Comm 201
When your teacher listens to your speeches, he or she is primarily listening for the purpose of A) evaluation. B) empathy. C) information. D) enjoyment. E) persuasion.
A) evaluation
Of the nonverbal behaviors discussed in your textbook, which is considered the most important source of emotional information? A) facial expressions B) movement C) paralanguage D) gestures E) olfactics
A) facial expressions
According to the text, what is at the heart of all communication? A) behaviors B) emotion C) culture D) genetics E) perception
E) perception
Which of the following most accurately reflects the percentage of individuals who experience some form of communication apprehension? A) 95 percent B) 65 percent C) 50 percent D) 80 percent E) 35 percent
A) 95 percent
Instead of external factors influencing behavior you attribute the actions of others to being "that kind of person." This attribution reflects a(n) A) attribution error. B) selective retention. C) proximity dysfunction. D) stereotypes. E) ethnocentrism.
A) ethnocentrism
According to research on gender expectations by Deborah Tannen, male communication styles are best characterized as A) a contest to preserve independence and avoid failure. B) a chance to build community. C) a struggle to avoid isolation. D) a change for consensus to be reached. E) an opportunity for confirmation and support.
A) a contest to preserve independence and avoid failure
A person displaying effective listening competence behaviors A) asks questions. B) avoids empathizing with the other person. C) interrupts the speaker to provide feedback. D) concentrates on trying to listen to specific facts and details. E) maintains his or her own viewpoint as much as possible.
A) asks questions
When a car manufacturer says "this is the best station wagon in the world" without giving any proof, the most appropriate thing you would do as a listener is A) assess the motivation behind the message. B) listen to details and not to the main ideas. C) stop taking notes. D) fake attention. E) criticize the speaker.
A) assess the motivation behind the message
24) Which of the following would be most effective at helping you improve your communication competence? A) Avoid the tendency to assume too much about what we perceive. B) Remember that perceptions based on physical attributes are most accurate. C) Remember that our view is generally the most accurate. D) Remember that most people we encounter will have very similar perceptions to our own. E) Limit the amount of information you take in.
A) avoid the tendency to assume too much about what we percieve
Which of the following is a barrier to effective listening? A) avoiding difficult listening situations B) concentrating on main ideas, not details C) considering the topic or speaker interesting D) criticizing the message instead of the speaker E) adjusting to distractions
A) avoiding difficult listening situations
During a medical examination, Dr. Smith discovers a serious problem but attempts to hide his concern by maintaining neutral facial expressions. In this instance, Dr. Smith is relying on what function of nonverbal communication? A) deceiving B) repeating C) regulating D) substituting E) complementing
A) deceiving
An inoffensive or mild expression given in place of one that might offend is called a(n) A) euphemism. B) denotation. C) connotation. D) concrete word. E) abstract word.
A) euphemism
You are sitting in a late afternoon class. As you are attempting to listen and pay attention you notice you are getting tired and that your mind is really just someplace else. What barrier to effective listening are you exhibiting? A) faking attention B) avoiding difficult listening situations C) failing to adjust to distractions D) considering the speaker uninteresting E) concentrating on details
A) faking attention
Looking for meaning by using more than one nonverbal message at a time is called the A) functional approach. B) affect approach. C) interdependent approach. D) interpretative approach. E) multiple approach.
A) functional approach
Tiffany says "let's get going" to Arleen, meaning "let's start," but Arleen thinks Tiffany means "let's leave." This exchange illustrates A) indiscrimination. B) bypassing. C) metaphor. D) inference. E) polarization.
A) indiscrimination
"Communication is a personal event" describes what type of communication? A) intrapersonal B) telepathy C) interpersonal D) relational E) integrative
A) intrapersonal
Radio, television, telephone, and the World Wide Web are all examples of A) mediated communication. B) intrapersonal communication. C) public communication. D) performance studies. E) group communication.
A) intrapersonal communication
22) Cassandra has watched the show Grey's Anatomy for years. When she began to date Caleb she wanted their relationship to be just like Derek and Meredith's from Grey's Anatomy. Cassandra's viewpoint illustrates the fact that differences in perception can be affected by A) media. B) humor. C) gender. D) proximity. E) culture.
A) media
21) Kristen had a disagreement with Paul and told him that he was an idiot. Later, while apologizing, Kristen asked Paul to "forget that little comment." Kristen does not realize that A) oral communication is irreversible. B) we have a natural ability to communicate. C) quantity means quality. D) meaning is in the words we use. E) communication is a cure-all.
A) oral communication is irreversible
Our self-concept is determined by A) our experiences and communication with others. B) the roles and values our teachers have selected for us. C) our genetic predispositions toward communication. D) the media. E) how others believe we see them.
A) our experiences and communication with others
Our interpretations of different stimuli are based on A) past experiences and the opinions of others. B) what our family thinks is best in a given situation. C) hypothetical scenarios. D) individual perceptions. E) a certain set of cultural rules that we all share.
A) past experiences and the opinions of others
According to Dale Leathers, eye behavior can indicate degree of attentiveness, interest, and arousal. Which category of facial expression does this technique fall under? A) regulator B) affect display C) adaptor D) emblem E) illustrator
A) regulator
If you tell a person to go north to find a newspaper stand, and point in that direction, your use of nonverbal communication would be called A) repeating behavior. B) accenting behavior. C) complementing behavior. D) deceiving behavior. E) regulating behavior.
A) repeating behavior
Beth continues to tell herself "I'm going to pass this exam . . . I'm going to pass this exam" as she prepares for her final exam in mathematics. Her expectations that eventually led to her passing her mathematics exam illustrate a(n) A) self-fulfilling prophecy. B) impression management technique. C) negative attribution. D) communication apprehension. E) positive self-concept.
A) self-fulfilling prophecy
If you introduce yourself as a mother, part-time student, or cashier at a local grocery store, you are giving some indication of your A) self-image. B) self-character. C) self-esteem. D) self-awareness. E) self-consciousness.
