States.

Question 18

Establishing a receptive mind-set refers to the listener's openness to learn something new.

Accepted Answer

Establishing a receptive mind-set is about the listener being open and willing to listen and learn from what is being communicated, indicating an openness to new ideas or perspectives.

Question 19

North Americans consider time a precious commodity and correlate it with productivity, efficiency, and money.

Accepted Answer

In North American culture, time is often viewed as a valuable resource that is directly linked to productivity, efficiency, and financial success. This perspective emphasizes punctuality, deadlines, and efficient use of time in both professional and personal contexts.

Question 20

Physical barriers to listening include only environmentally produced noises.

Accepted Answer

Physical barriers to listening can include not only environmentally produced noises but also physiological factors such as hearing problems, illness, or fatigue that affect the listener's ability to hear and focus on the message.

Quiz 1: Succeeding in the Mobile and Social Workplace