CHAPTER 1: COMMUNICATION: WHAT & WHY

MULTIPLE CHOICE

1. Humans use ________________ to represent things, processes, ideas, or events in ways that make communication possible.
2. characters
3. verbs
4. messages
5. symbols

Answer: D
Blooms: Remembering

A-head: Communication Defined

Objective: 1.1 Define communication and explain its essential characteristics.

1. When two or more people agree about linguistic rules and customs, they will more likely have _________________.
2. communication inhibition
3. effective communication
4. familiar communication
5. a conversation

Answer: B

Blooms: Remembering

A-head: Communication Defined

Objective: 1.1 Define communication and explain its essential characteristics.

1. Roberto did not get much sleep last night. When he looked in the mirror he thought about how tired he looked. He ran into Maria at the mall and she told him how nice he looked today. Maria is often sarcastic and Roberto took the comments as such even though she didn’t come across as sarcastic in the interaction. As a result, he left the interaction feeling unhappy. What best explains why Roberto left the interaction feeling unhappy?
2. Communication is symbolic.
3. Communication is irreversible.
4. Communication is a process.
5. Communication is linear.

Answer: C
Blooms: Analyzing

A-head: Communication Defined

Objective: 1.1 Define communication and explain its essential characteristics.

1. Which of the following is true of communication?
2. Communication is always encoded.
3. Communication is only achieved by using symbols.
4. Communication occurs in discrete, individual acts.
5. Communication is something we do with others.

Answer: D

Blooms: Understanding

A-head: Communication Defined

Objective: 1.1 Define communication and explain its essential characteristics.

1. There’s no logical reason why the letters in the word test should stand for the object you’re taking now. This demonstrates which characteristic of communication?
2. Communication is symbolic.
3. Communication is relational.
4. Communication is unintentional.
5. Communication is irreversible.

Answer: A

Bloom’s: Understanding

A-head: Communication Defined

Objective: 1.1 Define communication and explain its essential characteristics.

1. Messages which you communicate carelessly, especially online, may sometimes come back to haunt you. This demonstrates that communication is _______________.
2. irreversible
3. a process
4. unintentional
5. relational

Answer: A

Bloom’s: Remembering

A-head: Communication Defined

Objective: 1.1 Define communication and explain its essential characteristics.

1. Which communication model describes communication as similar to tossing a ball?
2. Face-to-face communication.
3. Linear communication.
4. Mediated communication.
5. Transactional communication.

Answer: B

Bloom’s: Remembering

A-head: Models of Communication

Objective: 1.2: Compare and contrast linear and transactional models of communication.

1. The method by which a message is conveyed between people is called a _________________.
2. device
3. channel
4. message
5. symbol
   

Answer: B
Blooms: Remembering

A-head: Models of Communication

Objective: 1.2: Compare and contrast linear and transactional models of communication.

1. Mediated communication channels include ______________________.
2. speaking
3. face-to-face contact
4. hand signals
5. voice mail
   

Answer: D
Blooms: Remembering

A-head: Models of Communication

Objective: 1.2: Compare and contrast linear and transactional models of communication.

1. An example of external noise is ____________.
2. insecurity
3. fatigue
4. hunger
5. loud music

Answer: D

Bloom’s: Understanding

A-head: Models of Communication

Objective: 1.2: Compare and contrast linear and transactional models of communication.

1. Mikayla believes that Amber thinks highly of her. Amber is just being polite toward Mikayla, but Mikayla perceives it as admiration. What best describes Mikayla’s misperception?
2. Psychological noise.
3. Physiological noise.
4. External noise.
5. Communication environments.

Answer: A

Blooms: Analyzing

A-head: Models of Communication

Objective: 1.2: Compare and contrast linear and transactional models of communication.

1. Isaac feels very strongly about whether the government should intervene to help people who are struggling financially. He has these strong feelings because his own family is struggling – his mother just got laid off from her job. Isaac’s feelings could be attributed to his ________.
2. process
3. transaction
4. encoding ability
5. environment

Answer: D

Blooms: Analyzing

A-head: Models of Communication

Objective: 1.2: Compare and contrast linear and transactional models of communication.

