Question 1

Which is NOT one of the characteristics of the worldview of most Americans?

Accepted Answer

Most Americans tend to view nature as something to be mastered and exploited rather than seeing the natural and civilized worlds as closely related and unified. This contrasts with the worldview in some other cultures that emphasize harmony with nature.

Question 2

Effort-optimism means:

Accepted Answer

Effort-optimism is the belief that hard work will lead to success, encapsulating the idea that effort is rewarded.

Question 3

Which is characteristic of mainstream American views of communication?

Accepted Answer

In mainstream American views of communication, expressing personal feelings in close relationships is encouraged as a way to foster intimacy and understanding. This contrasts with cultures that may prioritize harmony and non-disclosure of personal feelings to maintain group cohesion.

Question 4

A call-and-response pattern is:

Accepted Answer

Call-and-response is an interaction pattern where the speaker's statements are followed by responses from the listener, often found in various cultural, musical, and religious contexts.

Question 5

Sounding is:

Accepted Answer

Sounding is a game of verbal insults, often used as a form of social interaction or competition.

Question 6

People brought up in the culture of poverty tend to believe:

Accepted Answer

The concept of the "culture of poverty" suggests that people living in poverty often adopt a present-oriented mindset because the future seems uncertain or unchangeable. This can lead to a focus on living for the moment rather than planning for the future.

Question 7

Which is NOT a characteristic of prejudice?

Accepted Answer

Prejudice is typically based on stereotypes and generalized beliefs about a group rather than individual experiences with members of that out-group.

Question 8

Which is NOT one of the cognitive models associated with prejudice?

Accepted Answer

Objective experimentation is not a cognitive model associated with prejudice. Cognitive models associated with prejudice, such as discounting, negative interpretation, and exaggeration, involve biased processing of information about others. Objective experimentation, by contrast, refers to a method of inquiry in science and research aiming for impartiality and accuracy, not a model of prejudice.

Question 9

When Tom sees his friends sitting in the sun drinking, he sees them relaxing. When he sees out-group members doing the same, he sees their behavior as lazy and shiftless. This is an example of:

Accepted Answer

This is an example of negative interpretation, where Tom interprets the same behavior differently based on whether the individuals are part of his in-group (friends) or out-group, assigning a negative trait (laziness) to the out-group for the same behavior he sees positively in his in-group (relaxing).

Question 10

When Alvin finds out an outgroup member is intelligent and successful, he dismisses this as an exception that proves the role that outgroup members are generally unintelligent failures. This is an example of:

Accepted Answer

This is an example of discounting because Alvin is dismissing evidence that contradicts his negative stereotype about the outgroup, treating the example of an intelligent and successful outgroup member as an exception rather than reconsidering his generalization.

Question 11

When Julie sees outgroup members having a friendly argument, she interprets it as a violent fight. This is an example of:

Accepted Answer

The answer of When Julie sees outgroup members having a...

Question 12

The biased cognitive model whereby people attribute out-group members' negative behaviors to dispositional rather than situational causes is an example of:

Accepted Answer

The fundamental attribution error is a cognitive bias that describes the tendency for individuals to attribute others' actions to their character or personality, while underestimating the influence of situational factors. This is particularly common when evaluating the behavior of out-group members, leading to an overemphasis on dispositional causes for their negative behaviors.

Question 13

Which is NOT a way prejudices are communicated?

Accepted Answer

Prejudices are often communicated through news items that encourage fear of out-group members and by ignoring everyday topics related to out-group members, rather than giving them too much coverage. Too much coverage would likely increase familiarity, which can reduce prejudice, not a typical way prejudices are communicated.

Question 14

Which of the following kinds of comment was NOT seen as offensive by the people interviewed by Jack Daniels?

Accepted Answer

All the comments listed were considered offensive by the people interviewed by Jack Daniels, as they all imply a lack of understanding or a dismissive attitude towards the experiences of the individuals of a certain race.

Question 15

Which is NOT a barrier to cross-cultural communication?

Accepted Answer

All options listed (assuming everyone is similar, overemphasizing differences through polarization, and ethnocentrism) are indeed barriers to effective cross-cultural communication, making D the correct choice as none of these options are exceptions.

Question 16

Which is true of individualist cultures?

Accepted Answer

Individualist cultures emphasize personal freedom and creativity, valuing individual achievements and self-expression.

Question 17

The colonial period was characterized by which of the following?

Accepted Answer

During the colonial period, personal space and privacy were severely limited due to the communal living arrangements and the architectural designs of homes. The emphasis was on community and shared responsibilities rather than individual privacy.

Question 18

Which is true of colonial America?

Accepted Answer

In colonial America, standards of cleanliness and behavior were quite different from today's norms. Practices and behaviors that might be considered rude or crude by contemporary standards were more commonplace. This reflects the broader historical context of changing social norms and practices over time.

Question 19

Which is true of the early industrial period?

Accepted Answer

Industrialization first occurred in the late 18th and early 19th centuries, starting in Britain, not the early 20th century. This period was marked by significant social and economic changes, including a shift from agrarian societies to industrial urban centers. This led many young men and women to leave their rural communities in search of work and better opportunities in the cities, making option B correct. The era was also characterized by significant social upheaval and insecurity due to rapid changes, contradicting the notion that people were extremely self-confident and secure.

Question 20

Which is true of the 19th-century home?

Accepted Answer

In the 19th century, American society was characterized by a distinct separation of spheres, where men were seen as the breadwinners and public figures, and women were seen as the caretakers of the home and moral guardians. This division underscored the belief in different roles and spaces for men and women, with the home being a central aspect of women's sphere.

Quiz 13: Interpersonal Communication Culture and Change