findings of survey2

8/6/2019 Findings of Survey2

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Survey on Communication & Culture in the USA

FINDINGS OF SURVEY

I conducted this survey in May/June 2008 at Hofstra University (NY, USA) and at the University

of Applied Sciences Konstanz (Germany).

The following pages contain the questionnaire that all of you completed. With each questionthere are the answers of the American students, and the answers that German studentsexpected from the Americans:

(1) Name (up to) 5 things that are very important for Americans.

(2)You get to know an exchange student, Klaus, from Germany. When you ask him, how he likes it inthe US so far, he answers: I like it very much. The university is so very modern! And everybody's sofriendly and helps me a lot. However, I can't get used to the attitude of many Americans and thegovernment towards the environment...As you can see from us Germans, for example, people should really

care. I mean, we do just a few, simple things that can make a big difference to nature! ...You / mostAmericans would feel...A. insulted by KlausB. guiltyC. embarrassedD. other: _____________

AMERICANS GERMANS

i n s u l t e d b y K l a u sg u i l t y e m b a r r a s s e d o t h e r

F r a g e _ 0 2 _ e x c h a n g e _ s t u d

0 , 0 %

1 0 , 0 %

2 0 , 0 %

3 0 , 0 %

4 0 , 0 %

P

r

o

z

e

n

t

Missing insultedbyKlaus

guilty embarrassed other

Frage_02_exchange_student

0,0%

10,0%

20,0%

30,0%

40,0%

50,0%

Prozent

.

(3) A new colleague has his first day in your department. His name is Steven Smith. Whenyou get to talk to him for the first time, its just normal that you (most Americans would) callhim:

A. [ ] Mr. SmithB. [ ] Steven

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C. [ ] other:

AMERICANS GERMANS

M r . S m i t h S t e v e n O t h e r

F r a g e _ 0 3 _ n e w _ c o l l e a g u

0 , 0 %

1 0 , 0 %

2 0 , 0 %

3 0 , 0 %

4 0 , 0 %

5 0 , 0 %

P

r

o

z

e

n

t

Missing Mr. Smith Steven

Frage_03_new_colleague

0,0%

20,0%

40,0%

60,0%

80,0%

Prozent

(4)Although cheating is forbidden, most students try to help each other or compare eachother's results in exams at school / university.

A. [ ] Yes, that's normalB. [ ] No, that's unfairC. [ ] Don't know

AMERICANS GERMANS

Y e s , t h a t s n o r m a lN o , t h a t s u n f a i rD o n t k n o w

F r a g e _ 0 4 _ c h e a t i n g

0 , 0 %

2 0 , 0 %

4 0 , 0 %

6 0 , 0 %

8 0 , 0 %

P

r

o

z

e

n

t

Yes, thats normal No, thats unfair Dont know

Frage_04_cheating

0,0%

10,0%

20,0%

30,0%

40,0%

50,0%

(5)Most important traits in a team leader / superior ... (check 3)[ ] has a vision[ ] knows all details[ ] motivates employees[ ] treats employees as equals[ ] plans very accurately and detailed[ ] always observes the rules

[ ] demonstrates authority[ ] shows competence[ ] gives precise instructions[ ] sets clear goals

2


3/13

Frage_05_traits_teamleader (chose up to 3)

Answers % of

Responses

(AMERICANS)

has a vision 12,3knows all details 6,1

motivates employees 19,6

treats employees as equals 11,7

plans very accurately and detailed 7,8

always observes the rues 2,2

demonstrates authority 8,4

shows competence 9,5

gives precise instructions 7,3

(GERMANS)

14,7

0,918,1

3,4

2,6

1,7

16,4

16,4

6,0

19,8

(6) How likely is it that somebody changes the company s/he works for more than twice inher / his life?

