Comms-2060 Interpersonal Relation Exam Study Guide

Julie knows her friend Troy has been working hard at the gym to overcome his body image issues. When she sees him, she compliments him and says his hard work is really paying off. Julie is demonstrating:

ego support

Emily is a devout Catholic, the first-chair violinist in the school orchestra, an aspiring elementary school teacher, and fiercely protective of her younger sister. These are all vital aspects of her:

self-concept

Bill and Willa have been married for 17 years. Willa was recently laid off, and the couple has been arguing every day about how to handle the sudden restriction in cash flow. This is an example of which type of conflict?

realistic

Emotional Response Theory suggests teachers can get more positive responses from students if they:

smile call students by name move around the classroom while lecturing D. all of the above

Humor is most influential in shaping our perceptions of which type of attractiveness?

social

Tom is thinking about who he might prefer to work with on an upcoming group project in class. As he surveys his peers, he silently asks himself which of them are likely to be the most productive, timely, and innovative. Tom is assessing his classmates'...

task attractiveness

Nonverbal communication has several features that are similar to verbal communication, including:

Being rule-guided Having cultural boundaries Having contextual restrictions All of the above

Which is NOT one of the four major reasons we establish relationships with others?

Bonding

The ability to send messages that are perceived as appropriate and effective by receivers is referred to as:

communication competence

Hearing the word "blue" and thinking about an unhappy time in your life is an example of:

connotative meaning

Addressing a professor using the respectful title "Dr." is an example of:

consitutive rule

Michelle is a high school junior, just beginning to think about applying to university. Who is likely to have the strongest effect on her decision-making process?

her best friend

Henry is upset with his partner, Theo, because he saw Theo leaning in close, touching the arm of a man he was talking with and laughing at his jokes. Henry feels like Theo violated a strategy commonly used to keep platonic relationships from becoming romantic. Which strategy did Theo forget?

no flirting

Relationships with family members can be classified as:

obligatory

Which of the following should typically be included in an apology?

offering compensation

What is the process by which individuals will rely on those around them to determine how to respond to unfamiliar stimuli?

Social referencing

A handshake between new business associates is an example of what kind of touch?

Social-polite

John never wants to resort to being verbally aggressive, but all too frequently he finds himself lashing out at friends because he cannot think of better ways to explain to them why he is frustrated or upset. John is an example one of the most common causes of verbal aggression:

The inability to argue effectively

Immediacy is:

The perceived psychological and physical closeness we have with one another.

All of the following statements about the progression from one stage of "Coming Together" to the next are true, EXCEPT:

The progression from one stage to the next is always forward-moving. Once we make a commitment to the continuation of the relationship, we cannot go backward in the relational stages.

What is the fundamental attribution error?

The tendency to overestimate internal factors and underestimate external factors in explaining others behavior.

Uncertainty Reduction Theory primarily uses ___________ to reduce levels of uncertainty

questions

Which theory explains how self-disclosure changes as relationships move from one level to the next?

social penetration theory

Zander is typically confident and outgoing, but when he is around his girlfriend's parents he becomes nervous and quiet. According to Chapter 3, Zander's apprehension is best described as:

state apprehension

Elaine is shy and reserved; she experiences a significant amount of communication anxiety. Her boyfriend, Dan, is confident in front of other people and quite outspoken about his opinions. Their relationship exemplifies:

the complementarity hypothesis

Reflected appraisal is:

the tendency to view ourselves based on the appraisals of others

Individuals are most motivated to maintain relationships in which partners exhibit high amounts of:

trust, commitment, control mutuality and liking

Communicators who have high levels of affective orientation tend to:

use humor more frequently than others be more nonverbally sensitive be romantic and idealistic in their beliefs about romance D. all of the above

Choosing to discuss relationship issues in terms of "we" and "us" rather than "you" or "I" is a strategic use of:

verbal immediacy

Through the process of person perception, we are trying to answer what question about someone?

A. Who is this person? B. What kind of person is this? C. Why is this person behaving this way? All of the above

Which of the following terms is NOT a part of the definition of listening?

A. process B. receiving C. assigning meaning D. attending None of the above

If you like to listen to people who present things in a logical, organized way, which type of listener best describes you?

Action-Oriented

Sarah is watching her friend Tom discuss his political opinions on an upcoming election. Instead of actively listening, however, she is thinking of all the time she has heard him contradict the positions he is now stating and waiting for a good opportunity to jump into the conversation and "call him out on it." Which listening misbehavior is Sarah about to commit?

Ambushing

Sarah is listening to Daniel discuss why he wants to change his major. Periodically, she nods or says "mm hm." Sarah is demonstrating:

Back-channeling

You and your business parter have one administrative staff member to support both of your roles. Each of you have major projects due in two weeks. Each project will demand the full time and attention of your administrative assistant in order to get the necessary work done. You both value your partnership and realize that both projects are important for the future of your company. In this situation, which conflict style would be most appropriate?

