nan Exam Prep Test Bank Looking Out Looking In Adler 14e - Test Bank | Looking Out Looking In 14e by Ronald B. Adler by Ronald B. Adler. DOCX document preview.
Test Bank
CHAPTER 1
A FIRST LOOK AT INTERPERSONAL COMMUNICATION
1. Chapter One indicates that effective interpersonal communication is strongly linked to good health, social happiness and career success.
2. The only way we learn who we are is through communication.
3. A lack of social relationships may affect physical health and life span as dramatically as smoking or a lack of physical activity.
4. The ability to speak and listen effectively can mean the difference between succeeding and failing in a job.
5. Shared understanding and clarity are the most important goals in achieving successful communication.
6. The major difference between impersonal communication and interpersonal communication is the number of people involved.
7. An older professor who forgets what it was like to be a student when he teaches is an example of how differing environments in the classroom can make understanding difficult.
8. Communication competence is a trait that people either possess or lack.
9. Just as judges instruct juries to disregard some statements made in court, we can reverse or erase the effects of communication interactions in everyday life.
10. There is no such thing as the “same” message; words and behaviors are different each time they are spoken or performed.
11. It is impossible to repeat the same communication event.
12. The transactional model of communication suggests that communicators usually send and receive messages simultaneously.
13. The transactional model represents communication as static—more like a gallery of still photographs than a motion picture film.
14. We are not communicating when we remain silent.
15. Socially isolated people are much more likely to die prematurely than those with strong social ties.
16. Transactional communication may be compared to dancing due to the involvement needed by each partner.
17. According to your text, impersonal communication should always be avoided.
18. According to your text, effective communicators are able to establish warm relationships with everyone they encounter.
19. Your text argues that it is important to react in unique ways to every person we meet and respond to each as a unique individual.
20. Communication, as the term is used in your text, consists only of messages that a sender deliberately conveys.
21. It’s impossible to stop communicating.
22. Of the communication models described in your text, the linear model most accurately describes the interpersonal communication process.
23. We disclose more to people in interpersonal relationships than in impersonal ones.
24. Too much communication can have negative outcomes.
25. As the text points out, your goal should be to become a perfect communicator.
26. All you need to develop good communication skills is common sense.
27. Dyadic communication is communication involving two people.
28. When people communicate, they are often both senders and receivers of messages at the same time.
29. Feeling sad when a close friendship changes or ends is an indicator that interpersonal relationships are irreplaceable.
30. According to your text, your goal should be to have as many interpersonal communication experiences as possible.
31. According to your text, the axiom “the more communication the better” is true.
32. Your text promises that if you communicate skillfully enough, you should be able to solve every problem you encounter.
33. In impersonal communication we treat others as unique individuals.
34. Fortunately, just knowing about a communication skill makes us able to put it into practice.
35. Almost all verbal messages have a content dimension as well as convey relational information.
36. Research has shown that communicating through social media has had an overall negative effect on interpersonal relationships.
37. Electronic communication does not serve as a replacement for face-to-face relationships.
38. The asynchronous nature of social media provides convenient opportunities for us to be in touch with people in our busy lives.
39. Living in a multicultural world has affected our need for different ways of communicating.
40. Occupation and sexual orientation are types of co-cultures.
41. Communicating successfully with people from different cultural backgrounds only requires using the same exact elements of competence we use with people in our own country.
42. Judging others because of cultural differences may negatively effect our communication with them.
43. Your text defines communication competence as effective communication where one’s goals are achieved in a way that, ideally and in most cases, maintains or enhances the relationship in which it occurs.
44. A competent communicator will choose the same way of responding to others, no matter what the situation, if the response was successful in the past.
45. Seeing a situation from multiple points of view is called self-monitoring.
46. An environment refers only to the physical location where someone is when communicating.
47. Communication competence seeks to be either effective or appropriate.
48. Disinhibition is one of the challenges presented by social media.
49. The principle “communication is irreversible” doesn’t apply to communication through social media because we can physically delete our posts.
50. Acquiring as many “friends” as we can on social media sites such as Facebook and Twitter ensures that we will have many qualitatively interpersonal relationships.
51. According to the authors, people who are well-acquainted are less likely to misunderstand each other than relative strangers.
52. Studies show that poor communication was the root of over 60 percent of reported medical errors that led to serious physical injury, psychological trauma, and even death.
53. Some research shows that acquiring a higher education can increase your chances of developing larger and more diverse social networks.
54. Social isolation is so undesirable that prisoners of war have reported that they would rather “have the worst companion than no companion at all.”
55. Communication via social media can increase the quantity but not the quality of our relationships.
56. Although many scholars disagree about the definition of communication, most would agree that communication centers around using messages to generate meaning.
57. A growing body of research is decidedly proving that social media is a growing threat to the quality of interpersonal relationships.
58. When we communicate for pleasure, affection, companionship, escape, relaxation or control, we are satisfying our identity needs.
59. According to Chapter One, all of the following are attributes needed to communicate successfully with people from different cultures except
a. motivation
b. tolerance for ambiguity
c. friendliness
d. open-mindedness
e. knowledge and skill
60. In Chapter One, sociolinguist Deborah Tannen claims that
a. electronic mail can deepen the quality of relationships.
b. electronic mail makes interpersonal communication more impersonal.
c. everyone prefers face to face communication rather than electronic mail.
d. relationships cannot be maintained using electronic mail.
e. all of the above are claimed by Tannen.
61. In the Looking at Diversity reading in Chapter One, Igor Ristic says that effective intercultural communication
a. means understanding which customs are “right” and “wrong.”
b. is only achieved if one is able to visit at least a dozen different countries.
c. is achieved through judging others’ behavior by our own cultural standards.
d. means making sure to maintain a large space bubble when seated with another person.
e. involves being aware of various cultural norms and adapting our communication.
62. Psychologist Abraham Maslow suggests that the most basic human needs
a. are invented by other psychologists.
b. must be satisfied before we concern ourselves with other ones.
c. are proof that animals ascended from lower animal forms.
d. prove the existence of a superior being.
e. are generated by others in interpersonal interaction.
63. All of the following elements are included in the transactional communication model introduced in Chapter One except
a. message.
b. environment.
c. channel.
d. sender.
e. noise.
64. All of the following are involved in learning to perform communication skills effectively except
a. awareness.
b. prowess.
c. awkwardness.
d. skillfulness.
e. integration.
65. The environments that communicators occupy are
a. fields of experience that affect how they understand others’ behavior.
b. gaps that make common understanding impossible.
c. the places where they stand or sit when they communicate.
d. the attitudes they have about nature.
e. the space that they require to communicate effectively.
66. “Decoding” is the process whereby
a. we put our thoughts into words.
b. we make sense out of the messages sent by others.
c. we engage others in conversation.
d. we choose the appropriate way to send messages.
e. we create new ways of teaching reading and communication to children.
67. Strategies you can use to develop a more mindful and competent style of intercultural communication include
a. reading.
b. passive observation.
c. self-disclosure.
d. talking to experts.
e. all of the above.
68. Almost all messages have
a. a content dimension.
b. a relational dimension.
c. both content and relational dimensions.
d. no dimensions unless the communicators intend them to.
69. Which of the following factors might contribute to different environments?
a. experience
b. age
c. income level
d. ethnic group
e. all of the above
70. What health threats can result from a lack of close relationships?
a. more likely to experience a higher rate of accidents
b. more susceptible to the common cold
c. more likely to die prematurely
d. b and c
e. all of the above
71. The three types of noise that can block communication are
a. loud, moderate, and soft.
b. mass communicational, personal, and transactional.
c. external, physiological, and psychological.
d. sociological, psychological, and communicational.
e. linear, interactional, and transactional.
72. Skillful, integrated communicators are characterized by
a. a conscious focus on communicating effectively.
b. a greater degree of sociability.
c. communicating competently without needing to think constantly about how to behave.
d. exposure to a wide range of communication styles.
e. others helping them out.
73. Research has shown that competent communicators achieve effectiveness by
a. using the same types of behavior in a wide variety of situations.
b. developing large vocabularies.
c. apologizing when they offend others.
d. giving lots of feedback.
e. adjusting their behaviors to the person and situation.
74. An interpersonal relationship differs from an impersonal one because
a. we share our thoughts and feelings with each other.
b. the other person’s life affects ours.
c. we are sad when the relationship changes or ends.
d. we find the time spent in the relationship rewarding.
e. all of the above.
75. Which of the following is an inaccurate description of communication?
a. Communication is unrepeatable.
b. Meanings are in words.
c. Communication is irreversible.
d. It’s impossible not to communicate.
76. You want to let a close friend know how much she/he means to you in a way that is sincere and doesn’t embarrass either of you. Following the advice on communication competence in your text, you would
a. follow the approach that you saw another friend use successfully, assuming it would work for you.
b. avoid sending any message until you were sure it would be well received.
c. try to follow exactly the approach you used successfully with others in the past.
d. react in the way that first occurred to you.
e. consider a variety of alternatives, choosing the one that you think will be most successful under these circumstances.
77. Maslow’s hierarchy of needs is important to the study of interpersonal communication because
a. we all have needs.
b. we can’t understand our needs without communication.
c. communication is usually necessary to meet each level of need.
d. communication was Maslow’s greatest need.
e. the need for communication is the sixth “hidden” need.
78. Noise in the communication process is
a. more than one communicator talking at a time.
b. the nonverbal behaviors that accompany communication.
c. the process of maintaining direct eye contact or not.
d. the process of translating thoughts into words.
e. any force that interferes with effective communication.
79. Which of the following is most clearly an example of qualitatively interpersonal communication?
a. Aubre buys a sweater from a sales clerk.
b. Rich invites the team to a party.
c. Royce asks his friend Jane about her sick child.
d. Aasim pleads for the class to vote.
e. Georgina chats with the mailman.
80. The transactional model of communication is considered a more accurate model than previous ones because
a. people send and receive messages simultaneously.
b. we cannot isolate a single “act” of communication from the event that came before and after it.
c. the communication created results from the way partners interact.
d. none of the above.
e. all of the above.
81. The authors describe some of the social needs we strive to fulfill by communicating as
a. encoding and decoding.
b. control and affection.
c. empathy and sympathy.
d. talking and listening.
e. communicating both verbally and nonverbally.
82. Some of the characteristics that make relationships more interpersonal than impersonal are
a. frequency and proximity of communication.
b. quantity over quality.
c. how important the content of talk is to both of you.
d. uniqueness, irreplaceability, and interdependence.
83. Integrated communicators express themselves in skillful ways because
a. their communication is a self-conscious act.
b. they have had more experience.
c. they have internalized effective behavior.
d. skills are basic to communication.
e. others help them out.
84. Effective communicators have been found to
a. have a consistent set of five behaviors they can call up at will.
b. have a wide range of behaviors from which to choose.
c. exhibit behaviors that are predictable by their partners.
d. exhibit unique behaviors more often than less effective communicators.
e. frequently rehearse about 20 behaviors until they get them right for any interaction.
85. When you pay attention to your behavior in relationships, you are
a. unlikely to pay attention to others.
b. too uptight.
c. probably ego–driven.
d. self-monitoring.
e. intrinsic.
86. Identity and communication are related in that we
a. gain an idea of who we are from the way others communicate with us.
b. are drawn to communicators who test and challenge our identity.
c. find others’ identities become our own through communication.
d. control communication with our identity.
87. Which is an example of “noise” as the term is defined in your text?
a. someone tapping a pencil while you’re trying to talk
b. a headache that interferes with you listening
c. feelings of anger directed toward a partner
d. preoccupation with another topic during a lecture
e. all of the above
88. Which is an example of “psychological noise” as defined in your text?
a. the sound of a lawn mower just outside your window
b. the smell of smoke drifting into the room you are in
c. feeling embarrassed about a mistake you made
d. a light flickering on and off during a lecture
e. feeling tired in a meeting
89. Which of the following would not be considered a co-culture?
a. senior citizen
b. a person who uses a wheel chair
c. construction worker
d. Muslim
e. all of the above are considered co-cultures
90. Two friends communicating face to face would most likely be
a. taking turns sending and receiving messages.
b. primarily sending messages.
c. primarily receiving messages.
d. sending and receiving messages at the same time.
e. neither sending nor receiving messages.
91. Research on the benefits and challenges of social media indicates that
a. some benefits of communicating via social media significantly outweigh the costs.
b. social media sites do not increase the amount of contact with loved ones.
c. the use of social media to communicate maximizes the perception of differences due to gender, age, social class, and ethnicity.
d. social media adds richness to interpersonal messages due to the lack of nonverbal cues.
e. all of the above.
92. A cognitively complex communicator
a. considers an issue from several angles.
b. feels and experiences another’s situation.
c. usually has a high IQ.
d. observes behavior with detachment.
e. thinks and reacts quickly.
93. When you call three of your friends in one night to avoid studying, you are communicating to fulfill the social need of
a. escape.
b. control.
c. affection.
d. companionship.
e. pleasure.
94. When Ernesta realizes during an office meeting that she’s interrupted a co-worker twice, she demonstrates the skill of
a. empathy.
b. self-monitoring.
c. cognitive complexity.
d. affinity.
e. metacommunication.
95. Which of the following is a channel for communication?
a. touching
b. writing
c. gesturing
d. talking
e. all of the above
96. Interpersonal relationships
a. develop unique rules and roles.
b. are mostly alike.
c. follow the same basic rules about how control is distributed between communicators.
d. have more relational talk than content talk.
e. are none of the above.
97. Getting others to behave in ways that we want is considered what type of goal?
a. basic
b. social
c. instrumental
d. physical
e. self-actualization
98. Relational dimensions of a message
a. are all that matter.
b. make statements about how the parties feel toward one another.
c. are usually expressed verbally rather than nonverbally.
d. all of the above.
e. none of the above.
99. The ability to construct a variety of different frameworks for viewing an issue is termed
a. feedback framework.
b. cognitive complexity.
c. communication competence.
d. metacommunicating.
e. integration.
100. The textbook authors suggest that communication through social media can be hard to accurately interpret because
a. it lacks important nonverbal cues that convey additional meaning.
b. in online messages people tend to speak before they think.
c. it is more expressive than face to face communication.
d. it is more permanent than face to face communication.
e. all of the above are true.
101. A message is probably “leaner” if it
a. is not accompanied by facial expressions or vocal cues.
b. is sent via social media.
c. contains only words.
d. lacks nonverbal information.
e. all of the above are true.
102. Which of the following characteristics of competent communicators would best help us decide whether to use casual text language when emailing a professor?
a. a wide range of behaviors
b. ability to choose the most appropriate behavior
c. self-monitoring
d. commitment
e. none of the above
103. In the “Ethical Challenge” Box, Martin Buber suggests
a. we are not fully human if we live only with “I-It” relationships.
b. “I-Thou” relationships are stable, predictable, and detached.
c. “I-It” relationships are utterly unique.
d. “I-It” relationships are qualitatively interpersonal.
e. all of the above.
INSTRUCTIONS for questions 104–108: Match each of the statements below with the element of the communication model it illustrates most clearly.
a. external noise
b. environment
c. channel
d. decoding
e. psychological noise
104. You decide to schedule a face-to-face meeting with your professor instead of e-mailing him.
105. Alex decides what Rafael meant by that frown.
106. Your friend’s religion is different from yours, but you went to the same high school and college.
107. You are worried about how your child is doing at school while your boss is giving the quarterly report.
108. A person behind you in the theater fiddles with a crackling cellophane candy wrapper.
109. Describe an interpersonal communication incident from your experience, identifying at least five elements of the transactional model of communication shown in Looking Out/ Looking In.
110. Using the information explained in “Characteristics of Competent Communicators,” evaluate your communication competence in the context of one interpersonal relationship in which you are involved. Discuss the range of behaviors in which you engage, your ability to choose the most appropriate behavior, your skill in performing certain behaviors, your perceived levels of cognitive complexity, empathy, and self-monitoring operating in this relationship, and your commitment to the relationship. Be sure to explain this relationally, discussing the behaviors of the other person and describing how you adapt or fail to adapt to them.
111. Using your own experiences as examples, explain the difference between interpersonal communication and impersonal communication.
112. Identify the three different needs that are sastisfied through communication. Provide examples for each from your own experience.
113. Explain the concept of “noise.” First, define it according to its role in the transactional model of communication in Chapter One. Next, imagine you are being interviewed for a job. Name and give examples of each of the three types of noise described by your text that might be present during this interview experience. Describe how each type could impact the interaction between you and the interviewer.
114. Explain the principle, “communication is irreversible.” Use personal examples to demonstrate how this principle has affected your own life.
115. Describe one of your interpersonal relationships that involves at least some degree of communication through social media. Explain the ways in which social media enhances or challenges the quality of this relationship.
116. What are the pros and cons of breaking up with someone through social media such as text, email or Facebook? What about helping a friend with a problem? Support your answers with chapter material.