1. A receiver’s perceivable response to a message is ____________.
2. encoding
3. self-monitoring
4. feedback
5. empathy

Answer: C

Bloom’s: Remembering

A-head: Models of Communication

Objective: 1.2: Compare and contrast linear and transactional models of communication.

1. Andrew can’t help noticing and being negatively impacted by an interviewer’s frown as he explains to her why he left his last job. This scenario demonstrates which model of communication?
2. Linear.
3. Transactional.
4. Interactional.
5. Mediated.

Answer: B

Bloom’s: Analyzing

A-head: Models of Communication

Objective: 1.2: Compare and contrast linear and transactional models of communication.

1. Devon is having a conversation with Carol. As Devon speaks to Carol, she crosses her arms and looks perturbed. Devon notices that Carol looks unhappy and begins to talk about something else. When Devon changes topics, Carol wonders why the conversation shifted and looks confused. From what is described here, what best characterizes the interaction?
2. Devon is the sender encoding messages to Carol. Carol is the receiver that then decodes the message.
3. Devon is the sender and Carol is the receiver. Her facial expressions are encoded messages.
4. Devon and Carol are the senders and receivers simultaneously. This is apparent because Carol’s facial expressions sent a message to Devon while he spoke.
5. Neither Devon nor Carol is a sender or receiver because they are oblivious to each other’s messages.

Answer: C
Blooms: Analyzing

A-head: Models of Communication

Objective: 1.2: Compare and contrast linear and transactional models of communication.

1. Fields of experience that help communicators understand others’ behavior are referred to as __________________.
2. environments
3. channels
4. dyads
5. models
   

Answer: A

Blooms: Remembering

A-head: Models of Communication

Objective: 1.2: Compare and contrast linear and transactional models of communication.

1. John is in biology class trying to listen to the lecture. He’s having difficulty following because he stayed up most of the night studying for an economics test. This best exemplifies __________________.
2. external noise
3. psychological noise
4. physiological noise
5. environmental noise

Answer: C
Blooms: Understanding

A-head: Models of Communication

Objective: 1.2: Compare and contrast linear and transactional models of communication.

1. Which statement below breaks down the differences between the linear and transactional models?
2. The linear model relies on messages and the transactional model does not.
3. The linear contains message encoding and the transactional model does not.
4. The roles of sender and receiver are separate in the linear model, but they are considered communicators in the transactional model.
5. The linear model is based on simultaneous communication, while the transactional model is based on sender feedback.
   

Answer: C

Blooms: Analyzing

A-head: Models of Communication

Objective: 1.2: Compare and contrast linear and transactional models of communication.

1. Which of the following is an example of intrapersonal communication?
2. Joanne is asked to make a speech about the club, to which she replies, “Absolutely!”
3. Frank is speaking to his cycling group.
4. Elisha is having an intimate face-to-face conversation with Jill.
5. Tanya is asked to speak to the school board and she thinks, “I’m not a good enough speaker to do that.”
   

Answer: D

Blooms: Understanding

A-head: Communication Contexts

Objective: 1.3: Distinguish between communication in a variety of contexts.

1. Larger, more permanent collections of people engage in ________________when they collectively work to achieve goals.
2. public communication
3. organizational communication
4. mass communication
5. small group communication
   

Answer: B

Blooms: Remembering

A-head: Communication Contexts

Objective: 1.3: Distinguish between communication in a variety of contexts.

1. An article in the print edition of a magazine is an example of ___________________.
2. public communication
3. organizational communication
4. mass communication
5. small group communication

Answer: C

Blooms: Understanding

A-head: Communication Contexts

Objective: 1.3: Distinguish between communication in a variety of contexts.

1. The CEO and lead engineer for a large tech company are revealing the latest gadget to their customers. They are taking and answering questions from their Twitter feed during the presentation. There is a large audience in the room and a larger one watching the live video feed. What best describes the communication context?
2. This is public communication and organizational communication.
3. This is organizational communication.
4. This is mass communication and organizational communication.
5. This is public communication and mass communication.
   