A) self-image
Which of the following is an example of an attitude? A) Smoking is harmful. B) Individuals should protect their bodies. C) Tobacco companies do not care about public health. D) Tobacco companies intentionally target youths in advertising. E) Individuals should be more healthy.
A) smoking is harmful
We see two people shake hands as they are introduced to one another, illustrating which category of touch? A) social-polite B) love-intimacy C) functional-professional D) friendship-warmth E) context-situational
A) social-polite
Cognitively complex individuals A) use "person-centered" messages. B) think about things in concrete ways more than in abstract ways. C) tend to gloss over important details about other people. D) are unable to integrate new information into their perceptions. E) are fixed in their interpretation of complicated events.
A) use "person- centered" messages.
Active and direct language that brings urgency to a message is known as A) vividness. B) polarization. C) metaphor. D) indexing. E) immediacy.
A) vividness
The fact that there are 87 different definitions for the word house illustrates A) words change over time. B) language is a natural activity, rather than a learned process. C) words remain fairly consistent across different cultures. D) not all words are symbolic. E) language has very little to do with semantics.
A) words change over time
Asking a friend, "Do you think my painting is beautiful or ugly?" most clearly illustrates A) indexing. B) polarization. C) stereotyping. D) a metaphor. E) bypassing.
B) polarization
According to your textbook, how much of his or her time does the average college student spend listening? A) 15-25 percent B) 46-55 percent C) 35-45 percent D) 26-35 percent E) 56-65 percent
B) 46-55%
The statement, "Communication is a process" implies that A) the function of communication seldom changes. B) communication is ongoing and ever changing. C) communication is best understood as a series of step-by-step actions. D) communication is generally transmitted through electronic means. E) social systems are merely contexts in which communication occurs.
B) Communication is ongoing and ever changing
8) Aristotle, a classical Greek rhetorician, argued that communication was most effective when a speaker's character, or ________, was engaged in presenting truth. A) telos (purpose) B) ethos (ethical appeal) C) pathos (emotional appeal) D) logos (logical appeal) E) kairos (effective timing)
B) Ethos (ethical appeal)
When you listen to rock music because you enjoy it, you are doing which of the following functions of listening? A) information or comprehension B) appreciation or enjoyment C) empathy or therapy D) functional comprehension E) discrimination or evaluation
B) appreciation or enjoyment
Effective communication skills A) are inherited from your parents. B) are learned over time through instruction and practice. C) are mainly important for those who have jobs in the media. D) will guarantee that the communicator's goals are morally correct. E) are best learned through classroom instruction.
B) are learned over time through instruction and practice
According to the International Listening Association, the process of receiving, constructing meaning from, and responding to verbal and nonverbal messages is called A) focus. B) listening. C) hearing. D) selecting. E) attention.
B) attention
According to communication researchers, eye behavior A) includes uniform norms that span across different cultures. B) can influence attitude change and persuasion. C) is tied directly to semantics. D) has little to do with power and status. E) is one of the least important nonverbal behaviors communication scholars study.
B) can influence attitude change and persuasion
When we assess the number of mental structures a person uses, how abstract they are, and how they interact to shape that person's perceptions, we're assessing a person's level of A) awareness. B) cognitive complexity. C) selective exposure. D) perceptual congruence. E) communication competence.
B) cognitive complexity
Joshua gets up to give his business presentation and begins to sweat profusely. As he delivers his speech, his hands tremble and his voice begins to quiver. Joshua's reactions to giving his presentation reflect symptoms of A) computer anxiety. B) communication apprehension. C) a dysfunctional self-concept. D) poor impression management. E) low self-esteem.
B) communication apprehension
If I was in a serious car accident two years ago, the word "accident" may remind me of what happened, regardless of how the word is actually being used. This is an example of how a word has A) denotative meaning. B) connotative meaning. C) concrete meaning. D) abstract meaning. E) low-context meaning.
B) connotative meaning
"Words have only one precise meaning analogous to a standard dictionary definition." This statement illustrates what type of meaning? A) social meaning B) denotative meaning C) epistemological meaning D) grammatical meaning E) connotative meaning
B) denotative meaning
As a communication source, an individual A) controls the channels by which the message will be mediated. B) determines the meaning of what is to be communicated. C) decodes the message into meaning. D) often assigns meaning to unintentional behaviors. E) is primarily responsible for sending feedback.
B) determines the meaning of what is to be communicated
Self-enhancement (efforts to boost your own image) and other-enhancement (efforts to boost a target person's image) are forms of A) self-fulfilling prophecy. B) impression management. C) communication masking. D) perception management. E) rhetorical markers.
B) impression management
In his assertion that "Nothing is clear in and of itself but in some context for some person," Robert Scott meant that A) when we talk with others we say things in certain ways that undermine the creation of meaning. B) in the process of communicating with others, one person's perceptions are not more accurate than that of the other. C) words are static and unchanging. D) communication occurs in a linear, step-by-step fashion. E) communication is infectious, like an epidemic.
B) in the process of communicating with others, one person's perceptions are not more accurate that that of the other
When Brent told Scott he was thinking of running for Congress, Scott responded rather negatively by stating, "Politicians are crooks and scandals." Scott's categorization of politicians reflects A) polarization. B) indiscrimination. C) a euphemism. D) metaphorical language E) bypassing.
B) indiscrimination
19) Josh and Mark take turns exchanging information about their plans for the day during their morning chat over coffee. Their conversation best demonstrates that communication is A) unintentional. B) interactive. C) ethical. D) cognitive. E) multicultural.
B) interactive
According to the text, our "social self-concept" is derived from A) biological sex. B) interpersonal relationships. C) positive thought processes. D) negative thought processes. E) our perceptions of the media.
