Introduction to Communication (Questions)
Which of the following best defines co-culture? 1: A subgroup with shared characteristics 2: A country or nationality 3: The same as a general culture
A co-culture is a group, within an umbrella culture, with shared beliefs and/or behaviors. # a
According to research, which of the following truisms of new media applies to millennials in particular? 1: Older generations may be challenged by advancements in technology. 2: Some social media users may present themselves differently than they do outside of social media platforms. 3: Over-reliance on communication via new media is detrimental to face-to-face communication competence.
A decline in face-to-face communication skills, such as maintaining eye contact, and an emphasis on impersonal communication methods will have an impact on the younger generation's workforce skills. #c
Which scenario illustrates the dimension of communication competence of motivation? 1: A teenaged driver argues with her parents about using the car on Friday night 2: A middle school student fails two classes, and tells his parents so they can help arrange tutoring 3: A student fails two classes at school and tells his parents about it when they are unable to give their full attention 4: A high school athlete is unsure of how to best tell her parents she wants to quit her sport
A middle school student fails two classes, and tells his parents so they can help arrange tutoring #b
Which scenario illustrates the dimension of communication competence of communication skills? 1: A teacher attends a workshop on how to develop better lesson plans and assessments 2: A teacher tries to improve active listening by practicing giving nonverbal feedback 3: A teacher helps their students study for an exam by providing practice questions about the subject 4: A teacher offers extra credit to students who complete assignments early
A teacher tries to improve active listening by practicing giving nonverbal feedback #b
A journalism student needs to communicate with his teacher about a grade that he feels is inaccurate. He wants to express his emotions as well as his thoughts as clearly as possible. Which is the appropriate medium to use? 1: Email 2: A telephone call 3: A text message 4: Leaving a note.
A telephone call #b
What is the most prominent feature of a transactional model of communication? 1: A transactional model assumes individuals in the communication process only make meaning of the messages after the interaction is finished. 2: The focus is on the feedback and responses a receiver of a message shares with the sender as well as the complex factors that influence decoding. 3: A transactional model highlights whether or not individuals in the communication process share the same amount of messages. 4: Present communication is never influenced by previous interactions.
A transactional model examines the ongoing interpretation of messages by participants. It also accounts for the context, history of previous interactions, and other key factors. #b
Which of the following traits of communication are associated with traditional masculine ideals? 1: Affectionate 2: Assertiveness 3: Compassionate 4: Nurturing
Assertiveness is a traditionally masculine ideal. #b
Attributing success to an internal positive qualities is an example of ___________ . 1: Self-Serving Bias 2: Stereotype
Attributing our successes to internal qualities, but blaming our failures on situations beyond our control, is self-serving bias. #a
Casey and Parker have been friends for years. Casey is explaining how much his new friendship with Alex means to him. Parker wonders if Casey is trying to say that he no longer wants to be friends. Casey then decides to not make assumptions about what Parker means. Which listening skill is Casey demonstrating? 1: Paraphrasing 2: Checking his self-talk 3: Preparing to listen 4: Using nonverbal cues
Checking his self-talk #b
Taylor, Reagan, and Blake are part of a team that is developing a mobile application. During a discussion of ideas for the mobile application, Taylor suggests they add a gaming feature. Taylor's suggestion sparks an idea to look at old video games, which leads to Reagan and Blake teaching the other team members about genres of old video games. Ultimately, they agree on the gaming feature to add to their app and how they will build it into the design. Which criterion for successful and high-performing teams is illustrated in this scenario? 1: Rules, norms, and sanctions 2: Goal orientation and purpose 3: Shared accountability 4: Collaboration
Collaboration #d
What is human communication, and why is it important? 1: Human communication is how one uses words to express an idea in order to satisfy one's needs. 2: Human communication is the verbal and nonverbal ideas and responses shared by one person with others so that there is mutual understanding. 3: Human communication is the ability to see another perspective so participants can determine which perspective is correct. 4: Human communication happens when the participants involved in a conversation have similar views and goals in order to affirm their beliefs.