CHAPTER 2
COMMUNICATION AND IDENTITY
1. Identity management occurs only in face-to-face interactions.
2. Research indicates that mediated communication offers advantages for identity management.
3. The influence of significant others becomes less powerful as we grow older.
4. The self-concept is extremely resistant to change.
5. Compared with face-to-face interaction, online communication tends to limit the control we have over managing impressions.
6. In many cases a self-concept is based on data which may have been true at one time, but are now obsolete.
7. People with high self-esteem tend to disapprove of others more than people with low self-esteem.
8. People who think highly of themselves are likely to think highly of others too.
9. Our concept of self is shaped by the culture in which we have been reared.
10. The self-concept is a relatively stable set of perceptions you hold of yourself.
11. The self-concept is a constantly changing set of perceptions that others have of you.
12. Personality traits are largely a result of genetics rather than of socialization.
13. We tend to resist revising our own self-concept even if the new self image is more positive.
14. All inaccurate self-concepts are overly negative.
15. It is possible to have a more favorable image of yourself than the objective facts or the opinions of others warrant.
16. The person you believe yourself to be in moments of honesty is called the presenting self.
17. The face you try to show to others is called the perceived self.
18. The text advises that we shouldn’t acknowledge our strengths because we will develop overly positive, distorted self-concepts.
19. Most Western cultures have what is called a collective identity.
20. Nonverbal behaviors play a big role in managing impressions.
21. The process of identity management can result in dishonest behavior.
22. Most researchers agree that we are born with many of our personality traits.
23. According to your text, the self-concept influences much of our future behavior.
24. Luckily, communication from others does not affect our self-concept.
25. You shouldn’t listen to the “boosters” and “busters” others give you since your self-concept is only your view of yourself.
26. All communication behavior is aimed at making impressions.
27. Cognitive conservatism is the tendency to cling to an existing self-concept, even when evidence shows that it is no longer the case.
28. The self-concept is a product of the positive and negative messages you have received throughout your life.
29. Opinions of family members or teachers early in your life have little impact on the formation of your self-concept.
30. Some individuals view themselves more favorably than what the real facts indicate.
31. In a culture such as China or Japan, speaking directly is considered desirable.
32. A competent communicator is able to call on different identities when necessary.
33. Being a male or female makes little difference in how others communicate with us.
34. Defensiveness can become a problem for someone who is presented with information that contradicts his/her self-perception.
35. The only type of self-fulfilling prophecy that can occur is when your own expectations influence your behavior.
36. According to your text, being a high self-monitor is helpful when we want to deliberately manage our impressions.
37. Managing your identity can be useful when you are meeting someone at a party for the first time.
38. How you feel about yourself does not influence your self-concept.
39. A high level of self-esteem guarantees interpersonal success.
40. Interpersonal experiences can shape your personality.
41. All of the men in one study ranked themselves in the top half of the population in terms of their ability to get along with others.
42. Young women struggle more with their self-esteem than do young men.
43. Changing an obselete or distorted self-concept can be a good thing.
44. The authors suggest one way to change your self-concept is to observe a person you admire.
45. In one study of college men and women, only the men wanted their public selves to be viewed differently from their perceived selves.
46. Regularly viewing your own Facebook page can actually enhance your self-esteem.
47. Your well-constructed and carefully-managed Facebook profile can serve as an ego-booster to you.
48. Selectively “friending” only people who stroke your ego can lead to a distorted self-concept.
49. In the workplace, it might be a better idea to withhold information than to lie or intentionally deceive.
50. Your text suggests that while benevolent lies are common, the truth is always the best course of action.
51. Self-disclosure must be frequent to be effective.
52. Cliches are the most revealing type of communication.
53. A secret that has never before been shared with anyone would qualify as a deep disclosure.
54. A well-documented conclusion from research is that one act of self-disclosure usually begets another.
55. In interpersonal relationships, the rule is: The more self-disclosure the better.
56. Since they are honest and true, comments to another, like “I’ve always thought you were a bit flaky,” have constructive effects in self-disclosure.
57. Lies may help us avoid embarrassment.
58. Couples are happiest when their levels of openness are roughly equal.
59. Hints are more direct than equivocal statements.
60. Most research shows that lies are almost always told for the benefit of the recipient.
61. Your text makes the case that hints, benign lies, and equivocations are sometimes ethical alternatives to telling the truth.
62. Self-disclosure of personal thoughts and feelings may be inappropriate and risky in the work setting.
63. All self-disclosure is reciprocal.
64. As a general rule, the best way to develop a positive interpersonal relationship is usually to begin that relationship by revealing a great amount of highly personal information about yourself.
65. According to the text, real self-disclosure does not involve attempts at control of the other.
66. The “Blind” window of the Johari model represents things about yourself that another may know about you, but you do not.
67. The “Unknown” window of the Johari model represents things about yourself that another knows, but you do not.
68. The social penetration model represents both the breadth and the depth of your self-disclosure with another person.
69. Not all self-disclosure draws people closer.
70. Research shows that deception threatens relationships.
71. Some lies are designed to initiate interaction.
72. If faced with a choice to tell a face-saving lie or deliver an equivocal message, most people will tell the lie.
73. Research supports that the quality of self-disclosure is not linked to marital satisfaction.
74. The most intimate relationships are those in which disclosure is great in both breadth and depth.
75. “Talking a problem out” can be helpful in clarifying your beliefs, opinions, thoughts, attitudes, and feelings.
76. Reciprocity usually occurs on a turn-by-turn basis.
77. Silence is never an appropriate alternative to self-disclosure because it indicates a lack of interest in the relationship.
78. One study of deception determined that the average lie rate was 5 fibs every 10 minutes of conversation.
79. Anonymously sharing your secret online with others who do the same may have a cathartic effect.
80. A high amount of self-monitoring is helpful in situations of deliberate identity management, such as a job interview.
81. Research described in your text about mediated communication suggests that
a. it may be an advantage for creating a desired impression.
b. it permits a responder to ignore a message rather than be unpleasant.
c. it can lack the “richness” of many nonverbal channels.
d. all of the above are supported by research.
e. none of the above are supported by research.
82. In the example of schoolchildren taken from the book Pygmalion in the Classroom,
a. the less intelligent children performed better than expected.
b. the more intelligent children performed better than expected.
c. the children teachers predicted would do better, did so.
d. all the children performed the same because they had similar self-concepts.
e. teachers improved their self-concepts by working with good children.
83. Self-fulfilling prophecies are
a. negative predictions of our behavior, imposed by others.
b. negative predictions of our behavior, imposed by ourselves.
c. positive or negative predictions of our behavior, imposed by others and/or ourselves.
d. almost always negative predictions, imposed by ourselves and/or others.
e. none of the above.
84. Which of the following is not an example of a self-fulfilling prophecy?
a. A child fails a test after hearing her teacher tell her mother that she never does well on tests.
b. A student who previously complained of stage fright loses his place during a class speech and can’t go on.
c. A husband reluctantly agrees, with reservations, to his wife’s request that they spend the holiday visiting Disneyland. He has a terrible time.
d. Both b and c above qualify as examples of self-fulfilling prophecies.
e. All of the above qualify as examples of self-fulfilling prophecies.
85. All of the following are true of the self-concept except that
a. it is objective.
b. it is changing.
c. it is, in part, a product of interaction with others.
d. it is, in part, a product of our early childhood experience.
e. it can be changed.
86. The term “self-concept” refers to
a. the sum of one’s physiological, social, and psychological attributes as perceived by an impartial observer.
b. the way an individual believes others perceive her/him.
c. the total of an individual’s own beliefs about his/her physical characteristics,
intelligence, aptitudes, and social skills.
d. the sum of one’s psychological, social, and physical attributes as perceived by a significant other.
e. none of the above.
87. A “significant other” is best defined as
a. a powerful adult.
b. a person who is likely to or has affected one’s self-concept.
c. a totally supportive person.
d. an extremely negative influence.
e. all of the above.
88. According to your text, “ego-boosters and busters” are
a. examples of how people ruin their self-concepts by taking drugs.
b. people or messages that influence the self-concept positively or negatively.
c. the two essential elements of self-concept development.
d. ways to predict how children will become good or bad readers.
e. intentionally vague labels we give to mask true self-concepts.
89. The relatively stable set of perceptions you hold of yourself is called your
a. self-concept.
b. interpersonal self.
c. perceptual bias.
d. self-feedback.
e. self-orientation.
90. A self-fulfilling prophecy is
a. an accurate prediction about another’s behavior, based on background knowledge.
b. a prediction about one’s own behavior, based on past experience.
c. a prediction that affects the outcome of one’s own or another’s behavior.
d. a mistaken prediction which fails to occur.
e. none of the above.
91. In individualistic cultures, a view of the self would involve all of the following except
a. self-sufficiency.
b. high value on tradition.
c. high value on equality.
d. high value on change.
e. personal credit or blame.
92. Someone who is a “significant other” is
a. “socially” conscious.
b. a person whose opinion we especially value.
c. always a supportive person.
d. a person with significant goals.
93. If you want to change your self-concept, you should
a. have realistic expectations and perceptions.
b. ask others to send you only positive messages.
c. take yourself less seriously.
d. It is not possible to change the self-concept.
94. People who have low self-esteem
a. are likely to approve of others.
b. perform well when being watched.
c. work harder for critical people.
d. expect to be rejected by others.
e. had traumatic childhoods.
95. People who have high self-esteem
a. expect to be accepted by others.
b. have less of a need to work hard for people who demand high standards.
c. are unable to defend themselves against negative comments.
d. don’t perform well when being watched.
96. The kind of person you believe yourself to be is called the
a. perceived self.
b. desired self.
c. presenting self.
d. myth of self.
e. transient self.
97. All of the following are examples of social comparison except
a. being judged for a test based on other student’s grades.
b. thinking over how you have added muscle mass in the last four months.
c. deciding to go on a diet after looking at models in a magazine.
d. judging your fitness level in contrast to others in the gym.
e. all of the above are examples of social comparison.
98. “Reference groups” are
a. people whose self-concepts we have influenced.
b. individuals whose self-esteem has been diminished.
c. groups against which a person compares him/herself.
d. groups formed to improve shaky self-esteem.
e. people who hang around the library.
99. According to your text, telling ourselves we “can’t” change our self-concept could
a. let others share control in the relationship.
b. help us accept our limitations.
c. create a self-fulfilling prophecy.
d. express equality through our humanity.
100. The tendency to seek and attend to information that conforms to an existing self-concept has been labeled
a. reflected appraisal.
b. significance posturing.
c. the stability hypothesis.
d. cognitive conservatism.
e. the weak spine phenomenon.
101. The communication strategies people use to influence how others view them is the process of
a. ego-video.
b. reflected appraisal.
c. manipulation.
d. social ethics.
e. identity management.
102. People who hold excessively negative self-evaluations of themselves may do so due to
a. distorted feedback.
b. society’s emphasis on perfection.
c. obsolete information.
d. social expectations.
e. all of the above.
103. Kiko still thinks of herself as a struggling student although as a college student her GPA is a 3.5. This is an example of
a. self-monitoring.
b. self-fulfilling prophecy.
c. cognitive conservatism.
d. myth of perfection.
e. distorted feedback.
104. People try to manage their identities in order to
a. initiate a relationship.
b. save another’s face.
c. get others to do something they want.
d. none of the above.
e. all of the above.
105. According to your text, all of the following are ways that can help in changing your self-concept except
a. seeking advice from books and others.
b. being realistic in how you perceive yourself.
c. determining what may be inaccurate feedback from others.
d. being willing to change.
e. comparing yourself to people in the mass media.
106. The characteristic ways you think and behave across a variety of situations describes your
a. self-concept.
b. personality.
c. self-esteem.
d. self-worth.
e. none of the above.
107. When Joe hangs his framed medical degrees on his office wall he is managing his identity through
a. appearance.
b. manner.
c. setting.
d. image.
e. role.
108. To say that identity management is collaborative means that
a. both people communicating agree with each other.
b. each person creates an identity in response to the other’s behavior.
c. each person creates a similar identity.
d. both people decide on their identities together.
e. none of the above.
109. The process whereby the self-concept develops due to the way we believe others see us is called
a. reflected appraisal.
b. social comparison.
c. feedback.
d. other-imposed prophecy.
e. distortion.
110. An example of a presenting self is
a. Minh is very attentive in class and asks questions about the material to her professor.
b. Minh regularly calls her friends, remembers birthdays, and listens to friends’ problems.
c. Minh is never late for work, volunteers for work committees, and turns in work on time.
d. all of the above.
e. none of the above.
111. Psyching yourself up before a soccer game is an example of
a. positive prediction.
b. a self-imposed prophecy.
c. other-imposed prophecy.
d. anxiety reduction.
e. none of the above.
112. Which of the following does not characterize identity management?
a. Identity management is collaborative.
b. We construct multiple identities.
c. Collaboration in identity management doesn’t mean the same thing as agreement.
d. Identity management is always deliberate.
e. Not all behavior is aimed at making impressions.
113. Popular TV shows featuring makeovers suggest to us that our appearance must be improved, which can lead us to feel worse about ourselves. This idea best relates to
a. reflected appraisal.
b. social comparison.
c. self-fulfilling prophecy.
d. identity management.
e. presenting self.
114. Chandra looking at many different Facebook profiles and then feeling better about herself is an example of
a. reflected appraisal.
b. social comparison.
c. self-fulfilling prophecy.
d. identity management.
e. presenting self.
115. The ability to manage identities in different settings and cultures is a feature of
a. high self-esteem.
b. too much self-disclosure.
c. social exchange theory.
d. communication competence.
e. equivocation.
116. Googling your own name to see what comes up might inspire you to manage your public identity by engaging in
a. self-disclosure.
b. lying.
c. reputation management.
d. catharsis.
e. cognitive conservatism.
117. The popular term known as “TMI” best relates to which of these guidelines for self-disclosure?
a. Is the other person important to you?
b. Are the amount and type of disclosure appropriate?
c. Is the self-disclosure reciprocated?
d. Do you have a moral obligation to disclose?
e. none of the above
118. In the “Talking with Little Girls” reading, Lisa Bloom writes about
a. how important it is to compliment a little girl’s appearance.
b. how we should consider sending messages to little girls that we value their brains .
c. how saying “How cute you are” to a little girl when you first see her teaches her that looks are more important than anything.
d. both b and c.
e. all of the above.
119. Which of the following statements summarizes Lexie Lopez-Mayo’s thoughts in the “Looking at Diversity” reading?
a. Culture plays a role in self-disclosure and communication.
b. Gender plays a role in self-disclosure and communication.
c. Personality plays a role in self-disclosure and communication.
d. All of the above are true statements.
e. None of the above are true statements.
120. Quadrants of the Johari Window are
a. open, narrow, blind, unknown.
b. open, hidden, blind, unknown.
c. broad, narrow, blind, unknown.
d. open, hidden, neutral, unknown.
e. open, closed, neutral, unknown.
121. Which of the following best fits the definition of self-disclosure?
a. telling your romantic partner about your feelings toward him/her
b. telling your college teacher about past grades
c. telling your mother your weight
d. telling your family physician about your health
e. telling anyone anything about you
122. Privacy management means
a. the choices we make to reveal or conceal information about ourselves.
b. weighing the pros and cons of self-disclosing.
c. making a conscious and deliberate decision to self-disclose.
d. all of the above.
e. none of the above.
123. In the Chapter Nine “Communication Transcript,” Ramon discloses to his boss, Julie. Which of the following guidelines for self-disclosure did Ramon seem to ignore as he talked with her?
a. Ask yourself if the risk of disclosure is reasonable.
b. Determine if the self-disclosure is relevant to the situation at hand.
c. Decide if the other person is important to you.
d. Select the appropriate amount and type of self-disclosure.
e. Ramon ignored all of the guidelines.
124. According to your text, all of the following are reasons people choose to be somewhat deceitful in relationships except
a. to guide social interaction.
b. to empower others.
c. to save face.
d. to avoid conflict.
e. to manage resources.
125. You’ve just delivered a speech to your classmates which none of them liked very much. According to your text, which of the following is the response you are most likely to hear when you ask them how you did?
a. “You did a great job.”
b. “I’m nervous about my speech tomorrow.”
c. “I don’t think it was a very good speech.”
d. “You made some interesting points.”
e. None of these answers are correct.
126. The Johari Window is an important device to help explore the role
a. coding plays in communication.
b. interpretation plays in clarifying understanding.
c. feedback plays in negative relationships.
d. self-disclosure plays in communication.
e. affection needs play in strong relationships.
127. According to the text, which of the following is good advice about self-disclosure?
a. Wait for the other person to open up before you do.
b. The more self-disclosure, the better.
c. Self-disclosure is most productive when delivered in a constructive manner.
d. Most relationships are characterized by almost constant amounts of self-disclosure.
e. It’s best to accompany each piece of negative self-disclosure with a compliment to soften any hurt.