B) interpersonal relationships
Kevin has just lost his grandfather. As he shares his feelings of regret with his best friend Dan, Dan shows Kevin that he is aware of his feelings of loss and that he appreciates the hurt that Kevin must be going through. Which function of listening is Dan engaged in? A) listening to evaluate B) listening with empathy C) listening to obtain information D) listening for enjoyment E) listening for sympathy
B) listening with empathy
The replacing of one expression of an emotion with another that is considered more appropriate for the situation is referred to as A) an illustrator. B) masking. C) a facial highlighting technique. D) intensifying. E) a display rule.
B) masking
Sean pounded on the table during his persuasive speech to emphasize a point. After his speech, the audience applauded. Later that evening, Sean used the same fist-pounding strategy when trying to emphasize to his wife that he did not want pasta for supper. She had a more negative reaction. This example illustrates which characteristic of nonverbal communication? A) Nonverbal communication is a primary means of expression. B) Nonverbal communication depends on context. C) Nonverbal communication is ambiguous. D) Nonverbal communication occurs constantly. E) Nonverbal communication is related to culture.
B) nonverbal communication depends on context
The notion that our direct eye contact with a friend may differ in meaning compared to direct eye contact with a stranger illustrates which characteristic of nonverbal communication? A) Nonverbal communication is the primary means of expression. B) Nonverbal communication is dependent on context. C) Nonverbal communication is more believable than verbal communication. D) Nonverbal communication is less believable than verbal communication. E) Nonverbal communication is constantly occurring.
B) nonverbal communication is dependent on context
According to the text, self-concepts are often affected by A) our past experiences and our understanding of the media. B) our interactions with others and our past experiences. C) how much money we make and the kind of car we drive. D) the expectations others have of us and our genetic makeup. E) our genetic makeup and our understanding of the media.
B) our interactions with others and our past experiences
You arrive on a new campus to participate in an undergraduate academic conference. You are not sure where to find the designated building. You see a woman dressed in a suit with a briefcase walking by and stop her to ask for directions. Since you are a student and attend college, you decided to stop her because she looked like a faculty person. This example illustrates the fact that we interpret our perceptions based on A) closure. B) past experiences. C) complementarity. D) similarity. E) proximity.
B) past experiences
1) When we maintain our views even when the evidence suggests that our views are not correct, we are demonstrating A) selective set. B) perceptual set. C) limited closure. D) selective exposure. E) selective attention.
B) perceptual set
Kaitlin continually communicates with Tiffany as if she was still a little girl. In Kaitlin's eyes, Tiffany will always be "her little girl." This illustrates the fact that ________ can interfere with effective communication. A) age B) perceptual set C) closure D) gender E) demographics
B) perceptual set
Angela, who is five feet tall, and Tim, who is six feet tall, both decided to test drive a car. Tim thought the car was perfect whereas Angela did not because she could not get the seat close enough to the pedals. This example illustrates the fact that ________ influence(s) our perceptions. A) individualism B) physical characteristics C) mechanistics D) stereotyping E) proximity
B) physical characteristics
Which statement accurately describes the relationship between listening and education? A) Most organizations consider training in listening to be of little importance. B) Proportionately, listening is the most used language skills C) Informal listening training is generally provided to students of all ages. D) Auditory learning is the primary form of learning in secondary education. E) Skills in listening and processing information are often included in formal education curriculums.
B) proportionately, listening is the most used language skill
Which of the following statements most accurately summarizes the relationship among self-image, selfesteem, and self-concept? A) Self-image is the difference between self-concept and self-esteem. B) Self-concept consists of our self-image and self-esteem. C) Self-concept is constantly changing, whereas self-image and self-esteem stay the same. D) Self-image and self-esteem are how we view ourselves; self-concept is how others view us. E) Self-image and self-esteem are constantly changing, whereas self-concept stays the same.
B) self-concept consists of our self-image and self-esteem
Impression management strategies designed to boost your own self-image are referred to as A) principal enhancement. B) self-enhancement. C) self-concept elevation. D) self-determination. E) other-enhancement.
B) self-enhancement
The grouping of stimuli that resemble one another in size, color, shape, or other characteristics is called A) figure. B) similarity. C) proximity. D) closure. E) ground.
B) similarity
Thinking of communication as a "cure-all" is a myth because A) communication is used unethically most of the time. B) sometimes communication can create more problems than it solves. C) communication is irreversible. D) the act of communicating does carries some guarantees. E) communication is a panacea.
B) sometimes communication can create more problems than it solves
Nonverbal communications, such as ________, add emphasis to the meaning of a word. A) sign language, written words, and tone of voice B) tone of voice, volume, and facial expression C) facial expression, written words, and sign language D) posture, gestures, and sign language E) tone of voice, facial expression, and sign language
B) tone of voice, volume, and facial expression
Which of the following scenarios, or examples, illustrates linguistic relativity? A) A student received a perfect score on his speech because he used concrete terms to explain success. B) Two pen-pals, one from the United States and one from Australia, had trouble agreeing on what it meant to be successful. C) Valerie carefully defined each term for her audience before speaking. D) Sam's meaning for the term "success" is based on a role model. E) Angela and Evan were able to agree that success depends on what goals one is trying to accomplish.
B) two pen-pals, one from the united states and one from Austraila, had trouble agreeing on what it meant to be successful
Michelle is very caught up in material objects. She develops her own self-concept primarily by figuring out "what she has" and "what she doesn't have." This focus on materialism is an example of a(n) A) belief. B) value. C) influence. D) attitude. E) perception.
B) value
According to the text, which of the following statements about the relationship between gender and perception are true? A) Men and women have few differences regarding perception. B) Women and men learn to understand the world differently, which results in a difference in the way they communicate C) Gender is a biological trait that affects perception. D) Identification theory explains that men and women perceive one another, and thus effectively communicate with one another. E) Women tend to use closure more then men to organize perception.
B) women and men learn to understand the world differently, which results in a difference in the way they communicate
The commonly held idea that competent communicators should be ethical communicators best illustrates a(n) A) attitude. B) belief. C) hierarchy. D) value. E) altruistic philosophy.