Answer: D

Blooms: Analyzing

A-head: Communication Contexts

Objective: 1.3: Distinguish between communication in a variety of contexts.

1. Social scientists call it _______________ when two persons interact.
2. a channel
3. small group communication
4. dyadic communication
5. intrapersonal communication

Answer: C

Blooms: Remembering

A-head: Communication Contexts

Objective: 1.3: Distinguish between communication in a variety of contexts.

1. Larger collections of people, where specific roles shape what individuals communicate about and their relationship to one another, demonstrate __________________.
2. intrapersonal communication
3. mediated communication
4. dyadic communication
5. organizational communication

Answer: D

Blooms: Remembering

A-head: Communication Contexts

Objective: 1.3: Distinguish between communication in a variety of contexts.

1. In __________________ every person can participate actively with other members.
2. interpersonal communication
3. small group communication
4. intrapersonal communication
5. organizational communication

Answer: B
Blooms: Remembering

A-head: Communication Contexts

Objective: 1.3: Distinguish between communication in a variety of contexts.

1. What’s present in small group communication, but not in dyadic communication?
2. Mediated channels.
3. Specific roles.
4. An unequal amount of speaking.
5. A majority and a minority.

Answer: D
Blooms: Remembering

A-head: Communication Contexts

Objective: 1.3: Distinguish between communication in a variety of contexts.

1. When a group grows too large for all its members to communicate, and communication is typified by an unequal distribution of speakers, we are faced with an example of ______________.

1. public communication
2. mass communication
3. mediated communication
4. linear communication

Answer: A

Bloom’s: Remembering

A-head: Communication Contexts

Objective: 1.3: Distinguish between communication in a variety of contexts.

1. The textbook’s definition of Web 2.0 refers to ________________.
2. the Internet as a one-way channel
3. the Internet as a way both to consume and create mediated messages
4. the Internet as lacking diversity
5. the Internet as a channel for interpersonal communication

Answer: B
Blooms: Remembering

A-head: The Unique Context of Social Media

Objective: 1.4: Describe factors that make social media unique and tips for communicating well in that environment.

1. A large national retailer uses Twitter to send messages to its customers. In this case, social media is __________________.
2. more like mass communication
3. more like interpersonal communication
4. generated by users
5. more like small group communication
   

Answer: A
Blooms: Understanding

A-head: The Unique Context of Social Media

Objective: 1.4: Describe factors that make social media unique and tips for communicating well in that environment.

1. Bill has a major argument with his wife Tina. While Bill is still fuming he says some less than kind things about her on social media. Bill and Tina make up, but their many friends have seen his social media rant and have taken sides with either Tina or him. Even though they are reconciled, some of their friends behave differently towards them now. How could he have been more competent using social media?
2. He could have been less open on social media.
3. He could have been more open on social media.
4. He could have been more careful and civil when he posted.
5. He could have been less casual when posting.
   

Answer: C
Blooms: Analyzing

A-head: The Unique Context of Social Media

Objective: 1.4: Describe factors that make social media unique and tips for communicating well in that environment.

1. You always check social media sites on your smart phone when you’re paying for goods at the grocery store, and you don’t care if others do either. One day, you do this and the man behind you thinks the way you are treating the cashier is rude. What communication competence with social media should you follow to avoid such reactions next time?
2. Balance mediated and face-to-face time.
3. Respect privacy boundaries.
4. Keep your tone civil.
5. Respect others’ need for undivided attention.
   

Answer: D
Blooms: Understanding

A-head: The Unique Context of Social Media

Objective: 1.4: Describe factors that make social media unique and tips for communicating well in that environment.

1. The tendency to transmit messages without considering their consequences is called _______________.
2. disinhibition
3. inhibition
4. distortion
5. disenchantment
   

Answer: A
Blooms: Remembering

A-head: The Unique Context of Social Media

Objective: 1.4: Describe factors that make social media unique and tips for communicating well in that environment.

