Stumbling Blocks In Intercultural Communication

2.

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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3.

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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4.

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.

Correct Answer

A. Smiling and other simple gestures can be interpreted differently in different cultures.

Explanation

The article provides examples of various experiences students had when it comes to smiling or interpreting smiling in different cultures. From these experiences, we can learn that smiling and other simple gestures can be perceived and understood differently in various cultural contexts. This highlights the importance of cultural sensitivity and awareness when interacting with people from different backgrounds, as what may be seen as a friendly gesture in one culture could be interpreted as inappropriate or offensive in another.

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5.

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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6.

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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7.

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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8.

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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9.

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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10.

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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Stumbling Blocks In Intercultural Communication

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

Quiz Preview

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?

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?

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

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?

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

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?

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?

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?

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.