Which emotional reaction could arise from cross-cultural communication challenges?

Cross-cultural communication challenges often result in feelings of anxiety and disconfirmed expectations. When individuals interact with people from different cultural backgrounds, they may confront unfamiliar communication styles, values, and behaviors. This can lead to anxiety as individuals feel uncertain about how to appropriately respond or engage in the conversation.

Additionally, when someone’s expectations about how a conversation will unfold are not met—such as misinterpretations of nonverbal cues or differing cultural norms regarding discussion topics—they may experience disconfirmation of their beliefs or assumptions. This combination of anxiety and disconfirmed expectations can create a heightened emotional response, making effective communication across cultures more difficult.

In contrast, surprise and confusion might occur as well, but they do not encompass the broader emotional implications experienced over time, particularly in ongoing interactions. While excitement and motivation could arise in learning about a new culture, they are not direct emotional responses to challenges. Contentment and acceptance imply a level of comfort and understanding that is typically achieved after overcoming such challenges, rather than being a reaction to them.