Communication includes statements and visual cues for the purpose of helping others understand a person's perspective. #b
Which of the following does not affect the culture that someone identifies? 1: Genetics 2: Geography 3: Occupation
Culture is made up of learned behaviors. #a
Seeing ourselves as someone who can listen to others and provide thoughtful advice is an example of which of the following? 1: Self-concept 2: Self-esteem
Defining ourselves as people who can listen and provide advice is an example of self-concept. #a
Which one of the following skill sets is NOT one of the three skill sets of communication competence? 1: Developing communication skills through the use of training resources 2: Understanding what is appropriate in a given situation 3: Waiting until the end of an interaction to share feedback with the other participant 4: Finding motivation to communicate
Developing communication skills through the use of training resources #a
Which of the following best describes new media? 1: Online sources of news and information such as blogs, apps and websites. 2: Digital, networked communication technologies developed since the latter part of the 20th century.
Email, text messages, and email are examples of new media. #b
Which of the following best defines globalization? 1: Improvements in air travel have made international business relationships easier to build and maintain. 2: The process through which improved communication technology and transportation have diminished the limiting aspects of time and space. 3: Increased ability to communicate with others around the globe due to increased access to the Internet.
Globalization is defined as "the process of our world becoming ever more connected in economic, political, organizational, and personal terms." #b
Applying a general profile to a group based on their affiliations, is an example of a ___________ . 1: Self-Serving Bias 2: Stereotype
Grouping people on the basis of a certain characteristic, such as their affiliations, is a stereotype. #b
People at a workplace have been given a task and divided into two teams: Group A and Group B. Group A divides the task so everyone can work individually. The members do not communicate about their work or progress, so no feedback is shared. Their product ends up being below expectations. Group B divides the task among smaller groups of two or three members. The groups check in regularly to show their work and share feedback. Their product ends up being well above expectations. Which team characteristic is evident in the differences between these two workgroups? 1: Synergy 2: High performance 3: Goal orientation 4: Carefully selected membership
High performance #b
Which of the following statements provides the best definition of impression management? 1: Use of verbal and nonverbal messages to create a positive impression. 2: Use of verbal and nonverbal messages to help others make conclusions about who we are. 3: Use of verbal and nonverbal messages to create a particular impression among others.
Impression management uses messages to create a particular impression among others. #c
A recent college graduate attends a picnic and meets a partner from a law firm where she would like to work. The graduate tells the law firm partner, "I start law school in a few weeks. It has been my goal since high school to practice law with Dewey, Cheatham, and Howe." Which stage of relationship development is the graduate demonstrating in this scenario? 1: Initiation 2: Relationship audition 3: Self-disclosure 4: Relationship intensification
Initiation #a
Why is a transactional model of communication a realistic model? 1: It suggests interactions are easy to interpret. 2: It focuses mainly on visual cues presented through body language. 3: It explains why some participants always respond in the same way to another participant. 4: It results in a more realistic and sophisticated interpretation of an interaction.
It accounts for a range of factors such as context, relationship between communicators, and previous interactions.
Which one of the following statements highlights a challenge posed by frequent use of various digital communication tools? 1: People feel overwhelmed when they receive many text messages and emails. 2: Older generations refuse to use electronic communication. 3: People believe expensive digital devices are necessary for effective communication. 4: Technical problems in wireless communication networks are difficult to fix.
Many research studies have documented the phenomenon of communication overload. #a
What is the main problem with a communication model that assumes most communication is simple and straightforward? 1: It requires analyzing the word choice of the people involved in the communication process. 2: It overlooks the complexity of the situation and individuals' perspectives. 3: It does not account for any disagreements that the participants may have. 4: It focuses attention on the main participant in the interaction.
