C464 Module 3: Culture and Cultural Differences

Due to the large population of Vietnamese Americans living in California, it is very important for individuals from other cultures to understand the cultural attributes of Vietnamese Americans. In the Vietnamese-American culture, direct eye contact is encouraged and a smile is an appropriate expression for "thank you." Does this describe high context or low context communication? Low Context High Context Correct. High-context communicators often use nonverbal messages to convey messages.

High Context

In the Vietnamese American culture, disagreeing with a person in an authoritative position is not acceptable. Does this describe high power or low power distance? Low Power Distance High Power Distance Correct. High power distance cultures respect authority positions and do not challenge the leadership.

High Power Distance

Which of the following statements on co-cultures is NOT correct? Co-cultures can have an influence on how we spend our time and money. One's affiliation as a Hispanic American is not an example of one's co-culture. Co-cultures are smaller groups within the general culture.

One's affiliation as a Hispanic American is not an example of one's co-culture.

British anthropologist Edward B. Tylor first introduced the concept of culture in the 1800s. How is today's society different? The features and patterns of common life are more significantly differentiated based on many things, including geography, education, careers, and social status. Today's societies are less complex and diverse than they were in Tylor's time. In the 1800s, there were a large number of educated individuals and very few industrial workers. Correct. Today's contemporary American society is more significantly differentiated based on numerous cultural features, themes, and patterns.

The features and patterns of common life are more significantly differentiated based on many things, including geography, education, careers, and social status.

Which of the following is NOT one of the primary characteristics of culture and co-cultural memberships affecting human communication? Individualism and collectivism power and lack of power masculinity and femininity Correct. One of the five primary characteristics is low power distance and high power distance. Members of cultures with a high power distance orientation are unlikely to question the actions of people with a lot of power. In low power distance cultures, people tend to communicate in ways that promote equality and diminish the barriers between people.

power and lack of power

Within a feminine culture, it is acceptable for both men and women to be egotistical and success-oriented. competitive and assertive. supportive and relationship-oriented. Incorrect. Feminine cultures are focused on equality, consensus, and quality of working lives.

supportive and relationship-oriented.

In the Vietnamese-American culture, quality of life is a sign of success. Does this describe a culture of masculinity or femininity? Masculinity Femininity Correct. Vietnamese Americans value the quality of life as success, as opposed to standing out based on achievements.

Femininity

While visiting friends in Japan, Janice removes her shoes prior to entering a home to show respect to the host. Which of the following strategies of competent intercultural communication is Janet exemplifying in this scenario? Adapt to the norms of the host culture. Conduct research on your host culture. Set pre-existing biases aside. Correct. Look for cues in behavior to determine what is appropriate and adapt to the norms of the host culture.

Adapt to the norms of the host culture.

Which of the following statements about the role of culture in communication is correct? Communicators in masculine cultures emphasize their expertise and speak assertively. High context communicators do not rely on environmental cues and struggle to grasp what is being communicated. Polychronic individuals have a difficult time leaving work early to attend a family function or work on a weekend.

Communicators in masculine cultures emphasize their expertise and speak assertively.

Which of the following statements about the role of culture in communication is correct? Communicators in masculine cultures emphasize their expertise and speak assertively. High context communicators do not rely on environmental cues and struggle to grasp what is being communicated. Polychronic individuals have a difficult time leaving work early to attend a family function or work on a weekend. Correct. Masculine cultures value achievement, competitiveness, direct communication, and a forceful demeanor.

Communicators in masculine cultures emphasize their expertise and speak assertively.

Which of the following best describes culture? Cultural behaviors are not shared. These behaviors are individualistic. Culture reflects one's values, beliefs, lifestyles, preferences, rules, and behavior patterns. Culture is associated with one's biology. Correct. Cultural behaviors, such as what we eat, how we express emotion and what we believe in, are learned from the groups with which we identify and interact.

Culture reflects one's values, beliefs, lifestyles, preferences, rules, and behavior patterns.

Ethnocentrism refers to the belief that one's own culture and lifestyle are superior to all others. Which of the following is UNTRUE of ethnocentrism and communication styles. Ethnocentric attitudes tend to diminish when we realize that a communicator is not necessarily working from their own cultural beliefs and practices. Ethnocentric attitudes do not have an influence on communication styles. Ethnocentric beliefs can limit your ability to communicate competently. Incorrect. When we begin to understand that a communicator's style may not be a purposeful effort to be difficult or different, but instead may be reflective of deeply held cultural-value practices, our own ethnocentric attitudes may diminish.