128. The social penetration model by Altman and Taylor
a. shows ways in which a relationship can be more or less intimate.
b. suggests how relationships can operate on superficial or more personal levels.
c. defines a relationship in terms of its breadth and depth.
d. helps identify why certain relationships are strong or weak.
e. All of these answers are correct.
129. To qualify as self-disclosure, a statement must
a. involve feelings.
b. be deliberate, significant, and not otherwise known.
c. be reciprocated by the same type of statement from a partner.
d. involve intimate information.
e. be shared privately.
130. The process of deliberately revealing information about oneself that is significant and would not normally be known by others is
a. social penetration.
b. equivocation.
c. self-disclosure.
d. intimacy.
e. reciprocity.
131. According to the Altman and Taylor model, the dimension of self-disclosure where information shared moves from being impersonal to more personal is called
a. breadth.
b. social penetration.
c. variety.
d. depth.
e. equivocation.
132. What makes the disclosure in some messages deeper than others?
a. Some revelations are more significant than others.
b. Communicators have reached the level of sharing feelings.
c. Some revelations are considered very private.
d. None of these answers are correct are reasons.
e. All of these answer are correct are reasons.
133. Saying “I love my family” versus “I love you” exemplifies that some disclosures are deeper than others in terms of
a. being personal.
b. significance.
c. how private they are.
d. reciprocity.
e. believability.
134. When deciding how much to disclose, you should consider
a. if the other person is important to you.
b. whether the amount and type of disclosure is appropriate.
c. whether you have a moral obligation to do so.
d. whether the risk is reasonable.
e. All are factors to consider.
135. Saying to a friend, “I’ve always thought you weren’t too bright,” might show you didn’t consider what guideline for self-disclosure?
a. Is the other person important to you?
b. Will the effect of the disclosure be constructive?
c. Is the amount of disclosure appropriate?
d. Is the type of disclosure appropriate?
e. Do you have a moral obligation to disclose?
136. Of the following, what is not considered a benefit of self-disclosure?
a. self-validation
b. catharsis
c. self-clarification
d. reciprocity
e. increased likeability
137. Of the following, what is not considered a risk of self-disclosure?
a. loss of influence
b. negative impression
c. decrease in number of relationships
d. fear of disapproval
e. decrease in relational satisfaction
138. All of the following are alternatives to self-disclosure except
a. lying
b. silence
c. reciprocity
d. equivocation
e. hinting
139. A benevolent lie
a. is considered nonmalicious.
b. is never appropriate for someone who has morals.
c. will generally hurt another.
d. will only be considered helpful in extreme situations.
e. None of these answers are correct are true.
140. In one study of 130 subjects who kept track of the truthfulness of their everyday, conversational statements,
a. 25 percent of these statements proved to be totally honest.
b. 38.5 percent of these statements proved to be totally honest.
c. 55.5 percent of these statements proved to be totally honest.
d. 66 percent of these statements proved to be totally honest.
e. 75 percent of these statements proved to be totally honest.
141. One experiment determined that the average lie rate was
a. 3 fibs for every 10 minutes of conversation.
b. 5 fibs for every 10 minutes of conversation.
c. 7 fibs for every 10 minutes of conversation.
d. 1 fib for every 5 minutes of conversation.
e. 10 fibs for every 15 minutes of conversation.
142. When Kathy told Abraham, “I’m just not ready for a serious relationship right now,” instead of saying, “I’m not attracted to you,” she was
a. lying.
b. equivocating.
c. hinting.
d. placating.
e. self-disclosing.
143. Equivocating can be advantageous because it
a. can save face for both the sender and receiver.
b. provides an alternative to lying.
c. spares the receiver from embarrassment.
d. spares the teller from feeling guilty.
e. All of these answers are correct or true.
144. If someone says, “I really have to go. I should be studying for a test tomorrow,” he/she would be lying in order to
a. acquire resources.
b. protect resources.
c. avoid interaction with another.
d. avoid tension.
e. show they’re in control of a situation.
145. Of the following, what is not considered an effect of lying?
a. Once lied to, you may need to redefine previous messages from the liar.
b. Deception is more acceptable depending on the liar’s motives.
c. A lie will be considered a transgression if it is exploitive.
d. The importance of the information lied about is a key factor in provoking a relational crisis.
e. All of these answers can be effects.
146. According to your text, hinting
a. is less direct than an equivocal statement.
b. aims to get a desired response from others.
c. is not considered an alternative to lying.
d. is not considered face-saving.
e. doesn’t depend on the other’s ability to pick up the unexpressed message.
147. “I’m pretty sure that smoking isn’t permitted here,” is an example of
a. lying.
b. equivocating.
c. hinting.
d. self-disclosure.
e. social penetration.
INSTRUCTIONS for questions 148-152: Match each description below with the most accurate term.
a. reflected appraisal
b. significant other
c. cognitive conservatism
d. presenting self
e. perceived self
148. The private self you honestly believe you are.
149. The tendency to cling to an existing self-concept.
150. A person whose opinion we especially value.
151. Process of judging ourselves by the evaluations of others.
152. The “face” you show to others.
INSTRUCTIONS for questions 153-157: Match the statement below with the term it best describes.
a. definition of self-disclosure
b. significant self-disclosure
c. Johari Window
d. social penetration
e. deliberate self-disclosure
153. Model to explore the role that self-disclosure plays in interpersonal communication.
154. Model to examine breadth and depth of self-disclosure.
155. Sharing a secret that you’ve never told anyone.
156. Deliberately revealing significant personal information that would not normally be known by others.
157. Setting up a special lunch date in order to reveal your feelings to your romantic partner.
158. Your textbook authors give some suggestions about how to embrace a more positive self-image. Think about some aspects of your self-concept you would like to change. Next, for each, explain whether (1) you have a realistic perception of yourself in this area, 2) you have realistic expectations of yourself in this area, 3) you are or aren’t willing to do what it takes to change, 4) you have enough information and know-how to carry out the change.
159. Describe two people for whom you are a significant other. Describe your communication behavior with each of them, giving examples of how (a) you deliver “booster” and “buster” messages to each of them; (b) you create self-fulfilling prophecies that work for and against each of them; and (c) they allow your communication with them to affect their behavior.
160. Describe a recent self-fulfilling prophecy which you have imposed upon yourself that affects your communication. In what cases have you imposed it? What have the results been? How realistic was the prophecy? Does answering these questions change how you’ll talk to yourself in the future? How? Next, describe a self-fulfilling prophecy you have imposed upon another person. How did you communicate it (i.e., what messages did you send, and what channels did you use)? What effect did your prophecy have upon your partner? Does answering this question affect how you’ll communicate with the other person in the future? How?
161. Explain how you managed impressions with others in a recent important event in your life. Cite the reasons why you managed impressions and then evaluate the way you presented yourself.
162. Describe how you have managed your manner, appearance, and setting to create desired impressions in two different specific instances.
163. Exlain the concept of reflected appraisal. Choose two people in your life who have contributed to how you view yourself and how their communication contributed to who you are today.
164. Explain the characteristic, “The self-concept is subjective.” Discuss the reasons why a distorted self-concept can occur. Using personal examples, also discuss how your self-concept has been affected by distortion.
165. Explain the relationship between self-concept, self-esteem, and communication.
166. Discuss how communication played a role in shaping who you are today. Then, discuss how who you are today affects your communication with others. Give examples.
167. Does the technology of mediated communication limit or enhance opportunities for impression management? Explain and support your answer.
168. Explain several ways that mass media and technology contribute to the shaping of our self-concept.
169. Referring to the reasons for deceit explained in your chapter, analyze a current relationship you are in according to the degrees of truthfulness and deceit. Are you satisfied with the level of honesty? Explain your answer.
170. Using the social penetration model in your text, describe the breadth and depth of one important interpersonal relationship you have. Explain why you are satisfied/unsatisfied with this relationship.
171. Draw a Johari Window describing your relationship with an important person in your life. Comment on which parts of yourself you keep in the “hidden” area, and explain your reasons for doing so. Describe the benefits and costs of not disclosing these parts of your personality. Next, look at the size of the “blind” area model. Is the blind area large or small because of the amount of feedback you get from the other person, or because of the way you react to the feedback you do get? How would a window describing your partner’s relationship with a mutual friend look similar to yours? Different? Explain. Are you satisfied with the kind of relationship your windows describe? If not, what could you do to change it?
172. Your text described several reasons people tell lies. Provide examples of lies you have told or have been told to you that illustrate three of the different reasons for lying. Discuss whether or not each of these lies was a “benevolent lie” or not and why.
173. Discuss the various benefits and risks of self-disclosure. Provide examples from your own life where you have experienced both the benefits and risks.
174. Explain how the tendency of disinhibition (from Chapter 1) relates to the risks of self-disclosure. Discuss how disinhibition may impact opportunities for impression management.
175. For each of the four examples under the heading “Alternatives to Self-Disclosure” on pp. 66-67, describe how you would choose to respond. Identify your interpersonal goal for each situation, and then explain why your choice is appropriate.
CHAPTER 3
PERCEPTION
1. While culture has a great deal to do with our perception, it is understood that a person’s mood and tolerance to stress do not.
2. A common perceptual tendency is to assume that others are similar to us.
3. The text argues that an ailment may have a strong impact on how you relate to others.
4. True empathy requires that you agree with the other person’s opinions.
5. Identical foods can actually taste different to various individuals.
6. Sensory data can be different to different people.
7. We are influenced more by subtle stimuli rather than obvious ones.
8. In our perceptions, we cling more strongly to first impressions, even when they are wrong.
9. In perceiving others, we usually blame their problems on their personal qualities rather than on factors outside them.
10. It’s simply impossible to be aware of everything, no matter how attentive we may be.
11. Since stimuli that are intense often attract our attention, we’re more likely to remember extremely talkative people than those who are quiet.
12. Unchanging people or things become less noticeable, and thus occupy less of our attention than those that change.
13. Selection is an objective process.
14. The sensory data we receive are the same for all of us; perceptual differences occur only after we begin to process those data.
15. After using the “Pillow Method” you should typically conclude that the issue being considered is not important enough to worry about.
16. The “halo effect” is a perceptual tendency which causes us to be more generous in our judgment of ourselves over others.
17. People’s occupations have little bearing on their perception of the world.
18. Only women are affected by changes in mood.
19. The self-serving bias illustrates our tendency to judge others more charitably than ourselves.
20. Your text claims that there is nothing wrong with the generalizations we make, using our organization constructs, as long as they are accurate.
21. Punctuation is the process of organizing a series of events to determine causes and effects.
22. According to your text, the world appears different to each of us.
23. Silence is valued over talk in most Asian cultures.
24. The three phases of perception (selection, organization, and interpretation) that take place in an individual’s mind can occur in differing sequences, with one influencing another.
25. According to your text, unhappy spouses are more likely than happy ones to make negative interpretations of their mates’ behavior.
26. Sympathy is the ability to experience the world from another’s point of view.
27. One way in which we organize our impressions of others is by appearance.
28. It is never appropriate to make a generalization.
29. Stereotyping occurs when generalizations lose touch with reality.
30. Whether you are happy or unhappy with a partner will affect how you interpret that partner’s behavior.
31. The process whereby people influence each other’s perceptions and attempt to achieve a shared perspective is called negotiation.
32. A shared relational narrative is the reason that some couples say they are happily married when the facts would indicate otherwise.
33. The attitude that one’s own culture is superior to other cultures is called ethnocentrism.
34. The process of explaining people’s behavior is called assignation.
35. The skill of perception checking allows you to see if you are correct in your interpretation of another’s behavior.
36. Perception checking can be a useful tool when you don’t want to embarrass or directly threaten another person.
37. Position Four in the Pillow Method takes the perspective that the original issue should still be seen as very important.
38. You have read positive reviews of your Chemistry instructor on a website. According to the text, you are more likely to find this instructor credible and attractive.
39. Participating in events such as the Empathy Experiment described in your text is one way to build empathy and increase cognitive complexity.
40. There is little difference between the terms sex and gender; they can be used interchangeably.
41. Studies suggest that the ability to empathize with others is hard-wired in our brains.
42. Parents should realize that preventing their children from experiencing and managing frustrating events can help to increase their empathic concern for others later in life.
43. Studies suggest that cognitive complexity actually increases one’s chance of having satisfying communication in a variety of contexts.
44. It’s possible to avoid stereotyping by attending to characteristics other than those that are obvious of the group to which you assign someone.
45. The “Platinum Rule” is different from the “Golden Rule” in that it asks us to “do unto others as they themselves would have done unto them.”
46. If your instructor expects you to do well in class, he/she will likely perceive your work differently from those they expect to fail.
47. The perceptions of people who know you well will not be influenced by information on your Facebook profile.
48. According to the text, there are no benefits to parents and children being “friends” on Facebook.
49. According to the text, an unintended consequence of parents over-monitoring their children’s technology use is that it might lead them to be sneakier.
50. Studies have shown that sexual harassment complaints are rare today because most people agree on their interpretations of what constitutes a “hostile work environment.”
51. If you are a person who tells others “like it is” because you believe such truth is helpful and constructive, you will interpret similar behavior from others towards you the same way.
52. Studies show that judges who listen to singing performances with their backs turned and no prior knowledge of the contestant almost always appraise the contestant the same way as judges who don’t.
53. Which of these statements is not accurate, according to the text?
a. Teenagers who don’t get enough food to eat are more likely to get in trouble at school and have difficulty getting along with others.
b. You might perceive someone’s behavior differently when you are ill than you would when you are healthy.
c. Lack of sleep can affect couple’s perceptions of each other, resulting in discord.
d. Identical foods may taste differently to different people.
e. Perception is not influenced by neurological or biological differences.
54. Which perceptual tendency is illustrated in the following example? Leah was trying to be helpful when she told Eric he should wear pants that make him look less fat. However, when Eric told Leah she should lay off the makeup because it makes her look “old,” she perceived his comment as hurtful and mean.
a. We judge ourselves more charitably than others.
b. We cling to first impressions.
c. We are influenced by our expectations.
d. We are influenced by the obvious.
e. None of the above.
55. The concept of self-fulfilling prophecy relates best to which of these perceptual tendencies?
a. We judge ourselves more charitably than others.
b. We cling to first impressions.
c. We are influenced by our expectations.
d. We are influenced by the obvious.
e. We assume others are similar to us.
56. The Pillow Method is designed to
a. persuade someone to accept your viewpoint.
b. settle a dispute.
c. minimize an issue.
d. gain insight into another’s viewpoint.
e. punctuate the cause and effect of an argument.
57. The story in your text about six men from Indostan illustrates
a. the phenomenon called “culture shock.”
b. the way people tend to punctuate a series of events differently.
c. the “Pillow Method” applied to resolve a problem.
d. different interpretations depending on point of view.
e. self-serving bias.
58. All of the following would be included in a good definition of empathy except which one?
a. It involves taking the other’s perspective.
b. It includes concern for the other person.
c. It requires a sense of the other person’s feelings.
d. It can’t be totally achieved.
e. It requires that your opinions match those of the other person.
59. A perception check includes
a. a description of the behavior you have noticed.
b. two possible interpretations of the behavior.
c. a request for clarification about how to interpret the behavior correctly.
d. all of the above.
e. none of the above.
60. What’s missing from this perception check? “When you didn’t do the grocery shopping today like you usually do, I figured you weren’t feeling good or were mad at me.”
a. It doesn’t describe behavior.
b. It has only one interpretation.
c. It doesn’t request clarification.
d. It is too specific.
e. Nothing is missing from this perception check.
61. What’s missing from this perception check? “I figure you’re either upset with me or worried about your test. Is it something like that?”
a. It doesn’t describe behavior.
b. It has only one interpretation.
c. It doesn’t request clarification.
d. It is too wordy.
e. Nothing is missing from this perception check.
62. What’s missing from this perception check? “When I saw you having lunch with Emily, I figured you liked her more than me. What’s going on?”
a. It doesn’t describe behavior.
b. It has only one interpretation.
c. It doesn’t request clarification.
d. It is too wordy.
e. Nothing is missing from this perception check.
63. What’s missing from this perception check? “When you didn’t call me when you said you would, I thought you might have forgotten or were mad at me. What happened?”
a. It doesn’t describe behavior.
b. It has only one interpretation.
c. It doesn’t request clarification.
d. It is too wordy.
e. Nothing is missing from this perception check.
64. How could you improve this perception-checking statement? “When you gave me an F on my essay, I figured you hated me. Right?”
a. Describe behavior.
b. Give another interpretation.
c. Request clarification.
d. Say less.
e. It is great as a perception-checking statement just the way it is.
65. All of the following are physiological factors shaping perception except which one?
a. the senses
b. age and health
c. fatigue
d. ethnicity
e. hunger
66. The recognition of a “figure” as standing out from a “ground” of other stimuli takes place during what phase of the perception process?
a. ideation
b. stimulation
c. verification
d. organization
e. sensation
67. All of the following perceptual factors influence the way we interpret behavior except which one?
a. relational satisfaction
b. assumptions about human behavior
c. androgynous style
d. past experience
e. expectations
68. Talk is viewed as desirable and useful for both task and social purposes in
a. Western culture.
b. Asian culture.
c. upper- and middle-class groups.
d. older people.
e. all of the above.
