Introducing Intercultural Communication: Global Cultures and Contexts
Student Resources
Chapter 11: Intercultural and International Conflicts
1. Which of the following statements best characterizes an international conflict?
- It refers to disputes and hostilities between nations, even leading to wars fought between nations over political governance or territorial disputes.
- It refers to disputes between two or more organizations.
- It refers to disputes between women and men.
- It refers to disputes between economic elites and working classes.
Answer: A
2. Blake and Mouton identified five conflict styles based on the degree of self-concern and other-concern. Which of the following statements best describes a competing style?
- It minimizes self-concern is minimized and maximizes other-concern.
- It uses power to gain one’s objectives, even though it means ignoring the needs of the opponent.
- It requires cooperation of both parties.
- It is commonly used in collectivistic cultures.
Answer: B
3. What of the following statements is true of Ting-Toomey’s strategies for dealing with intercultural conflict in an individualistic culture?
- Conflict strategies tend to be goal-oriented.
- Conflict strategies tend to focus on maintaining relationships.
- Conflicts are often viewed negatively.
- Conflicts are avoided at all cost.
Answer: A
4. Conflicts can be categorized as low or high in intensity. Which of the following statements best describes a high intensity conflict?
- It involves a series of intense battles between military forces adopted by at least one party.
- It does not involve the use of nuclear weapons.
- It involves a mediator between the conflict parties.
- It involves intervention of the conflict agencies.
Answer: A
5. Louis Pondy (1967) suggests that people move through stages as conflict develops and subsides. Which of the following statementts best describes the latent conflict?
- In this phase, the strategies and goals start to be enacted in communication.
- In this phase, the emphasis is on the conflict’s short-term and long-term consequences.
- In this phase, different parties begin to formulate strategies about how to deal with the conflict.
- In this phase, conditions are ripe for conflict, because incompatibilities and interdependence exist between the two parties.
Answer: D
6. Which of the following statement is true of a positive communication climate?
- Both parties should avoid emotional presentations such as angry or insulting remarks.
- Both parties eat well and see many movies to relax.
- Both parties focus on self-interest and self-needs.
- Both parties stand firmly on their own ground.
Answer: A
7. Which of the following cases is an example of anti-racist movement in the USA, that calls for racial justice?
- Apartheid
- Proud Girls
- Black Lives Matter
- Blue Panthers
Answer: C
8. What kind of dispute does the Zionist dream of building a Jewish state in Palestine represent?
- dispute over territorial issues, since Zionists thought of Palestine as desolate and empty
- dispute over economic issues, since Zionists considered only all factories as theirs
- dispute over language, since only Welsh was allowed to be spoken in Palestine
- dispute over equality between men and women
Answer: A
9. What does a Chinese saying ‘Everything prospers in a harmonious family’ reflect?
- the belief that conflicts allow us to grow and change
- the belief that conflict should be reduced, if not avoided, as it disturbs harmony
- the belief that any kind of conflict should be resolved only by international parties
- the belief that direct communication style should be used in resolving conflict
Answer: B
10. Which of the following is considered as an effective conflict management strategy?
- focus on one’ own ground
- practise assertiveness
- encourage people to communicate in their own culturally appropriate way
- develop a positive communication climate
Answer: D