Intercultural Communication Chapter 4 PDF

1\. \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_ describes the process of sharing meaning by transmitting messages through media such as words, behavior, or material artifacts. A\) Ethics B\) Communication C\) Planning D\) Strategy Answer: B 2\. Communication to managers is of vital importance because it \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_...

1\. \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_ describes the process of sharing meaning by transmitting messages through media such as words, behavior, or material artifacts. A\) Ethics B\) Communication C\) Planning D\) Strategy Answer: B 2\. Communication to managers is of vital importance because it \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_. A\) demonstrates the manager's depth of knowledge B\) immediately results in an increase of revenue C\) indicates technological advancement D\) greatly helps in negotiating future plans Answer: D 3\. Which of the following does NOT constitute a normal interpersonal communication task for managers? A\) coordinating activities B\) disseminating information C\) motivating employees D\) giving speeches at conferences Answer: D 4\. Phil sent an email requesting Mel to join him in the conference room at 2 P.M. and to bring the final report on the building's floor plans. However, Mel's personal secretary skips reading the entire email and just informs Mel to join Phil in the conference room at 2 P.M. This is an example of \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_. A\) ambiguity B\) divergence C\) noise D\) feedback Answer: C 5\. Anything that serves to undermine the communication of the intended meaning is known as \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_. A\) noise B\) encoded message C\) decoded message D\) feedback Answer: A 6\. Which of the following is the primary cause of noise in the communication process? A\) a lack of cultural empathy B\) ineffective listening skills C\) the technology used in the medium of communication D\) the difference between two individuals' life space Answer: D 7\. Which of the following terms refers to any cultural variables that undermine the communication of intended meaning? A\) cultural ethics B\) cultural empathy C\) cultural noise D\) cultural attribution Answer: C 8\. Intercultural communication most likely occurs when \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_. A\) messages are transmitted between members of the same culture B\) a member of one culture sends a message to a member of another culture C\) people from one culture migrate to another region D\) the communication process between two cultures is hindered Answer: B 9\. \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_ is the process in which people look for the explanation of another person's behavior. A\) Attribution B\) Dissonance C\) Miscommunication D\) Affirmation Answer: A 10\. According to Hall and Hall, when people experience a failure in communication, they tend to blame the confusion on the other person's stupidity, deceit, or craziness. This process of trying to explain the other person's behavior is known as \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_. A\) cultural noise B\) attribution C\) stereotyping D\) kinesic behavior Answer: B 11\. Trust improves cross-cultural communication by \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_. A\) making sure that all of the business transactions are based on arm's-length relationships B\) replacing formal legal contracts for global firms C\) encouraging the open exchange of ideas and information D\) helping people plan for known circumstances Answer: C 12\. Which of the following will help an international business manager cultivate trust in cross-cultural communications? A\) staying away from conflicts that need to be addressed B\) making communications as formal as possible and refraining from open communications C\) socializing when possible and making friendly contacts with persons involved D\) establishing trust and achieving hidden agenda without being conspicuous Answer: C 13\. According to the GLOBE project, workers from countries that ranked low on performance orientation, e.g., Russia or Greece, \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_. A\) do not take hard facts and figures seriously B\) prefer direct and explicit communication C\) make avoiding conflict a priority D\) do not encourage friendly relationships Answer: A 14\. According to the GLOBE project, a coworker or subordinate from Sweden, a country ranking low on assertiveness, would most likely prefer \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_. A\) explicitness in communication B\) a two-way dialogue C\) a gift exchange before talking business D\) a direct approach along with facts and figures Answer: B 15\. Brenda is the head of a sports firm in Sweden. In order to communicate effectively with her workers, Brenda should \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_. A\) build friendly relationships and encourage two-way dialogues B\) communicate information in a direct and explicit way C\) communicate information with facts and figures D\) exchange gifts with her employees frequently Answer: A 16\. Tom manages a U.S. pharmaceutical subsidiary located in Ireland. In order to communicate effectively with Irish employees and improve their productivity, Tom should \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_. A\) emphasize achieving objective end results B\) challenge the employees to perform