Instructor Resource
Neuliep, Intercultural Communication, 8e
SAGE Publishing, 2021
Discussion Questions
Chapter 2: The Cultural Context
1. Do you feel that you belong to an individualistic or collectivistic culture? Why? What are the
signs?
2. What are some of the ways that you use high-context communication? What are some of the
ways that you use low-context communication? Which do you prefer?
3. Is your relationship with your professors indicative of large or small power distance?
ETHICS AND CULTURAL CONTEXT
Below are some situations for your students to consider that take into account concepts from
Chapter Two.
1. You are conducting interviews for a new position. You are told to only ask the questions
provided by the Human Resource department. One of the questions asks the candidates to “talk
about their accomplishments and their strengths.” Clearly, this question comes from an
2. How is decision making influenced by individual, situational, and cultural factors? What
happens when someone from one culture perceives a moral problem but someone from a
Instructor Resource
Neuliep, Intercultural Communication, 8e
SAGE Publishing, 2021
different culture does not perceive an issue? For instance, in some cultures, presenting small gifts
to business colleagues is expected. In other cultures, the presentation of gifts is considered
bribery.