AMERICANS GERMANS

v e r y l i k e l y L i k e l y u n d e c i d e u n l i k e l y

F r a g e _ 0 6 _ c h a n g e _ c o m p a

0 , 0 %

1 0 , 0 %

2 0 , 0 %

3 0 , 0 %

4 0 , 0 %

5 0 , 0 %

P

r

o

z

e

n

t

very likely Likely undecide unlikely

Frage_06_change_company

0,0%

10,0%

20,0%

30,0%

40,0%

50,0%

(7)What is most important to most Americans in a job?A. [ ] high salaryB. [ ] challenging/ interesting tasks

C. [ ] convenient / flexible working hoursD. [ ] location (close to your house)

AMERICANS GERMANS

3


4/13

h i g h s a l a r y c h a l l e n g i n g / i n t e r e s t i n gt a s k

f l e x i b l e w o r k i n g h o

F r a g e _ 0 7 _ j o b

0 , 0 %

2 0 , 0 %

4 0 , 0 %

6 0 , 0 %

8 0 , 0 %

1 0 0 , 0 %

P

r

o

z

e

n

t

Missing high salary challenging /interesting task

flexibleworking hours

location

Frage_07_job

0,0%

10,0%

20,0%

30,0%

40,0%

50,0%

60,0%

70,0%

Prozent

Most important about a job - heterost.

(8) Team work means...A. [ ] to support each other, share responsibility and successB. [ ] clearly arranged tasks, one gets along well with each other and everybody's rewardedaccording to individual achievement

AMERICANS GERMANS

s h a r e c l e a r l y a r r a n g e

F r a g e _ 0 8 _ t e a m w o r k

0 , 0 %

2 0 , 0 %

4 0 , 0 %

6 0 , 0 %

8 0 , 0 %

P

r

o

z

e

n

t

Missing share clearly arrange

Frage_08_teamwork

0,0%

10,0%

20,0%

30,0%

40,0%

50,0%

60,0%

70,0%

Prozent

Teamwork - heterost.

(9)Competition among employees usually does more harm than good

AMERICANS GERMANS

4


5/13

s t r o n g l y a g r e ea g r e e u n d e c i d e d i s a g r e e s t r o n g l yd i s a g r e e

F r a g e _ 0 9 _ c o m p e t i t i o n

0 , 0 %

5 , 0 %

1 0 , 0 %

1 5 , 0 %

2 0 , 0 %

2 5 , 0 %

3 0 , 0 %

P

r

o

z

e

n

t

M is si ng str on glyagree

agree undecide disagree stronglydisagree

Frage_09_competition

0,0%

10,0%

20,0%

30,0%

40,0%

50,0%

Proz

ent

Competetion: more harm than good - heterost.

(10)Successful people should show to everybody how much money they have.AMERICANS GERMANS

s t r o n g l y a g r e ea g r e e u n d e c i d e d i s a g r e e s t r o n g l y

d i s a g r e e

F r a g e _ 1 0 _ s u c c e s s f u l _ p

0 , 0 %

1 0 , 0 %

2 0 , 0 %

3 0 , 0 %

4 0 , 0 %

5 0 , 0 %

P

r

o

z

e

n

t

strongly agree agree undecide disagree stronglydisagree

Frage_10_successful_ppl

0,0%

10,0%

20,0%

30,0%

40,0%

50,0%

Prozent

succes u pp - s ou s ow ow muc t ey ave - eterost.

(11)If you don't receive feedback for performing a task that means most likely (to mostAmericans)...

A. [ ] that you did something wrongB. [ ] that you did your job well (without mistakes)C. [ ] that your superior doesn't care about what you doD. [ ] that your boss is content with the work you do

AMERICANS GERMANS

5


6/13

M

i

s

s

i

n

g

y

o

u

d

i

d

s

t

h

.

w

r

o

n

g

y

o

u

d

i

d

y

o

u

r

j

o

b

w

e

l

l

s

u

p

e

r

i

o

r

d

o

e

s

n

'

