Chapter 3: Understanding Gender and Culture

Question 1

Gender

Answer 1

• is a complex combination of physical, behavioral, and psychological attributes
• is social, psychological, and behavioral attributes

Question 2

Gender polarization

Answer 2

-individuals are sorted into either “male” or “female”

Question 3

Gender continuum

Answer 3

• gender is more accurately a continuum
• individuals are complex combinations of attributes, both “feminine” and “masculine”

Question 4

Gender fluid

Answer 4

• does not fall into the binary view of gender
• views gender as a dynamic mix of characteristics

Question 5

Gender defined

Answer 5

• gender is distinct from sex and gender Identity
• how the characterisitcs of genders are socially constructed

Question 6

Sex

Answer 6

• anatomical, biological distinctions

Question 7

Gender identity

Answer 7

• internal, inner sense of being a boy, man, or male;
  a girl, woman, or female; or an alternative, such as genderqueer, gender-nonconforming, or gender-neutral

Question 8

Transgender

Answer 8

• gender identity does not match sex category assigned at birth

Question 9

Cisgender

Answer 9

• gender identity matches sex category assigned at birth

Question 10

Gender socialization

Answer 10

• cultural training through which we learn the gender norms expected of us
• names, clothing, toys, room decorations

Question 11

Gender roles

Answer 11

• societal expectations for conduct and behavior
• beliefs take hold early, impact aspirations for future
• lead to unequal gender expectations and stereotypes

Question 12

Gender and verbal communication

Answer 12

• lack of differences between genders
• many inaccurate stereotypes
• audience, feedback, topic matter more

Question 13

Gender and nonverbal communication

Answer 13

• several consistent differences between genders
• women are more facially expressive and have more micro-movements in their faces
• societal expectations influence interpretation
  -being asked to “smile”
  -expectation of women as happy, men as angry

Question 14

Moving beyond gender stereotypes

Answer 14

• reflect on the ways you construct your own gender
• reflect on media consumption
  -think about word choice
  -speak out in the future against unfair, unjust, or restrictive gender stereotypes, expectations, or roles

Question 15

Culture

Answer 15

• established set of beliefs, attitudes, values, practices
• shared by a large group of people
• includes many types of influences
• nationality, ethnicity, religion, gender, sexual orientation, physical abilities, age

Question 16

Culture is learned

Answer 16

• through many different sources
• begins at birth and continues as we mature

Question 17

Intercultural communication

Answer 17

• communicating with someone from a different culture

Question 18

Culture is layered

Answer 18

• most belong to more than one culture

Question 19

Culture is lived

Answer 19

• affects how we live
• source of personal pride

Question 20

Co-cultural communication theory

Answer 20

• people with power determine dominant culture
• decide prevailing views, values, traditions

Question 21

Co-cultures

Answer 21

• coexist with dominant culture
• differing languages, values, appearances, lifestyles

Question 22

Co-cultural communication:

Answer 22

• communication between people from underrepresented group and dominant group

Question 23

Intersections of identity

Answer 23

• our identities and interactions cannot be detached from the contexts and cultures in which they exist
• intersectionality

Question 24

Prejudice

Answer 24

• stereotypes towards groups coupled with negative emotions and behavioral inclinations

Question 25

Microaggressions

Answer 25

• prejudice that is expressed directly toward people who are members of underrepresented groups

Question 26

Overcoming prejudice

Answer 26

• use perception-checking and empathy guidelines
• assess orientation toward social dominance
• learn, engage, listen

Question 27

Dimensions of difference

Answer 27

• people within particular cultures can vary along cultural dimensions

Question 28

Individualistic cultures

Answer 28

• people value independence and personal achievement

Question 29

Collectivistic cultures

Answer 29

• people emphasize group identity, interpersonal harmony, and well-being of ingroups

Question 30

High- context cultures

Answer 30

• vague/ambiguous language and silence
• don’t feel the need to provide explicit information

Question 31

Low- context cultures

Answer 31

• no presumption of shared beliefs, attitudes, values
• informative, clear, direct communication

Question 32

High-uncertainty avoidance

Answer 32

• value control, structure

Question 33

Low-uncertainty-avoidance cultures

Answer 33

• value innovation, change, critical thinking
• freely question and challenge authority

Question 34

Displays rules

Answer 34

• norms that dictate how people express emotion
• provide guidelines for emotion displays

Question 35

Power distance

Answer 35

• how people in a culture view the unequal distribution of power

Question 36

Low-power-distance cultures

Answer 36

• high-status positions minimize the difference between themselves and lower-status

Question 37

High-power-distance cultures

Answer 37

• privileged treatment, respect for high status

Question 38

Communication accommodation theory

Answer 38

• adapt to communication preferences
• notice the speed and duration at which they speak
• practice norms and nonverbal behavior
• communication accommodation makes people perceive the speaker as more competent

Question 39

Intercultural competence

Answer 39

• appropriate, effective, ethical communication with diverse groups

Question 40

World-mindedness

Answer 40

• acceptance; respect for beliefs, values, customs

Question 41

Ethnocentrism

Answer 41

• the belief that one’s beliefs, attitudes, values, practices, and culture are superior

Question 42

Attributional Complexity

Answer 42

• acknowledging that people’s behaviors have complex causes