Breaking Through Barriers: Are You A Culturally Competent Communicator?

1. Culture teaches you how to think and what to think about.

True

False

Correct answer: true. Culture affects a person's thoughts, as well as their values and behavior.

Explanation

Correct answer: true. Culture affects a person's thoughts, as well as their values and behavior.

2.

To communicate interculturally, it is important to limit one's reliance on ___________.

Stereotypes

Technology

Media

Friendship

Correct answer: stereotypes. It is important to eliminate our pre-existing prejudices when communicating with someone from another culture.

Explanation

Correct answer: stereotypes. It is important to eliminate our pre-existing prejudices when communicating with someone from another culture.

3. How can you overcome ethnocentrism?

Acknowledge distinctions

Avoid assumptions

Avoid judgments

All of the above are effective suggestions for avoiding ethnocentrism.

The answer is "All of the above are effective suggestions for avoiding ethnocentrism" because acknowledging distinctions helps us recognize and appreciate cultural differences, avoiding assumptions prevents us from making unfair generalizations about other cultures, and avoiding judgments allows us to approach different cultures with an open mind and without bias. By following these suggestions, we can overcome ethnocentrism and foster a more inclusive and understanding society.

Explanation

The answer is "All of the above are effective suggestions for avoiding ethnocentrism" because acknowledging distinctions helps us recognize and appreciate cultural differences, avoiding assumptions prevents us from making unfair generalizations about other cultures, and avoiding judgments allows us to approach different cultures with an open mind and without bias. By following these suggestions, we can overcome ethnocentrism and foster a more inclusive and understanding society.

4. Which of the following is true of ethnocentrism?

Ethnocentrism promotes goodwill and understanding among cultures.

Ethnocentrism is the tendency to judge people according to one's own cultural standards.

Ethnocentrism promotes cultural sensitivity.

Ethnocentrism is rarely a problem.

Ethnocentrism refers to the tendency of individuals to evaluate and judge other cultures based on their own cultural norms and values. This can lead to a biased perspective and a lack of understanding or appreciation for other cultures. It does not promote goodwill or understanding among cultures, nor does it necessarily promote cultural sensitivity. Instead, it can create misunderstandings and conflicts between different cultural groups. Therefore, the statement that "Ethnocentrism is the tendency to judge people according to one's own cultural standards" accurately describes the concept of ethnocentrism.

Explanation

Ethnocentrism refers to the tendency of individuals to evaluate and judge other cultures based on their own cultural norms and values. This can lead to a biased perspective and a lack of understanding or appreciation for other cultures. It does not promote goodwill or understanding among cultures, nor does it necessarily promote cultural sensitivity. Instead, it can create misunderstandings and conflicts between different cultural groups. Therefore, the statement that "Ethnocentrism is the tendency to judge people according to one's own cultural standards" accurately describes the concept of ethnocentrism.

5. It is important to ____________ the communication rules of other cultures to communicate effectively.

Debate

Restructure

Challenge

None of the above

Correct answer: none of the above. We must be ever cognizant of the communication needs of others, as well as ourselves. Seek first to understand, then seek to be understood.

Explanation

Correct answer: none of the above. We must be ever cognizant of the communication needs of others, as well as ourselves. Seek first to understand, then seek to be understood.