Stumbling Blocks In Intercultural Communication

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  • 1/10 Questions

    The article gives examples of different experiences students had when smiling or interpreting smiling in other cultures. What can we learn from these experiences?

    • Smiling always means you are a sexual maniac or an impolite person.
    • You shouldn't smile when you travel or meet foreigners.
    • Smiling and other simple gestures can be interpreted differently in different cultures.
    • Smiling always means you are superficial and fake.
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About This Quiz

Explore common pitfalls in intercultural communication through this quiz titled 'Stumbling Blocks in Intercultural Communication'. Assess your understanding of cultural assumptions, nonverbal misinterpretations, and the role of stereotypes in shaping communication across diverse cultures.

Stumbling Blocks In Intercultural Communication - Quiz

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  • 2. 

    According to the article, when people want to overcome the tendency to evaluate in order to be better communicators, what often makes it harder to do so?

    • Food

    • Clothes

    • Emotions

    • Favorite music styles

    Correct Answer
    A. Emotions
    Explanation
    When people want to overcome the tendency to evaluate in order to be better communicators, emotions often make it harder to do so. Emotions can cloud judgment and lead to biased evaluations or reactions. They can influence how we perceive and interpret information, making it difficult to communicate effectively without being influenced by our own emotional state.

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  • 3. 

    From Barna we learn that while no one is surprised that language differences can cause difficulty communicating, the one of the biggest issues in this area actually comes from a person's inability to what?

    • Listen to the literal meaning of the sentence

    • Study language in their free time

    • Bring a dictionary with them wherever they go

    • Consider multiple meanings of a word or phrase in a new language based on connotation or context

    Correct Answer
    A. Consider multiple meanings of a word or phrase in a new language based on connotation or context
    Explanation
    From Barna, we learn that the biggest issue in communication arises from a person's inability to consider multiple meanings of a word or phrase in a new language based on connotation or context. This means that understanding the literal meaning of a sentence is not the main problem, but rather the ability to interpret and comprehend the different nuances and implications of words or phrases in a foreign language.

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  • 4. 

    According to Barna, the Japanese tend not to believe the myth of similarities but instead practice an assumption of differences, where they believe they are distinctly different from the rest of the world. What are some problems created by this belief?

    • Japanese people are better at intercultural communication.

    • Expecting no similarities means a person will work hard to figure out a foreign stranger but does not expect foreigners to be able to understand them.

    • Reactions and interpretations can be adjusted to fit "what's happening" rather than simply what is assumed about a culture.

    • According to the article, Japanese people will travel less.

    Correct Answer
    A. Expecting no similarities means a person will work hard to figure out a foreign stranger but does not expect foreigners to be able to understand them.
    Explanation
    The belief that there are no similarities between oneself and foreigners creates a problem because it leads to a lack of expectation for foreigners to understand the Japanese. This can result in a one-sided effort in intercultural communication, where the Japanese person will work hard to understand a foreign stranger but does not expect the same effort from the foreigner to understand them. This can hinder effective communication and mutual understanding between different cultures.

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  • 5. 

    What is the name for the stress a person feels after needing to remain constantly "on guard" and to always worry about "protecting onself" from making mistakes while remaining in a foreign culture over time?

    • Culture shock

    • Irritable bowel syndrome

    • Physiological makeup

    • Defense arousal

    Correct Answer
    A. Culture shock
    Explanation
    Culture shock is the correct answer because it refers to the stress and disorientation that a person may experience when they are exposed to a new culture or environment. This stress can be caused by the need to constantly be on guard, worry about protecting oneself, and the fear of making mistakes while adapting to the foreign culture. Culture shock can manifest in various ways, such as feelings of homesickness, frustration, anxiety, or even physical symptoms.

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  • 6. 

    The mistake idea that people around the world are similar enough that communication will be easy is which intercultural communication stumbling block?

    • Assumption of similarities

    • Language differences

    • Nonverbal misinterpretation

    • Preconceptions and stereotypes

    • Tendency to evaluate

    • High anxiety

    Correct Answer
    A. Assumption of similarities
    Explanation
    The correct answer is assumption of similarities. This stumbling block refers to the misconception that people from different cultures are similar enough that communication will be easy. It assumes that individuals share the same values, beliefs, and behaviors, which can lead to misunderstandings and miscommunications. This assumption overlooks the importance of cultural differences and can hinder effective intercultural communication.