Collaborative/Integrative

Uncertainty Reduction Theory suggests that:

Communication is used to gain knowledge and create understanding by reducing uncertainty increasing predictability

Robert is the manager of a small diner. He knows that his employees are uncomfortable when the management is tense and dominant, so he is always very conscious of projecting a calm, accepting front. Robert is paying close attention to his:

Communicator style

Credibility is composed of which three dimensions?

Competence, character, goodwill

Students who want to excel in the college classroom should adopt a mix of which two listening styles?

Content and analytical

Children learn about socially appropriate nonverbal expression through:

Cultural exposure

Researchers suggest that women are more effective at:

Detecting affective states in others Expressing their own emotions Using nonverbal comforting strategies All of the above

Katie is studying in the library when she sees her friend Maria enter the building. Katie stands up and waves her hand at Maria, as if to say "come here." This gesture is an example of an:

Emblem

Proactive attribution is the process of:

Gathering information through first impressions to predict attitudes and opinions not yet revealed

Which of the following was NOT a suggested way to reduce subjectivity and improve our communication with others?

Get better acquainted with your communicative partner

Davis is a straight A student in his math class. In addition to assuming that he must be a very smart person, you also assume he is responsible, organized, and dedicated. This is an example of:

Halo Effect

You have met someone in class who seems to be very friendly and nice. You decide that's just the kind of person she is. This would be what kind of attribution?

Internal Attribution

Attribution theory is useful in communication studies because:

It addresses the judgements that we make when we communicate with others

The number of words for "snow" in the Inuit versus Aztec languages is an example of:

Linguistic relativity

Americans see time as:

Monochronic

Which of the following is the BEST example of contextually bound verbal communication?

Organizational Jargon

Which of the following is NOT a criteria for the emergence of conflict?

Partners must have identical goals

What is the act of focusing on only the agreeable part of a message and discarding any parts that contradict pre-existing opinions?

Selective Listening

Jason is an acting student and has consistently been told by his professor how well he does in all of his scenes. He feels he is a good actor. However, when Jason fails the midterm in his acting class, he blames the instructor for having put together an incoherent exam with questions about content that was never discussed in class lectures. This is an example of what:

Self-serving bias

Which of the following is NOT one of the four goals of a theory?

To draw correlations between communication definitions and personal experiences

What kind of attachment styles do individuals typically seek in their romantic partners?

a style similar to their own

Which of the following is not one of the three key factors used to evaluate one's involvement in interactions?

abstractness

When Leon moved to college, he has several go-to tricks for making new friends: offering to help his neighbors unpack, asking which sports teams or musical groups they were into, and offering compliments on appearance or personal tastes are a few. These are some examples of Leon's...

affinity-seeking strategies

Joey is six years old; his parents are divorced and he lives with his mother. She works two jobs, and has so much to worry about with the bills, extended family troubles, and career challenges that she has little time or energy left for her son, and Joey is usually left to fend for himself. When she is home, she rarely pays close attention to her son and doesn't respond when he addresses her. Which attachment style is Joey most likely to display?

avoidant

In the Disney story of her life, Cinderella had many problems with her stepmother and stepsisters. She never confronted them; she just allowed things to escalate. Which conflict management style did Cinderella use?

avoiding

Sarah is listening to Daniel discuss why he wants to change his major. Periodically, she nods and says "mm hmmm." Sarah is demonstrating:

back-channeling

Mike joined the school swim team last year. The team won the state championship the previous year, and the coach held all of his new students to the same standards as his returning champions. In response, Mike found his swimming skills rising to match those of his older teammates. This is an example of:

behavioral confirmation / self-fulfilling prophecy

Which is NOT one of the four major reasons we establish relationships with others?

bonding

Kyle serves as supervisor for a staff of nurses at a local hospital. One of his staff members, Andy, has seemed withdrawn and distracted recently, and Kyle learns that his father was recently diagnosed with Alzheimer's. He has a conversation with Andy and asks him if he needs any support as he navigates his father's health issues, and Kyle tells him that he's always willing to listen if he needs someone to talk to about his problems. Which of Goleman's (1998) key EI variables is Kyle exhibiting in this scenario?

empathy

When the ratio of inputs to outputs is equal for both members of a relationship, the relationship is:

equitable

You are disappointed by a grade you earned on a recent quiz in class and can't focus on studying for your upcoming midterm exam because you lack confidence about your ability to do well given your most recent grade. Professor Burrow notices that you have been distracted, and he asks you to visit during office hours. During your conversation, Professor Burrow comments on the value your comments have added to recent class discussions and praises you for your leadership skills and knowledge shared during class activities. He concludes by stating, "It's evident that you have a solid grasp on the content in this class, and I would like you to serve as my teaching assistant next semester. You can't let one quiz score get you down!" Professor Burrow's message fulfills which of Maslow's hierarchy of needs?

