intro to Communication: Exam Q&As

Which of the following is not a component of communication? Select one: a. feedback b. message c. code d. action

action

Which of the following is a reason people terminate relationships? Select one: a. aggressiveness b. compliance-gaining c. personal idioms d. androgynous

aggressiveness

Acme company has a mission statement that is open to interpretation. Many stakeholders identify with it. Their mission statement is Select one: a. validated. b. ambiguous. c. interactive. d. informational.

ambiguous

Which type of facial expression will likely receive the most attention? Select one: a. neutral b. happy c. angry d. sad

angry

According to the textbook, first impressions Select one: a. are based on comparisons to ourselves. b. provide accuracy in our perceptions of others. c. involve group communication among different groups. d. occur independent of the communication context

are based on comparisons to ourselves

If someone in a marginalized group tries to fit in with the dominant group, he or she is striving for what goal of co-cultural communication. Select one: a. accommodation b. separation c. reflexivity d. assimilation

assimilation

Which of the following statements about active listening is false? Select one: a. Active listening is "involved listening with a purpose." b. Active listening and empathic listening are exactly the same thing. c. Active listening is characterized by movement, change, and responsiveness on the part of the listener. d. Active listening implies feedback to the speaker.

Active listening and empathic listening are exactly the same thing.

Which of the following is not a general interviewing strategy? Select one: a. Demonstrate competence. b. Ask and answer questions effectively and ethically. c. Be prepared to discuss salary at your interview. d. Preplan for the interview.

Be prepared to discuss salary at your interview

Which statement about clothing and the perceptions of others is not verified by research? Select one: a. Clothing affects others' impression of status. b. Clothing and artifacts are unrelated to how acceptable we find other people to be. c. Clothing is often cited by women as the most important characteristic when describing another's popularity. d. Brightly colored clothing is associated with sophistication, immorality, and physical attractiveness

Clothing and artifacts are unrelated to how acceptable we find other people to be.

Which of the following countries would most likely use M-time? Select one: a. Paraguay b. Oman c. France d. Germany

Germany

Which of the following is the best example of how role affects perception? Select one: a. I am a Cuban American whose parents fled Havana in 1906. b. I am an honor student and president of the student body. c. I am a person of color. d. Although few know it, I am a former Baptist.

I am an honor student and president of the student body

Which statement about co-cultures and perception is true according to chapter 2 of the textbook? Select one: a. Rural children are more eager to communicate than are urban and suburban children. b. Men see talk as instrumental, as something done for a specific purpose. c. Suburban whites see talk as a way to establish a sense of community. d. Men tend to see communication primarily as a way to establish a relationship with someone.

Men see talk as instrumental, as something done for a specific purpose

Which of the following is an example of indexing? Select one: a. Fords get great gas mileage. b. My Shih Tzu chews on everything. Does yours do that as well? c. Everyone in the Midwest farms. d. All landlords are unhelpful.

My Shih Tzu chews on everything. Does yours do that as well?

Which of the following is the best example of concreteness? Select one: a. I'm from the States. b. My hometown is Isle, Minnesota, population 409. c. Sure, I'm from the Midwest. d. The place where I'm from is the friendliest town in America.

My hometown is Isle, Minnesota, population 409.

Which of the following is essential to demonstrating active listening? Select one: a. Lean back in your chair. b. Keep a tense body posture. c. Sit without crossing your arms or legs. d. Sit or stand so you are directly facing the speaker.

Sit or stand so you are directly facing the speaker

Which of the following is not a true statement about slang and jargon? Select one: a. Jargon is likely to be used by technical/professional people. b. Slang is likely to be used in the neighborhood and on the streets. c. Jargon is most likely to be used in the workplace. d. Slang is not understood or used by most people.

Slang is not understood or used by most people

____________ is where you assume that all members group are alike. Select one: a. Prejudice b. Ethnocentrism c. Stereotyping d. Profiling

Stereotyping

Which of the following statements about language is false? Select one: a. Words have only meanings which people give them. b. Words also have connotative meanings. c. The context in which a word occurs helps us determine which of the possible meanings is intended. d. The meaning of a word does not change once it is included in the dictionary.