Ethnocentric attitudes do not have an influence on communication styles.

Which of the following best describes a co-culture? Our co-cultural memberships don't affect the way we approach dating, marriage, friendship, and relationships with people at work. Examples of co-cultures in the U.S. include Southerners, college students, engineers, the Amish, Denver Broncos fans, Mormons, artists, Marines, and pet owners. We can only identify with one co-culture. Correct. Co-cultures reflect the unique beliefs, ways of thinking, communication patterns and styles, and customs of members of particular groups that exist within the umbrella culture.

Examples of co-cultures in the U.S. include Southerners, college students, engineers, the Amish, Denver Broncos fans, Mormons, artists, Marines, and pet owners.

Drew is a native of Ohio. He has accepted a position at his company's headquarters in Austria, where he will be tasked with public speaking engagements to promote his company's services throughout the country. How can Drew adapt his speeches to accommodate Austria's masculine culture? Include statistics of his company's product or service and provide information on how his company compares to the competition in quarterly sales. Build rapport with the audience to establish a personal relationship. Hold a panel discussion to determine the best marketing campaign for the company's service.

Include statistics of his company's product or service and provide information on how his company compares to the competition in quarterly sales.

Drew is a native of Ohio. He has accepted a position at his company's headquarters in Austria, where he will be tasked with public speaking engagements to promote his company's services throughout the country. How can Drew adapt his speeches to accommodate Austria's masculine culture? Include statistics of his company's product or service and provide information on how his company compares to the competition in quarterly sales. Build rapport with the audience to establish a personal relationship. Hold a panel discussion to determine the best marketing campaign for the company's service. Correct. Masculine cultures are driven by competition and achievement. Incorporating statistics and comparing performance would be valued in a masculine culture.

Include statistics of his company's product or service and provide information on how his company compares to the competition in quarterly sales.

In the Vietnamese-American culture, individuals do not take appointment times literally. Does this describe a monochronism or polychronism culture? Monochronism Polychronism Incorrect. Vietnamese Americans are flexible with their time.

Monochronism

Which of the following is a true statement about the dimensions of culture? People of monochronic cultures tend to like doing one thing at a time. Polychronic people tend to like working on multiple things at one time. Members of individualistic cultures take care of one another, avoid competition with other group members, and collaborate with respect and deference. In high power distance cultures, people tend to communicate in ways that promote equality and diminish the barriers of status and rank. Correct. Monochronic people rarely cancel plans, tend to be very structured in their use of time and time lines, and can be highly irritated by interruptions or delays. Polychronic people are flexible in terms of starting times for appointments and deadlines. They change plans and priorities easily, and the border between work or professional time and family or personal time is fluid for them.

People of monochronic cultures tend to like doing one thing at a time. Polychronic people tend to like working on multiple things at one time.

Which of the following strategies would be effective for ensuring competent intercultural communication prior to visiting another country? Visit the U.S. State Department website to conduct research. Reflect on and confirm your pre-existing biases regarding the host culture. Look for cues about appropriate behavior and adapt to the norms of the host culture. Correct. Prior to visiting another country, you can access cultural information on the U.S. State Department website.

Visit the U.S. State Department website to conduct research.

Which of the following strategies would be effective for ensuring competent intercultural communication prior to visiting another country? Visit the U.S. State Department website to conduct research. Reflect on and confirm your pre-existing biases regarding the host culture. Look for cues about appropriate behavior and adapt to the norms of the host culture. Incorrect. Prior to visiting the country, you should conduct research on the cultural norms by visiting the U.S. State Department website.

Visit the U.S. State Department website to conduct research.

Intercultural communication skills are now more important than ever because of _______. globalization ethnocentrism Correct. Globalization has enabled businesses and organizations to collaborate globally through improvements in technology and transportation, which has led to more awareness of cultural differences.

globalization

Visitors to a religious shrine might not speak of their deep faith, but their silence serves as_________. low-context communication. high-context communication. Correct. High-context communicators use nonverbal cues to convey awareness of an environment.

high-context communication.