COMM 305 EXAM 1 QUESTIONS & ANSWERS
Explain the importance of studying intercultural communication. - Answer -To develop
an enhanced awareness of the changing trends in global and intercultural
communication.
Define the key attributes of the term "culture." - Answer -Traditions, beliefs, values,
norms, meanings, and symbols that are passed on from one generation to the next.
Cultivate an initial appreciation for the layered complexity of studying culture - Answer -
Patterns of traditions, beliefs, values, norms, meanings, and symbols
Identify and use examples to illustrate the three levels of the cultural iceberg metaphor.
- Answer -SURFACE-LEVEL CULTURE: pop culture, mass media, attitudes, ideas,
images, music that is mainstream
INTERMEDIATE-LEVEL CULTURE: symbols, meanings, norms (national animal is bald
eagle, national anthem, etc.)
DEEP-LEVEL CULTURE: Traditions, beliefs, values (national holidays, wedding
ceremonies, religions etc.)
Universal human needs
Relate the deep-level cultural factors in shaping the meanings that individuals attach to
an intercultural encounter process. - Answer -Traditions, beliefs, values
Be able to define "transactional, process-centered" approach to intercultural
communication. - Answer -Simultaneous encoding (ie. the sender choosing the right
words or nonverbal gestures to express his or her intentions) and decoding (ie. the
receiver translating the words or nonverbal cues into comprehensible meanings) of the
exchanged messages.
Define the specific characteristics of the term intercultural communication. - Answer -
Symbolic exchange, process, different cultural communities, negotiate shared
meanings, an interactive situation, and an embedded societal system.
Identify the three facets of the meaning construction process: content, relational, and
identity meaning transactions. - Answer -CONTENT MEANING: refers to the factual (or
digital) information that is being conveyed to the receiver through an oral channel or
other communication medium.
RELATIONAL MEANING: offers information concerning the state of the relationship
between the two communicators. (inferred via nonverbal intonations, body movements,
or gestures that accompany the verbal content level - friendly/unfriendly, equal/unequal,
etc)
IDENTITY MEANING: refers to the following questions - "Who am I and who are you in
this interaction episode?" "How do I define myself in this interaction scene?" and "How
do I define you in this interaction scene?"
, Compare and contrast the difference between flexible and inflexible intercultural
communication. - Answer -Flexible intercultural communication: emphasizes the
importance of integrating knowledge and an open-minded attitude and putting them into
adaptive and creative practice in everyday communication.
Inflexible intercultural communication: stresses the continuation of using our own
cultural values, judgments, and routines in communicating with culturally different
others.
Distinguish between an ethnocentric mindset and an ethnorelative mindset. - Answer -
Ethnocentric mindset: means staying stuck with our own cultural worldviews and using
our own cultural values as the baseline standards to evaluate the other person's cultural
behavior.
Ethnorelative mindset: means to understand a communication behavior from the other
person's cultural frame of reference.
Discuss the content components and criteria of intercultural communication flexibility. -
Answer -Knowledge: refers to the systematic, conscious learning of the essential
themes and concepts in intercultural communication flexibility.
Attitude: can include both cognitive and affective layers. Cognitive - refers to the
willingness to suspend our ethnocentric judgment and readiness to be open-minded in
learning about cross-cultural difference issues. Affective: refers to the emotional
commitment to engage in cultural perspective-taking and the cultivation of an
empathetic heart in reach out to culturally different groups.
Ascertain and use examples to illustrate the four stages of developing intercultural
communication flexibility along the staircase model. - Answer -UNCONSCIOUS
INCOMPETENCE STAGE: individuals have no culture-sensitive knowledge to
communicate competently with the host members of the new culture.
CONSCIOUS INCOMPETENCE STAGE: individuals have some notion that they
behave incompetently, however, they lack the knowledge or skills to operate
appropriately in the new cultural setting.
CONSCIOUS COMPETENCE STAGE: individuals are actively pursuing new
intercultural knowledge to improve their communication competences.
UNCONSCIOUS COMPETENCE STAGE: is the "mindlessly mindful" zen-like stage in
which individuals move in and out of spontaneous yet adaptive communication with
members of the new culture.
Understand the different functions of cultural values and how these functions drive
communication expectations, evaluations, and styles. - Answer -IDENTITY MEANING
FUNCTION: cultural values provide the frame of reference the most fundamental
question of each human being - "Who am I?"
EXPLANATORY FUNCTION: within own cultural group we experience acceptance and
approval. We do not have to constantly justify or explain our actions and values. Our
commonly shared values are implicitly understood.
