Chapter 1: The Essentials of Human Communication

Communication is a reversible and erasable process. T/F?

False

All messages involve content and relationship dimensions. T/F?

True

E-mailing, blogging, and posting on Google+ and Facebook are all examples of __________ communication. a) computer-mediated b) small group c) public d) intrapersonal

a) computer-mediated

When someone sends a message in response to your initial message, such as laughing at your joke, he or she is sending __________. a) feedback b) feedforward c) a metamessage d) paramessages

a) feedback

Individualistic cultures put more emphasis on self-reliance, __________, and __________. a) independence; individual achievement b) independence; group achievement c) independence; social bonds d) social bonds; conformity to the larger social group

a) independence; individual achievement

Before launching into her presentation to the board of directors, Sandra circulates through the room making small talk about the weather, the results of last night's ball game, etc. Sandra is engaging in __________. a) phatic communication b) metamessaging c) feedback d) back-channeling

a) phatic communication

The transactional view is a more satisfying theory of the communication process than the linear view because it __________. a) is simpler b) is representative of how communication actually happens c) demonstrates the most recent theory of the communication process d) explains everything about media communication

b) is representative of how communication actually happens

Biases or prejudices of senders-receivers are examples of what kind of noise? a) physical b) psychological c) semantic d) channel

b) psychological

During a department meeting, Antonio's boss was discussing the new software that will be implemented in the department. Antonio was daydreaming about his upcoming vacation. We can assume that his boss's message was distorted by __________ noise. a) physical b) psychological c) semantic d) physiological

b) psychological

The linear model of communication is analogous with a(n) __________. a) arrow hitting or missing a target b) tennis game c) circus d) person solving a puzzle

b) tennis game

According to your book, competent communicators __________. a) are born, not made b) think critically and mindfully c) do not consider power important in the communication process d) constantly change their ethics based on the context

b) think critically and mindfully

Which of the following statements is true of communication? A) The more you communicate the better communicator you will be. B) Good communicators are born, not made. C) Fear of speaking in public is detrimental and should be eliminated. D) None of the above.

D) None of the above.

Competence refers to your interpersonal communication abilities rather than to small-group or public-speaking abilities. T/F?

False

People are either ethnocentric or not ethnocentric. T/F?

False

With advances in technology, few differences exist between face-to-face and computer-mediated communication. T/F?

False

The punctuation of communication is the segmenting of the continuous stream of communication into smaller pieces. T/F?

True

Phatic communication is also referred to as __________. a) message overload b) mass communication c) small talk d) neutral communication

c) small talk

Dong-Sun and Chris had a very serious argument during which Dong-Sun said some very hurtful things to Chris. After the argument, he tried to apologize for what was said during the argument. Dong-Sun's later behavior best reflects which principle of communication? a) Communication is a package of signals. b) Communication is punctuated. c) Communication is transactional. d) Communication is irreversible and unrepeatable.

d) Communication is irreversible and unrepeatable.

Which of the following is true of communication contexts? A) Contexts have at least four aspects. B) Context has little bearing on how messages are conveyed. C) Context is simply the physical environment in which communication takes place. D) Context is the same as the content dimension of communication.

A) Contexts have at least four aspects.

The statement "I may be wrong about this, but. . . ." best illustrates the element of communication known as __________. A) feedforward. B) punctuation. C) displacement. D) immediacy.

A) feedforward.

Ethnic identity refers to _________. A) one's commitment to the beliefs and philosophy of one's own culture. B) the tendency to judge other cultures based on one's own culture. C) the ability to take the perspectives of people of other cultures. D) adapting to the communicative style of people from other cultures.

A) one's commitment to the beliefs and philosophy of one's own culture.

Christina and DeAnna were having a quiet conversation over drinks before the band started to play, but now they have to shout and even then can't really hear what the other is saying. We can assume that once the band started to play, the signal-to-noise ratio in this scenario __________. A) went from high signal/low noise to low signal/high noise. B) went from low signal/high noise to high signal/low noise. C) went from low signal/low noise to high signal/high noise. D) didn't change and had nothing to do with the communication problems they experienced.

A) went from high signal/low noise to low signal/high noise.

Some communication has no effect on those involved in the process T/F?

False

Ambiguity is tolerated more in low-uncertainty-avoidance cultures than in high-uncertainty-avoidance cultures. T/F?

True

Choice points are moments when you have to make choices regarding your communication. T/F?

True

Daydreaming is an example of psychological noise. T/F?

True

Sunglasses may be regarded as communication noise. T/F?

True

Bobby: "I got a new bat!" Jan: "That's great. I can't wait to see you swing it at the game next Saturday." Bobby: "Not that kind of bat! His name is Del and he's my new pet." This exchange between Bobby and Jan best illustrates which principle of communication? a) Communication is ambiguous. b) Communication is a package of signals. c) Communication is punctuated. d) Communication is purposeful.

a) Communication is ambiguous.

"You cannot not communicate" expresses which principle of communication? a) Communication is inevitable. b) Communication is irreversible. c) Communication is purposeful. d) Communication involves content and relationship dimensions.

a) Communication is inevitable.

__________ communication is the general term used to describe communication from one source to many receivers, some of which may be scattered throughout the world. a) Mass b) Intrapersonal c) Public d) Computer-mediated

a) Mass

Which of the following myths of communication is identified in your book? a) The more you communicate, the better your communication skills will be. b) Once you start communicating effectively, you will always be effective. c) Communication skills are learned. d) Knowing your audience is very helpful in order to be effective.

a) The more you communicate, the better your communication skills will be.

The vehicle through which we send messages is referred to as the __________. a) channel b) sender c) receiver d) metamessage

a) channel

The temporal dimension of context is __________. a) the sequence of the message b) a message's position within a sequence of events c) the tangible environment in which the communication takes place d) the vehicle through which messages pass

b) a message's position within a sequence of events

During a videoconference job interview for an entry-level position with a large fast-food chain, Melkamzer answers a series of questions posed by Annie, a regional manager. What type of communication did they both engage in? a) small-group communication b) intrapersonal communication c) computer-mediated communication d) public speaking

c) computer-mediated communication

Mario has a deep commitment to the identity and beliefs of his Puerto Rican-American culture, following customs and embracing specific artifacts. This is Mario's __________. a) ethnocentrism b) stereotype c) ethnic identity d) social-psychological context

c) ethnic identity

The tendency to divide the various communication transactions into sequences of stimuli and responses is referred to as __________. a) compartmentalization b) departmentalization c) punctuation d) sequencing

c) punctuation

Before going to a reception at the university president's house, Abby reminds her date, Homer, not to act like he is at a fraternity party. Abby wants Homer to be most aware of the __________ context. a) physical b) cultural c) social-psychological d) temporal

c) social-psychological

When Henri wants to share information with Chantal but not with others in the room, he switches from speaking English to speaking French, which Chantal understands. Which of the following best describes what Henri does to keep his comments to Chantal private? a) He decodes his message in a way he thinks only Chantal will understand. b) He changes the cultural context of the message in a way he thinks only Chantal will understand. c) He changes the temporal context of the message in a way he thinks only Chantal will understand. d) He encodes his message in a way he thinks only Chantal will understand.

d) He encodes his message in a way he thinks only Chantal will understand.

The information on the cover of a magazine that entices a reader to buy it is an example of __________. a) feedback b) phatic communication c) semantic noise d) feedforward

d) feedforward

"Do you understand what I've just asked you to do?" is an example of a(n) __________. a) paradigm b) paraverbal message c) anomaly d) metamessage

d) metamessage