Cross-Cultural Conflict & Diversity Management Flashcards

In high power-distance cultures, workplace conflicts are typically:

Answer: Deferred to authority figures rather than resolved between peers

In high power-distance cultures, hierarchical authority is respected, so subordinates typically defer to superiors to resolve conflicts rather than addressing them directly with peers.

'Intercultural competence' in conflict management refers to:

Answer: The ability to communicate effectively and appropriately with people from different cultures

Intercultural competence is the ability to interact effectively and appropriately with people from different cultural backgrounds, including adapting communication styles and resolving conflicts respectfully.

Which approach is MOST effective when managing conflict between team members from collectivist cultures?

Answer: Focusing on group harmony and involving respected community or team leaders

In collectivist cultures, group harmony and community relationships take priority, so resolution strategies that preserve group cohesion and involve trusted representatives are most effective.

'Stereotype threat' in cross-cultural conflict situations refers to:

Answer: The fear of confirming a negative stereotype about one's cultural group

Stereotype threat is the psychological burden of fearing one's behavior might confirm a negative stereotype about one's group, which can increase anxiety and inhibit effective communication in conflict situations.

'Code-switching' in cross-cultural communication means:

Answer: Adjusting language, behavior, and presentation style to fit different cultural contexts

Code-switching involves adapting one's language, tone, behavior, or communication style to suit different cultural settings, enabling more effective cross-cultural interaction.

In conflict resolution, indirect communication is MOST associated with which cultural orientation?

Answer: High-context, collectivist cultures

High-context collectivist cultures rely on indirect communication, where meaning is embedded in context, nonverbal signals, and relationships rather than in explicit verbal statements.

What is the primary risk of applying a single universal conflict resolution model across all cultures?

Answer: It may ignore culturally specific values, leading to ineffective or harmful outcomes

A one-size-fits-all approach overlooks the diversity of cultural values, communication norms, and conflict expectations, potentially making interventions ineffective or counterproductive.