1. People who spend excessive time on the Internet may begin to experience problems at school or work and withdraw further from their offline relationships. Which social media communication competence could help?
2. Be mindful of bystanders.
3. Respect privacy boundaries.
4. Respect others’ need for undivided attention.
5. Balance mediated and face-to-face time.

Answer: D
Blooms: Understanding

A-head: The Unique Context of Social Media

Objective: 1.4: Describe factors that make social media unique and tips for communicating well in that environment.

1. Juanita is angry with her friend Jamal. She sends a social media message that personally attacks his character. Her words are incredibly harsh. Which option best describes Juanita’s actions?
2. She was not mindful of bystanders.
3. She did not choose her medium well.
4. She did not adapt to her audience.
5. She was flaming.

Answer: D
Blooms: Understanding

A-head: The Unique Context of Social Media

Objective: 1.4: Describe factors that make social media unique and tips for communicating well in that environment.

1. Julian tends to post snide and offensive comments in response to blogs and news articles he reads. This behavior is called ___________.
2. mindlessness.
3. disinhibition.
4. adaptation.
5. disrespecting diversity.

Answer: B
Blooms: Understanding

A-head: The Unique Context of Social Media

Objective: 1.4: Describe factors that make social media unique and tips for communicating well in that environment.

1. Izzy posts a video of himself cuddling with his cat to Instagram. He only has about 25 friends on Instagram. His friends really like the video and share it with their friends. The video goes viral and receives over 500,000 views. Grammy award-winning artist Taylor Swift posts a video of herself playing with her new guitar. This video also receives over 500,000 views. What best characterizes how social media was used?
2. Both posts were intended to be mass communication because they each knew it was possible the videos would go viral.
3. Neither of the videos was intended to be mass communication because they were meant to be for people close to them.
4. Izzy’s video was intended for friends, but Taylor Swift has more than 500,000 followers, so a large group can see anything she posts.
5. Izzy’s video was intended to be mass communication, but Taylor Swift’s was not because it was meant for her family.

Answer: C
Blooms: Analyzing

A-head: The Unique Context of Social Media

Objective: 1.4: Describe factors that make social media unique and tips for communicating well in that environment.

1. Sammy has some bad news to share with a friend. Instead of waiting to see her friend later that night, Sammy decides to just send her a text. Which tip for effective communication with social media would Sammy benefit from?
2. Choose the best medium.
3. Think before you post.
4. Never over-share.
5. Keep your cool.

Answer: A
Blooms: Analyzing

A-head: The Unique Context of Social Media

Objective: 1.4: Describe factors that make social media unique and tips for communicating well in that environment.

1. Is the choosing the right communication channel important?
2. Yes, because using the wrong channel in certain situations can add insult to injury.
3. Yes, but only in personal relationships.
4. Yes, because the channel you use works best for you.
5. No, as long as the message is sent and received.

Answer: A
Blooms: Remembering

A-head: The Unique Context of Social Media

Objective: 1.4: Describe factors that make social media unique and tips for communicating well in that environment.

1. The “platinum rule” has been used to describe which tip for communicating well on social media?

1. Treat others as you would like to be treated yourself.
2. Treat others as they would like to be treated.
3. Treat others with civility.
4. Treat others as friends.

Answer: B

Bloom’s: Remembering

A-head: The Unique Context of Social Media

Objective: 1.4: Describe factors that make social media unique and tips for communicating well in that environment.

1. Competent communication is_______________ communication.
2. linear
3. intelligent
4. face-to-face
5. effective
   

Answer: D
Blooms: Understanding

A-head: Communication Competence

Objective: 1.5: Identify characteristics of effective communication and competent communicators.

1. Which characteristic of competent communication describes how it can be loud, quiet, serious, humorous, and more?
2. There is no “ideal” way to communicate.
3. Communication is situational.
4. Communication is relational.
5. Competence can be learned.

Answer: A
Blooms: Remembering

A-head: Communication Competence

Objective: 1.5: Identify characteristics of effective communication and competent communicators.