Explain the importance of studying intercultural communication. - Answer -To develop
an enhanced awareness of the changing trends in global and intercultural
communication.
Define the key attributes of the term "culture." - Answer -Traditions, beliefs, values,
norms, meanings, and symbols that are passed on from one generation to the next.
Cultivate an initial appreciation for the layered complexity of studying culture - Answer -
Patterns of traditions, beliefs, values, norms, meanings, and symbols
Identify and use examples to illustrate the three levels of the cultural iceberg metaphor.
- Answer -SURFACE-LEVEL CULTURE: pop culture, mass media, attitudes, ideas,
images, music that is mainstream
INTERMEDIATE-LEVEL CULTURE: symbols, meanings, norms (national animal is bald
eagle, national anthem, etc.)
DEEP-LEVEL CULTURE: Traditions, beliefs, values (national holidays, wedding
ceremonies, religions etc.)
Universal human needs
Relate the deep-level cultural factors in shaping the meanings that individuals attach to
an intercultural encounter process. - Answer -Traditions, beliefs, values
Be able to define "transactional, process-centered" approach to intercultural
communication. - Answer -Simultaneous encoding (ie. the sender choosing the right
words or nonverbal gestures to express his or her intentions) and decoding (ie. the
receiver translating the words or nonverbal cues into comprehensible meanings) of the
exchanged messages.
Define the specific characteristics of the term intercultural communication. - Answer -
Symbolic exchange, process, different cultural communities, negotiate shared
meanings, an interactive situation, and an embedded societal system.
Identify the three facets of the meaning construction process: content, relational, and
identity meaning transactions. - Answer -CONTENT MEANING: refers to the factual (or
digital) information that is being conveyed to the receiver through an oral channel or
other communication medium.
RELATIONAL MEANING: offers information concerning the state of the relationship
between the two communicators. (inferred via nonverbal intonations, body movements,
or gestures that accompany the verbal content level - friendly/unfriendly, equal/unequal,
etc)
IDENTITY MEANING: refers to the following questions - "Who am I and who are you in
this interaction episode?" "How do I define myself in this interaction scene?" and "How
do I define you in this interaction scene?"
, Compare and contrast the difference between flexible and inflexible intercultural
communication. - Answer -Flexible intercultural communication: emphasizes the
importance of integrating knowledge and an open-minded attitude and putting them into
adaptive and creative practice in everyday communication.
Inflexible intercultural communication: stresses the continuation of using our own
cultural values, judgments, and routines in communicating with culturally different
others.
Distinguish between an ethnocentric mindset and an ethnorelative mindset. - Answer -
Ethnocentric mindset: means staying stuck with our own cultural worldviews and using
our own cultural values as the baseline standards to evaluate the other person's cultural
behavior.
Ethnorelative mindset: means to understand a communication behavior from the other
person's cultural frame of reference.
Discuss the content components and criteria of intercultural communication flexibility. -
Answer -Knowledge: refers to the systematic, conscious learning of the essential
themes and concepts in intercultural communication flexibility.
Attitude: can include both cognitive and affective layers. Cognitive - refers to the
willingness to suspend our ethnocentric judgment and readiness to be open-minded in
learning about cross-cultural difference issues. Affective: refers to the emotional
commitment to engage in cultural perspective-taking and the cultivation of an
empathetic heart in reach out to culturally different groups.
Ascertain and use examples to illustrate the four stages of developing intercultural
communication flexibility along the staircase model. - Answer -UNCONSCIOUS
INCOMPETENCE STAGE: individuals have no culture-sensitive knowledge to
communicate competently with the host members of the new culture.
CONSCIOUS INCOMPETENCE STAGE: individuals have some notion that they
behave incompetently, however, they lack the knowledge or skills to operate
appropriately in the new cultural setting.
CONSCIOUS COMPETENCE STAGE: individuals are actively pursuing new
intercultural knowledge to improve their communication competences.
UNCONSCIOUS COMPETENCE STAGE: is the "mindlessly mindful" zen-like stage in
which individuals move in and out of spontaneous yet adaptive communication with
members of the new culture.
Understand the different functions of cultural values and how these functions drive
communication expectations, evaluations, and styles. - Answer -IDENTITY MEANING
FUNCTION: cultural values provide the frame of reference the most fundamental
question of each human being - "Who am I?"
EXPLANATORY FUNCTION: within own cultural group we experience acceptance and
approval. We do not have to constantly justify or explain our actions and values. Our
commonly shared values are implicitly understood.
