FREE Bachelor of Communication: Intercultural Competency Questions and Answers
In what culture do people who work for someone else see themselves as equals to their bosses?
In a culture with low-power distance, individuals who work for someone else tend to view themselves as equals to their bosses, emphasizing a more egalitarian approach to relationships and hierarchy.
Which one of these countries does NOT have a high context culture?
The answer is "Germany." Germany does not have a high context culture. High context cultures are characterized by indirect communication and reliance on contextual cues, whereas Germany tends to have a more low context communication style, which is direct and explicit in nature.
In a high-context culture, people are expected to talk to each other in a direct, clear, and direct way.
The correct answer is "False." In a high-context culture, communication tends to be more indirect and relies on contextual cues and shared understanding. People in high-context cultures often rely on implicit communication and understand meaning through context, relationships, and nonverbal cues. Therefore, being direct, clear, and explicit is not the norm in high-context cultures.
Cultures with a high level of context are more likely to ____________?
The correct answer is "value group membership." In high-context cultures, such as many Asian and Middle Eastern cultures, the emphasis is often placed on strong social relationships and group cohesion. People from these cultures tend to rely on implicit communication, unspoken cues, and shared background knowledge. This approach to communication values understanding the context and group dynamics, making group membership and relationships crucial in interpreting messages accurately.
People who grow up in this kind of culture learn that everyone is equal and that no one or group should have too much power.
The answer is "Low power distance culture." In a low power distance culture, individuals are socialized to value equality and minimize hierarchical differences. This means that people believe in equal distribution of power and that no individual or group should hold excessive authority. It encourages open communication, collaboration, and a sense of shared decision-making among all members of society.
An individual's culture is based on his or her ethnicity.
The answer is "False." A person's culture is not solely determined by their ethnicity. While ethnicity can play a role in shaping one's cultural background, culture is a broader concept that encompasses various factors including language, religion, customs, values, and more. People from the same ethnic background can have diverse cultural experiences and practices based on other factors such as upbringing, environment, and personal choices.
Which nonverbal communication skill is universal, meaning that everyone uses it the same way?
The correct answer is "Facial expressions." Facial expressions are a non-verbal communication skill that is considered largely universal across cultures. Certain facial expressions, like happiness, sadness, anger, and surprise, tend to convey similar meanings and emotions regardless of cultural background. This universality suggests that certain facial expressions are innate and recognized by humans across different cultures, making them a reliable form of non-verbal communication.
Which of these represents a culture with little regard for context?
The correct answer is "Germany." In a low-context culture like Germany, communication tends to be more explicit and relies heavily on the actual words spoken rather than on contextual cues or shared background knowledge. This means that people from such cultures often value clear and direct communication where information is conveyed explicitly, without much reliance on underlying context or unspoken assumptions.
The way that people learn about the culture of their own group through social interaction, experience, observation, and instruction.
The way that people learn about the culture of their own group through social interaction, experience, observation, and instruction.
Which of these is not a way to improve effectiveness across cultures?
The correct answer is "Work in teams." While working in teams can provide opportunities for collaboration and diverse perspectives, it is not necessarily a strategy specifically aimed at improving intercultural effectiveness. The other options, such as being open-minded, curbing ethnocentrism, and understanding stereotyping, are more directly related to developing the necessary skills and mindset for effective communication and interaction across cultures.
Hofstede's five dimensions of culture are as follows, EXCEPT;
The answer is "in-group collectivism." Hofstede's dimensions of culture include power distance, femininity vs. masculinity, and individualism vs. collectivism. "In-group collectivism" is not one of the specific dimensions outlined by Hofstede in his cultural framework.
Which aspect of culture is the most important?
The key dimension of culture encompasses all of these factors: individualism, power distance, and time orientation. These elements collectively contribute to understanding and analyzing cultural differences and dynamics in intercultural communication.
Which of these nations has a history of valuing collectivism?
The correct answer is "India." India tends to value collectivism, which is a cultural orientation that prioritizes group harmony, cooperation, and shared goals over individual achievements. In collectivist cultures, like India, people often identify strongly with their families, communities, and social groups, and decisions are often made with the well-being of the group in mind. This stands in contrast to individualistic cultures that emphasize personal autonomy and independence.
Germany, Japan, and Italy are some of the countries that have adopted the culture of ________?
The correct answer is "Masculine." These countries, including Germany, Japan, and Italy, tend to have cultures that emphasize values traditionally associated with masculinity, such as competition, assertiveness, and achievement. This cultural orientation values success, ambition, and material possessions, which are often seen as indicators of status and accomplishment.
Which one of them is the right one?
The correct answer is "None of them." Culture is learned, it does have inherent logic and often combines both visible and invisible aspects. These statements reflect misconceptions about culture, while in reality, culture is a complex and multifaceted concept that encompasses various dimensions and influences human behavior, beliefs, and values.
The idea that people outside of a group have about what people in that group are like before they meet them.
The correct answer is "Stereotypes." Stereotypes refer to the preconceived and often oversimplified beliefs or views that individuals who are not part of a certain group hold about the characteristics and behaviors of that group. Stereotypes can be based on various factors, including ethnicity, nationality, gender, and more. They may not accurately represent the diversity and complexity of individuals within a particular group and can lead to biased judgments and misunderstandings.