ING O511 Intercultural Communication

First Partial Exam Study Guide

For this first partial exam you should read Chapters 1 and 2 in your text book
Communication between Cultures. The test is divided into three sections.
Checklist - Chapter 1
1. Why has intercultural contact increased over the last century?
2. Define the following:
a. Dominant Culture
b. Co-culture
c. Human Communication -
3. Mention four functions of communication
4. What is meant by each of the following: Communication
a. is a dynamic process
b. is symbolic
c. has a consequence
5. What are the 5 elements of culture?
6. Mention the characteristics of culture.
7. Give 2 examples of informal and formal learning of culture.
8. How does the Mass Media teach us culture?
9. Who are the carriers of culture?
10. What are the problems that make studying Intercultural Communication and inexact
discipline?
11. Briefly explain the Iceberg concept of Culture (Hall 1976).
12. What was Horace Miner’s purpose for writing Nacirema?
13. Which factors have become more relevant regarding international contact?

Checklist - Chapter 2 Deep Structure

1. What are the three most influential social organizations that make up a culture’s
deep structure?
2. Why are these social structures so influential in a culture?
3. Definitions
1. Family?
2. Nuclear family
3. Extended family
4. Individualism
5. Collectivism

4. What are the functions of the family?

 5. In terms of family, Samovar et al. (2010) state that cultures differ in their definition
of “family”, “gender roles”, “age-grading” and in their orientation towards
individualism/collectivism”. Give one example of how each of these is defined
and/or enacted in Mexican (or the country of your origin) families.
1. Family
2. Gender roles
3. Age grouping
4. Individualism/Collectivism
6. How does America’s history affect its views on Individualism/Collectivism?
7. Why did Russia’s history lend towards a cultural pride and fear of outsiders?
8. According to the book, the Chinese have a “self-perception of superiority”. Why?
9. How does Mexico’s history affect their power structure of today?

The test has this format.

I. Multiple Choice Section
Sample questions:
a) The continued expansion of global mega-corporations means that there will be a
greater need for: (A) individuals who can work in a multicultural environment;
(B) cooperation among governments and nonprofit organizations to establish
effective regulations and controls on the movement of goods and services; (C)
increased flexibility and decreased transparency; (D) A and B; (E) A, B, and C
Answer: D Content: pg. 4

b) The belief that one’s own culture is superior to all others is referred to as: (A)
bigotry; (B) egocentrism; (C) ethnocentrism; (D) orientating; (E) centering

Answer: C Content: pg. 44

c) The state of being objective, just, unbiased, and not influenced by emotions or
personal prejudices: (A) is easier to talk about than attain; (B) requires
suspension of personal judgments, which may or may not be possible; (C)
requires the elimination of both overt and subtle hostility; (D) is complicated
when intercultural interactions are involved; (E) all of the above

Answer: E Content: pp. 70-71

II. True or False Section

 a) The definition of communication used by the authors is: “Communication is a
dynamic process in which people attempt to share their internal states with other
people through the use of symbols.
b) Dominant culture is the preferred term for concepts such as umbrella culture or
mainstream culture because it emphasizes the power relationship.
Answer: True Content: pg. 12
III. Open Questions
a) Choose two of the following options and answer briefly and concisely (12 pts).

What are some of the consequences, both positive and negative, of globalization on
issues such as world trade, technology and travel, and competition for natural
resources?
Answer: see pp. 2-11

b) Define the following terms.

Communication

c) Choose two of the following questions and illustrate briefly and concisely. (12pts):
How has globalization affected families? Be sure to address migration patterns and
the mass media.

Answer: pp. 57-58

IV. Vocabulary
Match the concepts with their definitions
Ubiquitious That is found everywhere