1. Experiences showing that competence is both cultural and personal will also demonstrate that competence is _______________.
2. learned
3. transactional
4. relational
5. flexible

Answer: C

Bloom’s: Remembering

A-head: Communication Competence

Objective: 1.5: Identify characteristics of effective communication and competent communicators.

1. Amelia is a competent communicator in large groups, but she is not so effective during interpersonal communication. Why might this be?
2. There is no “ideal” way to communicate.
3. Communication is situational.
4. Communication is relational.
5. Competence can be learned.

Answer: B
Blooms: Understanding

A-head: Communication Competence

Objective: 1.5: Identify characteristics of effective communication and competent communicators.

1. Which characteristic of communication says that we can become more effective communicators?
2. There is no “ideal” way to communicate.
3. Communication is situational.
4. Communication is relational.
5. Competence can be learned.

Answer: D
Blooms: Remembering

A-head: Communication Competence

Objective: 1.5: Identify characteristics of effective communication and competent communicators.

1. The ability to construct a variety of frameworks for viewing an issue is called ________________.
2. empathy
3. cognitive dissonance
4. cognitive complexity
5. flexibility

Answer: C
Blooms: Remembering

A-head: Communication Competence

Objective: 1.5: Identify characteristics of effective communication and competent communicators.

1. Esmeralda gives speeches about financial responsibility. She speaks effectively to many different groups. She was a Wall Street banker many years prior to becoming a speaker, but she is now dissatisfied with how Wall Street does business. She is asked to speak to a group of Wall Street bankers, but having been one herself, she wonders what the point is. She gives her speech, but most of the audience doesn’t get her main points. Based on what you’ve read, what might best explain why her speech was not effective?
2. She was not a relational communicator.
3. She was not an empathetic communicator.
4. She was not self-monitoring.
5. She was not committed.
   

Answer: D
Blooms: Analyzing

A-head: Communication Competence

Objective: 1.5: Identify characteristics of effective communication and competent communicators.

1. Ivan likes to make jokes and he often uses humor in his daily interactions. This approach to communication is usually effective for him. Ivan sees Dane at the market looking sad. After speaking with him, he finds that he recently lost a family pet. Ivan knows the feeling, because he lost his pet hamster the month before. Ivan tries to cheer Dane up with his light-hearted humor, but Dane leaves feeling annoyed. From what we know, what best explains why Ivan was an ineffective communicator?
2. He was not empathetic.
3. He was not situational.
4. He did not self-monitor.
5. He was not flexible.

Answer: D
Blooms: Analyzing

A-head: Communication Competence

Objective: 1.5: Identify characteristics of effective communication and competent communicators.

1. The process of paying close attention to one’s own behavior and using these observations to shape the way one behaves is called __________________.
2. self-monitoring
3. commitment
4. cognitive complexity
5. empathy
   

Answer: A
Blooms: Remembering

A-head: Communication Competence

Objective: 1.5: Identify characteristics of effective communication and competent communicators.

1. Amy is a competent communicator. She goes to Jill’s house and notices that Jill seems unhappy. She initially wonders if it’s something she did, but she quickly considers that something else might have happened, or even that she may not be unhappy at all. Amy was competent in this situation because _________________.
2. she was cognitively complex
3. she was committed
4. she was empathetic
5. she was flexible

Answer: A
Blooms: Understanding

A-head: Communication Competence

Objective: 1.5: Identify characteristics of effective communication and competent communicators.

1. It’s a mistake to think that communication competence is a trait that a person either possesses or lacks. That’s because __________________.
2. there is no “ideal” way to communicate
3. competent communication is transactional
4. competent communication is relational
5. competent communication is both situational and can be learned
   

Answer: D
Blooms: Analyzing

A-head: Communication Competence

Objective: 1.5: Identify characteristics of effective communication and competent communicators.

1. According to the textbook, the ability to achieve goals while maintaining or enhancing a relationship in which it occurs involves __________________.
2. empathy
3. communication
4. communication competence
5. cognitive complexity

Answer: C
Blooms: Remembering

A-head: Communication Competence

Objective: 1.5: Identify characteristics of effective communication and competent communicators.

