Cultural dimensions in non-verbal cues – UGC NET Question

Statements A, B, D and E are correct, whereas C is incorrect. A is true because a gesture considered positive in one culture may be offensive in another. B is true since acceptable physical distance varies culturally. D is true as teachers need cultural awareness to avoid misinterpretation. E is true because imposing one’s own norms as universal leads to cross-cultural misunderstandings. C is wrong because eye contact patterns, such as direct or lowered gaze, are heavily influenced by cultural norms. Therefore, C only is the wrong statement.

Option A:
Option A correctly isolates C only as the wrong statement and treats the remaining four as accurate descriptions of cultural impacts on non-verbal communication. By doing so, it aligns with intercultural communication research and is the correct option.

Option B:
Option B groups A and C as wrong, but A is actually a correct statement acknowledging variability in gesture meanings. Including A as wrong contradicts widely accepted intercultural findings, so A and C only cannot be accepted.

Option C:
Option C combines C and E as wrong, but E rightly states that assuming universality of one’s own norms creates problems. Treating E as wrong undermines the idea of cultural sensitivity, making C and E only invalid.

Option D:
Option D lists B, C and D as wrong, even though both B and D correctly describe culturally shaped distance and the teacher’s responsibility. Since only C is incorrect, B, C and D only is not a logically coherent answer.