Stigma, Ethnocentrism, and Cultural Relativism (8B) Practice Test

A multinational company offered negotiation training after conflicts emerged between employees from Culture A (where direct disagreement in meetings is common) and Culture B (where disagreement is often communicated indirectly to preserve harmony). Some managers from Culture A interpreted indirect feedback as “dishonest” and rated Culture B employees as less competent. Culture B employees reported that direct confrontation felt disrespectful and led them to withhold input during meetings. A consultant proposed training that frames both styles as context-dependent communication strategies and teaches employees to ask clarifying questions about intent rather than assuming character flaws. Concept tested: ethnocentrism. What outcome would be most expected from an ethnocentric viewpoint among managers from Culture A?

A cross-cultural psychology lab compared reactions to a coming-of-age ritual in Community Z that involves a supervised overnight stay in a communal house, during which adolescents receive instruction from elders. Visiting students from another country described the practice as “backward” and suggested it should be banned, citing their own society’s emphasis on individual privacy. Community Z members reported that the ritual is intended to mark social responsibilities and is accompanied by safety rules and parental consent. In a post-visit survey, students who endorsed statements like “our way of raising teens is the best standard” also rated Community Z members as “less educated,” despite no data on schooling. Concept tested: ethnocentrism. What outcome would be most expected from an ethnocentric viewpoint in this case study?