Most communication is not simple and straightforward, but instead is shaped by the context of the interaction, the interpretation happening during an interaction, and many other factors. #b
Maria is going to a concert with a close friend. The concert features a musical act that Maria does not know much about, so she visits the band's website. The website contains a variety of information, such as video clips, photographs, a biography, a discography, and a merchandise store that reveals the band's perspectives and feelings on a variety of topics. After reading the information and viewing several video clips, Maria is excited to go to the concert. Which two concepts of communication is the website using to communicate effectively? Choose 2 answers 1: Instant feedback 2: Multiple cues 3: Natural language 4: Personality and emotion
Multiple cues; Natural language #b & d
JIn the documentary An Inconvenient Truth, Former Vice President Al Gore gives a presentation on global warming. The film includes technical jargon, which Mr. Gore clarifies using a conversational style and imagery. The film is available on DVD and other digital media formats.Which communication criteria for selecting a medium of communication guided this choice of message delivery? Choose 3 answers 1: Instant feedback 2: Multiple cues 3: Natural language 4: Personality and emotion 5: Lean media 6: Multiple media
Multiple cues; Natural language; Personality and emotion #b,c,d
Which of the following is the best example of an "umbrella culture"? 1: Catholic 2: Tap dancer 3: Australian
Of the three choices, one's nationality says very little about ways of thinking, communication patterns, and customs. #c
Which stage of perception allows a person to group information into meaningful units to make sense of the information? 1: organization 2: interpretation 3: selection
Organization allows us to group information into meaningful units. #a
Which factor influencing perception is influenced by our culture? 1: identity 2: past experiences 3: internal states 4: biological
Our culture and groups that we associate with impact how we perceive the world.
John opens his mailbox and finds a letter from a friend. John is on his way to an appointment so he places the letter on a table so he can read it when he returns home. Which phase of the linear model of communication is being illustrated in the scenario? 1: Decoding 2: Perceiving 3: Transmitting 4: Encoding
Perceiving #b
John opens his mailbox and finds a letter from a friend. John is on his way to an appointment so he places the letter on a table so he can read it when he returns home. Which phase of the linear model of communication is being illustrated in the scenario? 1: Polychronic time 2: High-context culture 3: Power distance 4: Feminine culture
Power distance #c
Jordan is preparing an outline for a presentation intended to convince his audience of the best solution to a problem. Jordan plans to begin the presentation with a quote that will engage the audience and generate interest in the topic. What should Jordan do next, according to Monroe's motivated sequence? 1: Give a brief preview of the main points that will be covered in the presentation 2: Provide evidence of the problem 3: Help the audience visualize how this problem is relevant to them 4: Tell an interesting story that is relevant to the topic
Provide evidence of the problem #b
Two friends go to a baseball game. They spend the entire game talking instead of watching the game. They enjoy their conversation and do not notice the score of the game and do not realize that their team lost the game. Which principle of perception is illustrated in this scenario? 1: Selective recall 2: Selective attention 3: Selective organization 4: Selective interpretation
Selective attention #b
Blake, who has just graduated from college, is looking for a job. Blake emails the same cover letter and résumé to about 20 different companies but does not receive any replies. Blake concludes that this is because those companies do not recognize good talent. Which concept below explains Blake's conclusion? 1: Fundamental attribution error 2: Self-serving bias 3: Intercultural Understanding 4: Stereotyping
Self-serving bias#b
John and Leslie, who are in a relationship, both like to play sports. However, John likes hockey, and Leslie likes golf. While on vacation, the couple argues over which sport to play. Which relationship maintenance strategy would help John and Leslie resolve this conflict? 1: Positivity and understanding 2: Tuning in and assessing the context 3: Providing nonverbal feedback 4: Shared connections and openness
Shared connections and openness #d
Which one of the following options is a common communication problem? 1: Cultural differences in communication styles can result in misunderstanding. 2: Constant repetition of statements can frustrate participants in a conversation. 3: Many people prefer speaking rather than writing. 4: People use diverse forms of electronic communication.