69. Which of the following statements is not true?
a. People agree about what smells good or bad.
b. People’s sensitivity to temperature varies significantly.
c. Odors that please some people repel others.
d. Men have mood cycles of ups and downs.
e. All of the above are true.
70. We notice some stimuli over others in our environment because they are
a. mild.
b. singular.
c. contrasting or changing.
d. related to modular communication.
71. The steps in the perception process are
a. initial, intermediate, final.
b. assumption, experience, expectation.
c. physical, psychological, experimental.
d. selection, organization, interpretation.
e. response, action, interaction.
72. In order to understand another person’s perception of a problem, it is necessary to
a. assume that person’s social role.
b. spend time in that person’s culture or subculture.
c. experience that person’s physiological differences.
d. all of the above.
e. none of the above.
73. Empathy is related to perception in that
a. the more perceptive you are, the less empathetic you need be.
b. the more perceptive you are, the easier it is to forget to be empathetic.
c. empathy is facilitated by trying to perceive things from the other person’s point of view.
d. empathy and perception are both a result of self-fulfilling prophecies.
74. Armando made a poor first impression on Bianca as he first arrived, so throughout their evening date, despite his pleasant behavior, Bianca continued to see him in an unfavorable light due to
a. her feelings of empathy.
b. the halo effect.
c. her punctuation of the events of the evening.
d. the narrative of the date.
e. physiological factors influencing Bianca’s perception.
75. All of the following are causes of inaccurate perception except
a. we cling to first impressions.
b. we’re influenced by what is most obvious.
c. we assume others are similar to us.
d. we rate ourselves more negatively than others see us.
e. we judge ourselves more charitably than others.
76. Being able to pick out your sister’s comments from a babble of voices at a party illustrates the organizational principle of
a. figure-ground organization.
b. alternative patterning.
c. perceptual freezing.
d. selection of empathetic other.
e. attention to the irritating.
77. An effective perception checking statement
a. tends to have a better chance of working in a low-context culture.
b. requires that your words match your behavior.
c. doesn’t always require 3 parts.
d. all of the above.
e. none of the above.
78. Shannon says that she works out in the evenings instead of the afternoons because Roger is always late coming home from work. Roger says he doesn’t bother to rush home from work because Shannon is always working out. This process of organizing the series of events in different ways is called
a. punctuation.
b. interpretation.
c. perceptuation.
d. conjugation.
e. intrepidation.
79. The term that refers to men and women possessing a mixture of traits that have previously been considered exclusively masculine or feminine is
a. chauvinistic.
b. adaptable.
c. rhetorically sensitive.
d. androgynous.
e. analogous.
80. Using the skill of perception checking will help prevent
a. negative self-fulfilling prophecies.
b. physiological noise.
c. inaccurate decoding of messages.
d. excessive feedback.
e. none of the above.
81. Exaggerated beliefs associated with a perceptual categorizing system are
a. role constructs.
b. self-judgments.
c. white lies.
d. subcultural translations.
e. stereotypes.
82. Phong is in the market for a new car and hopes to buy a Toyota Scion. It seems everywhere he goes lately he sees a Scion on the road. What does this exemplify in the process of selecting stimuli?
a. repetitious stimuli
b. motives
c. change in stimulation
d. intense stimuli
e. organization
83. When Mary meets Ted at a party, she asks him what he does for a living. This is an example of classifying people by
a. appearance.
b. psychological traits.
c. membership.
d. social role.
e. interaction style.
84. Shima knows her friend Francine is going through a difficult time so she doesn’t mind that Francine is particularly quiet at dinner. This is an example of what stage in the perception process?
a. selection.
b. organization.
c. redefinition.
d. interpretation.
e. none of the above.
85. The process whereby people influence each other’s perceptions and attempt to achieve a shared perspective is called
a. negotiation.
b. narration.
c. differentiation.
d. relationship building.
e. organization.
86. While on vacation with her family in Germany, Abigail criticized how Germans drove on the Autobahn compared to American freeway driving. According to the text, Abigail’s attitude is considered
a. prejudice.
b. ethnocentrism.
c. ethnicity.
d. punctuation.
e. self-serving bias.
87. All of the following are schemes by which we classify people except
a. social roles.
b. psychological traits.
c. membership.
d. interaction style.
e. beliefs.
88. All of the following is true about stereotyping except
a. a set of characteristics is ascribed to most members of a category.
b. it affects interracial communication.
c. it affects only personal relationships.
d. it doesn’t always occur because of bad intentions.
e. it is a result of exaggerated generalizations.
89. Bernadette complains to Patrick that the volume on the TV is too loud; Patrick claims he can’t hear the TV if he turns it down. What type of perceptual influence does this example illustrate?
a. psychological
b. cultural
c. gender
d. social
e. physiological
90. When Kasheem got caught speeding, Amy said he should have been more careful; later when Amy got caught speeding, she denied she was driving too fast. This is an example of what tendency in perception?
a. We are influenced by the obvious.
b. The self-serving bias.
c. We pay attention to others’ negative characteristics.
d. The halo effect.
e. We assume others are similar to us.
91. Which of the following is most likely to account for your tendency to overlook the faults of your new romantic partner?
a. gender roles
b. occupational roles
c. relational roles
d. cultural roles
e. none of the above
92. Using the pillow method can
a. enhance cognitive complexity.
b. boost empathy.
c. lead to valuable insights.
d. b & c
e. all of the above
93. You’ve changed the way you perceive and interact with homeless people after your good friend spent some time in a homeless shelter. This example best illustrates which of the following influences on interpretation?
a. personal experience
b. assumptions about human behavior
c. expectations
d. self-concept
e. relational satisfaction
INSTRUCTIONS for questions 94–98: Match each of the descriptions below with the term it best describes:
a. punctuation
b. interpretation
c. empathy
d. attribution error
e. androgynous behavior
94. You feel sadness when your friend tells you his cat died.
95. You exhibit both male and female traits when faced with a difficult decision.
96. You say you’re late because your partner is never ready on time; your partner says she takes her time getting ready because you’re always late.
97. You think that when your coworker uses profanity it’s due to a flaw in her character, but when you use profanity it’s because the situation demands it.
98. You figure your friend’s smile means she’s happy.
INSTRUCTIONS for questions 99–103: Match each of the descriptions below with the term it best describes.
a. self-serving bias
b. stereotyping
c. sympathy
d. narrative
e. selection
99. You believe that most of the elderly are slow drivers.
100. You notice car advertisements more when you need a new car.
101. You tell your friend you’re sorry that he was robbed.
102. You claim your roommates are lazy when they don’t clean up, but when you fail to clean, it’s because of your many commitments.
103. The stories you share with your coworkers creates a shared perspective of your boss.
INSTRUCTIONS for questions 104–110: Match each of the perceptual schema examples below with constructs that describe it.
a. appearance
b. social roles
c. interaction style
d. psychological trait
e. membership
104. Chevell thinks Alicia is a typical lawyer.
105. Bertha did not want to associate with the girl wearing a ring in her nose.
106. Darin decided LuAnn was insecure when he heard her ask for help twice.
107. Jeremiah responded to Esperanza’s comment sarcastically.
108. “That’s just what a Republican would say,” Mario thought.
109. At the party Kimbrye spent more time talking to the tall blonde than her dark-haired friend.
110. Alexandria thought Jon was friendly from the first time they met.
INSTRUCTIONS for questions 111–115: Match each of the descriptions below with the term it best describes.
a. punctuation
b. interpretation
c. stereotyping
d. organization
e. selection
111. You are frustrated by the behavior of an instructor you’ve classified as “mean.” However, when the instructor you’ve classified as “friendly” behaves the same way, you are more tolerant.
112. Your friend comes into the room and slams the door, so you assume he is angry with you.
113. As you listen to a classmate give a speech you notice her saying “you know” and “um” many times.
114. She says she’s forced to tell him over and over to pick up his things because he never listens to her. He says he has to “tune her out” because she is always complaining about something.
115. You think all Japanese are hard workers after doing an internship in a Japanese company.
116. Identify a situation from your recent experience in which you disagree with another person due to differing physiological factors. Show how these different factors led to the disagreement.
117. Describe the five perceptual tendencies identified by researchers in Chapter Three. What role has each played/not played in the formation of your perceptions of three people important to you?
118. Apply the Pillow Method to an interpersonal issue which has recently affected you. Describe your thoughts and feelings at each position on the pillow. Explain how an expanded view of this situation could affect the communication between you and the other person.
119. Your text identified a variety of influences on perception. Name two of these categories of influence and apply them to the situation described below in terms of their effect on your interpretation of the event.
The situation: Imagine you’ve been walking down the street with another friend. You both are aware that three individuals have been walking behind you for some time. As you turn into a restaurant and sit down, the other three enter and take a booth directly behind you and your friend.
120. Consider a stereotype you might hold, either positive or negative. Using information from the text, explain what led you to have this specific stereotype and how your behavior and communication has been affected by it.
121. Choose one of the following social roles—gender, occupational or relational—then explain how this area has influenced your perceptions. Use examples from your own life in your discussion.
122. Using the following problem, apply the Pillow Method to view the issue. Identify each position and explain each position clearly in relation to the scenario. Explain how an expanded view of the situation might affect the communication in this relationship.
Problem: You and a friend have talked about taking a trip to Europe after college graduation. While planning the trip during senior year, you discover that your friend is insisting on taking an organized tour while you have always dreamed of backpacking through Europe and staying at hostels.
123. How does the concept of self-fulfilling prophecy from Chapter 2 relate to the interpretation step in the perception process? Give examples.
124. How can we use the information described in the section on “Common Tendencies in Perception” to improve the accuracy of our perceptions?
125. Explain how the Internet and social media influence perceptions. Use at least two specific examples to support and justify your point.
The following essay questions work best as “take-home” exams because of the time necessary to effectively complete them.
126. Imagine yourself a member of the opposite sex. Describe all the events of a particular day from the vantage point of your “new” sex. What clothes would you want to wear? How would you greet your friends? How would you eat? How would you play? How would your perceptions of the world change? Be very specific and use concrete examples as well as vocabulary items from this chapter.
127. Describe a subculture to which you belong. Give examples and explain several misunderstandings you have had with members of another subculture. What do these misunderstandings indicate about the way in which you view the world? Use terms and theory from text.
CHAPTER 4
EMOTIONS
1. Generally speaking, people are more likely to share negative emotions rather than positive emotions.
2. Nonverbal reactions are often directly connected to verbalizing emotions.
3. Social rules discourage too much expression of negative emotion, but there are really no social limits to expressing positive emotions.
4. The United States is known internationally as a “culture of cheerfulness.”
5. Research indicates that people from warmer climates are more emotionally expressive than people from cooler climates.
6. Your text argues that the complete and open expression of emotions is one key to positive relationships.
7. Over-expression of emotion may create physiological ailments as much as under-expression of emotion.
8. When sharing your feelings, it’s not necessary to accept responsibility for them because so often others cause them.
9. Fortunately, for people who want to hide their emotions, all the physical changes that accompany emotions are internal.
10. Some people fail to communicate their emotions clearly because they understate or downplay them.
11. Since collectivist cultures pay more attention to nonverbal behaviors, they are better at expressing both positive and negative emotions.
12. An event that generates facilitative self-talk for one person might stimulate debilitative thinking for someone else.
13. The mind has little influence on our emotional states.
14. The approach to handling emotions described in your text involves talking yourself out of feeling unnecessarily bad.
15. It is important to express all your emotions to all the important people in your life as soon as you experience those emotions.
16. Your text advises that when you feel a certain way, you should act on that feeling immediately.
17. All emotions are caused by self-talk.
18. People will always respect and like you more if you go out of your way to please them.
19. One of the reasons we don’t express emotions is that we don’t recognize when they occur.
20. Anger can be either a facilitative or debilitative emotion.
21. Feelings are often recognized by nonverbal changes, such as blushing.
22. It is always clear what emotion someone is experiencing if you closely observe his nonverbal behavior.
23. Members of collectivistic cultures discourage expression of any negative emotions that might upset relationships among people in their “in-group.”
24. Even across cultures, men tend to say “I love you” more than women.
25. Social isolation and depression are problems that can result from the inability to constructively talk about emotions.
26. Academic background is the best predictor of the ability to detect and interpret emotional expressions.
27. Your personality makes little difference in the way you experience and communicate emotions.
28. When we experience mixed emotions, we generally communicate only one feeling—usually the most positive one.
29. Your text suggests that to feel better you should first talk about how you feel and then act on that feeling.
30. Expanding your emotional vocabulary is one suggestion your text makes for expressing your emotions.
31. According to cognitive psychologists, it is not events that cause people to feel bad, but rather the beliefs they hold about the events.
32. It rarely matters what channel to use when expressing an emotion (phone, e-mail, etc.) as long as you express yourself clearly and honestly.
33. One difference between facilitative emotions and debilitative emotions is whether you feel the emotion for a short or long period of time.
34. The fallacy of causation is based on the irrational belief that emotions are caused by others rather than by one’s own self-talk.
35. Researchers have found that college students who can pinpoint the negative emotions they experience, such as anger, also have the best strategies for managing their emotions.
36. The process of reappraisal can be used to alter the way an event impacts us emotionally.
37. Reappraisal is the same thing as denying your feelings.
38. Sarah’s self-esteem has been shattered since she lost her job four months ago. Reappraising the event as an opportunity to find a new career can help her alter the debilitating emotion that prevents her from effective functioning.
39. Children whose parents helped them learn to express emotions are at a lower risk for behavioral problems.
40. Suppressing your emotions is never appropriate or constructive.
41. It is possible to “catch” someone else’s mood.
42. Writing out your feelings will not have the same benefit as expressing them verbally.
43. Rumination produces debilitative feelings.
44. The text approach to minimizing debilitative emotions is a form of reappraisal.
45. Considering when and where to express feelings does not include thinking about people’s moods or their readiness for hearing personal disclosures.
46. According to your text, introverts are shy and usually don’t like people.
47. Your textbook authors advise us to help introverts out of their shell by offering suggestions on how to be more extraverted.
48. Nonverbal expressions of emotions become more pronounced under the influence of alcohol.
49. Word usage, nonverbal reactions and emotions are all interconnected.
50. Children may have difficulty interpreting their father’s emotions because fathers tend to mask their expressions more than mothers do.
51. Roxanne’s mood was affected by the excellent service she received at the coffee shop. This is best explained by the concept of
a. social conventions.
b. emotional contagion.
c. reappraisal.
d. emotion labor.
e. emotional memory.
52. Which of the following is not one of the suggestions made in the chapter reading about introverts?
a. Avoid asking introverts why they “don’t like people.”
b. Don’t demand immediate feedback from an introvert.
c. Don’t interrupt once an introvert gets to talking.
d. Give an introvert suggestions to help him come out of his shell.
e. Do avoid asking an introvert to repeat himself.
53. The “amygdala” refers to
a. the threat alarm system in the brain.
b. a type of emotional contagion.
c. a reservoir of emotional memories.
d. nonverbal reactions expressed on the face.
e. none of the above.
54. The “Looking at Diversity” reading about the ways Zuni and Anglo cultures deal with emotion expression indicates that
a. Anglos don’t show love as much as Zunis.
b. Zunis emphasize listening over talking.
c. Zunis encourage their children to freely express intense emotions.
d. Zunis feel emotions less intensely than Anglos.
e. all of the above were mentioned by the reading.
55. Social scientists generally agree that there are four components to the phenomena we label as “feelings.” They are
a. physiological changes, nonverbal reactions, cognitive interpretations, and verbal expression.
b. physical changes, mental recognition, and verbal description.
c. sensing, organizing, interpreting, and encoding.
d. verbal and nonverbal manifestations, physical depression, and catharsis.
e. stimulus, proprioception, emotional contagion, and response.
56. Emotions that we experience are a result of
a. our own temperaments.
b. beliefs we hold.
c. self-talk.
d. emotional memories.
e. all of the above.
57. Your text tells you that you should
a. express all your emotions to your friends.
b. try to recognize your emotions.
c. be glad you have debilitative emotions.
d. express only positive emotions.
e. stop being so emotional.
58. According to your text, one reason people don’t express feelings is
a. they lack awareness of their emotions.
b. it’s a waste of time.
c. interpretations are easier to understand.
d. they are rarely asked to do so.
e. many people rarely have feelings.
59. Research described in this chapter found that when subjects were coached to move their facial muscles in ways that appeared afraid, angry, disgusted, amused, sad, etc., the subjects responded
a. as if they themselves were having these feelings.
b. by showing the opposite feeling.
c. by showing more intense feelings than the volunteers.
d. with no emotion at all.
e. with pity for the volunteers.