The meaning of a word does not change once it is included in the dictionary

Which of the following is not necessarily part of the process of listening? Select one: a. The stimuli are picked up by the ear. b. The nerves transmit sensations to the brain. c. The brain assigns meanings to the stimuli. d. The receiver responds with a return message.

The receiver responds with a return message.

Which of the following is an inference? Select one: a. I see that road is narrow and curvy. b. There is no shoulder, and there is no centerline. c. The road appears dangerous for ordinary travel. d. The trees grow close to the road, thus reducing light.

The road appears dangerous for ordinary travel.

Which of the following is not an effective means of using verbal communication when listening? Select one: a. Use evaluative, nondescriptive comments. b. Ask questions. c. Provide affirmative and affirming statements. d. Vary verbal responses.

Use evaluative, nondescriptive comments

Which of the following is not an example of a cliché? Select one: a. "You only get out of it what you put in it." b. "Our country is more of a banquet than a melting pot." c. "The rich get richer and the poor get poorer." d. "No pain, no gain."

"Our country is more of a banquet than a melting pot."

At what age do people, on average, begin receiving specialized attention based on physical attractiveness? Select one: a. 1 b. 4 c. 7 d. 10

4

Which of the following is an operational definition? Select one: a. A friend is someone who likes to be with you, who stands by you in time of trouble, and who listens to you when you need an ear. b. Love is a mystery, a feeling of euphoria inspired by the thought of being together. c. Chemistry is the study of everything since everything consists of chemical elements. d. A book is a companion that provides you with a pleasing diversion during your quiet times.

A friend is someone who likes to be with you, who stands by you in time of trouble, and who listens to you when you need an ear

Which of the following is the best example of androgyny? Select one: a. She is a hard-driving boss at work and treats her kids the same way at home. b. A single mother, she is affectionate with her children at home and a real professional at work. c. He never sheds a tear about anything in public or in private because he is a real man. d. She cries in frustration when she fails at work, and at home she does what she is told to do.

A single mother, she is affectionate with her children at home and a real professional at work.

Which of the following examples best depicts the denotative meaning of a word? Select one: a. Abortion is the murder of a fetus. b. Abortion is the termination of a pregnancy in the first trimester. c. Abortion is the last ditch birth control. d. Abortion is the death of a human soul.

Abortion is the termination of a pregnancy in the first trimester

Which of the following does not accurately describe what we mean when we say that language is personal? Select one: a. We each have different vocabularies. b. We develop our own expressions to describe our own reality. c. We have different levels of experience that limit or expand our capacity to communicate ideas and things. d. We each have developed language without the influence of our age, gender, or personality

We each have developed language without the influence of our age, gender, or personality

All of these are examples of implicit-rule cultures except Select one: a. Western Europe b. Latin America c. Africa d. Middle East

Western Europe

Who is more likely to use touch as a means of communicating? Select one: a. a white American from Salt Lake City, Utah b. a black woman from Puerto Rico c. an English gentleman from London d. a Frenchman from Paris.

a black woman from Puerto Rico

Which of the following descriptions applies to someone with an interpersonal relationship as defined in the book? Select one: a. a father who left his family long ago and believes that he has a relationship with a child he has not seen or heard from for years b. a guy who drops into the restaurant every couple of months, knows the waitress's first name, and believes that he has an interpersonal relationship with her c. a married couple that have quarreled with each other for years d. a woman who cannot remember the names of all the men she has dated in the last year

a married couple that have quarreled with each other for years

To whom are you the most likely to stand the closest? Select one: a. a state senator from another state b. a person of the same race c. a person who is obviously physically handicapped d. a stranger

a person of the same race

A relationship in which the two people are very similar is called Select one: a. a complementary relationship. b. a symmetrical relationship. c. a cost-benefit relationship. d. an independent relationship.

