Instructor Resource
Dainton, Applying Communication Theory for Professional Life 4e
SAGE Publishing, 2018
Case Notes
Chapter 6: Culture
Answer to Case Study 6: The Trouble with Tourists
Question 1. How might the troubles with the tourism company be explained by Hofstede’s
dimensions of culture? Make sure to look at both Japanese and American cultures.
Question 2. Did either Yushiko or Mark ever accommodate? How? With what effect?
Question 3. Relate AUM’s seven predictors of anxiety and uncertainty to the case. Which
predictors seem to be the greatest contributors to the problem at Granovetter Church? How
Instructor Resource
Dainton, Applying Communication Theory for Professional Life 4e
SAGE Publishing, 2018
might Gudykunst advise both Mark and Yushiko so they can engage in more mindful
communication?
Question 4. To what extent did Mark and Yushiko recognize the other’s face needs during the
conflict? What conflict strategies did they use? Were the strategies consistent with the
predictions of face negotiation theory?
SAMPLE STUDENT ANSWER: Yushiko was initially concerned with other-face
when she spoke with Mark. She was very sorry that the difficulty was occurring. She
attempted to be obliging. Mark, frustrated with the lack of change, was concerned with
Question 5: What ethical challenges arise when interacting with members of another culture,
such as in this case study? Which theory or theories might help mitigate these challenges?
Instructor Resource
Dainton, Applying Communication Theory for Professional Life 4e
SAGE Publishing, 2018
SAMPLE STUDENT ANSWER: There are several ethical challenges that are apparent
in this situation. There is the issue of Christianity/sacred religious space. Volunteers
interpret the behavior of the tourists as offensive when they don’t “follow the
guidelines.” There are issues of in-group/out-group conflict. Volunteers feel they belong
Question 6. Do any of the theories emerge as “better” than the others? Why do you believe this
is the case? What situations might surface that would make a different theory or theories better
at explaining the situation?