WHY STUDY INTERCULTURAL COMMUNICATION?
MULTIPLE CHOICE QUESTIONS
1. The _____ imperative for studying intercultural communication refers to the need to understand differences in a diverse work environment, identify new business markets, and develop new products for differing cultural contexts.
a. economic
b. technological
c. peace
d. demographic
Ans: a
2. The need to market products effectively in different countries illustrates the _____ imperative for studying intercultural communication.
a. economic
b. technological
c. peace
d. demographic
Ans: a
3. The possibility of communicating with people from different cultures via e-mail, fax, and the Internet illustrates the _____ imperative for studying intercultural communication.
a. economic
b. technological
c. peace
d. self-awareness
Ans: b
4. John, an engineer in a multinational corporation, e-mails coworkers from India and Taiwan on a weekly basis. John's communication illustrates the _____ imperative for studying intercultural communication.
a. economic
b. technological
c. peace
d. demographic
Ans: b
5. Changes in the composition of the U.S. population illustrate the _____ imperative for studying intercultural communication.
a. economic
b. technological
c. peace
d. demographic
Ans: d
6. John and Nancy were raised in Illinois and speak only English. Many of their neighbors, however, have immigrated from countries outside the United States and speak English as a second language. John's and Nancy's desire to have a positive relationship with their diverse neighbors illustrates the _____ imperative for studying intercultural communication.
a. economic
b. technological
c. peace
d. demographic
Ans: d
7. Violence, conflict, and tension between differing cultural groups in constant contact illustrate the _____ imperative for studying intercultural communication.
a. economic
b. self-awareness
c. peace
d. demographic
Ans: c
8. Ethnic conflicts in Bosnia and the Soviet Union as well as ethnic tensions in other multicultural nations illustrate the _____ imperative for studying intercultural communication.
a. economic
b. ethical
c. peace
d. demographic
Ans: c
9. Increased understanding of one's self as a cultural being illustrates the _____ imperative for studying intercultural communication.
a. self-awareness
b. demographic
c. ethical
d. technological
Ans: a
10. Maria had never really thought much about her Italian heritage until she became friends with Aylin, an American of Middle Eastern descent. Through conversations and visits to Aylin's family, Maria gradually began to realize how many of her own behaviors were culturally determined. Maria's experience illustrates the _____ imperative for studying intercultural communication.
a. economic
b. ethical
c. self-awareness
d. demographic
Ans: c
11. People who believe that cultural differences are only superficial and that there are certain rules that apply across cultures are operating from a _____ position of ethics.
a. political
b. relativist
c. judicial
d. universalist
Ans: d
12. People who believe that behavior can only be judged within the context in which it occurs are operating from a _____ position of ethics.
a. relativist
b. cultural
c. universalist
d. demographic
Ans: a
13. Rebecca is appalled that in some countries girls regularly marry before they reach the age of fifteen. She believes that all females should be adults before they marry regardless of their culture because of issues of education, prenatal health, and economic rights. Rebecca has assumed the _____ position of ethics.
a. relativist
b. westernized
c. universalist
d. politicized
Ans: c
14. Toni tells his Chinese friend Guiwen that he should not be angry about the perceived superficial friendliness of many Americans without first understanding the cultural context of their behavior. Toni has taken a _____ position of ethics.
a. explanatory
b. universalist
c. relativist
d. nonjudgmental
Ans: c
15. The process by which we "look in the mirror" to see ourselves as cultural beings is known as _____.
a. self-reflexivity
b. self-awareness
c. journaling
d. heterogeneity
Ans: a
16. The term _____ refers to the result of increased contact (through the Internet, media reports, and travel) among people around the world.
a. global village
b. heterogeneity
c. self-reflexivity
d. assimilatable
Ans: a
17. The term _____ refers to the ability of southern and eastern European immigrants to "blend" into the general U.S. population.
a. global village
b. heterogeneity
c. self-reflexivity
d. assimilatable
Ans: d
18. Principles of conduct that help govern the behavior of individuals and groups are known as _____.
a. morals
b. ethics
c. values
d. beliefs
Ans: b
19. _____ are the result of the tendency for members of particular ethnicities to settle in the same area (such as Latinos in Englewood and East Los Angeles).
a. Class structures
b. Ethnic tensions
c. Global villages
d. Enclaves
Ans: d
20. Economic disparity among the ethnic groups in the United States can be best understood by looking at _____.
a. enclaves
b. their class structure
c. assimilatable groups
d. their economic mobility
Ans: b
21. The expansion of businesses into markets around the world is known as _____.
a. immigration
b. mobility
c. heterogeneity
d. globalization
Ans: d
22. Historically, the anti-immigrant nativistic movements of the late 19th and the early 20th centuries:
a. targeted immigrants of southern European descent only.
b. were not supported by the government of the United States.
c. promoted violence against newer immigrants to the United States.
d. were a form of economic protection for enclave communities.