better C\) provide positive support to employees D\) address conflicts during group meetings Answer: C 17\. Which of the following terms is used to refer to the positive or negative evaluations, feelings, and tendencies that individuals harbor toward objects or concepts and affects the communication process? A\) customs B\) attitudes C\) traditions D\) values Answer: B 18\. The Topangins are a minority group in the Canary Island, with a set of preferences, attitudes, and taboos, distinct from that of the national culture. Therefore, they are often overlooked when foreign businesses choose to customize their products for the inhabitants of the islands. The Toro-Hessian community is an example of \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_. A\) cultural universal B\) monoculture C\) subculture D\) stratification Answer: C 19\. In an interview, a British journalist asked a German athlete, "Are you a typical German?" When asked to clarify, the journalist explained that a typical German loved machines, worked hard, and was dependable. This is an example of \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_. A\) cultural noise B\) discrimination C\) kinesic behavior D\) stereotyping Answer: D 20\. Which of the following is one of the reasons that language frequently causes miscommunication during international business situations? A\) frequent use of idioms with explanations B\) translating a local language too literally C\) speaking the local language with a native accent D\) conveying information using appropriate body language or symbols Answer: B 21\. Understanding foreign languages is especially important for international managers because of \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_. A\) increased diversity in the global workforce B\) reduced incidence of outsourcing C\) dominance of English in business communication D\) decline in the status of the United States as a superpower Answer: A 22\. The term \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_ refers to behavior that communicates without words. A\) thought patterns B\) nonverbal communication C\) intrapersonal communication D\) cultural noise Answer: B 23\. \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_ is one of the elements of nonverbal communication. A\) Ethnicity B\) Gender C\) Kinesic behavior D\) Language Answer: C 24\. Posture, gestures, facial expressions, and eye contact are examples of \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_. A\) kinesic behavior B\) proxemics C\) paralanguage D\) object language Answer: A 25\. Which of the following is a true statement regarding kinesic behavior? A\) Facial expressions have the same meaning across cultures. B\) Minor variations in body language are insignificant. C\) Hand gestures are universally interpreted. D\) The meaning of body movements varies by culture. Answer: D 26\. Subtle differences in eye behavior are known as \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_. A\) proxemics B\) tics C\) stereotypes D\) oculesics Answer: D 27\. The tendency of Americans to look people in the eye contrasts with the tendency of the British to keep looking away while conversing. Such differences are categorized as \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_. A\) oculesics B\) proxemics C\) paralanguage D\) object language Answer: A 28\. During a business meeting in the United States, a relaxed posture is acceptable, but in Europe or Asia such body language would most likely be interpreted as \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_. A\) personal space invasion B\) rudeness C\) curiosity D\) reluctance Answer: B 29\. Which of the following terms refers to the influence of closeness and space on communication? A\) oculesics B\) kinesics C\) aesthetics D\) proxemics Answer: D 30\. A \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_ culture is characterized by people standing close together and touching a great deal. A\) low-contact B\) monochronic C\) high-contact D\) polychronic Answer: C 31\. Which of the following will a person working in a high-contact culture most likely experience? A\) coworkers spending time together socially B\) managers using hand motions to express emotion C\) managers bowing to their seniors as a token of respect D\) coworkers putting an arm over their colleague's back Answer: D 32\. Which of the following is an example of proxemics? A\) using facial expressions B\) standing close to others C\) speaking quickly D\) using a translator Answer: B 33\. Josh, a tourist from the United States, goes on a five-day trip to Japan. Apart from learning their rich history and heritage, he notices that people do not shake hands, but bow to each other. He is most likely to conclude that the Japanese have a \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_. A\) low-context culture B\) monotheistic culture C\) polychronic culture D\) low-contact culture Answer: D 34\. Which of the following would most likely occur in a low-contact culture? A\) colleagues greeting each other by formal touch B\) colleagues standing close to each other C\) colleagues maintaining a respectful distance while greeting each other D\) colleagues greeting each other by giving a peck on the cheek Answer: C 35\. Which of the following terms refers to the influence of closeness and space on communication? A\) oculesics B\) kinesics C\) aesthetics D\) proxemics Answer: D 36\. A \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_ culture is characterized by people standing close together and touching a great