Cultural Patterns & Orientations
True or False: Most people in a culture are unaware of their own culture's patterns.
True
True or False: Most Americans believe that time is a resource; thus, they can accomplish more if they "use" their time wisely.
True
True of False: Polychronic cultures view time as a resource that must be managed carefully.
False
This is a monochronic perspective
True or False: In cultural taxonomies, all cultures are either 1 category or another. For example, a culture can be individualistic or collectivist-- there is no in-between.
False
All cultural patterns/taxonomies are on a spectrum
True or False: When it comes to language, most communication scholars follow the theory of linguistic universalism
False
They follow the theory of linguistic relativity- that language shapes reality
What are the 4 ingredients of cultural patterns?
shared beliefs, values, norms, and social practices
A core aspect of the "American Dream" is the idea that people can succeed through their own hard work and determination.
Which American cultural pattern does the American Dream most clearly demonstrate?
Self Help Concept
Which cultural pattern describes cultures that relies more on nonverbal cues, shared understanding, and implicit meaning?
high-context culture
In an Austrian company, an employee might challenge their boss in the middle of a meeting. This is an example of how Austrian culture has _________ power distance.
Low power distance
Every time Raquel sees one of her close friends, she gives them a hug. This an example of which type of nonverbal communication?
haptics
Which value orientation impacts how a culture approaches the balance of work and play?
Activity orientation
When students in the U.S. attend their college classes, many of them wear sweat pants or pajamas.
This clothing choice most clearly demonstrates which American cultural pattern?
Informality
In terms of time orientation, arriving late to a meeting would be perceived as rude in which type of culture?
Monochronic
Someone from a culture with _____________ would strongly prefer being given detailed instructions from their boss and would be uncomfortable if they were asked to improvise.
High uncertainty avoidance
Fatima is presenting quarterly results in her workplace. She includes detailed background, multiple examples, storytelling, and expressive language.
Which communication style is Fatima using?
Elaborate
Which value orientation is most concerned with questions of hierarchy and responsibility to the group
Social Orientation
While attending her first class in the U.S., an international student from China was surprised to see the professor discuss her weekend plans with her students.
Which American cultural pattern is most clearly demonstrated in this scenario?
Directness, Openness, and Honesty
Louis, from Canada, is representing his company during a business trip to China. After he pitches a new product to a group of Chinese investors, his audience smiles politely and nods. Louis assumes the pitch went well, so he is surprised when weeks later, he still doesn't hear anything from the Chinese investors.
This scenario demonstrates which cultural taxonomy?
Low-High Context Cultures
Where Ivan grew up, all adults were referred to as Mr., Mrs., or Dr. When Ivan visited a school in the U.S., he was shocked to see students calling their teacher by their first name.
Based on this story, Ivan likely comes from a culture with _____ power distance?
high power distance
An email from a Danish colleague states: "The proposal does not meet our requirements. Please revise sections 2 and 3."
A colleague from the Philippines perceives this message as rude.
What conflicting communication styles are at play in this scenario?
Direct vs. indirect
Which of the five value orientations is most clearly exemplified in the following statement?
"Animals have thoughts and feelings just like humans do."
World orientation
There are many reality shows in the U.S. that show off the large, glamorous homes of celebrities and rich business owners. Many people who watch these shows aspire to living the way these high-status individuals do.
The popularity of these shows point to which American cultural pattern?
Materialism
Rachel, an American, is visiting Brazil and is hoping to meet up with Helena, an old friend of hers she met in college. Helena texts Rachel and says they should meet up at a specific cafe in the afternoon.
Rachel arrives at the cafe right at noon. She waits for nearly an hour, but Helena is nowhere to be seen. Rachel is worried something might have happened to her friend, so she calls her. Helena answers the phone nonchalantly and states, "I ran into my cousin at the shop and we've been chatting all morning. We'll be there in a bit."
Which time orientation does Rachel demonstrate in this scenario? Which time orientation does Helena demonstrate?
Rachel (American)- Monochronic; Helena (Brazilian)- Polychronic
What type of characteristics and/or behaviors would be valued in employees in a high femininity (a.k.a Nurturance-Social Support) culture?
Teamwork, Kindness, Patience, etc.
The word for dog in Spanish is "perro." In French, it's "chien," while its "aso" in Tagalog.
The different words for "dog" in different languages most clearly demonstrates which aspect of language?
Language is symbolic
Language has semantic rules is also acceptable