There are seven categories of cultural variables "on the surface." one category is political. which of these is not one of the categories of surface cultural variables? 1. economic
2. social
3. religious
4. edifying 5. technological

4. edifying            

Explanation:

Effective communicating is important and it demands a basic understanding of different cultures. Communicating effectively with persons from some another culture needs a proper understanding of a number of cultural variables which lie on the surface.  

Nancy L. Hoft provides seven major categories of cultural variables which lies "on the surface". These variables are :

Thus "edifying" is not a surface cultural variables.

Hence the correct option is (4)

pretty sure a is right