Ans: c
23. The changes in the patterns of immigration during the last 40 years illustrate the fact that the population of the United States is becoming much more _____.
a. heterogeneous
b. classist
c. nativist
d. ethical
Ans: a
24. According to Martin and Nakayama, the study of intercultural communication in order to proselytize others without their consent illustrates a(n) _____ issue about the application of intercultural knowledge.
a. ethical
b. practical
c. religious
d. demographic
Ans: a
25. Token stories of success and upward mobility (illustrated by Oprah, Ross Perot, and Madonna) reinforce _____ and perpetuate the myth that there is equal opportunity for all to achieve upward mobility in the United States.
a. heterogeneity
b. class structure
c. economic diversity
d. assimilation
Ans: b
26. Being aware of one's cultural limitations and taking an "other-oriented" approach in intercultural encounters is termed _____.
a. dialogical approach
b. self-reflexivity
c. identity management
d. cultural humility
Ans: d
27. _____ refers tocertain bodies of cultural knowledge and cultural competencies.
a. Cultural capital
b. Diasporic group
c. Global village
d. Cultural humility
Ans: a
28. Ethnic and national groups that are geographically dispersed throughout the world are known as _____.
a. cultural capitals
b. diasporic groups
c. global villages
d. colonies
Ans: b
29. Assembly plants or factories, mainly of U.S. companies, established on the U.S.–Mexican border and primarily using Mexican labor are known as _____.
a. maquiladoras
b. diaspora
c. sojourners
d. colonies
Ans: a
30. The way individuals make sense of their multiple images concerning the sense of self in different social contexts is known as _____.
a. nativism
b. cultural humility
c. identity management
d. anglocentrism
Ans: c
TRUE/FALSE QUESTIONS
31. Many American companies provide little or no training before sending their workers overseas.
Ans: T
32. Anti-immigrant, nativist sentiment was well supported at the government level during the late 1800s.
Ans: T
33. The Chinese Exclusion Act officially prohibited the Chinese from immigrating to the United States.
Ans: T
34. Maquiladoras are an example of how multinational corporations can reap lower labor costs while adhering to U.S. environmental policies.
Ans: T
35. Until the 1960s, most immigrants to the United States came from Europe.
Ans: T
36. The majority of immigrants to the United States now come from Latin America or Asia.
Ans: T
37. Generally speaking, all immigrants can assimilate in the American "melting pot."
Ans: F
38. The universalist position holds that cultural behavior can only be judged within the context in which it occurs.
Ans: F
39. In the next 20 years, the racial and ethnic diversity of the U.S. population will be distributed
more evenly across the nation.
Ans: F
40. A dialogical approach focuses on the importance of dialogue in developing and maintaining relationships between individuals and communities.
Ans: T
41. Cultural humility is the process of learning to understand oneself and one's position in society.
Ans: F
42. The way individuals make sense of their multiple images concerning the sense of self in different social contexts is referred to as self-reflexivity.
Ans: F
43. "Melting pot" is a metaphor that assumes that immigrants and cultural minorities will be assimilated into the U.S. majority culture, losing their original cultures.
Ans: T
Short Essay Questions
44. In what ways might economic conditions make a difference in attitudes toward foreign workers and immigration policies?
45. In what ways might the study of intercultural communication be helpful in understanding the ethical issues involved in intercultural interaction?
46. Identify and discuss three ways in which we might become ethical students of culture.
47. Identify and discuss four of the six imperatives for studying intercultural communication.
48. Compare and contrast the universal and relativist positions with regard to ethical interculturalinteraction.
49. In what ways have the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq underscored the need to study
intercultural communication?
50. How has the history of immigration influenced the cultural relations within the United States?
51. How might self-reflexivity improve intercultural communication?
52. How have the changing demographics in the United States affected intercultural
communication?