D) value
1) Which of the following principles helps provide a foundation for understanding communication? A) Communication is moral. B) Communication is natural. C) Communication is systemic. D) Communication is linear. E) Communication is based on language.
C) Communication is systemic
6) The classical rhetorician who noted that communication needed to be presented by "a good man speaking well" was A) Caesar. B) Aristotle. C) Quintillian. D) Corax. E) Plato.
C) Quintillian
According to the text, the essential components of communication are A) symbols, understanding, purpose, ideas, opinions, nonverbals, and reaction. B) radio, television, Internet, symbols, and gender. C) source, message, interference, channel, receiver, feedback, environment, and context. D) source, destination, interaction, and correlation. E) symbols, understanding, communication, and communicant.
C) Source, message, interference, channel, receiver, feedback, environment, and context
The principles of effective composition and speech delivery were first studied A) social scientists after the conclusion of WWII. B) religious leaders during the European "Middle Ages." C) the rhetoricians of ancient Greece and Rome. D) media theorists after the advent of radio and mediated political debates. E) followers of Buddha, who advised his disciples to avoid "harsh speech."
C) The rhetoricians of ancient Greece and Rome
Sam was talking to Juan about a teacher, and said, "My teacher is out to lunch!" Juan wasn't sure if Sam meant that the teacher was eating a meal, was unfair, was odd, or something else. Juan would have better understood Sam's message if Sam had been more A) vivid. B) ethnocentric. C) accurate. D) appropriate. E) colorful.
C) accurate
A team of researchers devised a classification system that divides body movements and facial displays into five specific categories. Which of the following does NOT belong to the five categories? A) affect displays B) adaptors C) affect regulators D) illustrators E) emblems
C) affect regulators
There is a difference between the word "desk" and the actual object, because "desk" is just a word used to name the object and is not the actual thing. This shows that language is A) eclipsing. B) systematic. C) arbitrary. D) contrary. E) regulative.
C) arbitrary
23) Which of the following behaviors would be most helpful in improving your perception competence? A) Take the roles of perceptions at face value. B) Go with your first perception because getting more information and changing it will be less accurate. C) Be willing to question the accuracy of your perceptions. D) Trust your inferences as correct. E) Limit the amount of information you take in so you can organize it better.
C) be willing to question the accuracy of your perceptions
Which of the following terms best describes the situation that occurs when what is meant by a speaker is different from what is heard and understood by the listener? A) semantic confusion B) polarization C) bypassing D) jargon E) indiscrimination
C) bypassing
"As the doctor entered the room, he examined the patient's forehead and ordered a head CT." This statement best demonstrates that languages A) can be metaphorical. B) can be sexist. C) can be gender-inclusive. D) can clarify meaning. E) can express commonalities.
C) can be gender-inclusive
When you are waiting in line at class registration and begin talking to the person in front of you about the length of the wait, you roll your eyes and sigh. What type of behavior are you engaging in? A) repeating behavior B) substituting behavior C) complementing behavior D) emblem behavior E) regulating behavior
C) complementing behavior
To avoid some of the pitfalls or barriers to listening, you should A) remove yourself from the situation if you find the topic irrelevant to your life. B) show the speaker that you are listening even if you are thinking about something else. C) concentrate on the main ideas rather than the details. D) remove yourself from the situation if distractions become too great. E) avoid situations where listening will be very hard.
C) concentrate on the main ideas rather than the details
When listening to a speech on Spain, if we pay attention to the numbers and specific facts instead of listening for the major theme of the speech, it is likely we are A) perceiving the topic as boring, uninteresting, or unimportant. B) perceiving the speaker as boring, uninteresting or unimportant. C) concentrating on details, and not on main ideas. D) criticizing the speaker instead of the message. E) not providing feedback.
C) concentrating on details, and not on main ideas
One barrier to listening is perceiving the topic or speaker to be boring, uninteresting, or unimportant. What should we do to overcome this barrier? A) Don't waste time by listening. B) Immediately form an opinion on the subject. C) Consider how the information might be used. D) Consider ways of getting out of the situation. E) "Block out" the speaker.
C) consider how the information might be used
When stepping off Air Force One, President Nixon would hold his hands up and use two fingers to convey a "V" for victory. In this example, Nixon was using what form of body movement to convey meaning? A) adaptor B) regulator C) emblem D) illustrator E) neutralizer
C) emblem
18) Becky decides to translate her feelings of anger into words and communicate them to Brent. In doing so, Becky enacts the process of A) receiving. B) decoding. C) encoding. D) sending. E) reacting.
C) encoding
Which of the following statements about ethnocentrism is most accurate? A) Ethnocentric people are simply expressing pride in their heritage. B) Ethnocentrism is a useful tool for improving our ability to perceive. C) Ethnocentrism involves assuming that our view of our own culture is superior to any other culture's view. D) Ethnocentrism is generally unrelated to perception. E) Ethnocentric people generally have more accurate perceptions than people who are not ethnocentric.
C) ethnocentrism involves assuming that our view of our own country is superior to any other culture's view.
Which of the following statements most accurately describes the state of gender roles in our society? A) Gender roles are related to behaviors other than communication. B) Gender roles are caused by biological sex differences. C) Gender roles are changing. D) Gender roles have very little to do with culture. E) Gender roles are stable.
C) gender roles are stable
The passive reception of sounds is called A) evaluating. B) selecting. C) hearing. D) understanding. E) listening.
C) hearing
The meaning of the communication act is inferred from the situation in what type of culture? A) American culture B) monochronic cultures C) high-context cultures D) low-context cultures E) individualistic cultures
C) high-context cultures
Which of the following is an example of a value? A) Tobacco companies intentionally target youths in advertising. B) Light cigarettes are just as harmful as regular cigarettes. C) Individuals should be more healthy. D) Smoking is harmful. E) Smoking is distasteful.