esteem need

Max has a job interview with prestigious social media marketing agency. He has prepared extensively, and he thinks he knows exactly how to portray himself as the ideal candidate. After being introduced to the interviewers, Max spends 20 minutes reviewing his proudest accomplishments and describes his plans for the position before the interviewers can begin asking questions. What common interview mistake is Max guilty of?

excessive verbal communication

In the 2023 AFC Championship game, Joseph Ossai (Cincinnati Bengals) drew a late-game penalty, and his team ended up losing the game. One of Ossai's teammates (Germaine Pratt) screamed at Ossai as they exited the field at the conclusion of the game. Later, Pratt apologized for his actions and told reporters that he was "wrong" for accusing Ossai of losing the game. Which aspect(s) of Message Design Logic best describes Pratt's initial response to Ossai as they exited the field?

expressive logic conventional logic D. both a & b

What three types of logic do we use to create messages?

expressive, conventional, rhetorical

Sophie is angry that her roommate, Malia, has not cleaned the bathroom, vacuumed, grocery shopped, or washed her dishes in the last month. Instead of avoiding the problem or displaying hostilities, Sophie decides to address it with Malia and try to resolve the issue. She shares that she is upset and perceives that Malia is being disrespectful. Sophia then listens to Malia explain how stressed she feels about her biology-major midterms and her part-time job. Sophie considers Malia's feelings of being overwhelmed and explains how the lack of help with housework makes her feel neglected and unappreciated. Together, the friends work toward a compromise, providing an example of:

fair fighting

Rosa has just started dating Jim. Jim loves sports and other nature activities, such as hiking, camping, and canoeing. Despite Rosa's actual preference for more indoor-based activities like going to the theater or playing board games, she tells Jim she also loves hiking and camping and that she does both many times a year. Rosa is creating a sense of:

false homophily

Allyce decides to talk to Ian about their plans for the holidays. She states, "I know we agreed to balance our time between our families' homes this year, but I've been really worried about my sister since her divorce was finalized last month, and I hope you don't mind if I decide to stay with her and my nieces over New Year's rather than going to Portland to visit...". Ian interrupts Allyce and shares that he was able to cash in his frequent flier miles to get an upgrade to first class on their flights, and he asks if they should wrap their presents before they leave or wait until they arrive at their parents' homes to wrap them. What type of disconfirming message does Ian display in his response?

indifference response

Kristen and John have been dating for a few months, and they are having a great time getting to know each other. They have covered all the basic getting-to-know you information, and have started to talk more seriously about their personal concerns and plans. Recently, they have begun using endearing nicknames for each other. Which stage of relationship development are they in?

intensifying

Elton Mayo's infuential research in the 1920's proved that:

interactions between coworkers and supervisors resulted in higher productivity B. unexpected research results can totally change the way we view phenomena C. both a & b

Scholars typically agree that the self:

is constantly evolving and changing

All of the following statements about the progression from one stage of "Coming Together" to the next are true, EXCEPT:

is not We analyze the potential benefits of continuing a relationship and increating the intimacy in our communication when moving from one stage to the next.

Due to the buffer effect, an individual with high self-complexity will feel __________ after a break-up.

less upset

Jen comes home to find her rommmate, Kim, sitting quietly by herself. When Jen asks if anything is wrong, Kim mutters, "No, everything is fine." Still concerned about her usually outgoing roommate's slumped posture and worried facial expressions, Jen tells Kim she is worried about her. She says to Kim, "It's clear you're upset about something, so let's talk about it." This exchange is an example of:

metacommunication

Elaina was frustrated when her team members submitted sections of the group paper the night before it was due. Not only did her team members submit their work at the last minute, but they also neglected to proofread their parts of the paper. As a result, Elaina stayed up the entire night editing their paper. Despite her lack of sleep, Elaina was upbeat and positive the next morning as her team delivered their final presentation in class. According to Mayer and Salovey (1997), which of the four key skills for effective management of emotions did Elaina best demonstrate in class during her team presentation?

regulating and managing the expression of emotion to accomplish goals

Kelly is indecisive about her life goals. She is never sure of exactly what she wants out of college, or what she needs to do to succeed after graduation; this uncertainty has caused her to miss crucial deadlines for academic internships that she knows would have reflected well on her career readiness and qualifications. Which of the following BEST describes Kelly's poor behavior habits?

self-regulation

Which approach to defining interpersonal communication (AKA: IPC) focuses on the specific features or aspects of the communication context?

situational

Alex has completed a class in conflict managment, but she fails miserably at trying to resolve a disagreement between her sister and her mother. She knows what she needs to do to encourage them to discuss the issue, but when Alex tries to apply the strategies she learned in class, her sister accuses her of taking sides. Alex becomes defensive and criticizes her sister. Which of Spitzberg and Cupach's components for communication competence does Alex lack in this example?

skill