t

c

a

r

e

b

o

s

s

i

s

c

o

n

t

e

n

t

w

/

w

o

r

k

Fr

age

_11

_feedback

0

,

0

%

1

0

,

0

%

2

0

,

0

%

3

0

,

0

%

4

0

,

0

%

y o u d i d s t h . w r o n gy o u d i d y o u r j o bw e l l

s u p e r i o r d o e s n ' tc a r e

b o s s i s c o n t ew o r k

F r a g e _ 1 1 _ f e e d b a c k

0 , 0 %

1 0 , 0 %

2 0 , 0 %

3 0 , 0 %

4 0 , 0 %

P

r

o

ze

n

t

(12)You are in NYC in the subway, it's rush hour and all seats are occupied, so you have to stand. Atthe next stop an old lady with shopping bags in each hand gets on. A teenager (wearing headphones listening to music) who is sitting in a seat next to her and gives a glance at her but doesn't move. A middle-aged man signs him to get up. The teenager doesn't react. Also when he asks him politely, the request isignored. Now the man asks the teenager in a louder voice (to be heard despite the music) to get up for the

lady. Whose behavior is least appropriate?A. [ ] the teenagerB. [ ] the old ladyC. [ ] middle-aged man

D. [ ] the other passengersE. [ ] everybody is acting appropriatel

AMERICANS GERMANS

6


7/13

t e e n a g e r o l d l a d y m i d d l e - a g e dm a n

t h e o t h e r p a s s e n g e r s

e v e r y b o d ya c t i n g

a p p r o p r i a t e l

F r a g e _ 1 2 _ s u b w a y

0 , 0 %

1 0 , 0 %

2 0 , 0 %

3 0 , 0 %

4 0 , 0 %

5 0 , 0 %

6 0 , 0 %

P

r

o

z

e

n

t

Missing teenager middle-aged

man

the other

passengers

everybody

acting

appropriately

Frage_12_subway

0,0%

10,0%

20,0%

30,0%

40,0%

50,0%

60,0%

Prozent

Who's acting inappropriately - heterost.

(13)When people have failed in life, they should be...

A. [ ] ignored everybody is burdened enough with their own livesB. [ ] ignored it's their own faultC. [ ] helped they are humansD. [ ] pitied miserable fateE. [ ] other:

AMERICANS GERMANS

i g n o r e d -b u r d e n w / o w n

l i v e s

i g n o r e d - o w nf a u l t

h e l p e d -h u m a n s

p i t i e d -m i s e r a b l e f a t e

o t h e r

F r a g e _ 1 3 _ f a i l

0 , 0 %

2 0 , 0 %

4 0 , 0 %

6 0 , 0 %

8 0 , 0 %

P

r

o

z

e

n

t

Missing ignored -burden w/

own lives

ignored -own fault

helped -humans

pitied -miserable

fate

other

Frage_13_fail

0,0%

10,0%

20,0%

30,0%

40,0%

Prozent

- .

(14) A friend of yours (from university / work) invites you and some other friends over fordinner. After you're done eating and having coffee, it's most likely that you / mostAmericans...

A. [ ] go home if nothing else is plannedB. [ ] stay there and keep on chatting

C. [ ] suggest going out togetherD. [ ] other:

AMERICANS GERMANS

7

t e e n a g e ro l d l a d y m i d d l e - a g e dm a n

t h e o t h e r p a s s e n g e r s

e v e r y b o d ya c t i n g

a p p r o p r i a t e l

F r a g e _ 1 2 _ s u b w a y

0 , 0 %

1 0 , 0 %

2 0 , 0 %

3 0 , 0 %

4 0 , 0 %

5 0 , 0 %

6 0 , 0 %

P

r

o

z

e

n

t


8/13

g o h o m e s t a y + c h a t t i n g s u g g e s t g o i n g o u

F r a g e _ 1 4 _ d i n n e r

0 , 0 %

2 0 , 0 %

4 0 , 0 %

6 0 , 0 %

8 0 , 0 %

P

r

o

z

e

n

t

go home stay + chatting suggest going out other

Frage_14_dinner

0,0%

10,0%

20,0%

30,0%

40,0%

Prozent

After Dinner

(15)The local college organizes a symposium / conference on nuclear energy. As you are veryinterested in the topic you attend some of the public presentations. The audience is invited to participateand some of the attending experts start a discussion. A few laymen from the audience also ask questions

(they don't seem to be familiar with the topicl). Most Americans wouldthink the behavior of thoselaymen ( involving in an experts' discussion) is...