C) individuals should be more healthy
Although communication can be considered both transactional and interactional, the prime function of the communication source/sender is to A) send the intended message. B) serve only as the sender. C) initiate the message. D) decode and evaluate the message. E) respond.
C) initiate the message
The theory that people from different language communities perceive the world differently is called A) low-context culture. B) Sapir-Whorf hypothesis. C) linguistic relativity. D) linguistic determinism. E) high-context culture.
C) linguistic relativity
17) After finishing a lecture on thermodynamics, Arleen compliments Dr. Phen by saying, "Sir, that was a 'bad' lecture," to which Dr. Phen responds, "Why, what was wrong with it?" Which of the following statements about communication best illustrates Dr. Phen's response? A) The ability to communicate is learned. B) Communication is a good thing. C) Meanings are in people. D) More communication would solve the problem. E) Words have meaning.
C) meanings are in people
27) During his telephone interview with IBM, Aaron answers a series of questions from Angela, a supervisor in the marketing department. What type of communication best describes their conversation? A) intrapersonal communication B) performance studies C) mediated communication D) public speaking E) group communication
C) mediated communication
When you use impression management to try and boost the image of a target person, you are engaging in A) self-enhancement. B) self-promotion. C) other-enhancement. D) issues management. E) other-promotion.
C) other-enhancement
Self-esteem is defined as A) being absorbed in oneself. B) being successful wholly by one's own efforts. C) our feelings and attitudes about ourselves. D) a positive self-concept. E) a state of not feeling the need for assistance.
C) our feelings and attitudes about ourselves
Which of the following metaphors best illustrates the role that perception plays in the communication process? A) Perception acts as a funnel. B) Perception acts as an owner's manual. C) Perception acts as filter. D) Perception acts as a facilitator. E) Perception acts as a boundary.
C) perception acts as filter
12) The Internet has made it much easier for people to access all types of information. Unfortunately, this has led to a greater tendency for some people to A) conduct research in libraries. B) use ethical communication. C) plagiarize. D) enhance their credibility using verifiable sources. E) build ethos.
C) plagiarize
The grouping of two or more things that are close to one another in space is known as A) similarity. B) figure-and-ground organization. C) proximity. D) ethnocentrism. E) closure.
C) proximity
Total silence, smiling or frowning, and asking for clarification of what was received are all examples of A) understanding. B) evaluating. C) responding. D) hearing. E) interpreting.
C) responding
The sorting of one stimulus from another is known as A) organization. B) feedback. C) selection. D) interpretation. E) perceptual organization.
C) selection
10) Suppose after a basketball game, the fans of Team A believe that Team B committed more fouls, while the Team B fans think that Team A committed more fouls. Assume that the officials called an equal number of fouls on each team. Which of the following organizational functions of perception would best help us understand how each team's fans viewed the facts differently? A) ground B) proximity C) selective retention D) egotism E) subjectivity
C) selective retention
The study of the meaning, or the association of words with ideas, feelings, and context is known as A) genetic predispositions. B) natural signs. C) semantics. D) physiological responses E) random noise.
C) semantics
According to the text, muted group theory suggests A) status and power are equal among all people. B) status and power are independent ideas. C) status and power are linked. D) language gives voice to women and minorities. E) language provides power and status to women and minorities.
C) status and power are limited
Interpreting nonverbal behavior requires understanding A) the family relationships of the person we are communicating with. B) the intent of the source. C) the cultural norms governing it. D) the grammatical syntax behind the behavior. E) that verbal behavior carries most of the meaning in a message.
C) the cultural norms governing it
In an argument with her roommate, Elissa angrily yelled out, "You never take your turn at washing dishes! In fact, you never do any cleaning up around here!" Angela responded to Elissa's comments by yelling "Oh yeah, well you never help out with any of the groceries." The escalation of their conflict best illustrates A) indiscrimination. B) the power of language. C) the pendulum effect. D) the Hawthorne effect. E) closure.
C) the pendulum effect
Which statement accurately reflects the relationship between gender and language? A) The English language is structured with an inherent bias in favor of women. B) There is no difference in how men and women use language. C) There are no singular gender-neutral pronouns in the English language. D) Men use language primarily to establish and maintain social relationships. E) Women use language primarily to assert status.
C) there are no singular gender-neutral pronouns in the English language
According to Erving Goffman, facework refers to the tactics we use A) for corrective surgery. B) to reduce communication apprehension. C) to present ourselves to others. D) to develop a positive self-esteem. E) to maintain a sense of humor.
C) to present ourselves to others
According to the National Communication Association, competent listeners demonstrate the ability to A) exercise similar listening patterns routinely. B) not let different settings affect their listening habits. C) understand of the process of listening. D) facilitate between hearing and listening successfully. E) not let communication barriers affect their listening.
C) understand the process of listening
To listen empathically means to A) listen sympathetically to the other person's problems. B) feel exactly as the other person feels. C) understand what the other person is feeling. D) be evaluative while listening. E) tell the other person that you are sorry that he or she has problems.
C) understand what the other person is feeling
To say that nonverbal communication is ambiguous is to say that A) it is difficult to misinterpret nonverbal behaviors. B) nonverbal behavior is less believable than verbal communication. C) we cannot assume that nonverbal behaviors have only one meaning. D) very little attention is needed when interpreting nonverbal messages. E) nonverbal behaviors include a learned "grammar" for using them.
C) we cannot assume that nonverbal behaviors have only one meaning
The evaluating stage of the listening process involves A) providing critical feedback. B) disregarding evidence. C) letting the speaker know that you understand the message. D) determining the intent of the speaker. E) selecting the message you want to process.
D) determining the intent of the speaker
5) Speech communication is a diverse discipline involving a range of behaviors and situations. The common thread connecting all of these behaviors and situations is A) classical rhetoric. B) public speaking. C) interpersonal communication. D) human symbolic interaction. E) organizational behavior.