60. Many of our debilitative feelings come from
a. our genetic make-up.
b. our emotional memory.
c. the beliefs we hold about events.
d. a and c.
e. all of the above.
61. Which of the following is true of debilitative feelings?
a. They often last a long time.
b. They keep you from functioning effectively.
c. They are intense.
d. They are a product of your beliefs.
e. All of the above are true of debilitative feelings.
62. People who subscribe to the fallacy of perfection believe
a. everyone is perfect except them.
b. there’s no point in striving for perfection since it is unattainable.
c. a worthwhile communicator should be able to handle any situation with complete confidence and skill.
d. perfection requires much practice.
e. only professors are perfect.
63. Which of the following is an example of falling for the fallacy of causation?
a. “People at parties make me nervous.”
b. “If I ask her/him for a date the answer will probably be no.”
c. “I’m no good at anything!”
d. “Everybody is against me.”
e. “I should be a better person.”
64. Which of the following does the text offer as a guideline for expressing emotions?
a. The sooner a feeling is shared, the better.
b. Try to avoid sharing negative feelings whenever possible.
c. Share multiple feelings when appropriate.
d. Let others know that they have caused you to feel a certain way.
e. Try to avoid getting too emotional.
65. All of the following are parts of the procedure for dealing with debilitative feelings except which one?
a. Record your self-talk.
b. Monitor your emotional reactions.
c. Dispute your irrational beliefs.
d. Identify the activating event.
e. Analyze your motives.
66. “You never listen to me!” is an example of subscribing to the fallacy of
a. overgeneralization.
b. perfection.
c. shoulds.
d. causation.
e. helplessness.
67. “My roommate ought to be more understanding.” This quote is an example of the fallacy of
a. shoulds.
b. causation.
c. approval.
d. perfection.
e. helplessness.
68. Which of the following is the best advice for expressing your emotions?
a. Accept responsibility for your own feelings.
b. Express your feelings as soon as they occur.
c. Recognize that feeling and acting out the feeling are the same.
d. Express only primary feelings.
e. Tell yourself you shouldn’t feel bad.
69. When you believe that a worthwhile communicator should be able to handle every situation with complete confidence and skill, you are falling for the fallacy of
a. perfection.
b. causation.
c. approval.
d. shoulds.
e. overgeneralization.
70. When you think it is not just desirable but vital to get the acceptance of virtually every person, you are falling for the fallacy of
a. perfection.
b. causation.
c. approval.
d. shoulds.
e. overgeneralization.
71. When you believe that others cause your emotions rather than your own self-talk, you are falling for the fallacy of
a. perfection.
b. causation.
c. approval.
d. shoulds.
e. overgeneralization.
72. When you believe that satisfaction in life is determined by forces beyond your control, you are falling for the fallacy of
a. causation.
b. helplessness.
c. catastrophic expectations.
d. approval.
e. shoulds.
73. According to your text, the first step in minimizing your debilitative emotions is to
a. monitor your emotional reactions.
b. note the activating event.
c. record your self-talk.
d. dispute your irrational beliefs.
e. confront the person who caused them.
74. Which of the following is an example of self-talk?
a. I shouldn’t have pushed so hard.
b. I’ll make her neurotic.
c. I’ll never be able to make her see my side.
d. I can’t get anyone to listen to me.
e. All of the above could be examples of self-talk.
75. Frowning, sweating, and a sudden change in vocal pitch are all emotional changes classified as
a. proprioceptive stimuli.
b. nonverbal reactions.
c. cognitive interpretations.
d. physio-emotional changes.
e. all of the above.
76. An empty feeling in the pit of your stomach, tense muscles, and headaches are examples of the emotional component labeled
a. nonverbal reactions.
b. cognitive interpretations.
c. physiological factors.
d. rational-emotive therapy.
e. environment.
77. In mainstream U.S. society, we don’t express our emotions very well or very frequently because
a. of social rules and roles.
b. others put us down.
c. we recognize so many emotions.
d. self-disclosure is already high enough.
e. of inadequate self-concepts.
78. Which of the following is a better way of expressing emotion in the statement: “You’re making me nervous”?
a. Say “I feel nervous when you drive over the speed limit.”
b. Say “Your fast driving is not making me feel very safe.”
c. Say “I feel like taking the keys.”
d. All of the above could improve the statement.
e. No improvement is needed.
79. Facilitative feelings
a. are emotional counterfeits.
b. happen only when you feel good.
c. keep us from communicating effectively.
d. contribute to effective functioning.
e. are more common in other cultures.
80. Debilitative emotions
a. are emotional counterfeits.
b. happen only when you feel bad.
c. detract from effective functioning.
d. contribute to effective functioning.
e. none of the above.
81. Two things that distinguish facilitative feelings from debilitative ones are
a. emotions and behavior.
b. interpretation and intention.
c. longevity and interpretation.
d. intention and intensity.
e. intensity and duration.
82. Which of the following is an example of the fallacy of causation?
a. “I really don’t like her book but I don’t want to hurt her feelings.”
b. “Even though I’m really busy today, I’d better visit my parents or they’ll be upset.”
c. “Bruce is making me crazy with his excuses.”
d. both a and b above
e. a, b, and c above
83. Self-talk
a. can be facilitative or debilitative.
b. can determine how you feel.
c. includes identifying an event, your thought, and feeling.
d. allows you to have control over how you feel.
e. includes all of the above.
84. The statement “Bob never has a good word to say about anyone” is an example of the fallacy of
a. shoulds.
b. approval.
c. overgeneralization.
d. causation.
e. all of the above.
85. Subscribing to the fallacy of catastrophic expectations can lead to
a. self-fulfilling prophecies.
b. erroneous perception checking.
c. reflected appraisals.
d. physiological noise.
e. both c and d above.
86. “I feel like quitting school” is an example of
a. a feeling statement.
b. an emotionally counterfeit statement.
c. an emotional intention.
d. a contextual emotion.
e. a self-fulfilling prophecy.
87. Revealing multiple feelings means
a. mixing up all the feelings you have.
b. expressing more than one feeling.
c. sharing what you feel and what your partner feels, too.
d. all of the above.
e. none of the above.
88. The best predictor of being able to detect and interpret emotional expressions is
a. foreign travel.
b. academic background.
c. cultural similarity.
d. biological sex.
e. none of the above.
89. Gene is in a great mood when he calls Mia. However, she is in a funk from a stressful day at work. After a brief chat Gene hangs up the phone feeling discouraged. This is an example of
a. emotional recognition.
b. emotional memory.
c. emotional contagion.
d. emotional detachment.
e. none of the above.
90. Which of the following is not characteristic of our emotions?
a. The mind plays an important role in determining emotional states.
b. Sometimes nonverbal behavior can cause an emotional state.
c. Bodily changes may occur, such as a churning stomach, as a result of experiencing an emotion.
d. Most people don’t overstate the strength of their feelings.
e. none of the above
91. Which of the following is not true about the effect of gender on emotions?
a. Women are more attuned to emotions than men, both within and across cultures.
b. Fathers mask their emotions more than mothers do, according to one study.
c. Women are less likely to use emoticons such as ☺ in online communication.
d. Women express more affection on Facebook than men do.
e. All of the above are true about the effect of gender on emotions.
92. Each of the following is an example of an emotionally counterfeit statement except which one?
a. I feel like going to a movie.
b. I’m bored and I want to go to a show.
c. I feel we’ve been seeing too much of each other and want to break-up.
d. I feel that you are driving too fast.
e. All are emotionally counterfeit statements.
93. A particularly powerful form of debilitative self-talk that tends to increase sadness, anxiety, and depression is
a. deliberation.
b. rumination.
c. obsessing.
d. emotional memorizing.
e. none of the above.
94. __________ is the term described in the text as the process of managing and sometimes suppressing emotions.
a. Rumination
b. Reappraisal
c. Rational emotive therapy
d. Emotion labor
e. None of the above
95. How is emotional intelligence defined in the text?
a. the ability to understand and manage one’s own emotions and be sensitive to others’ feelings
b. the ability to share multiple feelings
c. the ability to accept responsibility for our feelings
d. the ability to change negative self-talk to positive
e. a measure that indicates you have a large emotional vocabulary
96. The section in the text titled “Critic’s Math” was about
a. how we tend to focus on one negative criticism even in the face of 1,000 compliments.
b. how our ability to overlook criticism will disappear as we become successful.
c. how compliments are twice as powerful as criticism.
d. how to calculate your emotional intelligence IQ.
e. none of the above.
97. An example of an “activating event” can be which of the following?
a. a coworker accuses you of foolish behavior
b. a neighbor’s barking dogs repeatedly interrupt your sleep
c. a classmates brings up an comfortable topic during conversation
d. you repeatedly see ambiguous and suspicious posts on your romantic partner’s Facebook site
e. all of the above
INSTRUCTIONS for questions 98–107: Match each of the statements below with the fallacy it most clearly represents.
a. fallacy of causation
b. fallacy of shoulds
c. fallacy of overgeneralization
d. fallacy of perfection
e. fallacy of helplessness
98. “Those interviewers made me so nervous.”
99. “You ought to keep in touch more.”
100. “I know he’ll be crushed if I don’t go out with him.”
101. “You never tell me how you feel.”
102. “I lost my temper with Mac last night. I’ve had a course in interpersonal communication; I know better.”
103. “I can’t tell my boyfriend his smoking upsets me!”
104. “You’re making me angry.”
105. “You should be more patient.”
106. “I’m such an idiot; I forgot my sister’s birthday.”
107. “I’ve always been quiet in class and I don’t see myself changing now.”
108. “There is nothing good or bad but thinking makes it so.” Apply this Shakespeare quote to communication in one of your relationships. Give specific examples and describe details.
109. Recall a time when you experienced a powerful emotion. Describe how the four components of emotions affected the way you felt, and hence how you communicated in the situation.
110. Give examples of cultural, gender, and social influences on emotional expression from your own life.
111. “When emotions begin to be shared, a relationship begins to deepen.” How does this come about? Give two examples from your own experience that support this statement.
112. Identify at least three fallacies from the text you most commonly accept. Explain each fallacy and explain the potential harm each may cause if you fail to dispute it.
113. Explain the relationship between interpersonal perception as described in Chapter Three and the rational-emotive approach to emotions in Chapter Four.
114. Explain the concept of self-talk and how it can affect our emotions. Describe the self-talk process and provide an example from your own life where it has influenced your feelings.
115. Define and explain debilitative emotions, as well as the differences between them and facilitative emotions. Also, describe the process by which one can minimize the irrational thinking that can lead to debilitative emotions.
Answer will vary Type: E Pages: 134-137, 143-145 Analysis
116. Describe the concept of “flaming,” and explain how it may impact communication competence.
Answer will vary Type: E Page: 134 Comprehension
117. Apply the steps to minimizing debilitating emotions in each of the following scenarios. Describe what you could do in each step, including identifying and disputing the irrational fallacies. Discuss what you believe might be the personal and relational outcomes when managed this way.
You are working on an important paper for school when your roommate trips on your computer cord and shuts down the machine before you could save it. You think to yourself, “Arrgh! Why did she have to do that! Could she see I was working?! She should look where she’s going, and she shouldn’t even come near me when I’m working anyway!” You begin to turn red, feel really angry, yell and blame her for ruining your semester.
You are consumed with anger toward your boss (whom you’ve worked with for two years). He is indecisive. He avoids tasks that demand a lot of effort. He is slow in getting you information you need to complete your work. You believe he shouldn’t be such a lazy slob, and that he should realize how ineffective he is and do something about it! You get angry with yourself because you can’t seem to stop being angry with him. You bring your anger home with you and yell at your spouse and children.
Answer will vary Type: E Pages: 134-145 Evaluation
The following essay question works best as a “take-home” exam because of the time necessary to effectively complete it.
118. What are the guidelines suggested in your text for expressing feelings? Describe how you can apply these guidelines to your life. Give specific examples.
CHAPTER 5
LANGUAGE
1. Equivocal words are words that can be interpreted in more than one way.
2. Emotive words are words that sound as if they’re describing something, but are really announcing the speaker’s attitude toward it.
3. Linguistic relativism is a notion that holds that our cultural worldview is shaped and reflected by the language spoken by its members.
4. “I’m rather upset” is more powerful language than “I’m upset.”
5. A perfectly worded “I” message delivered with total sincerity will ensure that the other person will not get defensive.
6. American Sign Language is considered a literal system of communication rather than symbolic.
7. Syntactic rules govern the grammatical aspects of a language.
8. Relative words gain their meaning from comparison.
9. The U.S. is a high-context language culture.
10. High-level abstractions can be useful as verbal shorthand between two people who know each other well.
11. All human languages are symbolic in nature.
12. Inferential statements are conclusions arrived at from an interpretation of evidence.
13. A formal language culture will have different vocabularies for different sexes, levels of social status, different types of occasions, or degrees of intimacy.
14. “No” is so clear and short that it is one of the few words that is never misinterpreted in any intercultural exchange.
15. Statements that contain the word “is” (“Luis is an active guy”) may lead to the assumption that people are unchanging.
16. Women use more indirect and elaborate ways of talking than men do.
17. Research shows that linguistic differences are more often a function of gender roles than they are of biological sex.
18. Men discuss with other men the same conversation topics that women discuss with other women.
19. Your text confirms the stereotype that women are more likely to talk about feelings and relationships than men are.
20. Men and women report using language for different purposes.
21. The process of static evaluation implies that people or things are unchanging.
22. Syntactic misunderstandings arise when people assign different meanings to the same words.
23. Low-level abstract language can lead to blanket judgments and stereotyping.
24. Communication researchers call the process of adapting one’s speech style to match that of others convergence.
25. There are never times when equivocal language can be useful.
26. Pragmatic rules are stated rules that help us make sense of another’s messages.
27. Affiliation can be seen in online communities by increased use of “we.”
28. There are some occasions when less powerful forms of speech can enhance a speaker’s effectiveness.
29. Researchers have found that “I/we” combinations have a good chance of being received favorably.
30. Low-context cultures use language to maintain social harmony.
31. One way in which language styles vary across cultures is whether they are elaborate or succinct.
32. Speakers of expressive and elaborate languages, such as Arabic, probably do not value silence as much as speakers with a more succinct style.
33. After years of research, it has been concluded that names have little effect on how others think of us and the way we act.
34. Problems can arise when we label our opinions as facts.
35. “I” language offers a more accurate and less provocative way to express a complaint.
36. Communication scholars use the term “cooperation” to describe the way conversation operates when everyone involved uses the same set of pragmatic rules.
37. Speech can build and demonstrate solidarity with others.
38. Language can shape our perceptions of the world.
39. Studies show that people tend to negatively judge other people who have unusual names or unusual spellings of common names.
40. An example of divergence is when people feel more connected on the job because their swearing patterns match those of their bosses.
41. Turning words into numbers helps make them more concrete and specific.
42. Using a similar language style while instant messaging increases the chances of a couple’s relationship continuing by 50%.
43. Expressions of disapproval are likely to be received more positively if they include a disclaimer such as “I don’t mean to sound judgmental but…”
44. According to research, a tentative and accommodating speech style has few, if any, advantages.
45. Swearing has no useful role in the workplace.
46. When a speaker uses powerful speech pattern he/she
a. tends to be received more positively in culture like Mexico.
b. stresses relational goals over content goals.
c. may undermine relational goals to accomplish short term goals.
d. will use very polite phrases and intensifiers.
e. will be successful in all communication encounters.
47. “We” language
a. may accomplish the goals of “I” language and sound less egotistical.
b. should be avoided when expressing personal feelings and thoughts.
c. can signal closeness and cohesiveness with others.
d. can offend another person in some circumstances.
e. All of these choices are correct.
48. The Sapir-Whorf hypothesis is the best known declaration of
a. convergence.
b. linguistic relativism.
c. identity.
d. emotive theory.
e. pragmatism.
49. In a low-context language culture, you will notice
a. indirect expression of opinions.
b. use of silence admired.
c. less reliance on explicit verbal messages.
d. self-expression valued.
e. ambiguity admired.
50. Succinctness in language is most extreme in cultures where
a. silence is valued.
b. the language system is limited.
c. more than one language is spoken.
d. verbal fluency is admired.
e. the use of equivocation is high.
51. All of the following statements about gender and language are true except which one?
a. Men’s speech is more direct and task-oriented.
b. Women’s speech is more indirect and elaborate.
c. Female speech often contains statements of sympathy and empathy.
d. Women interrupt men more in mixed-sex conversations.
e. Women are more likely to use more intensive adverbs than men.
52. When we study semantic rules, we learn that
a. words mean a lot in and of themselves.
b. understanding occurs as a result of users agreeing on the same meanings for words.
c. words typically can be interpreted in only one way.
d. meanings rest more in words than in the people who use them.
e. All of these choices are correct are true about semantic rules.
53. In cultures that stress formality in language,
a. using correct grammar is most important.
b. language use defines social position.
c. the people talk less.
d. there are fewer real friendships.
e. the people are too stiff to really communicate.
