George made the following comment to Sarah, one of his ...

[joblessjake]

George made the following comment to Sarah, one of his co-workers: Gene's recommendation to cut costs by eliminating travel to training seminars just shows he really isn't aware of how important training is.
 
  His lack of insight shows that people of his background aren't savvy enough to figure out the business world?
  A) Observing a difference
  B) Creating a distinction
  C) Focusing on an artificial social barrier
  D) Creating a false value for a college degree

Question 2

In the workplace, people are most likely to interact with which co-workers?
 
  A) Creative co-workers
  B) Co-workers with diverse social values
  C) Co-workers with different self-awareness traits
  D) Co-workers similar to them

[Cnarkel]

Answer to Question 1

Answer: B
Explanation: A) Incorrect. Differences are observable, and can help us understand potential sources of misunderstanding. Distinctions are things that we create to form social barriers. This is actually an example of creating a distinction: a social barrier based on Gene's background.
B) Correct. A distinction is more than just being aware of a difference. It is creating a barrier between groups of people based on generalized (and usually unwarranted) assumptions. In this case, George creates a social barrier around people of Gene's background.
C) Incorrect. The social barrier does not exist until George creates it. This is actually an example of creating a distinctiona social barrier around people of Gene's background.
D) Incorrect. This is actually an example of creating a distinctiona social barrier around Gene's background.

Answer to Question 2

Answer: D
Explanation: A) Incorrect. This may be true of creative individuals, but it is untrue of those for whom creativity is a challenge. This is because people have a tendency to exclude others who seem different and are most likely to interact with co-workers who are similar to them.
B) Incorrect. People actually have a tendency to exclude others who seem different and are most likely to interact with co-workers who are similar to them. People are less likely to interact with co-workers who have diverse social values.
C) Incorrect. People actually have a tendency to exclude others who seem different and are most likely to interact with co-workers who are similar to them. People are less likely to interact with co-workers who have diverse self-awareness traits.
D) Correct. This occurs because we tend to be more comfortable around people with similar backgrounds, experiences, and opinions. However, this tendency reduces creativity and complex problem-solving ability.