CDT CDT Communication & Conflict Resolution in Diversity 1 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What is 'active listening' and why is it critical in diversity training facilitation?
- Taking detailed notes on everything said
- Fully concentrating, understanding, and responding thoughtfully to speakers (Correct answer)
- Agreeing with every participant's statement
- Repeating verbatim what participants say
Correct answer: Fully concentrating, understanding, and responding thoughtfully to speakers
Active listening involves fully concentrating on, understanding, and thoughtfully responding to a speaker, which is critical in diversity training to validate participants' experiences and build psychological safety.
Question 2: What is a 'microaggression' in the context of workplace diversity?
- A major act of intentional discrimination
- A subtle, often unintentional statement or action that demeans a marginalized group (Correct answer)
- Physical aggression in the workplace
- A formal grievance filed by an employee
Correct answer: A subtle, often unintentional statement or action that demeans a marginalized group
Microaggressions are brief, everyday exchanges that send denigrating messages to members of marginalized groups, often unintentional but cumulatively harmful.
Question 3: Which communication style is most effective when addressing a potential microaggression witnessed in the workplace?
- Publicly calling out and shaming the offender
- Ignoring it to avoid conflict
- Using 'I' statements to describe impact without accusation (Correct answer)
- Immediately escalating to HR
Correct answer: Using 'I' statements to describe impact without accusation
Using 'I' statements to describe the impact of observed behavior without accusatory language promotes productive dialogue and reduces defensiveness when addressing microaggressions.
Question 4: What is 'code-switching' in the context of diversity and workplace communication?
- Changing programming languages during a project
- Adjusting one's language, tone, or behavior to fit a dominant cultural norm (Correct answer)
- Translating documents into multiple languages
- Using industry jargon in meetings
Correct answer: Adjusting one's language, tone, or behavior to fit a dominant cultural norm
Code-switching refers to the practice of marginalized individuals adjusting their communication style, behavior, or appearance to conform to the dominant culture's norms, often at psychological cost.
Question 5: In diversity conflict resolution, what does the term 'cultural humility' mean?
- Believing one's own culture is superior
- An ongoing commitment to self-reflection and learning about others' cultures (Correct answer)
- Memorizing facts about different cultural groups
- Avoiding discussions about cultural differences
Correct answer: An ongoing commitment to self-reflection and learning about others' cultures
Cultural humility is a lifelong process of self-reflection and critique regarding one's own cultural assumptions, combined with genuine openness to learning from and about others' cultures.
Question 6: What communication barrier is most commonly associated with 'in-group favoritism' in diverse teams?
- Language differences
- Selective listening and information sharing that excludes out-group members (Correct answer)
- Different time zones
- Incompatible technology tools
Correct answer: Selective listening and information sharing that excludes out-group members
In-group favoritism creates communication barriers through selective information sharing, preferential listening, and informal networks that exclude members of out-groups.
CDT CDT Communication & Conflict Resolution in Diversity 1
What is 'active listening' and why is it critical in diversity training facilitation?