1. Sophia’s friends always enjoy talking to her, as she tries to imagine their own viewpoints on a range of subjects. Sophia illustrates which implication of competent communication?
2. Competence can be learned
3. Competence is situational
4. Competent communicators are empathic
5. Competent communicators are committed

Answer: C
Blooms: Remembering

A-head: Communication Competence

Objective: 1.5: Identify characteristics of effective communication and competent communicators.

1. Jeffrey tends to be very serious while Brian tends to use a lot of humor. Both are successful communicators. This illustrates that _____________.
2. there is no “ideal” way to communicate
3. competence is situational
4. competence is relational
5. competence can be learned
   

Answer: A
Blooms: Understanding

A-head: Communication Competence

Objective: 1.5: Identify characteristics of effective communication and competent communicators.

1. Sarah passes Emma in the hall, and quickly blurts, “How are ya?” Emma responds by saying, “Hi.” Which misconception of communication does this point to?
2. Communication requires complete understanding.
3. Communication will solve all problems.
4. Communication is always a good thing.
5. Meanings rest in words.

Answer: A
Blooms: Understanding

A-head: Misconceptions About Communication

Objective: 1.6: Explain how misconceptions about communication can create problems.

1. Bella talks to Christopher about the problems she’s been having with her mother. Christopher suggests she speak with her mother until they reach a solution. Which misconception of communication is Christopher most likely basing his suggestion on?
2. Communication maximizes understanding.
3. Communication will solve all problems.
4. Communication is always a good thing.
5. Meanings rest in words.

Answer: B
Blooms: Understanding

A-head: Misconceptions About Communication

Objective: 1.6: Explain how misconceptions about communication can create problems.

1. Derrick feels comfortable talking to just about everyone and he feels pretty good about it. He’s asked to give a speech about electrical engineering to a class of university students. He not concerned and doesn’t practice for the speech. After all, he’s already a good communicator. Which misconception might Derrick be basing his confidence in?
2. Communication maximizes understanding.
3. Communication will solve all problems.
4. Communication is always a good thing.
5. Communication is simple.
   

Answer: D
Blooms: Understanding

A-head: Misconceptions About Communication

Objective: 1.6: Explain how misconceptions about communication can create problems.

1. The value of communication comes from the way it’s used. This is an example of how ____________________.
2. Communication does not require understanding.
3. Communication will not solve all problems.
4. Communication is not always a good thing.
5. Meanings don’t rest in words.

Answer: C
Blooms: Remembering

A-head: Misconceptions About Communication

Objective: 1.6: Explain how misconceptions about communication can create problems.

1. Most people operate on the implicit but flawed assumption that the goal of all communication is to maximize ________________ between communicators.
2. words
3. attention
4. relationships
5. understanding
   

Answer: D
Blooms: Remembering

A-head: Misconceptions About Communication

Objective: 1.6: Explain how misconceptions about communication can create problems.

1. A politician is overheard calling a constituent some very colorful names. While the conversation is not meant for the public, it is reported nonetheless and a story is run in the local paper. Many constituents are angry about what was said, but what wasn’t reported was that the politician went to elementary school with the constituent and he was an old friend. How might the unknown fact change public’s understanding of the words used?
2. The name-calling may have been playful banter amongst old friends, because meanings rest in people, not in words.
3. The name-calling used amongst old friends was used to show dominance.
4. The name calling amongst friends only proves that communication isn’t always a good thing.
5. The name-calling was used because the politician was trying to solve a problem with the old friend and communication will not solve all problems.
   

Answer: A
Blooms: Analyzing

A-head: Misconceptions About Communication

Objective: 1.6: Explain how misconceptions about communication can create problems.