A. [ ] appropriateB. [ ] not appropriateC. [ ] don't know

AMERICANS GERMANS

a p p r o p r i a t e n o t a p p r o p r i a t e d o n ' t k n o w

F r a g e _ 1 5 _ s y m p o s i u m

0 , 0 %

1 0 , 0 %

2 0 , 0 %

3 0 , 0 %

4 0 , 0 %

5 0 , 0 %

6 0 , 0 %

P

r

o

z

e

n

t

appropriate not appropriate don't know

Frage_15_symposium

0,0%

10,0%

20,0%

30,0%

40,0%

50,0%

Prozent

Symposion - laymen act... - heterost.

(16)You are shopping at the mall when you see Laura, a friend of your friend Ashley. You'vemet Laura once. How would most Americans react?

A. [ ] Walking by, you give her a nod and say hiB. [ ] Stop and chat with herC. [ ] Ignore her

AMERICANS GERMANS

8


9/13

w a l k i n g b y + " h i "s t o p + c h a t i g n o r e h e r

F r a g e _ 1 6 _ s h o p p i n g m a

0 , 0 %

1 0 , 0 %

2 0 , 0 %

3 0 , 0 %

4 0 , 0 %

5 0 , 0 %

6 0 , 0 %

7 0 , 0 %

P

r

o

z

e

n

t

walking by + "hi" stop + chat

Frage_16_shoppingmall

0,0%

10,0%

20,0%

30,0%

40,0%

50,0%

60,0%

70,0%

Proz

ent

At the mall - heterost.

(17) Recently a lot of your neighbors are moving. Today you see new people moving intothe house across the street. You / Most Americans would...

A. [ ] ...watch them from inside your houseB. [ ] ...go over, introduce yourself and offer helpC. [ ] ...go over and start to carry in boxesD. [ ] ...go over and introduce your-self a few days later when they've settled in.

AMERICANS GERMANS

w a t c h g o o v e r c a r r y i n b o x e sg o o v e r i n a f ed a y s

F r a g e _ 1 7 _ n e i g h b o r s

0 , 0 %

1 0 , 0 %

2 0 , 0 %

3 0 , 0 %

4 0 , 0 %

5 0 , 0 %

P

r

o

z

e

n

t

Missing watch go over go over in a fewdays

Frage_17_neighbors

0,0%

10,0%

20,0%

30,0%

40,0%

50,0%

60,0%

70,0%

Prozent

New Neighbors - heterost.

(18)You and a bunch of friends want to go on a weekend trip together. You make some plans and oneof you, Christine, offers to take care of the organization. You pay her for the hotel and set date and time ofdeparture. By the time you get to the meeting point, it becomes clear that Christine forgot to take care of

transportation. What's the general reaction?A. [ ] annoyance & complaint about Christine, but finally trying to find a solutionB. [ ] telling Christine that she sucks & send her homeC. [ ] trying to find a solution & ignore the inconvenienceD. [ ] resigning to the fact & go homeE. [ ] other:

AMERICANS GERMANS

9


10/13

a n n o y a n c e +f i n d a s o l u t i o n

C h r i s t i n e s u c k sf i n d a s o l u t i o n+ i g n o r e

i n c o n v .

r e s i g n i n g t o t h ef a c t

o t h e r

F r a g e _ 1 8 _ w e e k e n d t r

0 , 0 %

1 0 , 0 %

2 0 , 0 %

3 0 , 0 %

4 0 , 0 %

5 0 , 0 %

6 0 , 0 %

P

r

o

z

e

n

t

M is si ng annoyanc e + fi nda solution

Christine sucks find a solution +ignore inconv.

resigning to thefact

Frage_18_weekendtrip

0,0%

10,0%

20,0%

30,0%

40,0%

50,0%

Prozent

ee end r p - e eros .

(19) During a party your friend David comes up with the idea to go on a skiing trip. You chat about itfor a while, and agree that the next weekend would be a good date for that trip. How likely is it that you

(the average American) will go on that trip?A. [ ] It's 100% certain, that you will go.B. [ ] You will have to think about it again & it's very likely that you want to re-arrange.C. [ ] There's a good chance that you will go.D. [ ] It's rather improbable that you will go.