D) Human symbolic interaction
Your textbook discusses the relationship between communication and ethics. One principle discussed is that unethical communication A) can be easily discovered by the audience. B) is virtuous. C) is always ineffective. D) may, in fact, constitute effective communication. E) makes use of ethos.
D) May, in fact, constitute effective communication
Any given language has its own rules, such as the way to pronounce words and grammatical rules. This shows that language is A) regulating. B) productive. C) the same as speech. D) a system of symbols. E) linear.
D) a system of symbols
When individuals are involved in a simultaneous communication process, they are involved in A) encoding. B) an interaction. C) decoding. D) a transaction. E) reception.
D) a translation
Judi Brownell suggests five techniques for memorization, a vital skill for competent listening. These strategies include A) imagery, mnemonics, criticizing, enjoying, and association. B) mnemonics, criticizing, association, imagery, and categorization. C) categorization, mediation, imagery, mnemonics, and criticizing. D) association, categorization, mediation, imagery, and mnemonics. E) mediation, imagery, mnemonics, criticizing, and enjoying.
D) association, categorization, mediation, imagery, and mnemonics
Which statement best describes the relationship between attitudes and beliefs? A) Attitudes include an evaluation of whether something is true or false, whereas beliefs reflect the perception of whether something is good or bad. B) Attitudes are relatively enduring, whereas beliefs may change from one moment to the next. C) Attitudes may change from one moment to the next, whereas beliefs are relatively enduring. D) Attitudes include an evaluation of whether something is good or bad, whereas beliefs reflect the perception of whether something is true or false. E) Beliefs are formed in childhood, whereas attitudes form later in life.
D) attitudes include an evaluation of whether something is good or bad, whereas beliefs reflect the perception of whether something is true or false
There are many things you can do to improve your listening competence. Which of the following is recommended? A) do not take notes unless told to do so B) do not ask questions C) study the language being used D) be flexible in your views E) use verbal expressions
D) be flexible in your views
"Honesty is the best policy" is an example of a(n) ________, whereas "People should be honest with one another" is an example of a(n) ________. A) value, belief B) attitude, value C) value, attitude D) belief, value E) attitude, belief
D) belief, value
I ask you to get some information together on absenteeism rates for the hourly employees. You check the files from ten years back, collect the current time cards, and give me a 20-page report two weeks later. I wanted an oral report the day after I requested the information. This example most clearly illustrates A) identifying. B) pendulum effect. C) indexing D) bypassing E) metaphoric language.
D) bypassing
Suggestions for improving your self-concept include which of the following statements? A) take a more relaxed approach to improving yourself B) read as many self-help books as you can find C) assume you know what you would like to change about yourself D) commit to improve or change E) distance yourself and try to make the changes on your own
D) commit to improve or change
The fact that there are over 330 languages in everyday use in the United States best illustrates that A) English should only be a secondary language that students learn in the United States. B) communication is strictly objective. C) communication rarely carries the potential for misunderstandings. D) communication is a symbolic activity rich in subtlety. E) communication is a natural activity.
D) communication is a symbolic action rich in subtlety
While at the airport, ready to depart for college on the East coast, Angela turns to her childhood sweetheart, Jeff, and says, "I'll miss you," and begins to cry and hold him tightly. This event illustrates which use of nonverbal communication? A) paralanguage B) proxemics C) chronemics D) complementing E) substituting
D) complementing
Researchers suggest that listening is most closely linked with which of the following activities? A) talking B) genetic malfunctions C) singing D) comprehension E) inductive logic
D) comprehension
When engaging in critical listening, the primary skill you need to have is A) attention. B) motivation. C) hearing. D) critical thinking. E) feedback.
D) critical thinking
23) After receiving an email from her boyfriend stating that their relationship was over, Erin began translating the message into her own thoughts. This process is known as A) encoding. B) internalizing. C) responding. D) decoding. E) remembering.
D) decoding
According to the text, interpersonal communication must involve A) intrapersonal communication. B) a clear goal. C) mediation. D) dyadic communication. E) face-to-face communication.
D) dyadic communication (2 people)
During a basketball game, one of the players puts her hands together, forming a "T," in order to notify the referee that the player's team wants to call "time out." What type of body motion is the player using? A) illustrator B) affect display C) regulator D) emblem E) symbol
D) emblem
When you are having a bad day and call to tell your best friend about it, you are probably expecting your friend to use which function of listening? A) critical B) informative C) explicit D) empathic E) appreciative
D) empathic
When you actively make judgments about whether or not the message you are hearing is worthwhile, you are A) assessing the accuracy of the speaker's conclusions. B) engaging in unethical listening behavior. C) engaging in a barrier to effective listening. D) engaging in critical listening. E) engaging in the feedback process.
D) engaging in critical listening
Tina dislikes a lot of television programming and therefore does not watch TV. Tina is engaged in selective A) attention. B) organization. C) editing. D) exposure. E) retention.
D) exposure
Which of the following sentences displays the highest amount of verbal immediacy? A) I have heard that people like the vineyard. B) I hope you like the movie on Friday; it's supposed to be funny. C) We should go on a date this weekend, as most people do. D) We will have a great date on Friday. E) You will enjoy the restaurant this weekend.
D) i have heard that people like the vineyard
Which of the following is a reason why we should study nonverbal communication? A) It is relatively unimportant in the development and termination of relationships. B) It is governed by a set of rules. C) It is rarely a source of miscommunication. D) It is more likely than verbal communication to be spontaneous and unintentional. E) It occurs naturally and is therefore uncontrollable.
D) it is more likely that verbal communication to be spontaneous and unintentional
30) Recent communication research on gender illustrates that in groups containing both females and males A) females participate in more of the decision-making than males. B) females interrupt males more frequently than males interrupt females. C) females tend to speak for longer periods of time. D) males take more turns at speaking. E) there are no communication differences between males and females.