1. Kendrick and Felicia are married. Kendrick has just made Felicia an anniversary dinner. He asks her how she likes it, to which she responds, “It’s pretty good.” The truth is, Felicia doesn’t care for it at all, but she doesn’t want to hurt Kendrick’s feelings. How did her response likely effect understanding? Choose the best answer.
2. Her response was meant to maximize understanding.
3. Her response was meant to be ambiguous, but Kendrick did not understand her at all.
4. Her response was meant to be simple.
5. Her response was meant to be ambiguous, but Kendrick knew roughly what she meant because communication does not always require complete understanding.

Answer: D
Blooms: Analyzing

A-head: Misconceptions About Communication

Objective: 1.6: Explain how misconceptions about communication can create problems.

1. An axiom that communication scholars like to use is: Meanings are in ________________, not in words.
2. letters
3. vocabulary
4. objects
5. people
   

Answer: D
Blooms: Remembering 23

A-head: Misconceptions About Communication

Objective: 1.6: Explain how misconceptions about communication can create problems.

1. Andy tells Karen that she looks tired. Karen says, “What do you mean by that!” using an irritated tone. Andy tries to explain by describing what he meant, but Karen only gets more irritated. What common misconception of communication is this an example of?
2. More communication is always better.
3. Communication is simple.
4. Meanings rest in words.
5. Communication requires complete understanding.

Answer: A
Blooms: Remembering

A-head: Misconceptions About Communication

Objective: 1.6: Explain how misconceptions about communication can create problems.

1. Instead of saying “I don’t want to spend time with you,” Kiara tells Katherine “I can’t make it tonight.” What principle does this best illustrate?
2. Complete comprehension and maximizing understanding is not the goal.
3. Communication is simple.
4. Meanings rest in people.
5. Communication can solve all problems.
   

Answer: A
Blooms: Remembering

A-head: Misconceptions About Communication

Objective: 1.6: Explain how misconceptions about communication can create problems.

1. Communication can be a tool for expressing warm feelings and useful facts, but under different circumstances the same words and actions can cause both physical and emotional pain. This is because ____________.
2. More communication is not always better.
3. Communication is not simple.
4. Meanings rest in words.
5. Communication isn’t always a good thing.
   

Answer: D
Blooms: Remembering

A-head: Misconceptions About Communication

Objective: 1.6: Explain how misconceptions about communication can create problems.

1. Some people may be insulted if you tell them they are “savage” while others may take it as compliment. This illustrates that ___________.
2. More communication is not always better.
3. Communication is not simple.
4. Meanings rest in people.
5. Communication can’t solve all problems.
   

Answer: C
Blooms: Remembering

A-head: Misconceptions About Communication

Objective: 1.6: Explain how misconceptions about communication can create problems.

SHORT ANSWER

1. List the four main points the book uses to define communication.

Answer: 1. Communication is symbolic 2. Communication is a process. 3. Communication is irreversible. 4. Communication is relational, not individual.

A-head: Communication Defined

Objective: 1.1 Define communication and explain its essential characteristics.

1. What is communication noise? List the different types.

Answer: Any forces that interfere with effective communication. External noise, physiological noise, and psychological noise.

A-head: Models of Communication

Objective: 1.2: Compare and contrast linear and transactional models of communication.

1. What are the six contexts of communication listed in the chapter?

Answer: 1. Intrapersonal communication. 2. Dyadic/interpersonal communication. 3. Small group communication. 4. Organizational communication. 5. Public communication. 6. Mass communication.

A-head: Communication Contexts

Objective: 1.3: Distinguish between communication in a variety of contexts.

1. List the first four characteristics of competent communication, as described in the chapter.

Answer: 1. There is no ideal way to communicate. 2. Competence is situational. 3. Competence is relational. 4. Competence can be learned.

A-head: Communication Competence

Objective: 1.5: Identify characteristics of effective communication and competent communicators.

1. Name the six common misconceptions referred to in the chapter.

Answer: 1. Communication requires complete understanding. 2. Communication will solve all problems. 3. Communication is always a good thing. 4. Meanings rest in words. 5. Communication is simple. 6. More communication is always better.

A-head: Misconceptions about Communication

Objective: 1.6: Explain how misconceptions about communication can create problems.

