International & Global Communication: w1-3

What is the role of stories in understanding the world?

Stories help us understand each other, but they must be contextualized.

What does globalization refer to?

The compression of time and space that pushes people towards or against each other.

What is contextualization?

The circumstances or conditions in which something exists or happens, providing necessary background information.

What is Hofstede's definition of culture?

Culture is the collective programming of the mind that distinguishes members of one group from another.

What is the first dimension of Hofstede's cultural dimensions?

Power distance: the extent to which less powerful members accept and expect unequal power distribution.

What characterizes high power distance cultures?

Acceptance of a hierarchical order where everyone has a place without needing justification.

What characterizes low power distance cultures?

Striving to equalize power distribution and demanding justifications for inequalities.

What is the difference between individualism and collectivism?

Individualism emphasizes independence, while collectivism emphasizes interdependence within larger wholes.

What does masculinity vs femininity refer to in Hofstede's dimensions?

Masculinity endorses the use of force and values achievement, while femininity values cooperation and quality of life.

What is uncertainty avoidance?

A society's tolerance for uncertainty and ambiguity, with high avoidance maintaining rigid codes of behavior.

What is the difference between long-term and short-term orientation?

Long-term orientation encourages pragmatism and future planning, while short-term orientation prefers tradition and skepticism towards change.

What is the distinction between indulgence and restraint?

Indulgence allows for the free gratification of basic human drives, while restraint suppresses gratification through strict societal norms.

What are some issues with Hofstede's dimensions?

They were designed for business, fit culture into fixed entities, view cultures as homogenous, and reinforce stereotypes.

What is the World Values Survey (WVS)?

A global network studying changing values and their impact on social and political life.

What two broad dimensions does the WVS focus on?

Traditional vs. secular-rational values and survival vs. self-expression values.

How does language affect understanding between cultures?

Language can transmit values differently; accents and dialects can blur communication.

What are cognitive biases?

Mental shortcuts used to simplify information, often leading to irrational conclusions.

What is confirmation bias?

The tendency to seek information that supports one's beliefs while disregarding opposing information.

What is the significance of historical narratives?

They shape our understanding of nations and the world, but can vary greatly between cultures.

How can stories influence our understanding of history?

Different cultures may interpret historical figures and events in contrasting ways.

What does the phrase 'a picture is not worth 1000 words' imply?

Without context, images can be misinterpreted or misunderstood.

What is the importance of understanding our own culture?

It is essential to comprehend our biases and perspectives before understanding others.

What does the phrase 'the power of stories' refer to?

Stories guide our understanding of history and identity, influencing how we perceive the world.

What does it mean when cultures have subcultures?

Cultures are not homogenous; they contain diverse groups with distinct values and practices.

How does the evolution of religion affect global communication?

Religion's changing presence can influence values and social norms across different societies.

What is the impact of social media on storytelling?

Social media can spread narratives quickly, but may also distort or take stories out of context.

What is the significance of understanding cognitive biases in communication?

Recognizing biases helps improve clarity and effectiveness in cross-cultural interactions.

How is Jesus typically depicted in popular culture?

As a 'beautiful white man' with long hair, despite being a Middle Eastern man described as conventionally unattractive in the Bible.

What is blasphemy?

Irreverence toward something considered sacred or inviolable.

What role do beliefs play in human experience?

Beliefs fill the space of the unknown, sustaining our sense of purpose.

What is cognitive dissonance?

The mental conflict that occurs when beliefs or assumptions are contradicted by new information.

What are some defense mechanisms people use to cope with cognitive dissonance?

Rejecting, explaining away, avoiding new information, or reconciling differences.

What is social storytelling?

A form of storytelling that educates and helps develop a feeling of belonging to a society, including traditions, fairytales, legends, and myths.

What are traditions in the context of storytelling?

Stories, beliefs, and behaviors that have been part of a culture for a long time.

What defines a fairytale?

A wonder tale involving marvelous elements and occurrences, not necessarily about fairies.

What is the universal case of Cinderella?

A story that has been told and retold across cultures from the 9th century CE to 2015.

What distinguishes legends from folktales?

Legends are traditional stories associated with a particular person or place, often taken as truth.

What is a myth?

A symbolic narrative associated with religious belief, relating actual events involving gods or superhuman beings.

What are the functions of a myth?

Metaphysical, cosmological, sociological, and pedagogical functions.

What does the term 'hero' signify in modern mythology?

A person admired for great acts or qualities, prepared to make sacrifices for the common good.

What is the philosophical concept of Ubuntu?

An African philosophy meaning 'humanity,' emphasizing community and interconnectedness.

What is the main argument of 'The End of History' by Francis Fukuyama?

The belief that American capitalism will prevail, leading to the end of wars and conflicts.

What does Samuel Huntington argue in 'The Clash of Civilizations'?

That civilizations will continue to disagree and conflict, preventing global peace.

What is captology?

The study of how technology can be designed to persuade people to change their behavior.

What is the significance of engaging first lines in storytelling?

They capture the reader's attention and set the tone for the narrative.

What is the Great American Novel?

A literary work aimed at portraying the American way of life, often sought by American authors.

What is the essence of Hemingway's six-word story?

'For sale: baby shoes, never worn.' It conveys deep emotion in a minimalistic format.

What does the phrase 'Is academia killing storytelling?' suggest?

It questions whether academic practices are stifling engaging narrative forms.

What impact does doomscrolling have on storytelling?

It affects how stories are told and perceived, often leading to disengagement.

What is the role of context in storytelling?

It provides the background information necessary to fully understand an event or concept.

What does it mean to be 'woke'?

Being aware and actively attentive to important social issues, especially those of racial and social justice.

What is the significance of the phrase 'How do you like them apples?' in storytelling?

It serves as a cultural reference point, often used to introduce a narrative or provoke thought.

What is the primary focus of Joseph Campbell's Monomyth?

The journey template applicable to male heroes.

What does Maria Tatar's work 'The Heroine with 1001 Faces' aim to do?

It extends Campbell's work by addressing the limited roles of women in conventional stories.

What are the threefold purposes of muses according to Campbell?

To give us life, to receive us in death, and to inspire our spiritual realization.

What is Carl Jung's belief about myth in human life?

He believes that living without myth is insane, as stories are part of what makes us human.

Define 'collective unconscious' in Jungian psychology.

A part of the unconscious mind shared by a society, shaped by ancestral experiences.

What are archetypes according to Jung?

Universal, archaic patterns and images that derive from the collective unconscious.

Who wrote 'Mythic Structure for Writers' and what was its purpose?

Christopher Vogler wrote it to simplify Campbell's 17 steps of the hero's journey.

What is the role of the hero in Vogler's structure?

A hero is someone willing to sacrifice their own needs for the benefit of others.

What is the role of a mentor in the hero's journey?

Characters that teach, protect, and help the hero become a hero.

What does the 'Threshold Guardian' represent?

A menacing figure that the hero must understand and overcome.

What is the significance of the 'Herald' in the hero's journey?

A force that brings a new challenge to the hero.

What does the 'Shapeshifter' represent in the hero's journey?

Characters who constantly change from the hero's perspective.

What does the 'Shadow' symbolize in the hero's journey?

Characters that embody the energies of the dark side.

What is the role of an ally in the hero's journey?

Someone who travels with the hero and serves various functions.

What does the 'Trickster' embody in the hero's journey?

The energies of mischief and a desire for change.

What is the 'Departure' phase in the hero's journey?

The hero is called to adventure, leaving familiar surroundings and facing initial tests.

In 'The Hunger Games', what does Katniss Everdeen's departure represent?

Her leaving District 12 to participate in the Hunger Games.

What is the 'Initiation' phase in the hero's journey?

The hero undergoes trials that challenge their bravery and determination.

What does the 'Return' phase signify in the hero's journey?

The hero returns transformed, often bringing knowledge or gifts to their community.

What is the ordinary world in the story of Gautama Buddha?

Prince Siddartha Gautama lived a sheltered life in the palace of Kapilavastu.

What triggers Siddartha's call to adventure?

His desire to leave the palace and see the real world.

Who are Siddartha's mentors in his journey?

Alara Kalama and Uddaka Ramaputta.

What does Siddartha do after crossing the threshold?

He becomes a wandering ascetic in search of enlightenment.

What is the role of humor according to Henri Bergson?

Humor is a corrective punishment inflicted by society on unsocial individuals.

What is self-defeating humor?

Humor that involves self-deprecation to gain approval or mask vulnerability.

What is aggressive humor characterized by?

Sarcasm, teasing, and ridicule, often at the expense of others.

What is the mocking phrase used by Matt Damon in 'Good Will Hunting'?

'How do you like them apples?'

What is the significance of knowing Damon was behind the script changes?

It changes the tone of the scene and the whole movie.

Who is Ricky Gervais?

A British standup comedian known for provoking and offending people.

What is the essence of cancel culture?

The removal of support for individuals due to opinions or actions deemed objectionable.

What is John Berger's 'Ways of Seeing' about?

A commonly read text in art studies that discusses the interpretation of art.

What is 'Wheatfield with Crows'?

The last painting of Van Gogh before his death.

What does the photograph of Joseph Goebbels represent?

His antisemitism and loyalty to Hitler, highlighted by his reaction to a Jewish photographer.

What is antisemitism?

Hatred towards Jewish people, a characteristic of Nazism but not exclusive to it.

What are the 'Protocols of the Learned Elders of Zion'?

A fraudulent document used to promote antisemitism in the early 20th century.

What are conspiracy theories?

Beliefs that covert organizations are responsible for significant events.

What are the six characteristics of a conspiracy according to the European Commission?

1. Alleged plot; 2. Group of conspirators; 3. Supporting 'evidence'; 4. False suggestion of connection; 5. Good vs. bad division; 6. Scapegoating.

What is gerrymandering?

The practice of drawing electoral district boundaries to favor one political party.

Who is Edward Snowden?

The whistleblower who revealed the NSA's mass surveillance program.

What is the halo effect in the context of Scientology?

The tendency to generalize from one positive trait to an overall favorable evaluation.

What does Scientology promise?

Happiness and solutions to personal traumas.

What is the Oxford Capacity Analysis?

A personality test promoted by Scientology, claiming to identify stressors and traumas.

What is the secretive nature of Scientology?

It is presented as mysterious, with knowledge only accessible through membership.

Who is L. Ron Hubbard?

The founder of Scientology, known for his controversial claims about human existence.

What is strategic mass communication?

Organized communication targeting large audiences to influence behavior.

How did Joseph Stalin control information?

By rewriting history and erasing opponents from records.

What book did Hitler have students burn?

All Quiet on the Western Front, for its anti-war message.

Why was Einstein's 'Relativity' banned?

Because Albert Einstein was Jewish.