So You Want to Talk About Race
In a conversation with her white mother, the author struggled to explain that her blackness impacted her life in ways her mother could not see. What realization did her mother come to after the conversation?
A) That she should no longer talk about race with her daughter.
B) That her daughter’s blackness was no longer a barrier between them.
C) That race didn’t matter in the world anymore.
D) That her daughter was exaggerating her experiences with racism.
Correct Answer: B) That her daughter’s blackness was no longer a barrier between them.
What is defined as a conversation where opinions differ, stakes are high, and emotions run strong?
A) Casual Chat
B) Critical Dialogue
C) Crucial Conversation
D) High-Stakes Discussion
Correct Answer: C) Crucial Conversation
What is the primary instinctive reaction people have when faced with criticism?
A) Indifference
B) Defense
C) Agreement
D) Curiosity
Correct Answer: B) Defense
What does the author suggest is an important action to take when a conversation about race has gone awry?
A) Change the subject to lighten the mood
B) Jump back in to try to resolve the issue immediately
C) Step away to reflect and acknowledge the situation
D) Blame the other person for the misunderstanding
Correct Answer: C) Step away to reflect and acknowledge the situation
According to the text, what factor significantly influences the success or failure of a Crucial Conversation?
A) The setting of the conversation
B) The amount of time that passes before addressing the issue
C) The number of participants involved
D) The clarity of the topic discussed
Correct Answer: B) The amount of time that passes before addressing the issue
What is a significant consequence of avoiding criticism in organizational settings, as mentioned in the text?
A) Improved morale
B) Increased productivity
C) Poor decision-making by leaders
D) Enhanced creativity
Correct Answer: C) Poor decision-making by leaders
According to the author, how should individuals approach discussions about racial oppression to ensure they are meaningful and not superficial?
A) By focusing solely on their own experiences
B) By engaging only with those who share their views
C) By recognizing and confronting their own biases and internalized racism
D) By avoiding any emotional discussions
Correct Answer: C) By recognizing and confronting their own biases and internalized racism
What is a common reason people avoid Crucial Conversations?
A) They lack sufficient knowledge about the topic.
B) They fear that discussing the issue will worsen the situation.
C) They believe it is unnecessary to address the topic.
D) They want to keep the peace in their relationships.
Correct Answer: B) They fear that discussing the issue will worsen the situation.
In the context of criticism, what is the first step of the Responding to Criticism model?
A) Seek out agreement
B) Actively listen
C) Express your feelings
D) Provide immediate feedback
Correct Answer: B) Actively listen
In the context of discussing race, what does the author suggest is a primary reason to conduct personal research prior to engaging in conversations?
A) To appear knowledgeable
B) To avoid asking others for definitions
C) To dominate the discussion
D) To gather points for debate
Correct Answer: B) To avoid asking others for definitions
What did psychologist Howard Markman find to be a significant predictor of relationship outcomes during heated discussions?
A) The age of the individuals involved
B) The financial situation of the couple
C) The manner in which they argue
D) The length of the relationship
Correct Answer: C) The manner in which they argue
What tragic event is cited as an example of the consequences of ignoring critical feedback within an organization?
A) The Gulf of Tonkin Incident
B) The Challenger disaster
C) The Watergate scandal
D) The Enron collapse
Correct Answer: B) The Challenger disaster
What does the author imply about the emotional responses of individuals discussing race, and how should one manage these feelings during a conversation?
A) They should suppress all emotions to maintain control.
B) They should embrace emotions as a sign of passion for the topic.
C) They should acknowledge feelings but prioritize understanding over ego.
D) They should avoid discussing feelings altogether to keep the focus on facts.
Correct Answer: C) They should acknowledge feelings but prioritize understanding over ego.
In studies about health and communication, what did researchers discover about couples who effectively resolved their differences compared to those who did not?
A) They had less conflict overall.
B) They had stronger immune systems and better health.
C) They had a higher likelihood of separation.
D) They experienced less emotional stress.
Correct Answer: B) They had stronger immune systems and better health.
According to Dr. Illig, what technique is recommended to improve responses during high-stakes conflict situations?
A) Respond immediately to show confidence
B) Count to three before speaking
C) Avoid any discussion until feelings settle
D) Write down responses before sharing
Correct Answer: B) Count to three before speaking