a symmetrical relationship

Which of the following would be an example of a physiological factor that affects perception? Select one: a. mental distractions such as daydreaming b. a homosexual orientation and lifestyle c. a background in Roman Catholicism d. a woman who weighs ninety-seven pounds

a woman who weighs ninety-seven pounds

Which of the following would be the reason why an individual looking at a class picture might see his or her own face first? Select one: a. because of its proximity to the other faces b. because it is figure and the rest of the class is ground c. because it is the image that allows closure d. because it is ground and the rest of the class is figure

because it is figure and the rest of the class is ground

"The ability to alter behavior in order to adapt to new situations and to relate in new ways when necessary" is a definition of Select one: a. androgyny. b. behavioral flexibility c. passages. d. complementary relationships.

behavioral flexibility

During an interview for a waitress job, Mr. Mitchell (the interviewer) asks Kelly (the interviewee) if she is married or has any children. This is a violation of Select one: a. personal characteristics. b. protected class. c. bona fide occupational qualifications. d. reasonable public information.

bona fide occupational qualifications

EEO legislation states that interview questions must be related to Select one: a. personal characteristics. b. protected class. c. bona fide occupational qualifications. d. reasonable public information.

bona fide occupational qualifications

Based on research reported in chapter 5, to enhance the chance that children will process complex and ambiguous information with less anxiety parents should Select one: a. read more during family group time. b. create an environment where children are held to high standards. c. ensure that their children learn another language. d. create an environment where multiple topics are discussed in the family.

create an environment where multiple topics are discussed in the family.

x

critical thinking

Unique combinations of rituals, religion, thought patterns, and behaviors are known as Select one: a. collectivism. b. strategies. c. culture. d. low-context.

culture

Jennifer, Lisa, and Christina are having an in-depth conversation about a previous relationship that was abusive. Each of the women is participating equally. What type of descriptor most accurately describes this conversation? Select one: a. persuasive b. dialogic c. transmission d. failure

dialogic

What do we call the stage in which the two partners start emphasizing their individual differences? Select one: a. differentiation b. circumscription c. stagnation d. avoidance

differentiation

Erving Goffman's theory of self-presentation is based on what type of perspective? Select one: a. psychology b. dramaturgy c. statistics d. definitional

dramaturgy

Which two concepts seem most closely related? Select one: a. egocentrism and personal bias b. defensiveness and self-focus c. experiential superiority and defensiveness d. personal bias and defensiveness

egocentrism and personal bias

What distinguishes empathic listening from other kinds of active listening is that Select one: a. active listening is one kind of empathic listening. b. active and empathic listening are both purposeful. c. empathic listening adds the goal of understanding. d. empathic listening invites more feedback.

empathic listening adds the goal of understanding

Which of the following activities does not occur in perception? Select one: a. exploration b. interpretation c. organization d. selection

exploration

x

factual distraction

Which of the following is not a context of communication? Select one: a. feedback b. intrapersonal c. interpersonal d. public

feedback

When you organize your experiences by type, which type of resume are you using? Select one: a. functional b. chronological c. spatial d. problem-based

functional

Children with higher levels of language development are more likely to Select one: a. have more efficient working memory b. have less efficient working memory c. develop better hearing skills d. develop less effective hearing skills

have more efficient working memory

Tinnitus is something that would be most likely to affect your Select one: a. nonverbal gestures. b. listening. c. hearing. d. speaking.

hearing

These cultures tend to load a lot of meaning into the setting or context of communication and prefer traditions over change. Select one: a. explicit-rule b. uncertainty-accepting c. high-context d. M-time

high-context

Messages between organizational members of the same power level are best described as Select one: a. formal. b. informal. c. upward. d. horizontal.

horizontal

As the woman shaded her eyes with her open hand on her brow, she said, "Wow, is it ever bright out here." The nonverbal cue here is Select one: a. an illustrator. b. an emblem. c. a regulator. d. an adaptor.

