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A First Look At Communication Theory, 10e (Griffin)
Chapter 36 Co-Cultural Theory
1) According to Mark Orbe, ________ is where “individuals are seemingly inhibited and
nonconfrontational while putting the needs of others before their own.”
A) the latitude of acceptance
B) a humanistic approach
C) a nonassertive approach
D) the latitude of noncommitment
2) According to Mark Orbe, an ________ is behavior “perceived as hurtfully expressive, self-
promoting, and assuming control over the choices of others.”
A) interpretive approach
B) aggressive approach
C) assertive approach
D) objective approach
3) For co-cultural group members, which of the following means fitting into the dominant
culture while shedding the speech and nonverbal markers of their own group?
A) adaptation
B) affiliation
C) assimilation
D) accommodation
4) In the context of the communication orientations in co-cultural theory, identify a true
statement about nonassertive assimilation.
A) The constant drive of co-cultural members for success while downplaying cultural differences
makes it a difficult approach to sustain.
B) Fitting into the dominant structure becomes so important that others’ rights and interests are
often ignored.
C) Co-cultural members attempt to fit into dominant structures by “playing the game”.
D) Co-cultural members attempt to meet their own needs as best they can by unobtrusively
blending into the dominant society.
5) In the context of assertive assimilation as a communication orientation in co-cultural theory,
which of the following actions best describes the shorthand descriptor “overcompensating”?
A) exploiting the dominant image of a group for personal gain
B) making a conscious and consistent effort to be a “superstar”
C) making covert or overt arrangements to ignore co-cultural differences
D) moving conversation away from risky or dangerous areas
6) In the context of the communication orientations in co-cultural theory, identify a shorthand
descriptor of nonassertive accommodation.
A) averting controversy
B) dispelling stereotypes
C) strategic distancing
D) ridiculing self
7) In the context of aggressive assimilation as a communication orientation in co-cultural theory,
which of the following shorthand descriptors is best described as adopting dominant
communication codes to mask co-cultural identity?
A) mirroring
B) overcompensating
C) bargaining
D) avoiding
8) Working within the dominant culture, co-cultural advocates offer a prophetic voice calling for
major transformation of structures and practices that hold co-cultural groups down. In the context
of the communication orientations in co-cultural theory, this statement best describes ________.
A) aggressive separation
B) nonassertive separation
C) aggressive accommodation
D) assertive assimilation
9) Which of the following statements is true about co-cultural members who employ
nonassertive separation, which is a communication orientation in co-cultural theory?
A) They avoid being with people from the dominant culture whenever they can.
B) They make strategic decisions to undermine the benefits of dominant group membership.
C) They use their personal power to strengthen the solidarity of their co-cultural group.
D) They speak confidently about the values and accomplishments of their co-cultural group.
10) In co-cultural theory, “exemplifying strengths” is likely to be employed by co-cultural group
members with which of the following communication orientations?
A) aggressive separation
B) aggressive accommodation
C) nonassertive assimilation
D) assertive separation
11) In the context of assertive separation as a communication orientation in co-cultural theory,
which of the following actions best describes the shorthand descriptor “embracing stereotypes”?
A) interacting with dominant groups in an open, genuine manner
B) explaining co-cultural norms and values to dominant groups
C) maintaining co-cultural presence within dominant groups
D) putting a positive spin on the biases of dominant groups
12) Keith, a co-cultural member, pursues accommodation with the dominant group using an
assertive approach. Considering his assertive accommodation orientation, which of the following
actions is he most likely to take?
A) explain co-cultural norms and values to the dominant group
B) make the group’s strength, success, and contribution known
C) try hard to avoid the typical behavior of his co-cultural group
D) remain silent to inappropriate or offensive comments
13) In the context of Mark Orbe’s communication approaches, an assertive approach is a style of
“self-enhancing and expressive behavior that takes into account both self and others’ needs.”
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14) In the context of Mark Orbe’s communication approaches, an aggressive approach refers to
communication practices that are seen as hurtfully expressive, self-promoting, and assuming
control over the choices of others.
15) Accommodation is defined as the co-cultural process of working to change dominant culture
rules to take the life experiences of co-cultural members into account.
16) In the context of the communication orientations in co-cultural theory, “ridiculing self” is a
shorthand descriptor of nonassertive accommodation.
17) In the context of the communication orientations in co-cultural theory, “utilizing liaisons” is
a shorthand descriptor of nonassertive assimilation.
18) In the context of assertive accommodation as a communication orientation in co-cultural
theory, co-cultural members whose abilities and interpersonal skills are valued work
cooperatively within the dominant culture.
19) The co-cultural group members who desire separation work to create and maintain an
identity that is similar to the dominant culture rather than promote their own in-group solidarity.
20) Separatist members, co-cultural group members who desire separation as a preferred
outcome of communication, are highly concerned with changing the rules of the dominant
culture because they see themselves as idealists who believe in seamless coordination.
21) Mark Orbe believes that a person with a pronounced physical disability easily assimilates
into a nondisabled culture.
22) Mark Orbe’s stated indebtedness to muted group theory and standpoint theory gives co-
cultural theory a built-in community of agreement among communication scholars who take a
critical approach.
23) Research suggests that co-cultural members who aim to get members of the dominant culture
to accommodate their beliefs and practices tend to be aggressive rather than assertive.
24) Mark Orbe does not call for reform of society or take on the role of advocate; instead, he
chooses to shine a bright light on the prevalence of unequal power in intercultural encounters.
25) According to Mark Orbe, ________ refers to the empowered group of relatively well-off,
white, European American, nondisabled, heterosexual men in the United States.
26) According to Mark Orbe, marginalized groups in the United States such as women, people of
color, the economically disadvantaged, people with physical disabilities, the LGBTQ
community, the very old and very young, and religious minorities are referred to as ________.
27) Communication between dominant group and co-cultural group members from the
perspective of co-cultural group members is called ________.
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28) Recurring verbal and nonverbal actions that co-cultural group members take during their
interaction with dominant group members are known as ________.
29) ________ is defined as a qualitative research method committed to focusing on the conscious
experience of a person as she or he relates to the lived world.
30) In the context of communication orientation, differentiate between the three preferred
outcomes—assimilation, accommodation, and separation—that co-cultural members are likely to
seek when face to face with members of the dominant culture.
31) In the context of communication orientation, describe the types of verbal and nonverbal
behavior—nonassertive, assertive, and aggressive—that co-cultural members are likely to use to
reach their chosen goal.
32) Describe nonassertive assimilation and the associated verbal and nonverbal actions that co-
cultural group members with this orientation take when interacting with members of the
dominant culture.
33) How is assertive accommodation different from aggressive accommodation? Give examples
to illustrate these two communication orientations.
34) Which communication orientation approach is often employed by a powerful co-cultural
group leader when segregation from the dominant culture seems imperative? Discuss the
different verbal and nonverbal actions that are characteristic of this orientation.
35) Explain the four factors—field of experience, situational context, ability, and perceived costs
and rewards—identified by Mark Orbe that influence how members of co-cultural groups
interact with members of the dominant society.