deal. A\) low-contact B\) monochronic C\) high-contact D\) polychronic Answer: C 37\. Which of the following will a person working in a high-contact culture most likely experience? A\) coworkers spending time together socially B\) managers using hand motions to express emotion C\) managers bowing to their seniors as a token of respect D\) coworkers putting an arm over their colleague's back Answer: D 38\. Which of the following is an example of proxemics? A\) using facial expressions B\) standing close to others C\) speaking quickly D\) using a translator Answer: B 39\. Josh, a tourist from the United States, goes on a five-day trip to Japan. Apart from learning their rich history and heritage, he notices that people do not shake hands, but bow to each other. He is most likely to conclude that the Japanese have a \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_. A\) low-context culture B\) monotheistic culture C\) polychronic culture D\) low-contact culture Answer: D 40\. Which of the following would most likely occur in a low-contact culture? A\) colleagues greeting each other by formal touch B\) colleagues standing close to each other C\) colleagues maintaining a respectful distance while greeting each other D\) colleagues greeting each other by giving a peck on the cheek Answer: C 41\. \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_ refers to how something is said rather than the content---i.e., the rate of speech, the tone and inflection of voice, other noises, laughing, or yawning. A\) Proxemics B\) Paralanguage C\) Object language D\) Kinesic behavior Answer: B 42\. Which of the following is an element of paralanguage? A\) hand gesture B\) body posture C\) yawning D\) personal touch Answer: C 43\. Changing the meaning of words by changing the inflection of your voice is an example of \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_. A\) paralanguage B\) object language C\) proxemics D\) oculesics Answer: A 44\. The considerable variation between Americans and Chinese in the use of silence during meetings is an aspect of \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_. A\) proxemics B\) haptics C\) paralanguage D\) object language Answer: C 45\. The manner in which people communicate through material artifacts such as architecture, office design, and cars is known as \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_. A\) object language B\) oculesics C\) paralanguage D\) proxemics Answer: A 46\. Which of the following is true about monochronic and polychronic cultures? A\) Monochronic cultures experience time in a linear way; polychronic cultures view time as having a past, present, and future. B\) Monochronic cultures treat time as a tool for bringing order to life; polychronic cultures tolerate many events occurring simultaneously. C\) Monochronic cultures experience time in a nonlinear way; polychronic cultures focus on only one single event at a time. D\) Monochronic cultures tolerate many events occurring simultaneously; polychronic cultures treat time as a tool for bringing order to life. Answer: B 47\. Which of the following is a characteristic of a person in a monochronic culture? A\) considers time to be flexible B\) adheres to plan commitments C\) focuses on multiple tasks at a time D\) is accustomed to long-term relationships Answer: B 48\. Which of the following is a true statement about polychronic cultures? A\) Time serves to order life into compartments. B\) People in polychronic cultures focus on only one task at a time. C\) Polychronic people focus on relationships rather than material systems. D\) Polychronic people are highly driven to complete tasks by assigned deadlines. Answer: C 49\. Classified and compartmentalized, time serves to order life in a \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_. A\) monochronic culture B\) low-contact culture C\) high-contact culture D\) polychronic culture Answer: A 50\. Carlos has an appointment with Higuain in a half hour at his office. However, Carlos decides to take care of some personal errands on his way to the office and informs Higuain. Carlos does not make it on time for the appointment. Higuain most likely concludes that Carlos is from a \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_. A\) high-context culture B\) low-context culture C\) monochronic culture D\) polychronic culture Answer: D 51\. In \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_ cultures, people tolerate many things occurring simultaneously and change plans frequently. A\) polychronic B\) low-contact C\) material D\) haptic Answer: A 52\. Which of the following is a characteristic of a person from a polychronic culture? A\) focuses only on one thing at a time B\) changes plans frequently C\) adheres to time commitments D\) is accustomed to short-term relationships Answer: B 53\. Which of the following is the most accurate statement concerning the role of context in cross-cultural communication? A\) In high-context cultures, the message is implicit; in low-context cultures, the message is explicit. B\) In high-context cultures, there is a low sensory involvement; in low-context cultures, there is a high sensory involvement. C\) In high-context cultures, many tasks are handled simultaneously; in low-context cultures, only one task is handled at a time. D\) In high-context cultures, work time is flexible; in low-context cultures, work time is not flexible. Answer: A 54\. In high-context cultures, \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_. A\) feelings and thoughts are not explicitly