OPELA Cultural Competence and Sensitivity 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A student uses an honorific title when addressing a peer, which others find overly formal. This behavior most likely reflects:
- Arrogance and a desire to appear superior
- A cultural background where formal address is a sign of respect (Correct answer)
- A misunderstanding of American social norms
- An attempt to mock the other student
Correct answer: A cultural background where formal address is a sign of respect
Many cultures use formal titles as a standard sign of respect, and this behavior should be interpreted charitably.
Question 2: Ethnocentrism is best defined as:
- Appreciation for all cultural practices equally
- Judging another culture solely by the standards of one's own culture (Correct answer)
- The study of ethnic groups and their histories
- Learning a second language to communicate with other cultures
Correct answer: Judging another culture solely by the standards of one's own culture
Ethnocentrism involves using one's own culture as the benchmark to evaluate others, often leading to bias.
Question 3: In the US academic context, 'office hours' are generally understood as:
- Mandatory attendance sessions required by all instructors
- Times when students are expected to work in their offices
- Optional times when students can meet instructors for academic support (Correct answer)
- Administrative hours reserved for faculty meetings
Correct answer: Optional times when students can meet instructors for academic support
Office hours are designated times professors are available for student consultations, but international students may be unfamiliar with this informal norm.
Question 4: Which scenario best illustrates a microaggression?
- Asking a colleague to clarify an unfamiliar term
- Asking an Asian-American student 'Where are you really from?' (Correct answer)
- Scheduling a makeup exam for a student who missed class
- Providing written feedback on a draft essay
Correct answer: Asking an Asian-American student 'Where are you really from?'
This question implies the person is not truly American, subtly communicating that they are perpetual foreigners regardless of their nationality.
Question 5: A student from a culture where elders are never questioned openly disagrees with their professor in class. For this student, this action likely represents:
- A normal and expected academic behavior
- A significant cultural adjustment and act of intellectual courage (Correct answer)
- Disrespect that should be discouraged
- Evidence of poor socialization in their home country
Correct answer: A significant cultural adjustment and act of intellectual courage
In cultures with high power distance, openly challenging authority figures is taboo, making this a culturally significant act.
Question 6: When designing a survey for a multicultural student population, researchers should:
- Use culture-specific idioms to make it relatable
- Pilot test the survey across different cultural groups to check for bias (Correct answer)
- Assume Western-validated instruments are universally applicable
- Translate the survey word-for-word into other languages
Correct answer: Pilot test the survey across different cultural groups to check for bias
Pilot testing across cultural groups helps identify items that may be interpreted differently or are culturally biased.
Question 7: The term 'third culture kid' (TCK) refers to someone who:
- Speaks three or more languages fluently
- Grew up in a culture different from their parents' passport culture (Correct answer)
- Has citizenship in three different countries
- Follows a hybrid of three distinct cultural traditions
Correct answer: Grew up in a culture different from their parents' passport culture
TCKs develop a unique 'third culture' by spending significant time during childhood outside their parents' home culture.
OPELA Cultural Competence and Sensitivity 3
A student uses an honorific title when addressing a peer, which others find overly formal.
This behavior most likely reflects: