Cultural Mastery Assessment Overview and Instructions
This 50-question timed assessment is designed to accurately measure your true level of cultural mastery and acumen. Please answer all questions honestly and please do not look up any answers on the internet so you can get an accurate score. No one will see your answers and grading is automated. You have 20 minutes to complete it so please answer the questions as you come to them and move on. There are five sections, so complete one section, click the “Next Section” button to get to the following section and so on until you complete it. Many of the questions will be penetrating as they are designed to measure the core of your personal belief systems and actions towards culture itself and those of other cultures. Again, please answer honestly. The assessment is run over a secure server and all answers are private. We will not share your answers with anyone, including your employer or any other entity.
30:00Contact Information – Section ICultural Background – Section IICultural Knowledge – Section IIICultural Stereotypes – Section IVCultural Experience – Section VCultural Leadership – Section VI
GENERAL INFORMATION SECTION
First Name:Last Name:Vocation:Company:Age:Email:Phone:
Cultural Background
1. On a scale of 1 to 10, 10 being a true cultural master, what do you believe is your present level of cultural skill?…select one0123456789102. Of the following people groups, which do you most closely identify with? (These are in alphabetical order, not in any order of importance as that is not possible.)…select oneAfrican-AmericanAsianBlackCaucasianEuropeanHispanic (Latino)JewishNative AmericanMuslimOther3. Of the following groups, with which do you have the most difficulty connecting?…select oneAfrican-AmericanAsianBlackCaucasianEuropeanHispanic (Latino)JewishNative AmericanMuslimOther4. How many U.S. Territories are there?…select oneNoneOneThreeFiveSevenNineI would just be guessing5. How many meetings of Ethnic Chambers of Commerce have you attended in the past year outside of your own ethnicity? (For example, if you are African-American and attended two meetings of the local Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, and one meeting of the Asian Chamber of Commerce, you would put 3. The mainstream regular Chamber of Commerce doesn’t count.)…select oneNone12 to 34 to 67 to 910 or more6. How many true friends do you have who are outside of your own ethnicity? This does not include work associates. This is friends outside of work whom you consider a true friend and with whom you have meaningful relationship and communication….select oneNone12 to 34 to 67 to 910 or more7. Which best describes your interest in culture, cultural nuances, and cultural dialogues?…select oneI frequently seek out readings, dialogues, meetings, and situations to learn about cultures other than my ownI sometimes seek out readings, dialogues, meetings, and situations to learn about cultures other than my ownI’ll engage in reading and speaking about cultural matters but I have to admit it’s not my favorite subject. It just feels too tense and divisive for meI get very uncomfortable being around discussions regarding other cultures. It feels like discussing religion to meThe extent of my cultural interest is at the bar on Cinco de Mayo or St. Patrick’s Day8. Which is most true for you. (A real friend is someone with whom you have consistent and meaningful relationship.)…select oneThe majority of my real friends share my general beliefs and social normsThe majority of my real friends are quite different from me and we don’t typically share the same beliefs or social normsI would say probably around 50 percent of my real friends are quite different from meLess than 25 percent of my real friends are different from me in any significant mannerHonestly, I don’t have any real friends in my life who are significantly different from me either by race or belief systemI’m not sure if I even have any real friends9. Which is most true for you?…select oneI enjoy talking about things like politics, religion, and/or social issues with people who are different than myself. I find ways to navigate those conversations without losing friendsI will talk about things like politics, religion, and/or social issues as necessary but I don’t enjoy doing so very much. It just feels uncomfortable to meI avoid talking about politics, religion and/or social issues with people who think differently than I because it’s just too risky and usually leads to divisionI don’t talk about politics, religion and/or social issues because it is just too problematic and personal10. For many people, the 2016 Presidential election was very divisive and many people lost friends due to strong beliefs one way or another. How many friends did you either lose, delete from your social media, get deleted from by them, or the friendship generally suffered as a result?…select oneNone12 to 34 to 67 to 910 or more
Cultural Knowledge
1. In which country is it considered taboo to write someone’s name in red ink?…select oneChinaIndonesiaNew GuineaSouth KoreaNorth KoreaRussiaHonestly, I would be guessing2. In which country is camel fighting a spectator sport?…select oneSaudi ArabiaEgyptTurkeySyriaLebanonUzbekistanHonestly, I would be guessing3. In which country is belching sometimes considered a compliment after a meal?…select oneJapanPakistanIndiaUzbekistanBurmaSudanHonestly, I would be guessing4. With which country is the musical genre of bachata most associated?…select onePuerto RicoCubaColombiaDominican RepublicMexicoCuracaoHonestly, I would be guessing5. In which country should you never eat food with your hands?…select oneFranceGermanyItalySpainArgentinaIcelandHonestly, I would be guessing6. In which country does giving flowers with yellow blooms signify deceit or breaking up of a relationship?…select oneNorwaySwedenGermanyRussiaChinaIcelandHonestly, I would be guessing7. Of which country is Lenín Moreno President?…select onePanamaColombiaEcuadorCosta RicaUruguaySpainHonestly, I would be guessing8. How many states are in the United States of Mexico?…select one2227193129There is no United States of MexicoHonestly, I would be guessing9. According to the Trans-Atlantic Slave Trade Database, during the slave trade years between 1525 and 1866 how many total slaves were sent to the Western Hemisphere?…select one7.6 Million8.9 Million13.7 Million12.5 Million9.2 Million15.3 MillionHonestly, I would be guessing10. Of the slaves who were shipped to the Western Hemisphere during the slave trade years, where did the majority of them end up?…select oneThe Caribbean IslandsThe United StatesBrazilCentral AmericaVenezuela and ColombiaPanamaHonestly, I would be guessing
Cultural Stereotypes
In this section, we’re going to ask you about stereotypes and ways of thinking. We understand that this may create some sensitivity but please answer the questions honestly. Again, your answers are private and will not be shared with any third-parties, including your employer.
1. Which statement is most accurate….select oneStereotypes exist because they are trueStereotypes exist because they are mostly trueStereotypes pretend to tell the whole truth but they are mostly half-truthsStereotypes exist because people are evilSome stereotypes are true, others are not2. How often do you use stereotypes or think stereotypically about other people? (For example, have you ever thought something like, “Puerto Ricans just want a handout” or “Black men are violent” or “Asian people are smart” or “Mexicans are hard workers” or “White men are angry and think they are better than everyone else” or “Latin women are sexy” or anything along those lines.)…select oneI must admit that I do this regularlyThis isn’t part of my normal thinking but I do have these types of thoughts from time to timeI am very conscious about not stereotyping anyone of any ethnicity but when I get upset or under pressure, I have thought this wayI never use stereotypes3. How often do you label people? This means saying things like, “Oh, those people are just stupid” or “Those people are gang bangers” or “Those people are hillbillies”, or, “Man, he’s an idiot.” etc….select oneI must admit that I do this regularlyThis isn’t part of my normal speech but I do say things like this from time to timeI am very conscious about not labeling other people but when I get upset or under pressure, I have done thisI never label people4. How often do you use derogatory terms to describe people different from yourself? (here are a few examples in alphabetical order: Chink, Cracker, Nigger, Spic, Queer, Gringo, Pendejo, etc.)…select oneI never use these types of termsI seldom use these types of termsI sometimes use these types of termsI often use these types of terms5. In 2016, on Halloween, the President of the University of Louisville, dressed up as a Mexican in a sombrero and poncho. He was criticized sharply by many for doing so and was forced into cultural sensitivity training. Which do you believe is most true about him. He was……select oneInsensitiveIgnorantInnocentCondescendingJust having funI honestly feel sorry for him6. How often would you say you “poke fun of” or “put down” other people different from yourself? (This may be saying something like, “Oh, those gay men are so dainty” or “Wow, those heavy set Mexican women must eat a lot of burritos” or “I won’t eat Chinese food because Chinese people are dirty and may be feeding me a cat instead of chicken.”)…select oneI never make fun of or put down people from other culturesI seldom make fun of or put down people from other culturesI sometimes make fun of or put down people from other culturesI often make fun of or put down people from other cultures7. If you are in a meeting with several business people you know, and you see a new person who is of a different ethnicity or social class from yourself, what would you typically do?…select oneI would leave my friends and make it a priority to go and greet the personI would wait until we naturally crossed paths and then greet the personI would not make any special effort to greet the person. Just because they are there doesn’t mean I need to be involved with themI would avoid the person, we have nothing in common8. Sometimes, people say derogatory or demeaning things about others to family members, close friends or close associates that they would never say publicly. How true is this of you?…select oneThis is very true of meThis is somewhat true of meI used to have this problem but worked on it and stoppedI am fully consistent and never criticize or demean others to anyoneHonestly, I just tend to say what I think no matter who is around me9. How would you define the word “empathy”?…select oneFeeling a sense of pity for other peoplePutting myself in someone’s else’s situation and feeling what they feelFeeling passionate about and for other peopleCaring about how other people feelI honestly am not sure which is correct10. How would you best define the word “bigotry?”…select oneStrongly supporting stereotypes towards an individual or cultureThe intolerance of people who hold different opinionsDeeply ingrained mindsets and actions towards a group of peopleHatred and/or biases based on someone’s race, political affiliation, ethnicity, religious beliefs, sexual orientation or gender-specific behaviorsI honestly am not sure which is correct
Cultural Experience
1. To how many foreign countries have you traveled?…select oneNone123 to 56 to 910 or more2. If you have traveled to a foreign country, or were to do so in the future, which best describes your typical approach to travel?…select oneVacation and relaxation time are short so I prefer to go to an all-inclusive resort or nice hotel with my familyI prefer to travel with a group of friends or other tourists and stay in safe group activities in a nice place. If we venture out into the local community we would normally do so as a groupI would most likely travel alone or with a close friend, stay in a nice place, and do some day trips to get to know the native people and cultureI would want to get as close to the local culture as possible and would either stay with a local family or in a small local inn. I want to live and breathe the place where I am goingI have no interest in traveling to foreign countries3. If you knew you were being served worms in Vietnam what would you do?…select oneI just can’t even imagine. The thought of eating worms makes me queasyI would do my best to be polite but refuse to eat themI would make up some sort of an excuse to get out of eating themI would somehow try to get out of it but if they insisted I would eat themI would say thank you and eat them4. Other than a funeral or wedding, how many times in the last five years have you attended a place of worship of another religion just to learn more about them or to visit with a friend who invited you?…select oneNone12 to 34 to 67 to 910 or more5. When you meet a new immigrant in your own country, what is your typical approach to them?…select oneI have a genuine interest and ask a lot of questions to learn about them and their cultureI don’t ask a lot of questions because I don’t want to make them feel uncomfortableI really think that since they are in my country they should be asking me the questions and adapting to usI first want to know if they are in the country legally or illegally before engaging themI very seldom meet new immigrants in my country and have little desire to do so6. When you travel outside of your home country, to what degree are you sensitive about cultural differences?…select oneI have never traveled outside of my own countryWhen I travel, I am like a sponge and just take things in. I make no negative judgements about the country I am visiting. That’s who they are and I don’t try to change themWhen I travel, I tend to be somewhat sensitive to cultural differences and do from time to time make judgements about their culture but keep my thoughts to myselfWhen I travel, I am somewhat sensitive to things around me and do from time to time make judgements about their culture and sometimes have shared those thoughts with others around me, whether those traveling with me, or if necessary to get something done right, even with the native peopleWhen I travel I see it as my moral obligation to try to help people in that country to improve their lives. Because of this, I am normally very engaged in trying to change things for the better7. How many foreign languages do you speak well outside of English?…select oneNone12 to 34 or more8. Of the following cultural or sociological authors and leaders, which one(s) have you read a book of theirs? The book must have been read by your own volition, not as part of an assignment in school. (Not an article, an entire book written by one of the following authors.) (Pick all that apply.)Nelson MandelaGhandiAlvin TofflerRicardo GonzalezMario Vargas LlosaMartin Luther KingT.S. ElliotC.S. LewisMalcolm GladwellBill OReilly9. How many times have you danced to music at a party in the last two years that was of an ethnic genre outside of your own ethnicity? (For example, if you are African-American, dancing to vallenato music from Colombia at a party would qualify.)…select oneZeroOnceTwiceThree timesFour timesFive or more times10. In the past when you have gone to an ethnic cultural event, ethnic business meeting, or traveled to another country, how did you prepare for that time?…select oneBefore going, I spoke with a friend of that group or country about how to best engageBefore going, I didn’t really do anything. I just went with the mindset of learning thereBefore going, I did some reading on that particular ethnic group or country so I wasn’t completely naiveBefore going, in addition to learning about the culture and ethnic group, I made a serious attempt to learn some of their languageI went because I was invited and really didn’t even want to go to be honestI have never done any of those things.
Cultural Leadership
1. Of those you lead from other countries or backgrounds than your own, what percentage of them do you truly and deeply admire….select one0 to 24 percent25 to 49 percent50 to 74 percent75 to 100 percent2. How often do you think to yourself, or say to another person, something like, “Oh, those people are …”…select oneI never think or speak in those terms about people from other backgroundsI seldom think or speak in those terms about people from other backgroundsI sometimes think or speak in those terms about people from other backgroundsI often think or speak in those terms about people from other backgrounds3. If asked, could you clearly articulate the personal motivations of the people who follow your leadership?…select oneYes, I could do this for all people under my leadershipI could articulate this for three-quarters of those under my leadershipI could articulate this for half of those under my leadershipI could articulate this for a quarter of those under my leadershipI could not articulate this for the majority of people under my leadership4. How often do you seek to collaborate with people significantly different from yourself? (This does not include when required in your work environment by a superior.)…select oneAlways, I want their input on all projectsFrequently, I value their input but if necessary, I can get the job done aloneSometimes, I somewhat value their input but don’t need it to do a good jobInfrequently, I don’t really think their opinion makes that big of a difference in my workNever, I just don’t want to bother with all their different opinions5. How many times in the last year have you donated your own resources (time, money or expertise) to help a person, or group of people, of a different race or ethnicity to grow and prosper….select one01-23-67-910+6. How do you respond to the following statement: “The best leaders treat all people equally.”…select oneI fully agreeI somewhat agreeI don’t agreeI’m not sure7. If you were a parent and your child decided to marry someone from a completely different ethnicity, social class, race or religion, or of their gender, how accepting would you be?…select oneI would treat that person like my own childI would accept my child’s decision and respect the person because it’s the right thing to doI would respect the person but would never be really comfortable with the situationI simply couldn’t accept that person or situation8. Which do you believe is most true?…select onePeople of ethnicity should be hired to fill a quotaPeople of ethnicity should be hired to reflect a more diverse staffPeople of ethnicity should be hired to provide diverse perspectives to the enterprisePeople of ethnicity create more problems in the organization than the value they bringPeople should be hired based on their skills. Race or ethnicity should have nothing to do with the hiring decisionAll of the above apply9. Have you ever said something about someone of another culture or race and then wondered if it was OK or not?…select oneYes, this happens to me frequentlyYes, sometimes this has happenedThis has happened to me but not very frequentlyThis never happens to meI honestly don’t really care what other people think about what I sayI think people are far too sensitive and I don’t want to fall into that trap10. Has someone else ever said something to you about your culture that you found personally offensive?…select oneYes, but we talked it through and we’re good nowYes, and it damaged our relationshipYes, but I am just not that sensitive to that type of thingNo one has ever offended me by saying something about my cultureI honestly don’t really care what other people say about me and my culture
Bonus Question
Of those people you lead from different ethnic backgrounds from your own, with what percentage do you enjoy true mutual love and endearment? Please be honest….select oneWith virtually no one I leadWith less than 25 percent of those I leadWith less than 50 percent of those I leadWith more than 50 percent of those I leadWith more than 75 percent of those I leadWith virtually everyone I lead
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