54. Equivocal words
a. have more than one commonly accepted definition.
b. are low-level abstractions.
c. mean the same to all people and are thus redundant.
d. have meanings one person can guess at but another can’t.
e. have no known nonverbal signals to accompany them.
55. Which of the following is the least abstract definition of a successful college experience?
a. a better understanding of Western civilization
b. completion of the requirements listed on page 24 of the college catalog with a grade-point average of 2.0 or higher
c. the ability to express oneself clearly, understand principles of the arts and sciences, and have some expertise in a chosen field of study
d. both intellectual and social adjustment
e. the ability to contribute to society
56. A speaker’s willingness to take responsibility for his/her thoughts or feelings can be indicated by the use of
a. singular terms.
b. “I” language.
c. “you” language.
d. consequence terms.
e. euphemisms.
57. “People from the East Coast are rude.” Which of the following abstraction problems is illustrated by this statement?
a. stereotyping
b. confusing others
c. confusing yourself
d. being too frank
e. bicoastalism
58. Which of the following is a way to avoid the abstraction in the statement “I’ve got to be a better student”?
a. “I’m going to spend two hours a day studying.”
b. “I’m going to try harder.”
c. “I’m going to get some help from some places on campus.”
d. “My mother and father will be happier if I’m a better student.”
e. “Instructors like students who try hard.”
59. A behavioral description should include
a. who is involved.
b. in what circumstances the behavior occurs.
c. the specific behaviors.
d. All of these choices are correct.
e. None of these choices are correct.
60. If I say “here the drink bring,” I have violated a(n) __________ rule of our language.
a. initial
b. syntactic
c. median
d. semantic
e. final
61. Syntactic rules of language govern
a. the grammar of a language.
b. the ways in which speakers respond to symbols.
c. the words that become slang.
d. the creation of new tactics.
e. the way that semanticists create meaning.
62. Making an inference is a reasonable thing to do relationally as long as
a. you make a number of them.
b. you wait for the other to infer also.
c. the other person understands you.
d. you identify the inference to the other person.
e. you first describe the observable behavior that led to the inference.
63. Which of the following statements best illustrates a fact?
a. “It’s clear you shouldn’t have said that.”
b. “Fact number one: you said a dumb thing.”
c. “It’s a fact that playing mind games always backfires.”
d. “I heard you tell Tim you weren’t interested.”
e. “You should have thought about the result of saying you weren’t interested before you opened your mouth.”
64. If you take an “easy” class your friend recommended and find it “hard,” you have had semantic problems due to
a. euphemistic language.
b. relative words.
c. equivocal words.
d. fiction terms.
e. semantic distracters.
65. Convergent speech patterns
a. demonstrate superiority over others.
b. express power and a sense of formality.
c. demonstrate affiliation with one another.
d. always utilize “I” statements instead of “you” statements.
e. None of these choices are correct.
66. A friend told you there was a “good chance” that he would come to your party. When he didn’t show up you were upset. The semantic problem you experienced was due to
a. emotive language.
b. relative language.
c. equivocal words.
d. euphemisms.
e. semantic distracters.
67. A culture is unavoidably shaped and reflected by the language its members speak. This concept is
a. high-context culture.
b. low-context culture.
c. cultural anthropology.
d. cognitive determinism.
e. linguistic relativism.
68. “Frank is lazy” is an example of which semantic problem?
a. equivocation
b. relative language
c. abstraction
d. static evaluation
e. none of the above
69. You think Angelique’s behavior is “arrogant.” Your friend describes the same behavior as “self-confidence.” An argument over who is right would revolve around
a. syntactic rules.
b. the language of responsibility.
c. emotive language.
d. sequential placement.
e. linguistic determinism.
70. Misunderstandings that revolve around equivocal and relative language can all be clarified by
a. clearer punctuation of perceptual events.
b. more interpersonal and less impersonal communication.
c. replacing abstract terms with concrete ones.
d. static definitions.
e. sequential placement.
71. You tell a friend “I wish you’d be direct instead of hinting around,” but your friend responds by denying that she/he hints. One way to help resolve the issue is to
a. describe the hinting according to the dictionary.
b. give a behavioral description of how your mother hints so your friend gets the idea.
c. specifically describe the friend’s hinting behavior when it occurs.
d. describe all at once the many times that the troublesome behavior occurs.
e. None of these choices are correct will help resolve the issue.
72. How could you increase the power of the statement “I, uh, think I’d be a little happier if you could make it on time. Okay?”?
a. Revise the sequential placement.
b. Use perception checking.
c. Use more disclaimers.
d. Add a tag question.
e. None of the above increases the power of the statement.
73. Communication researchers call the process of adapting one’s speech style to match that of others
a. identity.
b. convergence.
c. divergence.
d. semanticism.
e. agreement.
74. Of the following statements, which is not characteristic of powerful speech?
a. It can help candidates in job interviews.
b. It often results in a favorable impression.
c. It is always preferred over less powerful forms of speech.
d. It gets different results in different cultures.
e. All of these choices are characteristic of powerful speech.
75. Saying “You’re a fantastic person” rather than “You spent your whole weekend helping me move” is an example of
a. emotive language.
b. static evaluation.
c. higher-level abstraction.
d. relative language.
e. pragmatism.
76. Highly abstract language can lead to which of the following problems?
a. stereotyping
b. misunderstandings
c. blanket judgments
d. confusion
e. all of these choices are correct
77. What type of misunderstanding occurs when people assign different meanings to the same words?
a. syntactic
b. pragmatic
c. semantic
d. disruptive
e. linguistic relativism
78. The grammar of a language is governed by
a. semantic rules.
b. pragmatic rules.
c. syntactic rules.
d. relative rules.
e. none of these choices.
79. Of the following, what is not characteristic of pragmatic rules?
a. They are almost always stated.
b. They help us interpret messages in a given context.
c. They aren’t found in a dictionary.
d. They govern how speech operates in everyday interaction.
e. All of these choices are characteristic of pragmatic rules.
80. A female employee may rely on __________ to interpret her older male boss’s statement, “You look very nice in that sweater.”
a. semantic rules
b. syntactic rules
c. pragmatic rules
d. abstract language
e. relative words
81. Communicators who want to show affiliation with one another adapt their speech through
a. rate of talking.
b. choice of vocabulary.
c. number of pauses.
d. level of politeness.
e. all of the above.
82. Statements that basically cancel the thought that precedes them are
a. “it” statements.
b. “but” statements.
c. “we” statements.
d. “I/we” statements.
e. “you” statements.
83. Language styles vary across cultures
a. in elaborateness or succinctness.
b. in directness.
c. in formality or informality.
d. None of these choices are correct.
e. All of these choices are correct.
84. The Star Wars character, Yoda, is following a different set of __________ rules when he says things like “the dark side are they.”
a. pragmatic
b. semantic
c. syntactic
d. all of the above
e. none of the above
85. Which of the following is an accurate statement from the “Swearing at Work” reading?
a. Hearers who are surprised by a speaker’s swearing are likely to deem the person as incompetent.
b. Swearing can express emotional intensity.
c. Swearing can be a term of endearment.
d. Not swearing can violate the norms of some organizations.
e. All of the above are accurate statements.
86. Which of the following statements is most concrete and measureable?
a. “It hurts a lot.”
b. “I’m pretty sore.”
c. “It’s very painful.”
d. “It hurts right here the most.”
e. “It’s a 9 on a scale of 1-10.”
87. The chapter reading titled “Finding the Words to Talk About Disability” noted that
a. parents of children with disabilities are better equipped to talk to their children about disabilities.
b. words used to describe disabilities matter. Words become reality.
c. the words we use to discuss disabilities can enable us to see beyond the disability.
d. both b and c above.
e. all of the above are true.
88. In the “Looking at Diversity” reading in Chapter 5, Pilar Bernal de Pheils encourages health care workers to “speak the patient’s language.” What she means by this is that
a. speaking the same language as the patient will ensure no misunderstandings occur.
b. thinking we understand the patient can be just as dangerous as not understanding.
c. as long as health care providers think they understand, there is no need to ask further questions.
d. if we understand a few basic phrases in the patient’s language, we can get by pretty well.
e. patients will feel more comfortable when providers seem overconfident.
89. In one study, participants’ physiological responses were much stronger when hearing actual swear words than euphemisms for those words. Researchers say this is an example of
a. emotive language.
b. powerful speech.
c. semantic rules.
d. linguistic relativity.
e. high-context communication.
90. To avoid fact-inference confusion, the authors advise you to use the skill of
a. “I” messages.
b. empathy.
c. rational emotive therapy.
d. linguistic relativity.
e. perception checking.
INSTRUCTIONS for questions 91–99: Identify each of the following statements as fact or inference.
a. inference
b. fact
91. You are trying to hurt me.
92. You told Jimmy that I didn’t want to go out with him.
93. Why are you mad at me?
94. Jim wrote me a letter to help me get that job.
95. Your children are disruptive.
96. Your children interrupted me when I spoke.
97. The school board president was arrested for drunken driving.
98. Their new apartment is more comfortable than the old one.
99. You forgot my birthday.
100. “Language is power.” Discuss this statement, using (a) an explanation of the types of powerful/powerless language given in your text, and (b) examples of these types of language in your own life.
101. Compare and contrast your use of language with that of someone else you know, pointing out the similarities or differences in: 1) verbal communication style (direct/indirect, elaborate/succinct, formal/informal) and 2) worldview. Cite specific examples.
102. Describe what abstract language is and how you use unnecessarily abstract language that causes communication problems. Give at least five examples. Tell how you could lower the level of abstraction in each of the examples you have given or provide reasons why the higher-level abstraction is justified and relationally beneficial.
103. In your own words, explain the statement “meanings rest more in people than in words.” Cite examples from your own experience.
104. According to your text, each language has its own unique style that distinguishes it from others. Explain the three ways verbal styles vary across cultures. Include examples in your discussion.
105. Three linguistic habits often cause disagreements: fact-opinion confusion, fact-inference confusion, and emotive language. Explain two of the habits and provide examples in your answer.
106. Your text identifies three areas where language shapes our perceptions: through naming and identity, affiliation, and power. Choose two areas and explain how they have shaped your perceptions. Include specific examples in your discussion.
107. Analyze a recent misunderstanding that occurred because you and another person relied on different sets of semantic or pragmatic rules. How could the situation have been avoided? What advice could you give to others about this area of communication?
108. Explain how the ideas expressed in the section “Finding the Words to Talk About Disability” are related to the concept of self-fulfilling prophecies described in Chapter Two.
109. Explain how cultural differences in language use might affect intercultural business exchanges. Give examples.
The following essay questions work best as “take-home” exams because of the time necessary to effectively complete them.
110. Record two separate 10- to 15-minute conversations you have with a man and a woman who are important in your life. Describe these conversations briefly in terms of content and style. Compare the conversations and comment on any variables involved, using terms and research from your text that address the issue of gender and language.
111. The text describes some ways in which men and women use language both differently and similarly. Cite a major research finding in each of the following areas and cite examples from your life that reflect these findings or contradict them: a) content, b) reasons for communicating, c) conversational style, and d) non-gender variables.
CHAPTER 6
NONVERBAL COMMUNICATION
1. “The Way You Talk Can Hurt You?” reading in Chapter Six insists that it would be beneficial for men to change their vocal patterns to sound more cooperative and friendly in everyday interactions.
2. According to the text, you cannot avoid communicating.
3. Nonverbal communication is usually specific and clear.
4. Nonverbal communication is not as effective at conveying thoughts or ideas as it is at conveying attitudes and feelings.
5. According to your text’s definition of nonverbal communication, it follows that the way a person styles his/her hair is a nonverbal message.
6. In social transactions, the higher status person is generally the more rigid, tense-appearing one, whereas the one with lower status is usually more relaxed.
7. Information about status can be communicated by not only posture, but also by use of space and management of time.
8. Gestures can be intentional or unintentional.
9. Research reveals that the use of manipulators is always a sign of discomfort.
10. In many instances, the use of touch increases liking and boosts compliance.
11. Nonverbal messages convey relational information such as respect and friendliness.
12. Generally, facing someone directly signals your interest in that person.
13. Most communication scholars don’t define American Sign Language as nonverbal communication.
14. Nonverbal communication can be very revealing, but it can have so many possible meanings that it’s foolish to think your interpretation will always be correct.
15. Some people are more skillful than others at accurately decoding nonverbal behavior.
16. Your text defines nonverbal communication exclusively as any type of communication that isn’t expressed by words.
17. Different emotions show most clearly in different parts of the face.
18. According to your text, some researchers claim that over 90 percent of the emotional impact of a message comes from nonverbal sources.
19. Scientists use the term paralanguage to describe nonverbal messages conveyed by the voice.
20. Many nonverbal behaviors are governed by cultural rules.
21. Silence or pauses count as nonverbal communication.
22. Patterns of eye contact are fairly consistent across cultures.
23. Emblems are nonverbal behaviors that have the same meaning to all members of a particular culture or co-culture.
24. It is possible to recognize paralinguistic messages, even if you don’t understand the language being spoken.
25. According to research cited in your text, touch and health are not related.
26. Researchers have found that the face and eyes are capable of five basic expressions.
27. Pupil dilation can be a sign of deception.
28. According to your text, people usually get more emotional meaning from what others do than from what they say.
29. If you get within one foot of someone else in U.S. culture, you’ve invaded their intimate zone, according to researcher Edward T. Hall.
30. Messages about status can be conveyed through clothing and use of time.
31. By making another person wait, you could be sending messages about status, whether you intend to or not.
32. Nonverbal cues are especially likely to carry a lot of weight when they contradict a speaker’s words.
33. Deception studies have found that deceivers are more likely to be found out when they don’t feel very strongly about the information being hidden.
34. If deceivers feel confident and not guilty, their deception is more likely to be found out.
35. Your text defines nonverbal communication as “messages expressed by nonlinguistic means.”
36. Those with good nonverbal communication skills benefit in a number of areas, including career success and popularity.
37. Nonverbal communication plays a less important role in identity management than verbal communication.
38. Nonverbal behavior has a powerful effect in reflecting and shaping the kinds of relationships we have with others.
39. Most text, instant, and e-mail messages are now able to present nonverbal cues about a speaker’s feelings that are equivalent to face-to-face encounters in terms of their clarity.
40. Verbal and nonverbal communication are interconnected elements in every act of communication.
41. Accenting nonverbal behaviors match the thoughts and emotions the communicator is expressing verbally.
42. Signals of deception are called leakage.
43. Nonverbal messages are less ambiguous than verbal messages.
44. Since the face and eyes are probably the most noticed parts of the body, their nonverbal messages are easier to read than other parts of the body.
45. Smiles and laughter are signs of positive emotions in all cultures.
46. A smile always means a person is happy.
47. Illustrators can stand on their own and often function as replacements for words.
48. Using too few gestures does not indicate a mixed message like using too many gestures does.
49. Paralanguage can influence the way a speaker is perceived by others.
50. Communicators who pause and speak quietly are viewed just as confident as those who speak loudly and without hesitations.
51. The far range of social distance is usually the distance used when salespeople and customers talk.
52. Our territory is the invisible bubble we carry with us wherever we go.
53. Since “beauty is in the eye of the beholder,” physical attractiveness is not a general factor in how people are perceived.
54. Studies show that most people have about a 75% chance of accurately identifying someone who is lying.
55. Pupil dilation is a more reliable leakage clue than are facial expressions, which can be better monitored by the deceiver.
56. The old adage “You never get a second chance to make a first impression” does not really apply to job interviews.
57. Both emblems and illustrators can stand on their own, substituting for spoken messages.
58. In the “Looking At Diversity” reading, Annie Donnellon explains her belief that sighted people learn traditional expressions of anger (such as clenched fists) by watching others.
59. In office cubicles, occupants who face out (rather than in) send the message that they’re open to communication.
60. The amount of time it takes for you to return your boss’s email sends a nonverbal message, whether it is intentional or not.
61. Nonverbal displays of affection are strongly connected to satisfaction and commitment in romantic relationships.
62. Emoticons may serve to accent or complement a mediated verbal message, but don’t serve as an adequate substitute for the richness of nonverbal messages that occur in face-to-face exchanges.
63. A smile is one nonverbal behavior that never can be misinterpreted.
64. Adopting the nonverbal behaviors of a higher-status person can actually make you feel more powerful.
65. People who fidget with their hair or fingernails are almost always hiding something.
66. According to research, when searching for a job, there are no downsides to being physically attractive.
67. It is possible in increase your physical attractiveness through posture, gestures, and facial expressions.
68. Which of the following is an accurate statement about the way some women’s voices rise in pitch at the end of a sentence?
a. Women who speak this way are perceived as timid and lacking in self-confidence.
b. Women who speak this way are perceived as cooperative.
c. Women who speak this way to convey a cooperative tone might be perceived as hesitant.
d. All of the above.
e. None of the above.
