Chapter 4: Cross-Cultural Contact with Americans

As it is used in this book, the term "American" refers to (A,B)

• a. North Americans, including Canadians

• b. people who were born and raised in the United States

• South Americans only

According the authors: (D)

• a. it is impossible to make generalizations about Americans because they are so diverse

• b. Americans do not come from a common ancestor and so there is no "American" culture

• c. even though the American society is multicultural, there is a

  "mainstream" American culture

The "melting pot" view of America's diversity implies that: (E)

• a. ethnic groups were able to lose their cultural identity in order to assimilate

• b. it is better for ethnic groups to retain their cultural identity

• c. people are so different that they cannot form a single group

As applied to American society, the analogy of the "mosaic" implies that: (F)

• a. each group can contribute positively to the society without losing its cultural identity

• b. ethnic groups are too different from each other and will always have problems

• members of ethnic groups cannot be American and also keep their cultural identity

By the year 2010, the white majority will: (G)

• a. become the minority in the U.S

• b. become the minority in California

• c. become the minority in New York.

Which of the following statements does not correctly describe a stereotype? (H)

• a. A stereotype can be positive or negative, but is usually negative.

• b. A stereotype is an overgeneralization about a group of people

• c. A stereotype is a careful observation about some people in a particular group

Which of statement best describes how the American media has, until recently, portrayed cultural groups? (J)

• a. The American media has been careful not to create stereotypes about ethnic groups.

• b. The American media has always been sensitive to the reactions of political and cultural groups

• c. The American media, like the media in other countries, has created images of certain groups that are very stereotypical

What is one reason that it is possible to make generalizations about American culture despite the diversity in the United States? (K)

• a. The same educational institutions, political system, economy, and mass media play a part in the "Americanization" of most people living in the United States

• b. All immigrants must learn American history before they can become citizens

• c. There are no differences among the ethnic groups, and together they form an "American" culture.

Why is it important to understand cultural values? (M)

• a. Cultural values are interesting from an historical perspective

• b. Cultural values change slowly as cultures change.

• c. Cultural values influence and guide behavior

Which of the following would not be considered mainstream American values?

• hierarchy, tradition and spiritualism

• independence, informality, and self-help

• egalitarianism, individualism, and an emphasis on future time