Some cultures may interpret messages differently from other cultures. #a
___________ refers to the way we define ourselves 1: Self-Concept 2: Self-Esteem
The roles that we play and our experiences define our self-concept. #a
John wins two tickets to attend a professional basketball game and decides to ask his friend Casey to go with him. John needs to tell Casey right away because the game is that evening at 8 p.m. However, Casey has a busy schedule, and John is not sure how to reach her. How should John contact Casey in order to reach her quickly and effectively? 1: Telephone call 2: Text message from a cell phone 3: Message through a social media website 4: Email message
Text message from a cell phone #b
A student practices delivering a speech with a friend. The friend notices that the student frequently interjects "um" between statements and shares this observation. The student thanks the friend for this information. Which area of the Johari Window describes the nature of the friend's feedback? 1: The open area 2: The blind area 3: The hidden area 4: The unknown area
The blind area #b
Which of the following quadrants of the Johari Window reveals things that we know about ourselves but keep from others? 1: Unknown area 2: Hidden area 3: Open area 4: Blind area
The hidden area represents things that we know about ourselves but do not want others to know. This includes sharing negative information about ourselves when we first meet someone. #b
What is the main goal of communication? 1: The main goal of communication is to establish agreement on an issue. 2: The main goal of communication is to convince others of the validity of your perspective. 3: The main goal of communication is to express one's thoughts in order to meet one's needs. 4: The main goal of communication is to highlight different perspectives.
The main goal is to help others understand one's ideas, concerns, or observations in order to accomplish specific objectives. #c
A group of community members are concerned about a local park that is run-down and unsafe. They hold a meeting and come up with several ideas that they take to the local city council. The city council adopts none of the group's ideas. They are very upset and feel that their ideas have been unfairly dismissed. Why did this conflict occur? 1: Team and individual goals were not balanced. 2: The team was not supported by its system. 3: The team's objectives were not made sufficiently clear. 4: The roles of group members were not well managed.
The team was not supported by its system. #b
___________ is the degree to which we value ourselves. 1: Self-Concept 2: Self-Esteem
The way that we evaluate our self makes up our self-esteem. #b
Erin speaks face-to-face with her friend Enrico about his ill father. When she sees that he is uncomfortable talking about it, she switches to another subject that she knows will cheer Enrico up. Erin's behavior is known as __________. 1: synchronous communication 2: role-taking 3: virtual empathy
This allows communicators to figuratively stand in one another's shoes and assume one another's social roles and perspective. #b
Which one of the following statements best describes the concept of a linear model of communication? 1: Communication means participants in a conversation let others finish speaking before they respond. 2: Communication is a straightforward process in which one person shares a message with another person. 3: Communication happens in a very brief amount of time. 4: Communication contributes to close bonds among participants.
This statement describes the basic components of a simple exchange between two people featured in a linear model of communication. #b
Which of the following is NOT a characteristic of a low-context communicator? 1: Ignoring environmental clues 2: Using nonverbal communication 3: Relying on straightforward verbal messages 4: Relying heavily on statistics
Use of nonverbal feedback is not a defining characteristic of low-context communication. #b
Traditional media can be defined as _____. 1: an asynchronous mode of communication, such as an e-mail. 2: a mediated mode of communication, such as a text message. 3: media that existed prior to the latter part of the 20th century.
Traditional media include television, radio, letters, and the telephone. #c
Peyton works part time at a local software company and attends classes full time at a university. In order to stay connected, Peyton communicates with colleagues, classmates, family, and friends using multiple social media websites, email, and texts every day. Peyton often feels overwhelmed by the volume of communication she encounters. Which of the 4 primary challenges to communication does this scenario demonstrate? 1: Effective communication requires significant intellectual and psychological resources 2: Not everyone appreciates the value of communication 3: We over-rely on digitally mediated communication 4: Intercultural understanding can be difficult
We over-rely on digitally mediated communication #c
When creating a strategy for self-presentation, which of the following should you do? 1: determine your goals 2: look for feedback 3: analyze your audience
When creating your strategy, be sure to analyze your audience to determine your approach. #c