69. Which of the following is one of the suggestions Annie Donnellon makes to the sighted for improving communication with the visually impaired?
a Mention your name when starting a conversation with people who are blind.
b. At the end of the conversation, say you are leaving.
c. Clue in visually-impaired people when something is going on that they can’t see.
d. All of the above.
e. None of the above.
70. Which of the following nonverbal behaviors is least important in a job interview?
a. smiling
b. handshaking
c. clothing
d. eye contact
e. Any of these behaviors may be equally important.
71. Which if the following is not true of deception detection?
a. We accurately detect deception only slightly more than half the time.
b. We underestimate our abilities to detect others’ lies.
c. We’re not as good at catching lies as we think we are.
d. Wanting to believe people wouldn’t lie to us biases our ability to detect deceit.
e. All of the above are true.
72. “The Look of a Victim” story in this chapter points out that victims of assault may set themselves up as easy targets because of
a. their friendly facial expressions.
b. the way they walk.
c. their hairstyles.
d. eye contact with the attacker.
e. All of these choices are correct.
73. Status can be conveyed nonverbally through
a. time.
b. touch.
c. clothing.
d. posture.
e. All of these choices are correct.
74. Amber wants to make a sale. According to the nonverbal information presented in Chapter 6, to get compliance from a customer she might try
a. speaking in a rate much faster than her customer’s.
b. lightly touching her customer.
c. avoiding direct eye contact with her customer.
d. keeping her facial expression as neutral as possible.
e. None of these are advisable to gain compliance.
75. Studies of nonverbal communication across cultures reveal that
a. smiles and laughter are a universal signal of positive emotions.
b. sour expressions convey displeasure in some cultures and pleasure in others.
c. a direct gaze is considered appropriate in most cultures.
d. classes usually start and end on time in most cultures.
e. all of the above are true.
76. The design and environment of rooms
a. communicate information about the owner’s personality.
b. shape the interaction that takes place there.
c. communicate information about the interests of the owner.
d. b and c above
e. All of these choices are correct.
77. Kinesics is the study of
a. personal distances.
b. verbal and nonverbal behavior.
c. body position and motion.
d. environmental stress.
e. clothing and color.
78. Proxemics is the study of
a. the way people and animals use space.
b. the way people use words to transmit messages.
c. the way people use facial expressions.
d. the way people use silence.
e. the way people use vocal cues.
79. The many ways the voice communicates—including tone, speed, pitch, number and length of pauses, volume, etc.—are called
a. paralanguage.
b. vocalics.
c. noncommunicators.
d. nonvocals.
e. proxemics.
80. Nonverbally, women __________ more than men.
a. make less eye contact
b. smile less
c. are less vocally expressive
d. use more head, hand, and arm gestures
e. require more personal space
81. Studies of nonverbal posture behaviors have found that
a. we are generally unaware of posture.
b. different facial expressions help posture interpretation.
c. we should use unambiguous postural cues.
d. tension and relaxation of muscles can indicate status differences.
e. posture is not important to body image.
82. All of the following statements are true except which one?
a. The eyes can communicate positive and negative attitudes.
b. Nonverbal messages of the face and eyes are the easiest to read.
c. The use of eye contact can increase compliance.
d. The eyes can indicate dominance and submission.
e. The eyes send involvement messages.
83. All of the following are characteristics of nonverbal behavior except which one?
a. Nonverbal skills are important.
b. Nonverbal behavior is clear and unambiguous.
c. Nonverbal communication is primarily relational.
d. All nonverbal behavior has communicative value.
e. Nonverbal communication serves many functions.
84. All of the following are true about touch except which one?
a. Touch can have a significant influence on health and well-being.
b. Touch can signal a variety of relationships.
c. Touch can be a way to communicate both negative and positive feelings.
d. Touch can increase compliance.
e. Touch in any of its forms can have positive effects.
85. When our nonverbal behavior is unintentional,
a. others disregard it.
b. others attach more significance to it.
c. others can’t make interpretations based on it.
d. others respond with their own unintentional behaviors.
e. others recognize it and make interpretations based on it.
86. Edward T. Hall’s Distance Zones are
a. personal, impersonal, social, public.
b. intimate, personal, social, public.
c. intimate, non-intimate, social, public.
d. open, blind, hidden, unknown.
e. None of these are correct.
87. Adaptors are
a. unconscious.
b. signs of deception.
c. excitement cues.
d. attempts to attract others.
e. signs of vulnerability.
88. If you see someone smiling, you could interpret this communication to mean
a. the other is friendly.
b. the other is happy.
c. the other wants to communicate.
d. the other is faking something.
e. any of the above
89. Facial expressions are
a. the easiest nonverbal messages to decode accurately.
b. often difficult to understand because of their rapid rate of change.
c. rarely genuine and therefore impossible to decode.
d. limited; relatively few emotions are shown in the face.
e. usually more sincere if they last more than 10 seconds.
90. Nonverbal communication serves the functions of
a. repeating and substituting.
b. complementing and accenting.
c. regulating and contradicting.
d. All of these choices are correct.
e. None of these are correct.
91. When Kenji nods his head up and down rather than saying “Yes,” he is using a nonverbal behavior known as a(n)
a. facilitator.
b. interlocutor.
c. emblem.
d. nonverbalator.
e. encoder.
92. All of the following are true about nonverbal communication across cultures, except that
a. distance patterns vary across cultures.
b. patterns of eye contact vary around the world.
c. emblems have precise and distinct meanings within cultural groups.
d. interpretations of acceptable touch does not vary across cultures.
e. smiles, laughter, and sour expressions are universal signals of positive or negative emotion.
93. Research reveals that use of manipulators is often a sign of
a. discomfort.
b. power.
c. shyness.
d. dogmatism.
e. inferiority.
94. Nodding, looking away, or moving toward the door are nonverbal behaviors that illustrate the nonverbal function of
a. substituting.
b. regulating.
c. accenting.
d. repeating.
e. complementing.
95. All of the following are true about the voice and communication except which one?
a. Communicators who speak loudly and without hesitations are viewed as more confident than those who pause and speak quietly.
b. Paralinguistic cues help us identify the strength of an emotion being expressed, unless it’s being expressed in a language we don’t speak.
c. Some vocal factors influence the way a speaker is perceived.
d. Accents that identify a speaker’s membership in a group lead to more positive evaluations of that person if the group is a prestigious one.
e. People with more attractive voices are rated more highly than those with less attractive voices.
96. Nonverbal regulators can signal
a. turn-taking.
b. the desire to end a conversation.
c. an invitation to respond.
d. All of these choices are correct.
e. None of these are correct.
97. Nonverbal evidence of lying is most likely to occur when the deceiver
a. has no strong feelings about the deception.
b. has not rehearsed the deception.
c. does not feel anxious or guilty about the lies.
d. has lack of emotional involvement with the deception.
e. doesn’t know people are watching.
98. In nonverbal communication, studies of leakage deal with
a. innate behaviors.
b. illness behaviors.
c. environmental issues.
d. deception signals.
e. perceptions of illness.
99. All of the following are true about nonverbal communication except which one?
a. Nonverbal communication is universal for all cultures.
b. Nonverbal communication may function to contradict verbal messages.
c. Nonverbal communication is more ambiguous than verbal communication.
d. Nonverbal signals are much more powerful than verbal messages when they are delivered at the same time.
e. Nonverbal messages aren’t as deliberate as verbal messages.
100. Nonverbal communication plays an important role in
a. conveying emotions.
b. identity management.
c. defining the kinds of relationships we want to have with others.
d. None of these are correct.
e. All of these choices are correct.
101. The function of influencing the flow of verbal communication is called
a. repeating.
b. complementing.
c. substituting.
d. accenting.
e. regulating.
102. Althea shrugs her shoulders in response to Nicole’s question. Althea is using a function of nonverbal communication known as
a. regulating.
b. accenting.
c. substituting.
d. complementing.
e. repeating.
103. The lawyer pounded his fist on the table for emphasis. He is using a function of nonverbal communication known as
a. regulating.
b. accenting.
c. substituting.
d. complementing.
e. contradicting.
104. An indicator of deception is
a. shorter periods of speaking.
b. low rate of speech.
c. more speech errors.
d. higher vocal pitch.
e. All of these choices are correct may be indicators of deception.
105. All of the following statements are true about nonverbal gender differences except which one?
a. Women use more facial expressions.
b. Women stand closer to others.
c. Women are more vocally expressive.
d. Women are more likely to lean forward in conversations.
e. Women use more head, hand, and arm gestures.
106. Gina looked annoyed when she walked into the classroom and saw Megan sitting in the chair she usually sits in. The nonverbal communication Gina is demonstrating is
a. kinesics.
b. personal space.
c. territoriality.
d. chronemics.
e. regulation.
107. Edward T. Hall defines social distance as
a. 0 to 18 inches.
b. 18 inches to 4 feet.
c. 4 feet to 12 feet.
d. 12 feet to 25 feet.
e. 25 feet and beyond.
108. Edward T. Hall defines personal distance as
a. 0 to 18 inches.
b. 18 inches to 4 feet.
c. 4 feet to 12 feet.
d. 12 feet to 25 feet.
e. 25 feet and beyond.
109. Students who were shown interior home photos accurately identified that the homes communicated
a. the homeowners’ politeness.
b. the homeowners’ tenseness.
c. the homeowners’ artistic interests.
d. family orientations.
e. All of these choices are correct.
110. According to research, which of the following statements is true about touch?
a. A food server’s fleeting touch on a customer’s shoulder might get her a bigger tip.
b. A patient is more likely to take his medicine if his doctor accompanies the prescription with a slight touch.
c. A student is twice as likely to participate in class if she has received a supportive touch on the back or arm from her teacher.
d. Culturally appropriate touch can enhance your success.
e. All of the above statement are true.
111. Ernesto’s boss perceives him to be untrustworthy because he waits a week to reply to an important email. This behavior falls into the nonverbal category of
a. paralanguage.
b. chronemics.
c. haptics.
d. kinesics.
e. proxemics.
INSTRUCTIONS for questions 112–117: Match each description below with the term it best describes.
a. chronemics
b. paralanguage
c. disfluencies
d. proxemics
e. kinesics
112. Study of use and structure of time
113. Waving, shaking head, or finger
114. Arriving early for an appointment
115. A strong accent or husky voice
116. “Uh,” “um,” “er”
117. Standing “at arm’s length”
INSTRUCTIONS for questions 118–124: Match each nonverbal function with the description below it best describes. You will use some letters more than once.
a. substituting
b. contradicting
c. regulating
d. accenting
e. repeating
118. Richard fell silent and looked expectantly at Maricel.
119. Sonia snapped her fingers and shouted, “Hurry up! Get a move on!”
120. Levi suppressed a yawn and slumped in his chair while saying, “Sure I’m interested in hearing about your trip. I’m all ears.”
121. When asked if she wanted a refill on her coffee, Aliyah covered the cup with her hand and shook her head.
122. When he was asked how old he was, Rueben held up four fingers and announced proudly, “I’m four!”
123. “Angry? No, I’m NOT angry!”
124. Isabela rolled her eyes while her mother complained about her messy room.
125. Imagine that you have been commissioned to design a new campus center. What sort of communication should take place there? What kinds of furnishings and decorations would you suggest to increase the likelihood of this communication occurring? What messages would your choice of designs and decorations communicate?
126. One characteristic of nonverbal communication is “all behavior has communicative value.” Describe two incidents from your experience which illustrate both deliberate and unintentional meaning derived from nonverbal communication in these two incidents. Identify the nonverbal behaviors that occurred. Identify the meanings you did/did not intend to convey and the meanings that were conveyed from your perspective and that of your partner in each incident.
127. Using at least two of the types of nonverbal communication described in your text, and referring to your own experience, describe an incident that illustrates how nonverbal behavior can be ambiguous. How could you or the other person involved have reduced the ambiguity of that situation?
128. Nonverbal communication reveals attitudes about status. Using examples, describe how status might be communicated through four different types of nonverbal messages.
129. One characteristic of nonverbal communication is that it serves many functions. Explain the functions of substituting, accenting, and regulating using specific examples for support.
130. One characteristic of nonverbal communication is that it is primarily relational. Discuss the three ways this occurs as explained in your text, using specific examples.
131. Gender has a strong influence on nonverbal communication. Explain the differences between men and women in this area. Include your personal experiences in your discussion.
132. Give examples from your life of each type of nonverbal behavior explained in the chapter, and describe how it reflects or shapes the kinds of relationships you have with others.
133. After reading Chapter Six, explain how you can improve your own nonverbal communication in ways that meet your interpersonal goals.
134. What advice would you give to others about how they can appropriately share their interpretations of others’ nonverbal behaviors?
135. Explain whether and why we should be cautious about a book titled “How to Read a Person Like a Book.”
136. Give examples of ways in which nonverbal relational messages are conveyed through social media and other mediated communication channels.
CHAPTER 7
LISTENING
1. According to research, most listeners retain 70 percent of a message for several weeks.
2. There is no single “best” listening style to use in all situations.
3. A good listener will always state her own judgment of the situation so the other person knows where she stands on the issue.
4. You should do more paraphrasing than any other type of listening.
5. We spend more time listening than in any other type of communication.
6. It’s impossible to listen effectively all of the time.
7. During careful listening, your heart rate will quicken and your body temperature will rise.
8. Since paraphrasing may not always be accurate, speaking tentatively allows the other person to make a correction.
9. Studies show that good listeners keep eye contact and react with appropriate facial expressions.
10. According to the text, the most helpful way of responding to a problem is to offer good, specific advice.
11. Speaking is an active process; listening is a passive activity.
12. Selective listening is a reasonable thing to do when screening commercials and keeping an ear out for the weather report.
13. Because prompting involves using silences, it is not classified as a listening response.
14. Prompting is a more passive listening style than advising.
15. Even if you give accurate advice to a person, that advice may not be helpful.
16. Accurate analysis of a problem may arouse defensiveness.
17. A paraphrase that contains both thoughts and feelings can be a useful tool to help others because it allows the problem holder to unload concerns.
18. Questioning and paraphrasing are both forms of feedback.
19. Counterfeit questions are aimed at understanding others.
20. Analyzing can be one way to help a speaker consider alternative meanings.
21. Advice given in a respectful, caring way is always the best listening response to use when approached with another’s problem.
22. Of the many different elements in the listening process, hearing is the physiological dimension.
23. According to your text, most people usually try their best to listen but their effectiveness is limited primarily by biological factors.
24. When you are paraphrasing, you need to repeat what the speaker has said word for word.
25. Factual information paraphrasing focuses on the ideas a speaker has expressed.
26. Since all judging listening responses are negative, we should avoid them at all cost.
27. You should rotate your styles of listening after one or two responses so that you don’t become bored by any one style.
28. While an important factor in making relationships work, listening is still less important than speaking.
29. Studies show that business people believe not only that listening is important but also that they do it well.
30. Hearing occurs when the brain reconstructs electrochemical impulses into a representation of the original sound and then gives them meaning.
31. Mindless listening is never suggested because it shows lack of concern for the speaker.
32. Mindless listening can be potentially valuable.
33. Whereas hearing is a physiological process, attending is a psychological one.
34. Research suggests that most people remember about 60 percent of what they hear immediately after hearing it.
35. The residual message is the part of the message that we actually remember.
36. Interruptions are one characteristic of stage-hogging.
37. Insulated listeners respond only to the parts of your remarks that interest them.
38. Listening is easier to do than speaking.
39. Rapid thought is a factor in why we don’t listen better because we can understand speech faster than the other person speaks.
40. Listening is a natural ability and can’t be improved through training.
41. A counterfeit tag question is one where the asker is looking for agreement, not information.
42. Supporting listening responses allow you to tell the other person how you think he/she feels.
43. Women, rather than men, tend to respond to others’ problems by offering advice.
44. Women are more likely than men to give supportive responses when presented with another person’s problems.
45. When considering what listening response style to choose, the best choice will always be your personal style.
46. An issue of the International Journal of Listening indicates that listening skills are crucial in contexts such as education, health care, and business, but not necessarily in religion.
47. Good listening involves paying attention to nonverbal cues as well as the actual spoken words.
48. Listening fidelity refers to the degree of congruence between what a listener understands and what the message-sender was attempting to communicate.
49. Keeping eye contact and reacting with appropriate facial expressions are important factors in children’s evaluations of “good” and “bad” listeners.
50. The deluge of messages requiring our attention every day has made the challenge of attending tougher than at any time in human history.
