Question 1

Being indebted or obligated to someone for favors is valued differently in different cultures.Discuss,using specific examples from two cultures.

Accepted Answer

This cultural dimension has some correlation with individualism-collectivism: in individualist cultures whose members usually have an independent self-construal,having to become obligated or indebted to another person is something of a burden. It is seen as a negative,a dip into the red on one side in the balance sheet of the relationship. The debt is repaid in full as soon as possible. Not to do so could risk damage to a relationship that might end it. In cultures whose members have an interdependent self-construal,often collectivist cultures,an obligation or indebtedness means an opportunity to reciprocate. Repayment is not always urgent,but occurs when the obligated person has a chance to do a favor to the other person. Favors are positive,and being able to do a favor is a positive since it means one day the favor can be collected. In this sense,indebtedness is a potential plus on the balance sheet of the favor-grantor. When repayment comes,it usually is larger than the original favor so that obligation is now on the other person's side. To repay the debt in full exactly is to terminate the reciprocal relationship.

Question 2

In some cultures,to pay back a favor to clear the indebtedness is to terminate the relationship.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False  True

Question 3

Discuss self-identity and explain why it is important in investigating culture's influence on communication.

Accepted Answer

The ways people understand their own identities comes from culture. Self-identity is formed three different ways. One is the sense of self that comes from childhood experiences and is formed over time. It includes the reactions from others to us,and our assessment of ourselves compared to others. This approach implies that by the time one reaches adulthood,one's self-identity is in place. A second way self-identity is formed is through communication: we understand our sense of who we are when we interact. A third way self-identity is formed is against the background of large social (historical,economic,political)concerns that involve issues of power.

Question 4

Displaying the emotion of anger in business meetings

Accepted Answer

A)   is typical of cultures that value group relationships
B)   is often practiced by members of high-context cultures
C)   is downplayed in group-oriented cultures because it could threaten harmony
D)   is stressed in group-oriented cultures because it is a typical activity of collectivist cultures

Question 5

The Japanese expression,"The nail that sticks up will be pounded down" indicates that culture is collectivist.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 6

The individual is the basic unit of society in all cultures.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 7

Three ways of explaining the development of self-identity are

Accepted Answer

A)   social-psychological,communication,and critical approaches.
B)   intercultural,critical,and international approaches
C)   social-psychological,intercultural,and critical approaches.
D)   social-psychological,intercultural,and critical approaches

Question 8

Form is the same thing as formal,and the opposite of informal.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 9

Why is form an important issue in intercultural communication? Use two cultures to give examples.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Why is form an important issue in...

Question 10

Robyn Cameron is about to depart for Thailand on a business trip. She has asked for your help to prepare her. What do you think she should learn before she leaves? You tell her that Thais value harmony very much in daily exchanges. She knows only three other facts about Thailand: 1)it is a monarchy and the king and his family are greatly loved,2)the majority of Thais are Buddhist and all men must serve two years as monks,3)the military enjoys high status and power.You believe Robyn can learn what she needs to know by answering the following questions based on inferences from these facts,sometimes called the "3 Ms" of Thailand. Remember to give your answers based on what Robyn knows.
a.Do you suppose the culture is more collectivist or more individualist? On what do you base this?
b.Is Thai society hierarchical or horizontal? On what do you base your response?
c.Will form be important or distrusted? Why?
d.Is group membership likely to be permanent or temporary? On what do you base your answer?
e.Will uncertainty be tolerated or avoided? Why?
f.Do Thais welcome or resist change? On what do you base your answer?
g.Will Robyn be at a disadvantage because she is female? Why?
h.Would you expect Thais to communicate about business in a direct,explicit way or in an indirect,implicit way? On what do you base your answer?
i.Would you suppose that books and other written sources have authority for learning,or that first-hand experience carries more weight? Why do you think so?
j.Do you suppose Thais are question-askers or learners from mastering given wisdom? What in the culture leads you to this conclusion?
k.Do you think age counts for more or less in Thai culture? Why?
l..Do you think the approach to authority would be direct or mediated? On what do you base your answer?
m.Do you think relationships or results matter more? Why?
n.Should Robyn be prepared for a culture that sees obligation as a burden or as a benefit? On what do you base your answer?

Accepted Answer

The answer of Robyn Cameron is about to depart for...

Question 11

It is possible for foreigners to cause shame to members of "shame cultures" without even realizing it.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 12

. Discuss being female in two different cultures of your choice. Focus your discussion on women's roles: traditional and non-traditional. Avoid evaluations of cultures in your answer.

Accepted Answer

The answer of . Discuss being female in two different...

Question 13

Collectivist cultures value cooperation and,correspondingly,individualist cultures value competition.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 14

Interdependent self-construal

Accepted Answer

A)   is the same as individualism
B)   is the same as collectivism
C)   is a structured notion of self as independent
D)   is a structured notion of self as connected to others

Question 15

Form means rules of etiquette and manners while interacting with others for business purposes.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 16

Form

Accepted Answer

A)   is highly valued as a key cultural priority in the United States
B)   operates to some degree in every culture,but is a low priority in Japan
C)   is trusted in cultures that value "correct" behavior as a way to prevent loss of face
D)   is trusted in cultures that value spontaneity as evidence of sincerity and openness

Question 17

Muslim cultures are among those in the world that do not value women.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 18

Seniority is valued in cultures that give old people great freedom from responsibility.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 19

The individual

Accepted Answer

A)   is the basic unit of society in individualist cultures
B)   is the starting point for decisions in collectivist cultures
C)   is important in cultures that value interdependence
D)   is important in cultures that can be called collectivist

Question 20

The interpretation of obligation as a cultural dimension involves

Accepted Answer

A)   cultural values concerning the environment
B)   cultural values concerning achievement of results and group membership
C)   the ability of the more affluent party to wait for repayment
D)   the rules established by the poorer party

Exam 4: The Self and Croups

Being indebted or obligated to someone for favors is valued differently in different cultures.Discuss,using specific examples from two cultures.

In some cultures,to pay back a favor to clear the indebtedness is to terminate the relationship.

Discuss self-identity and explain why it is important in investigating culture's influence on communication.

Displaying the emotion of anger in business meetings

The Japanese expression,"The nail that sticks up will be pounded down" indicates that culture is collectivist.

The individual is the basic unit of society in all cultures.

Three ways of explaining the development of self-identity are

Form is the same thing as formal,and the opposite of informal.

Why is form an important issue in intercultural communication? Use two cultures to give examples.

It is possible for foreigners to cause shame to members of "shame cultures" without even realizing it.

. Discuss being female in two different cultures of your choice. Focus your discussion on women's roles: traditional and non-traditional. Avoid evaluations of cultures in your answer.

Collectivist cultures value cooperation and,correspondingly,individualist cultures value competition.

Interdependent self-construal

Form means rules of etiquette and manners while interacting with others for business purposes.

Form

Muslim cultures are among those in the world that do not value women.

Seniority is valued in cultures that give old people great freedom from responsibility.

The individual

The interpretation of obligation as a cultural dimension involves