D) males take more turns at speaking
When Zantel is sad and doesn't want others to know what emotions she is feeling, she will assume a "pokerface." Zantel's use of a "poker face" is a facial management technique referred to as what? A) intensifying B) deception C) intensifying D) masking E) neutralizing
D) masking
22) Your boss walks by you in the hall, gives you a report, and says, "I need you to have a summary of that report done ASAP." You take the report home overnight, summarize it, and give it to your boss the next morning. Your boss takes the summary and complains to you, "I'm disappointed that you did not get it to me by when I told you to." This example illustrates the myth that A) we have a natural ability to communicate. B) communication is a cure-all. C) communication is reversible. D) meaning is in the words we use. E) quantity means quality.
D) meaning is in the words we use
24) "I don't know why I bother taking a communication class! I simply do not have the knack for communicating very well, and will never improve!" This statement best illustrates which of the following misconceptions about communication? A) quantity for quality B) meanings in people C) meanings in words D) natural ability to communicate E) communication is a cure-all
D) natural ability to communicate
Communication research indicates that in most situations A) we spend less of our time communicating nonverbally than verbally. B) verbal messages are more contextual in nature than nonverbal messages. C) our verbal messages carry more meaning than our nonverbal messages. D) our nonverbal messages carry more meaning than our verbal messages. E) verbal behaviors are more ambiguous than nonverbal behaviors.
D) our nonverbal messages carry more meaning than our verbal messages
According to the text, stereotyping A) is based on truth and legitimate premises. B) is always negative. C) is always positive. D) oversimplifies and exaggerates human traits and qualities. E) is unnecessary in the information age.
D) oversimplifies and exaggerates
I perceive that Billy likes Christy because I always see Billy making an effort to sit next to Christy in class. The organizational function of perception governing my conclusion is A) selectivity. B) figure and ground. C) romanticism. D) proximity. E) similarity.
D) proximity
During his lecture, Dr. Soliz shakes his head up and down as a way of communicating "I am interested in what you are saying" to one of his students. In this instance, Dr. Soliz is using what function of nonverbal communication? A) repeating B) deceiving C) complementing D) regulating E) substituting
D) regulating
The process of perceiving combines A) selecting, de-constructing, and interpreting information. B) selecting, understanding, and creating information. C) understanding, selecting, and organizing information. D) selecting, organizing, and interpreting information. E) organizing, interpreting, and creating information.
D) selecting, organizing, and interpreting information
Brent has convinced himself that he is poor at math. When he registers for his required math class, he is convinced that he will earn a poor grade. As a result, he rarely studies, and receives a "D" in the class. This example most clearly demonstrates A) self-esteem. B) values. C) beliefs. D) self-fulfilling prophecy. E) communication apprehension.
D) self-fulfilling prophecy
When individuals move between the language used by their coculture and the dominant culture's language, it is known as A) doublespeak. B) dating. C) polarization. D) style-switching. E) jargon.
D) style-switching
10) "The whole is greater than the sum of its parts" is a quotation that best illustrates the principle that communication is A) overt. B) intentional. C) a process. D) systemic. E) transactional.
D) systemic
According to your textbook, males and females, in terms of gender, are relatively similar. As a result, male and female psychological differences are mainly A) attributed to physical differences. B) tied to self-perception. C) invented by the media. D) the result of cultural influences. E) the result of hormonal differences.
D) the result of cultural influences
Which of the following is an example of a belief? A) Smoking is harmful. B) Individuals should protect their bodies. C) Individuals should be more healthy. D) Tobacco companies intentionally target youths in advertising. E) Smoking is distasteful.
D) tobacco companies intentionally target youths in advertising
Knowing that she had a problem interpreting nonverbal communication, which of the following will most likely help Kris improve her interpretation of nonverbal communication? A) jump as quickly as possible to conclusions B) realize that nonverbal behavior is relatively unimportant in professional relationships C) buy a self-help book for using nonverbal communication D) use descriptive feedback E) realize that nonverbal cues are always tied to verbal behaviors
D) use descriptive feedback
According to the text, gender differences in touching behavior suggest that A) women tend to touch more than men do. B) men view touching as a hostile behavior. C) men tend to be touched more often than women. D) women seem to value touch more than men do. E) women view touching as a purely romantic behavior.
D) women seem to value touch more than men do
Research about gender and self-concept has found that A) men express their emotions more than women. B) men talk more about relationships than women. C) women and men both try to achieve the upper hand in conversations. D) women talk more than men about their relationships. E) women are expected to be assertive in their careers.
D) women talk more than men about their relationships
When you listen to assess the personal value or relevance in something you are most likely listening for A) empathy. B) reflection. C) evaluation. D) information. E) enjoyment.
E) enjoyment
According to your text, during what age period do individuals develop a consistent gender identity? A) 0-3 B) 16-19 C) 8-11 D) 12-15 E) 4-7
E) 4-7
A culture with an individualistic orientation would tend to stress A) deliberation. B) family. C) negative self-descriptions. D) appearance. E) achievement.
E) achievement
18) Many communication scholars believe that the greatest single problem with human communication is the assumption that our perceptions A) are unnecessary. B) lead to cultural misunderstandings. C) can help us make efficient decisions. D) are based on solely on past experiences. E) are always correct.
E) are always correct
20) An important principle related to the basic elements of communication is that A) act as a source first, then as a receiver. B) intentionally choose whether you want to be a source or a receiver. C) act as a receiver first, then as a source. D) are responsible for selecting the feedback. E) are simultaneously a source and a receiver.
E) are simultaneously a source and a receiver
The tendency to fill in missing pieces and to extend lines in order to finish or complete figures illustrates what organizational process? A) retention B) proximity C) outlining D) similarity E) closure
E) closure
If a government official describes an impending tax hike as a "positive economic inducement," she is most likely using A) polarization. B) metaphors. C) analogies. D) indexing E) doublespeak.
