Test Bank
Chapter 2: The Cultural Context
Multiple Choice
1. Which of the following types of cultures emphasize individual goals over group goals?
a. individualistic cultures
b. large power distance cultures
c. small power distance cultures
d. high-context cultures
2. Which of the following statements best describes a collectivistic culture?
a. Emphasis is placed on individuals’ goals over group goals.
b. People communicate using a restricted code.
c. People are taught to be creative, self-reliant, competitive, and assertive.
d. Stresses values that serve the in-group.
3. Which of the following statements best describes an individualistic culture?
a. It stresses approval of the outgroup.
b. People are seen as interdependent with others.
c. Self-concept is consistent with public behavior.
d. People communicate using a restricted code.
4. Which of the following countries is the most individualistic?
a. United States
b. Japan
c. Russia
d. Brazil
5. Which of the following countries is the most collectivistic?
a. United States
b. Japan
c. Russia
d. Canada
6. Which of the following statements best describes a high-context culture?
a. It stresses approval of the out-group.
b. People are seen as interdependent with others.
c. Self-concept is consistent with public behavior.
d. People communicate using a restricted code.
7. Which of the following statements best describes a low-context culture?
a. People communicate using a restricted code.
b. Nonverbal code is the primary source of information.
c. Verbal code is the primary source of information.
d. Heavy reliance on the contextual elements of the communication setting.
8. Which one of the following countries is considered a high-context culture?
a. Canada
b. South Korea
c. England
d. Saudi Arabia
9. Which one of the following countries is considered a low-context culture?
a. Germany
b. Spain
c. China.
d. Vietnam
10. Which of the following statements best describes a large power distance culture?
a. Inequalities among people are expected and desired.
b. Inequalities among people should be minimized.
c. People communicate using “powerful” messages (e.g., direct, assertive).
d. People communicate using “powerless” messages (e.g., indirect, hesitant).
11. Which of the following statements best describes a small power distance culture?
a. Inequalities among people are expected and desired.
b. Inequalities among people should be minimized.
c. People communicate using “powerful” messages (e.g., direct, assertive).
d. People communicate using “powerless” messages (e.g., indirect, hesitant).
12. Which of the following countries is considered large power distance?
a. Great Britain
b. Scotland
c. Finland
d. Mexico
13. Which of the following statements best describes a strong uncertainty-avoidant culture?
a. Uncertainty is seen as a normal part of life.
b. Uncertainty is seen as a continuous threat.
c. Most of the population experiences communication apprehension.
d. Few people experience communication apprehension.
14. Which of the following statements best describes a weak uncertainty-avoidant culture?
a. Uncertainty is seen as a normal part of life.
b. Uncertainty is seen as a continuous threat.
c. Most of the population experiences communication apprehension.
d. Few people experience communication apprehension.
15. Persons who are certainty oriented ______.
a. undertake activity that maintains clarity
b. undertake activity that is socially prescribed
c. undertake activity that is hierarchically prescribed
d. undertake activity that is monochronically prescribed
True/False
1. The most relevant feature of individualism, as defined in the majority of the studies, is valuing
personal independence.
2. Individualism is linked to a sense of duty to group, interdependence, harmony, and working
with the group.
3. Individualism and collectivism are not mutually exclusive; that is, they can coexist within a
person of any culture.
4. Within a low–context culture, interactants primarily will look to the physical, sociorelational,
and perceptual environment for information.
5. In a low–context communication, the verbal code is the primary source of information.
6. In China, a dominant cultural value is filial piety (obedience to parents, respect for parents,
honoring of ancestors).
7. Cultures with a smaller power distance emphasize that inequalities among people should be
minimized.
8. In cultures with a strong uncertainty avoidance orientation, uncertainty is seen as a normal part
of life, where each day is accepted as it comes.
9. Cultures with a strong uncertainty avoidance orientation sense that uncertainty in life is a
continuous threat that must be fought.
10. During intercultural communication, higher uncertainty is usually associated with lower
anxiety.
Essay/Short Answer
1. Define and describe the essential differences between individualistic and collectivistic
cultures.
2. Define and describe the essential differences between high and low context cultures.
3. Define and describe the essential differences between large and small power distance cultures.
4. Identify and analyze an event in which you witnessed self-enhancement and one of
Constantine Sedikides’ three communicative strategies.
5. Schwartz’s 10 Basic Human Values rank differently across individuals and groups. Choose
your top 3 values and explain the reasoning for your selections.