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  • 7. 

    What is the basic function of culture regarding stereotypes according to Ernest Becker?

    • Stereotypes are always right and, therefore, help people understand how they should act in a certain culture.

    • Stereotypes help us accurately understand how other people will think and behave before meeting them.

    • Stereotypes lay out a predicable world that makes sense to the observer.

    • Stereotypes help us objectively view stimuli when surrounded by or attempting to interpret another culture.

    Correct Answer
    A. Stereotypes lay out a predicable world that makes sense to the observer.
    Explanation
    According to Ernest Becker, the basic function of culture regarding stereotypes is that they lay out a predictable world that makes sense to the observer. This means that stereotypes provide a framework or a set of preconceived notions that help individuals make sense of the world around them. Stereotypes create a sense of familiarity and understanding, allowing people to navigate social interactions and interpret the behavior of others in a more predictable manner.

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  • 8. 

    According to the article, what are some positive ways to handle the stress of intercultural situations in order to feel more comfortable around other cultures and keep negative physiological reactions to a minimum? CHOOSE ALL THAT ARE CORRECT.

    • Practice body awareness so changes that signify a stress reaction can be identified and counteracted.

    • Eat foreign foods often so that you are accustomed to their taste.

    • Seek out stressful situations so you're simply used to being stressed all the time.

    • Find opportunities to become familiar with many types of people so that differences become normal and interesting instead of threatening.

    Correct Answer(s)
    A. Practice body awareness so changes that signify a stress reaction can be identified and counteracted.
    A. Find opportunities to become familiar with many types of people so that differences become normal and interesting instead of threatening.
    Explanation
    The correct answers are "Practice body awareness so changes that signify a stress reaction can be identified and counteracted" and "Find opportunities to become familiar with many types of people so that differences become normal and interesting instead of threatening." These options suggest positive ways to handle the stress of intercultural situations, such as being aware of one's body's stress reactions and finding opportunities to interact with diverse groups of people to normalize and appreciate cultural differences. The other options, "Eat foreign foods often so that you are accustomed to their taste" and "Seek out stressful situations so you're simply used to being stressed all the time," are not mentioned as positive ways to handle stress in the article.

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  • 9. 

    People from different cultures inhabit different sensory realities.They tend to notice only what is significant to their culture and interpret it through that filter. Which intercultural communication stumbling block is this?

    • Assumption of similarities

    • Language differences

    • Nonverbal misinterpretations

    • Preconceptions and stereotypes

    • Tendency to evaluate

    • High anxiety

    Correct Answer
    A. Nonverbal misinterpretations
    Explanation
    This answer is correct because it identifies the stumbling block of "Nonverbal misinterpretations." The explanation provided in the question suggests that people from different cultures have different sensory realities and interpret their surroundings based on their cultural filters. This can lead to misinterpretations of nonverbal cues, such as body language, gestures, and facial expressions, as these cues can have different meanings in different cultures. Therefore, nonverbal misinterpretations can hinder effective intercultural communication.

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  • 10. 

    People often interpret the world by first believing that their own culture or way of life is right, proper and natural. This prevents open-minded attention needed to look at attitudes and behaviors from another person's point of view. Which intercultural communication stumbling block is this?

    • Assumption of similarities

    • Language differences

    • Nonverbal misinterpretations

    • Preconceptions and stereotypes

    • Tendency to evaluate

    • High anxiety

    Correct Answer
    A. Tendency to evaluate
    Explanation
    This question is asking about a stumbling block in intercultural communication. The given correct answer, "Tendency to evaluate," refers to the tendency for individuals to judge or evaluate other cultures based on their own cultural norms and values. This can hinder open-mindedness and prevent individuals from truly understanding and appreciating the perspectives of others.

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Quiz Review Timeline (Updated): Jul 14, 2023 +

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  • Current Version
  • Jul 14, 2023
    Quiz Edited by
    ProProfs Editorial Team
  • Feb 07, 2018
    Quiz Created by
    Ainara
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