ESSAY QUESTIONS

1. Discuss the similarities and differences between the linear and transactional models of communication.

Main point: There are two models for understanding communication. The linear model builds off the transactional model.

A-head: Models of Communication

Objective: 1.2: Compare and contrast linear and transactional models of communication.

Answers will vary, must include:
a) Both models include a sender and receiver, but the transactional model states that sending and receiving are occurring simultaneously. It also refers to the sender and the receiver as each having the role of communicator. The linear model shows communication as something someone does to another, rather than with someone, as the transactional model shows.
b) Both models include encoding, but the linear model assumes all messages are encoded. The transactional model does not.
c) Both models include noise as something that affects communication.

Answers will vary, may include:
a) The linear model puts a focus on environments and channels, while the transactional model does not.
b) The transactional model includes feedback as a discernable response of a receiver to a sender’s message.
c) Each includes messages.

1. Discuss the differences between public communication and mass communication. Provide examples of each.

Main point: The way communication occurs in each context is unique.

A-head: Communication Contexts

Objective: 1.3: Distinguish between communication in a variety of contexts.

Answers will vary, must include:
a) In public communication, one or two speakers communicate to a large, often present audience. The speakers do most of the talking with the audience able to give nonverbal feedback and sometimes ask questions. Mass communication delivers messages to a much larger audience via electronic or print media and there is often no contact between the sender and receiver.
b) Mass communication is often less personal than other forms because it is developed or financed by large organizations. Public communication may still have some personal contact.

Answers will vary, may include:
a) Public communication occurs in groups that are too large for all members to contribute. Mass communication occurs in larger, widespread audiences.
b) Speakers often plan their own public communication, while large bodies or organizations plan the messages in mass communication contexts.

1. What communication context(s) does social media exist in? Explain why.

Main point: Social media is blurring the lines between mass and interpersonal communication.

A-head: The Unique Context of Social Media

Objective: 1.4: Describe factors that make social media unique and tips for communicating well in that environment.

Answers will vary, must include:
a) Social media can be used to create interpersonal messages and mass communication. Furthermore, in social media, the boundary between interpersonal and mass communication is thus often blurred.
b) A person may communicate interpersonally with a small group of friends or followers. Companies and famous people communicate to large audiences, often not engaging in two-way communication with their audience. Also, posts to social media sites have the potential to go viral, reaching a much larger audience than intended.

Answers will vary, may include:
a) Social media has variable audience sizes, some small and some very large.
b) Social media is unlike traditional mass communication because it involves user-generated content.

1. One characteristic of competent communication states that there is no “ideal” way to communicate. Use the characteristics of competent communication to explain why.

Main point: There is no ideal way to communicate competently because communication is dependent on the people involved and the situation in which it occurs.

A-head: Communication Competence
Objective: 1.5: Identify characteristics of effective communication and competent communicators.

Answers will vary, must include:
a) Successful communicators can be serious, humorous, loud, or quiet.
b) Competent communication that is ideal for one situation might not be for another.
c) Competent communication is dependent on the communicators involved. The way a person competently communicates with one person or group is not necessarily the way he or she communicates with another.

Answers will vary, may include:
a) Communication competence varies by individual.
b) Communication competence varies by situation.
c) No type of behavior is effective or ineffective in every relationship or situation.

1. A common misconception of communication states that communication is simple. Using the lessons from the chapter, explain why this assumption is wrong.

Main point: Despite what many people tend to think, communication is not simple, but complicated by common misunderstandings.

A-head: Misconceptions About Communication
Objective: 1.6: Explain how misconceptions about communication can create problems.

Answers will vary, must include:
a) Because communication seems second nature, a number of key features about it are often overlooked.

b) Acknowledgment of those factors: complete understanding not required; communication limited in problem-solving capacities; context affects whether communication is good or otherwise; meaning does not reside in words alone; more means better, in terms of communication.

Answers will vary, may include:
a) Despite complicating factors, effective communication can be enhanced through practice.
b) The quality of communication will count as much as its quantity.