expressed B\) information is readily shared C\) people have high sensory involvement D\) nonverbal communication is not important Answer: A 55\. In \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_ cultures, people expect others to understand unarticulated moods, subtle gestures, and environmental clues. A\) high-contact B\) low-contact C\) high-context D\) monochronic Answer: C 56\. Which of the following is true about high-context cultures? A\) One has to "read between the lines" and interpret meaning from one's general understanding. B\) Communication media is entirely explicit and information is readily available. C\) People convey their thoughts and plans in a direct, straightforward communication style. D\) People are talkative, obvious, and redundant. Answer: A 57\. In \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_ cultures, communication occurs within an extensive network of close personal and business relationships. A\) high-contact B\) monochronic C\) high-context D\) low-contact Answer: C 58\. Which of the following is most likely a characteristic of low-context cultures? A\) Work and social relationships are inseparable. B\) Individuals base meaning on subtle gestures. C\) Individuals must read between the lines. D\) Feelings and thoughts are expressed in words. Answer: D 59\. The executives from Carlo Foods, United States, are in Japan to negotiate with Jeong, the head of a local investment firm. While Jeong listens to their plans, he realizes that there are considerable amounts of calculation errors in the market statistics involved in the plan. He starts showing signs of impatience and folds his hands, with a frown on his face. The executives realize that something is wrong and are confused about it. Jeong most likely belongs to a \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_. A\) low-contact culture B\) high-context culture C\) high power-distance culture D\) polychronic culture Answer: B 60\. The international business manager of Toro Automobiles, based in London, is currently in Indonesia negotiating with potential partners to set up a manufacturing plant. He is intrigued and startled by the lack of apprehension shown by every person he has met in standing close to him when greeting him. This is because the persons or the groups involved in the meeting are a part of a \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_. A\) low-context culture B\) polychronic culture C\) high-context culture D\) high-contact culture Answer: D 61\. Al Razim, a construction engineer, recently traveled to Germany in order to find investors for his real-estate project. While he finally succeeded in getting an investor, he was surprised by the explicitness of the Germans. Sometimes all he got was a direct "No." This is because Germans are a \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_ culture. A\) polychronic B\) high-context C\) low-context D\) high-contact Answer: C 62\. Which of the following is most likely a characteristic of communication channels in low-context cultures? A\) rapid spread of information B\) informal flow of information C\) upward flow of information D\) controlled flow of information Answer: D 63\. The Japanese preference for humanity, reciprocity, and analytic logic is known as \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_. A\) kieretsu B\) ringi-sho C\) ningensei D\) allogato Answer: C 64\. Which of the following is a characteristic of the Japanese ningensei style? A\) reciprocity B\) explicitness C\) verbal agility D\) immediate feedback Answer: A 65\. Stereotyping occurs when a person assumes that every member of a society or subculture has the same characteristics or traits. Answer: TRUE 66\. Language is a frequent cause of miscommunication, stemming from a person's inability to speak the local language, a poor or too-literal translation, a speaker's failure to explain idioms, or a person missing the meaning conveyed through body language or certain symbols. Answer: TRUE 67\. The term kinesic behavior refers to communication through body movements---posture, gestures, facial expressions, and eye contact. Answer: TRUE 68\. Kinesics and proxemics are elements of nonverbal communication. Answer: TRUE 69\. Kinesics deals with the influence of space on communication---both personal space and office space or layout. Answer: FALSE 70\. In high-contact cultures, people prefer much less sensory involvement, standing farther apart and touching far less. Answer: FALSE 71\. In low-contact cultures, people prefer to stand close, touch a great deal, and experience a "close" sensory involvement. Answer: FALSE 72\. The term paralanguage refers to how something is said rather than the content---i.e., the rate of speech, the tone and inflection of voice, other noises, laughing, or yawning. Answer: TRUE 73\. The term object language, or material culture, refers to the value of the material artifacts given to the parties involved in order to show our goodwill. Answer: FALSE 74\. In monochronic cultures, time is experienced in a linear way, with a past, a present, and a future, and time is treated as something to be spent, saved, made up, or wasted. Answer: TRUE 75\. In polychronic cultures, people focus on one thing at a time and adhere to time commitments. Answer: FALSE 76\. In high-context cultures, feelings and thoughts are not explicitly expressed; instead, one has to read between the lines and interpret meaning from one's general understanding. Answer: TRUE 77\. In low-context cultures, key information is embedded in the context rather