Question 1

Language doesn't only consist of the words you use with the literal meaning (___________) As we discussed in the Triangle of Meaning, language is symbolic and carries with it interpretive meaning (___________) - even images carry meaning.
A) significant…insignificant
B) accurate…more accurate
C) denotative….connotative
D)connotative…denotative

Accepted Answer

The first blank refers to the literal or dictionary meaning of words, which is described by the term "denotative." The second blank refers to the additional meaning or associations that words carry, which is described by the term "connotative."

Question 2

In Nisbett's famous fish aquarium experiment, he found that East Asians and Westerners identify different orientations when viewing objects. Western orientation is towards __________ and Eastern orientation to the _________. This demonstrates the collective nature of Asians and the individualistic nature of Westerners
A) Surroundings…discrete objects
B) Discrete objects…surroundings
C) Separate objects…similar objects
D) Similar objects….separate surroundings

Accepted Answer

Nisbett found that Westerners tend to focus on discrete objects and their properties, while East Asians tend to focus on the context and surroundings in which objects are situated. Therefore, the Western orientation is towards discrete objects and the Eastern orientation is towards surroundings. This difference in attentional focus is thought to reflect cultural differences in individualism and collectivism.

Question 3

Personal agency was important in the differences between Western and Eastern thought. Personal agency is defined as: The extent to which individuals believe that they can control events that affect them and their destiny. Western personal agency always included
A) Themselves - they were masters of their own destiny
B) Townspeople who influenced them
C) Individuals who influenced them
D) Others - family, village, friends, colleagues who influenced them

Accepted Answer

D

Question 4

In our discussion of Nisbett's research on differences in thought between Eastern and Western cultures, his main hypothesis was
A) People from Eastern and Western cultures have different styles of thought because of the influence of history, philosophy, language, and geography
B) People from Eastern and Western cultures have different genetics
C) People from Eastern and Western cultures are behaviorally different
D) All of the above

Accepted Answer

Nisbett's main hypothesis is that people from Eastern and Western cultures have different styles of thought because of the influence of history, philosophy, language, and geography. He does not suggest that these differences are due to genetics or that they manifest in behavioral differences.

Question 5

Perception - the way you think about or understand someone or something (your impression or image of something). Perceptions of one's reality is more important to us than reality.

Accepted Answer

Our perceptions shape our attitudes, behavior, and decision-making processes, making them more important to us than actual reality.

Question 6

We create mental maps - the process that we use to select, evaluate, and organize information. We disagree with or feel uncomfortable with that which violates our cultural norms.

Accepted Answer

This statement is true. Our cultural norms provide a framework for our mental maps, and information that goes against these norms can be harder to process or accept.

Quiz 7: Culture, Cognition, Reasoning

Language doesn't only consist of the words you use with the literal meaning (_) As we discussed in the Triangle of Meaning, language is symbolic and carries with it interpretive meaning (_) - even images carry meaning.

Personal agency was important in the differences between Western and Eastern thought. Personal agency is defined as: The extent to which individuals believe that they can control events that affect them and their destiny. Western personal agency always included

In our discussion of Nisbett's research on differences in thought between Eastern and Western cultures, his main hypothesis was

Perception - the way you think about or understand someone or something (your impression or image of something). Perceptions of one's reality is more important to us than reality.

We create mental maps - the process that we use to select, evaluate, and organize information. We disagree with or feel uncomfortable with that which violates our cultural norms.