illustrator

During a lecture Ms. Anderson stated, "Here is the conclusion you should draw from this example, which will be on your final exam." What type of lecture cue was Ms. Anderson using? Select one: a. semantic b. importance c. nonverbal d. organizational

importance

According to William Schutz, three interpersonal needs that are satisfied through interaction with others are Select one: a. inclusion, affection, and control b. physical well-being, safety, and security c. inclusion, self-actualization, and socialization d. esteem, affection, and control

inclusion, affection, and control

In what stage do first impressions and the sizing up of another person occur? Select one: a. integration b. differentiation c. intensification d. initiation

initiation

The stage in the relationship in which the two people involved begin mirroring each other's behavior in manner, dress, and language is called the Select one: a. bonding stage. b. integrating stage. c. intensifying stage. d. experimenting stage.

integrating stage

The stage in the relationship in which the two people involved begin mirroring each other's behavior in manner, dress, and language is called the Select one: a. bonding stage. b. integrating stage. c. intensifying stage. d. experimenting stage.

integrating stage.

Upon walking into a crowded bar on a Friday night, Daniel begins to get uncomfortable because it is so crowded. There are many people very close to him and some even bumping into him as they pass. These people are in Daniel's Select one: a. intimate space. b. personal space. c. social space. d. public space.

intimate space

Which of the following is the least public form of communication? Select one: a. intrapersonal b. interpersonal c. group d. organizational

intrapersonal

When you look at yourself in the mirror and decide that you need to comb your hair, you are using what context of communication? Select one: a. intrapersonal communication b. interpersonal communication c. dyadic communication d. public communication

intrapersonal communication

The accumulation of various types of mass communication (radio, television, newspapers, internet, etc.) into one medium is called Select one: a. technological convergence. b. organizational convergence. c. inherent convergence. d. media convergence.

media convergence

The component of communication that consists of facial expressions, words, and phrases is the Select one: a. channel. b. nonverbal code. c. verbal code. d. message

message

Which association below is not part of the textbook definition of interpersonal relationships? Select one: a. one between two or more people who are interdependent b. one between two or more people who have interacted for some period of time c. one between two or more people who use some consistent patters of interaction d. one between two or more people who exhibit affection toward each other

one between two or more people who exhibit affection toward each other

During this part of perception, a person groups stimuli into meaningful units. Select one: a. selection b. interpretation c. organization d. interactionism

organization

Kelly is listening intently to her friend, Sheri, talk about her boyfriend who is leaving for a year to serve in the Army. Kelly says "mmm-hmm" during the conversation to show Sheri that she is listening. She is communicating using Select one: a. kinesics. b. paralinguistics. c. objectics. d. artifacts.

paralinguistics

The study of nonword sounds that communicate meaning is called Select one: a. kinesics. b. paralinguistics. c. objectics. d. artifacts.

paralinguistics

A school is what type of organization? Select one: a. political b. integration c. pattern-maintenance d. economic production

pattern-maintenance

The army is what type of organization? Select one: a. economic production b. political c. pattern maintenance d. integration

political

Which of the following is not cited in the book as one of the three reasons why differences in perception occur? Select one: a. physiological factors b. past experience c. present feelings and circumstances d. present eating habits

present eating habits

The concept that suggests that your roommate is more likely to become your friend than a person ten blocks away is known as Select one: a. proximity. b. similarity. c. collaboration. d. familiarity.

proximity

The same bottom-feeding fish known as bullheads in Minnesota are called catfish in Ohio. This language phenomenon is classified as Select one: a. slang. b. regionalism. c. euphemism. d. colloquialism.

regionalism

Which of these statements is an example of euphemism? Select one: a. toilet b. can c. head d. rest room

rest room

In relationships formalized patterns of actions or words that are followed regularly and are indicators of relational uniqueness are called Select one: a. personal idioms b. relational dialects c. uncertainty reducers d. rituals

rituals

Jeremy was walking across campus in a hurry. On the way he saw his friend Johnnie, who he hadn't seen in quite some time. Jeremy stopped and gave Johnnie his cell phone number and told him to call him later. Just a few seconds after Jeremy left, Johnnie already had forgotten the number. This would be because the information only went as far as Johnnie's Select one: a. schema. b. short-term memory. c. long-term memory. d. automatic attention.