than made explicit. Answer: FALSE 78\. In high-context cultures, feelings and thoughts are not explicitly expressed. Answer: TRUE 79\. The Japanese ningensei style of communication refers to the preference for humanity, reciprocity, a receiver orientation, and an underlying distrust of words and analytic logic. Answer: TRUE 80\. Cultural variables can affect the communication process by influencing a person's perceptions. These variables include attitudes, social organization, thought patterns, roles, language, nonverbal communication, and time. Answer: TRUE 81\. Paralanguage refers to how something is said rather than the content of what is said. It includes dimensions such as the rate of speech, the tone and inflection of voice, and other noises. Answer: TRUE 82\. In monochronic cultures, time is treated as something to be spent, saved, made up, or wasted, and people focus on one thing at a time. Answer: TRUE 83\. Object language refers to how people communicate through material artifacts such as clothing, cars, or office design. Answer: TRUE 84\. High-context cultures rely on implicit communication, while low-context cultures use explicit communication. Answer: TRUE 85\. Information spreads more freely in high-context cultures due to close personal relationships, while in low-context cultures, information flow is controlled and formal. Answer: TRUE 86\. Japanese communication tends to be indirect, with a focus on relationships, while American communication is direct and task-oriented. Answer: TRUE 87\. Cultural variables such as attitudes, social organization, and time perception can create noise in the communication process between Americans and Arabs. Answer: TRUE 88\. Language often causes miscommunication across cultures due to literal translations, idiomatic expressions, and cultural differences in body language. Answer: TRUE 89\. Proxemics refers to the influence of proximity and space on communication, and it varies across cultures such as Asia, Germany, the U.S., and France. Answer: TRUE 90\. Americans are more open and direct in their communication, while the Japanese tend to be more reserved and indirect. Answer: TRUE 91\. Cultural differences affect how firms conduct e-commerce, requiring companies to adapt to regional preferences and communication styles. Answer: TRUE 92\. Saudi Arabia is a polychronic culture, where time is flexible, and relationships take precedence over strict agendas. Answer: TRUE 93\. In polychronic cultures like Saudi Arabia, people often discuss a wide range of topics during business meetings, not just business matters. Answer: TRUE 94\. Saudi Arabia is a high-context culture, where business decisions may take longer, and the focus is on building relationships. Answer: TRUE 95\. In Saudi Arabia, business should be conducted personally, and face-to-face meetings are preferred over phone or email communication. Answer: TRUE 96\. Messages need to be encoded carefully to ensure effective intercultural communication. Answer: TRUE 97\. When encoding a message during cross-cultural communication, it is most effective for senders to make gestures. Answer: TRUE 98\. \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_ is the process of translating the received symbols into the interpreted message. A\) Decoding B\) Transmitting C\) Encoding D\) Fragmenting Answer: A 99\. What is the best method for avoiding miscommunication? A\) taking detailed notes of the messages B\) learning foreign phrases and idioms C\) practicing projective listening D\) relying on technology to interpret meanings Answer: C 100\. Interaction posture is best defined as the \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_. A\) tendency to contradict the beliefs of others B\) understanding and modeling of local proxemics C\) ability to respond to others in a nonjudgmental way D\) capacity to be flexible to promote group communication Answer: C 101\. Recognizing that one's knowledge, perceptions, and beliefs are valid only for oneself and not for everyone else is known as \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_. A\) other-oriented role behavior B\) orientation to knowledge C\) tolerance for ambiguity D\) interaction posture Answer: B 102\. \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_ and \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_ are personality traits categorized as openness. A\) Persistence; resourcefulness B\) Proper orientation to knowledge; internal locus of control C\) Tolerance for ambiguity; extrovertedness D\) Empathy; external locus of control Answer: C 103\. Which of the following characteristics is shared by both openness in communication and resilience in communication? A\) tolerance for ambiguity B\) extrovertedness C\) resourcefulness D\) internal locus of control Answer: A 104\. To counteract the view that Americans are culturally insensitive, they should avoid discussing wealth, power, or status, dress conservatively, and listen more than they speak. Answer: TRUE 105\. Decoding is the process of translating received symbols into the interpreted message, and incongruence in decoding can occur when the message is misunderstood or feedback is misinterpreted. Answer: TRUE 106\. Personal abilities and behaviors that facilitate intercultural communication effectiveness (ICE) include respect, empathy, and tolerance for ambiguity. Answer: TRUE 107\. Openness refers to traits such as tolerance for ambiguity and extrovertedness, while resilience involves persistence and resourcefulness in adapting to cultural differences. Answer: TRUE