AMERICANS GERMANS

1 0 0 % c e r t a i nt h i n k a b o u t i t +r e a r r a n g e

g o o d c h a n c er a t h e r i m p r o b a l

F r a g e _ 1 9 _ s k i i n g t r i p

0 , 0 %

1 0 , 0 %

2 0 , 0 %

3 0 , 0 %

4 0 , 0 %

P

r

o

z

e

n

t

Missing 100% cer ta in think abou t i t +rearrange

go od chance rather improbable

Frage_19_skiingtrip

0,0%

10,0%

20,0%

30,0%

40,0%

50,0%

Prozent

Skiing trip - heterost.

(20)Your girl-/boy-friend comes home from shopping s/he bought a new shirt and proudly shows it toyou: Look at those great colors and the dot pattern! It's fantastic, isn't it!? But you think that thing is one of

the ugliest pieces of clothing you've seen in a couple of years.You / Most Americans would say...A. [ ] I'm sorry Darling, but that thing is just terrible...B. [ ] Oh Honey, IT IS beautiful!!C. [ ] What ever you wear, Sweetheart, YOU look terrific in it!D. [ ] It's not bad Sweetie... however... did you happen to bring the receipt? Im certain we couldfind something that looks better on you!

AMERICANS GERMANS

10


11/13

t e r r i b l e b e a u t i f u ly o u l o o k t e r r i f i ci t ' s n o t b a d

F r a g e _ 2 0 _ n e w _ s h i r t

0 , 0 %

1 0 , 0 %

2 0 , 0 %

3 0 , 0 %

4 0 , 0 %

P

r

o

z

e

n

t

terrible beautiful you look terrific it's not bad

Frage_20_new_shirt

0,0%

10,0%

20,0%

30,0%

40,0%

Proze

nt

New Shirt - heterost.

(21) On a casual gathering with some friends (e.g. BBQ) most Americans would not talkabout... (check up to 3)

[ ] politics

[ ] hobbies[ ] work[ ] personal problems[ ] traveling

[ ] movies

[ ] sports[ ] environmental issues[ ] other

Frage_21_BBQ_topics_not2talk_about (chose up to 3)

Category label % of Responses(AMERICANS)

politics 20,6

hobbies 8,5

work 10,9

personal problems 18,8

travelling 4,2

movies 2,4

sports 2,4

environmental issues 27,9

other 4,2

(22) What is of utmost importance to most Americans (check up to 5)[ ] achievement[ ] competition / competitiveness

[ ] success[ ] money[ ] charity[ ] friendly atmosphere

[ ] discipline[ ] independence

[ ] order[ ] equal opportunities[ ] friends[ ] flexibility

11

(GERMANS)

19,8

--

9,5

24,14,3

1,7

1,7

35,3

3,4


12/13

(GERMANS)

12,0

9,1

17,7

18,32,3

5,1

2,3

14,9

2,9

2,3

9,7

3,4

(23) Are you proud of your country (USA)?[ ] yes[ ] no[ ] undecided

AMERICANS GERMANS

y e s n o u n d e c i d e d

F r a g e _ 2 3 _ p r o u d

0 , 0 %

1 0 , 0 %

2 0 , 0 %

3 0 , 0 %

4 0 , 0 %

5 0 , 0 %

6 0 , 0 %

P

r

o

z

e

n

t

yes no undecided

Frage_23_proud

0,0%

20,0%

40,0%

60,0%

80,0%

100,0%

Prozent

proud to be Am. - heterost.

DEMOGRAPHICS

Gender:

Female male

AMERICANS 62% 68%

12

Frage_22_american_values (chose up to 5)

Category label % ofResponses

(AMERICANS)

achievement 16,5

competition / competitiveness 8,9

success 19,7

money 18,4

charity 1,0

friendly atmosphere 2,5

discipline 1,0

independence 10,2

order 2,2

equal opportunities 6,0

friends 12,7

flexibilit 1 0


13/13

GERMANS 70% 30%

Average Age:

Participants:

AMERICANS 69Students

GERMANS 43 Students

13

Minimum Maximum Average

AMERICANS17 26 19,61

GERMANS19 26 21,63

findings of survey2

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