E) doublespeak
While listening to the presidential debates, Jody assessed the accuracy of each candidate's position and determined the reasonableness of their conclusions. In other words, Jody was engaged in A) listening to obtain information. B) sympathetic listening. C) empathetic listening. D) listening for enjoyment. E) evaluative listening.
E) evaluative listening
Regarding your understanding of "facework," which of the following tactics would be the most useful? A) apathy B) gossip C) verbal aggression D) criticism E) flattery
E) flattery
According to Brownell's HURIER model of effective listening, the accurate reception of sounds involves A) a relaxed approach. B) lumping sounds together into larger categories. C) paying more attention to external noise than to internal noise. D) paying more attention to internal noise than to feedback. E) focusing attention on the speaker.
E) focusing attention on the speaker
Which category of haptics is most likely exemplified through the action of a police officer frisking a perpetrator? A) friendship-warmth B) social-polite C) love-intimacy D) sexual arousal E) functional-professional
E) functional-professional
Which statement is true about the effects of self-concept on communication? A) Self-concept does not affect communication. B) While self-concept may affect our intrapersonal communication, it does not affect our interpersonal communication. C) Self-concept affects females' communication but not males' communication. D) Style of communication is defined as the words we use when we verbally communicate our self concept to others. E) How others see us may relate to our communication style, which in turn is a reflection of our self concept.
E) how others see us may may relate to our communication style, which in turn is a reflection of our self-concept
Words whose meanings cannot be understood by ordinary usage are referred to as A) semantics. B) analogies. C) metaphors. D) fables. E) idioms.
E) idioms
According to Edward T. Hall, which of the following spaces is NOT included in the study of proxemics? A) public space B) social space C) intimate space D) personal space E) individual space
E) individual space
When listening to a lecture in class, you are most likely listening for A) appreciation or enjoyment. B) empathy or therapy. C) functionality or effectiveness. D) discrimination or evaluation. E) information or comprehension.
E) information or comprehension
Using names illustrates that language is a powerful tool because A) it requires little thinking, just listening. B) it uses signs instead of symbols. C) it is a female-dominated power. D) it deals strictly with nonverbal communication. E) it defines who we are.
E) it defines who we are
Feedback is an essential component of the communication process because A) it helps to explain the importance of effective communication. B) it eliminates noise during the communication interaction. C) the accuracy of communication can decrease as a result of feedback. D) it is what encodes the message. E) it serves as a corrective device.
E) it serves as a corrective device
Listening and hearing are different because A) listening is perceptive, while hearing is selective. B) hearing is active, while listening is passive. C) listening involves reception, while hearing involves perception. D) hearing is learned, while listening is natural. E) listening is active, while hearing is passive.
E) listening is active while hearing is passive
The most difficult nonverbal cue to interpret, ________, refer(s) to body motions that help us feel at ease in conversations. Examples could include playing with a pencil, touching your hair, or playing with a ring. A) illustrators B) regulators C) adaptors D) affect displays E) masking
E) masking
Which mode of kinesics attempts to avoid emotional expression? A) deintensifying B) masking C) affect displays D) intensifying E) neutralizing
E) neutralizing
The sub-category of facial expressions that includes any movement or behavior of the eyes, is called A) linguistics. B) osteopathics. C) olfactics. D) paralanguage. E) oculesics.
E) oculesics
According to your text, which model developed by John Kinch correctly illustrates the connection between self-concept and communication? A) actual responses of others, behavior, self-concept, perception of others' responses B) self-concept, behavior, actual responses of others, perception of others' responses C) actual responses of others, self-concept, behavior, perceptions of others' responses D) behavior, perception of others' responses, actual responses of others, self-concept E) perception of others' responses, self-concept, behavior, actual responses of others
E) perception of others' responses, self-concept, behavior, actual responses of others
19) You are having a terrible day. You woke up late and your car wouldn't start. Once you got to school you couldn't find a parking place in time and on the way to class you realized that you forgot the assignment (it's on your kitchen table). You walk in the door and your teacher comments that "it is nice of you to join us." You perceive that your teacher is verbally attacking you, even though similar comments (made in jest) on other days did not seem as bad. This illustrates that ________ influence(s) the way we interpret stimuli. A) figure and ground B) cultural background C) closure D) proximity E) psychological state
E) psychological state
To improve your communication competency, the book suggests that you A) recognize that culture does not affect perception. B) be a passive perceiver. C) recognize that people, objects and situations remain stable over time. D) recognize that gender does not affect perception. E) recognize that each person's frame of reference is unique.
E) recognize that each person's frame of reference is unique
The study of meaning or the association of words with ideas is called A) phonetics. B) tautology. C) phenomenology. D) grammar E) semantics.
E) semantics
A car salesperson using the term flea to identify a person looking for a bargain, and prisoners using the term shank to refer to a knife are examples of A) denotative meanings. B) jargon. C) bypassing. D) polarization. E) slang.
E) slang
30) Which of the following statements best illustrates the point made in the textbook about whether or not communication is reversible? A) Listeners will often let you take back something you say. B) Listeners may forgive and forget an angry statement. C) Speakers are given wide latitude in correcting their mistakes. D) Speakers rarely need to worry about things said as long as they act naturally and don't spend much time planning their message. E) Speakers must explain and compensate for improper statements.
E) speakers must explain and compensate for improper statements.
Communication is related to both language and speech. When reviewing the elements of language, the text states communication involves A) the same thing as speech. B) one way in which we use language. C) the process of transmitting language. D) an unstructured system of signs, sounds, and nonverbal behaviors. E) the exchange of meaning.
E) the exchange of meaning
15) Which of the following statements about culture and communication is most accurate? A) Some cultures need to improve the way they communicate. B) Due to technology, we no longer need to be concerned about improving the understanding of people from different cultures. C) Culture illustrates the linear nature of communication. D) Culture rarely becomes an element of communication. E) The way in which people communicate is primarily a function of culture.
E) the way in which people communicate is primarily a function of culture