short-term memory

Which of the following characteristics is not true of active perception? Select one: a. subjective b. interpretive c. active d. simple

simple

Which of the following is not one of the three stages in interpersonal relationships? Select one: a. social penetration b. relational development c. relational deterioration d. relational maintenance

social penetration

Which of the following is not one of the three stages in interpersonal relationships? Select one: a. social penetration b. relational development c. relational deterioration d. relational maintenance

social penetration

Which of the following is not included in the study of proxemics? Select one: a. distance b. space c. sound d. territoriality

sound

Which of the following are not paralinguistic features? Select one: a. pitch, rate, and inflection b. volume, voice quality, and silence c. pronunciation, enunciation, and articulation d. sounds with meaning and words without meaning

sounds with meaning and words without meaning

Which of the following does not relate to the term public communication? Select one: a. formality b. structure c. planning d. spontaneity

spontaneity

Which relational dialectic involves tensions surrounding the need for consistency in a relationship as well as "newness and novelty." Select one: a. integration and separation b. expression and privacy c. stability and change d. old and new

stability and change

Which of the following terms is not part of the definition of communication? Select one: a. process b. meaning c. messages d. static

static

The opposite of defensive communication is Select one: a. descriptive communication. b. supportive communication. c. provisional commnication. d. neutral communication.

supportive communication

x

symmetrical

Communication begins with Select one: a. the self. b. the other. c. the dyad. d. the group.

the self

What types of cultures are most likely to tolerate ambiguity, uncertainty, and diversity? Select one: a. uncertainty-accepting cultures b. implicit-rule cultures c. M-time cultures d. P-time cultures

uncertainty-accepting cultures

Perceptual checking is a skill that helps us Select one: a. understand another person and his or her message more accurately. b. view everyone as equals. c. compare our behaviors with others' behaviors. d. ignore damaging or harmful information.

understand another person and his or her message more accurately.

What is code sensitivity? Select one: a. a cognitive style that emphasizes open-mindedness about differences b. the frustration and early termination of communication in intercultural communication c. using words and nonverbal communication that are easy for the interpreter to understand d. assuming that others think and act as we do

using words and nonverbal communication that are easy for the interpreter to understand

Which part of the listening process is responsible for interpreting and assigning meaning to stimuli? Select one: a. attention b. working memory c. short-term memory d. long-term memory

working memory

He acts very interested in her, stands close, looks deep into her eyes, and brings her drinks during the party. She observes his words and actions and dares to believe that he is falling in love with her on this first meeting. Which of the following questions would an expert on nonverbal communication not ask? Select one: a. Is this behavior typical of him; that is, does he do it to someone at every party? b. Is this party a context that makes this type of behavior typical? c. Are his verbal and nonverbal behaviors consistent with each other? d. Why shouldn't I just go home with this guy? All the nonverbal cues indicate interest and sincerity.

Why shouldn't I just go home with this guy? All the nonverbal cues indicate interest and sincerity.

Which of the following best exhibits critical thinking? Select one: a. You are able to memorize what you hear. b. You are able to recall most of what you listen to. c. You are able to interpret what you hear and apply it to other knowledge. d. You are able to use what you know to apply standards to what you hear and decide the merits of the message

You are able to use what you know to apply standards to what you hear and decide the merits of the message

x

You are able to use what you know to apply standards to what you hear and decide the merits of the message.

Which of the following is a limitation of short-term memory? Select one: a. automatic attention b. inability to access schema c. lack of stimulus cues from working memory d. can only hold 5 to 9 bits of information on average

can only hold 5 to 9 bits of information on average

Which stage is not one of the stages of "coming together"? Select one: a. circumscribing b. experimenting c. bonding d. intensifying

circumscribing

If I notice that Bill and Yolanda are often together and I "fill in" my inference that they are now lovers, then I am illustrating the concept of perception called Select one: a. closure. b. figure and ground. c. proximity. d. filtering.

closure

The term that includes the use of symbols to create meaning is known as Select one: a. feedback. b. code. c. meaning. d. context.

code

In which type of culture would it be more likely for extended family members to live with nuclear family members? Select one: a. individualistic b. collectivistic c. M-time d. P-time

collectivistic

x

create an environment where multiple topics are discussed in the family