51. People are less likely to feel annoyed or hurt if their partner’s poor listening is due to hearing loss.
52. Studies have shown that, in times of distress, women want support and men want advice.
53. The most appropriate response to someone’s grief is to point out the silver lining.
54. Men generally seek advice from men, and women seek emotional support from women in times of emotional need.
55. If criticism is delivered constructively enough, the recipient will not become defensive.
56. You should never admit to someone who is grieving that you don’t know what to say.
57. Giving support to others can lessen their distress but potentially increase yours.
58. You are likely to have more success giving advice to a highly rational person than to someone who is emotional.
59. His supervisor asked Arturo to generate a PowerPoint presentation for the Thursday team meeting. On Thursday, Arturo showed up without the presentation. Which element of the listening process is where Arturo’s listening failed?
a. hearing
b. attending
c. understanding
d. remembering
e. any of the above
60. According to a study of college students and their communication activities, over 20 percent of their communication time was spent
a. writing.
b. speaking.
c. engaging in interpersonal listening.
d. reading.
e. engaging in media listening.
61. All of the following are ineffective listening styles mentioned in the text except
a. ambushing.
b. insulated listening.
c. stage hogging.
d. pseudolistening.
e. signal listening.
62. Which best describes the relationship between our rate of hearing speech and the average rate of speaking?
a. We speak at nearly the same rate we are able to listen.
b. We can listen 4-6 times faster than an average person speaks.
c. We are able to speak 2 times faster than an average person can listen.
d. We are able to listen slightly faster than an average person speaks.
e. We can listen twice as fast as an average person speaks.
63. The process of using questioning and paraphrasing messages is a type of
a. linear communication.
b. insensitive listening.
c. selective perception.
d. defensive behavior.
e. perception checking.
64. All of the following are reasons why it is difficult to listen all the time except which one?
a. We hear so many verbal messages.
b. We are often wrapped up in personal concerns.
c. We comprehend words at a slower rate than people speak them.
d. We have many physical distractions.
e. We think speaking has more advantages than listening.
65. Giving only the appearance of being attentive is termed
a. pseudolistening.
b. selective listening.
c. defensive listening.
d. insensitive listening.
e. fake listening.
66. The advantage of paraphrasing to help is that
a. you can help the problem-holder to sort out the problem.
b. you can suggest the solution that’s best for your partner.
c. you can point out your partner’s good ideas.
d. you can share your own experiences and ideas.
e. All of these answers are correct.
67. According to your text, advice is
a. only to be used when paraphrasing fails.
b. helpful when it is correct or accurate.
c. best when preceded by your analysis of a situation.
d. actually unhelpful at least as often as it is helpful.
e. less helpful than either supporting or judging response styles.
68. Which is the best helping paraphrase response to the following statement? “My boss keeps kidding me about how we should have an affair. I don’t know what to do. Sometimes I think he’s just joking, and sometimes I think it’s a real proposition.”
a. “Either way it’s sexual harassment, which is illegal. You shouldn’t let him get away with it!”
b. “So you can’t figure out his motives, is that it?”
c. “You sound upset by this.”
d. “You sound worried and confused because you’re not sure if he’s coming on to you or not.”
e. “That’s a common problem these days. I can see why you’re upset, and I don’t blame you.”
69. Imagine you’ve been listening for some time to a friend talk about whether or not to drop out of school. Which is the best helping paraphrase response?
a. “You’re confused because there are as many reasons to stay as there are to leave, right?”
b. “Which alternative sounds best to you?”
c. “When you’re this confused, it’s best to go with your heart.”
d. “You do sound mixed up. Maybe you ought to hold off making a decision for a while.”
e. “Tell me more. I think we can get to the bottom of this if we talk it out. I’m listening.”
70. You meet a friend at the supermarket and ask how he is doing. He replies, “I’m OK for the most part, just stressed with all these finals.” Which of the following is the best helping paraphrase response?
a. “Yeah, I know what you mean.”
b. “So, you’re stressed, huh?”
c. “You’ll be fine; you always get good grades.”
d. “Bet you’re wishing you hadn’t taken 18 units, huh?”
e. “So, you’re managing most things just fine, but will be relieved when finals are over?”
71. When you try to reflect the underlying theme in a statement, you are engaging in
a. judging.
b. questioning.
c. paraphrasing.
d. prompting.
e. pseudolistening.
72. Which of the following bodily changes occurs during careful listening?
a. heart rate quickens
b. respiration increases
c. body temperature rises
d. all of these answers are correct
e. none of these answers are correct
73. Which of the following is the best helping paraphrase response to the following statement? “I’m really bummed out about my apartment situation.”
a. “So, you’re bummed out, huh?”
b. “Your apartment situation is bad?”
c. “You’re depressed because you haven’t found a place to live yet?”
d. “You should really get a new place; I agree.”
e. “It will all work out by next month.”
74. Constructive criticism is a kind of listening response that falls into the category termed
a. advising.
b. judging.
c. analyzing.
d. supporting.
e. questioning.
75. Your roommate gives the appearance of listening to you, but you can tell from her responses that her mind is elsewhere. You could call her listening style in this instance
a. stage hogging.
b. insulated listening.
c. pseudolistening.
d. defensive listening.
e. ambushing.
76. Which of the following is the best helping paraphrase response to the following statements? “I can’t stand that class! The lectures are a waste of time, and the tests are full of nitpicking questions. I’m not learning anything.”
a. “Sounds like you’re fed up with the class.”
b. “Sounds like you’re thinking about dropping the class.”
c. “Sounds like the class has nit-picking tests and is a waste of time.”
d. “Sounds like you resent spending so much time on information you don’t consider useful.”
e. “Sounds like you’re fed up with school.”
77. “I think that the reason you’re so confused is that you’re trying to make everyone else happy and forgetting your own happiness.” This statement is what type of listening response?
a. supporting
b. advising
c. questioning
d. paraphrasing
e. analyzing
78. “From what you’ve said, it sounds like you’re mad at your boss for expecting you to drop your personal plans whenever he wants you to work. Is that right?” This statement is what type of response?
a. supporting
b. judging
c. questioning
d. paraphrasing
e. analyzing
79. “Sure it’s unfair. But you shouldn’t let that stop you. Life is unfair, so you’re crazy to let it bother you.” This statement is what type of response?
a. supporting
b. judging
c. questioning
d. paraphrasing
e. parroting
80. When choosing the best listening style, it is important to consider
a. the situation.
b. the other person.
c. your personal style.
d. both a and b above.
e. a, b, and c above.
81. Harper listens carefully to her instructor as he discusses the upcoming exam since she hopes to get an A. This illustrates what step in the listening process?
a. hearing
b. attending
c. understanding
d. responding
e. remembering
82. All of the following are reasons why it’s impossible to listen well all the time except
a. message overload.
b. rapid thought.
c. lack of training.
d. faulty assumptions.
e. message importance.
83. The residual message is
a. the part of the message we respond to.
b. the part of the message we understand.
c. the part of the message we remember.
d. usually stated first.
e. usually stated last.
84. Making sense of a message is related to which element of listening?
a. hearing
b. attending
c. understanding
d. responding
e. remembering
85. “Are you finally off the phone” is an example of a question that
a. traps the speaker.
b. makes a statement.
c. carries a hidden agenda.
d. seeks a ‘correct’ answer.
e. is based on an unchecked assumption.
86. “You didn’t like that restaurant, did you?” is an example of a question that
a. traps the speaker.
b. makes a statement.
c. carries a hidden agenda.
d. seeks a ‘correct’ answer.
e. is based on an unchecked assumption.
87. When you give careful and thoughtful attention and responses to the messages you receive you are listening
a. selectively.
b. purposefully.
c. mindfully.
d. for factual information.
e. for personal information.
88. “I’m here if you need me” is an example of what type of listening response?
a. prompting
b. supporting
c. understanding
d. judging
e. helping
89. One study of 195 critical incidents in banking and medical settings showed that a major difference between effective and ineffective listening was
a. how well the message was understood.
b. how easy it was to remember the message.
c. whether the message was of importance to the listener.
d. whether the message could be remembered.
e. the kind of feedback offered.
90. “Your mother drives you nuts? Let me tell you about mine!” is an example of what type of ineffective listening?
a. insensitive listening
b. stage-hogging
c. selective listening
d. insulated listening
e. ambushing
91. The most popular piece of language is
a. advising.
b. questioning.
c. paraphrasing.
d. judging.
e. supporting.
92. All of the following are factors to consider before you decide to paraphrase except
a. whether the issue is complex enough.
b. whether you have the necessary time and concern.
c. whether you can withhold judgment.
d. whether the other person’s feelings might be hurt.
e. whether your paraphrase is in proportion to other responses.
93. “Don’t worry about it” is an example of what type of “cold comfort” message?
a. denying others the right to their feelings
b. minimizing the significance of the situation
c. focusing on ‘then and there’ rather than ‘here and now’
d. casting judgment
e. none of these answers are correct
94. The theory that describes the different ways we listen (mindfully or mindlessly) is called __________.
a. selectivity theory
b. dual-process theory
c. listening fidelity
d. unconditional positive regard
e. none of the above
95. The “Meetings Going ‘Topless’” reading describes how some Silicon Valley firms
a. train employees how to listen better by increasing eye contact.
b. have increased productivity through increased use of personal media devices.
c. have banned laptops and other personal media devices from meetings.
d. have improved the listening environment with use of a “Talking Stick.”
e. none of the above
96. Which of the following statements accurately describes the culture and listening observations noted by Austin Lee in the “Looking at Diversity” box?
a. Koreans show respect to authority by asking a lot of questions during class.
b. Americans may be more likely than Koreans to jump in and finish a sentence for a friend who seems to be struggling for words.
c. In Korea, people in low power positions tend to analyze, advise, and judge.
d. Koreans tend to interrupt authority figures just as often as they would interrupt a friend.
e. The Korean style of using silence as a way to respect authority was misunderstood by his American teachers as passivity and disinterest.
97. Listening with unconditional positive regard means
a. reflecting the speaker’s feelings but not necessarily her thoughts.
b. accepting others for who they are, even if you don’t agree with their thoughts or decisions.
c. giving gentle advice in a supportive way.
d. helping the speaker see the positive side of her issue.
e. all of the above.
98. For almost every situation, the best listening response is
a. advising.
b. questioning.
c. paraphrasing.
d. supporting.
e. none of the above. There are many factors to consider when choosing the best listening response.
INSTRUCTIONS for questions 99–122: Match each statement with the helping listening style it characterizes.
a. paraphrasing
b. judging
c. supporting
d. advising
e. analyzing
99. “That’s a terrible idea!”
100. “You ought to give it a try. You’ve got nothing to lose.”
101. “He’s doing that because he doesn’t think you’ll care.”
102. “I think you’re doing a terrific job.”
103. “Sure it’s discouraging now, but it will be over soon, right?”
104. “So you’re upset because Chase didn’t pay you back?”
105. “The best thing for you to do is break up with him.”
106. “Have you ever thought about just giving her what she wants?”
107. “I can’t believe it! He’s really a jerk for saying that.”
108. “So you’re hoping she’ll call, but you’re not sure what you’ll say if she does?”
109. “Of course you get pushed around. I told you that’s what would happen if you don’t tell people what you want.”
110. “You’re on the right track now. This is the right thing for you.”
111. “Sounds like you’re mad at me for embarrassing you. Is that right?”
112. “You’ve always done fine in the past. Try not to worry. You can do it this time, too.”
113. “You’d be a lot happier if you stopped blaming everyone else for your problems.”
114. “It seems to me you’re only doing that to get back at him for cheating on you.”
115. “Don’t try so hard and you’ll probably do better.”
116. “Let me see if I’ve got this right. You’re mad because you like the idea of a curfew for teens, but it’s hard to enforce?”
117. “Maybe the reason you’re feeling insecure is that money means a lot to you.”
118. “Don’t give up. I really believe you’ll get it this next time.”
119. So you’re saying that you want to ask Jackson to the dance but you’re afraid he’ll turn you down?”
120. “Perhaps you should just talk to her about it?”
121. “I think you’re still unsure of yourself because of all the moving you did as a child.”
122. “That’s a good idea.”
123. We have all been selective, insulated, defensive, insensitive, and ambushing listeners. Give an example of each type of listening from your own personal experience. Illustrate any misunderstandings that developed as a result of your listening behavior.
124. Chapter Seven lists seven different types of listening responses. Imagine a speaker says the following remarks to you. Write seven responses to this situation—an example of prompting, questioning, paraphrasing, supporting, analyzing, advising, and judging. “This woman at work never speaks to me. I mean, I come in and say something like, ‘Hi, how are you?’ and she just stares at me. Rude, right? How can a person just ignore someone?”
125. Describe the response style(s) you use most often when helping others. How successful are these styles? What makes them successful or unsuccessful? What might you do to increase your effectiveness as a helpful listener?
126. In your own words, describe what paraphrasing is and how it is used to help others solve their problems. Use real or hypothetical examples and concrete language to explain and illustrate your answer.
127. Read the following three hypothetical situations and discuss for each which of the seven listening responses described in your text might suit the situation and other person best. Explain why your choices are more likely to be helpful than the other types of listening responses.
Your employer is giving complicated directions for a task you must do.
A friend storms into the room clearly furious over something that happened to her at school today.
Your brother comes to you about a job offer that he’s trying to decide about accepting.
128. Recount an interpersonal situation in which you failed to listen effectively. Describe the factors which caused you to listen poorly. What could you have done to change those factors?
129. There are five elements in the listening process. Discuss each with a full and detailed explanation.
130. Your text provides a number of reasons for why we don’t listen better. Discuss each one of them and then identify/explain one or two that are main reasons for why you don’t listen better.
131. A Chinese Proverb says, “To be heard, there are times you must be silent.” Thoughtfully explain what this means to you, incorporating information from your text on listening.
132. Describe a situation that is appropriate for each: listening mindfully and listening mindlessly. Explain.
133. Describe a situation which might call for use of a combination of different listening styles. Explain.
134. Give examples of ways in which our growing use of technology affects listening effectiveness.
CHAPTER 8
COMMUNICATION AND RELATIONAL DYNAMICS
1. Dialectical tensions arise when a relationship is new and tend to disappear after the first two years.
2. A person can be “too competent.” We are generally attracted to those who are talented yet have visible flaws like us.
3. According to Chapter Eight, we are usually attracted to people who are similar to us.
4. Small talk typically occurs during the initiating stage of an interpersonal relationship.
5. The experimenting stage of interpersonal relationships is characterized by small talk.
6. According to your text, we are more attracted to people who are good at what they do but admit their mistakes.
7. Reciprocal liking builds attractiveness.
8. Social circles merge and the relational partners take on a new relational identity in the intensifying stage of relationships.
9. Differentiation in relationships is always negative, since it is part of the “coming apart” process.
10. The circumscribing stage of interpersonal relationships involves total avoidance of the other.
11. The initiating stage of interpersonal relationships is usually brief.
12. Attraction to others is greatest when we perceive we are similar to them in a high percentage of important areas, like goals and beliefs.
13. Differences strengthen a relationship when they are complementary.
14. Dialectical tensions exist in relationships when two incompatible forces or pressures exist at the same time.
15. It is impossible to like someone without being immediate with them.
16. Immediacy only occurs through nonverbal behavior such as eye contact and facial expressions.
17. The person who exercises the greatest amount of conversational control doesn’t always make the decisions in interpersonal relationships.
18. Metacommunication is communication about communication.
19. Affinity is defined as the degree to which people like or appreciate one another.
20. There are two types of relational control: decision control and conversation control.
21. Metacommunication is a destructive substitute for real communication.
22. Verbal metacommunication is a necessary ingredient in successful relationships.
23. Relational messages deal most commonly with control, immediacy, affinity, or respect.
24. Affinity messages can be either positive or negative.
25. Whereas affinity involves liking, respect involves esteem.
26. Liking or loving is a better predictor of relational satisfaction than respect.
27. All appropriate self-disclosure leads to liking.
28. The two key ingredients in successful self-disclosure are reciprocity and timing.
29. When we are trying to decide whether a relationship with another person is no longer “worth the effort,” we are using the social exchange formula.
30. Asking someone, “What’s your major?” is an example of uncertainty reduction in the experimenting stage.
31. The move from initiating to experimenting occurs at the same pace for both those communicating in cyberspace and face-to-face.
32. The intensifying stage is the time when individuals give up some characteristics of their old selves and develop shared identities.
33. It is possible for a business partnership to move to a bonding stage.
34. In the stagnating stage, communication between members decreases in quantity and quality.
35. All relationships begin, progress, decline, and end in the same linear fashion based on Knapp’s developmental stages.
36. The levels of connection and autonomy that we seek can change over time.
37. Some couples never experience distance in their relationship.
38. The dialectical tension strategy couples use when they choose one end of the dialectical spectrum at some times and the other end at other times is called segmentation.
39. The dialectical tension strategy whereby couples simultaneously accept opposing forces without trying to diminish them is called integration.
40. Rules about self-disclosure vary between cultures.
41. Almost all verbal messages have a content dimension as well as convey relational information.
42. Relational messages are frequently nonverbal.
43. Relational dimensions of messages make statements about how the parties feel toward one another.
44. Partners tend to view one another as more attractive over time.
45. Research suggests that attraction to partners who have complementary temperaments might be rooted in biology.
46. It is impossible to achieve closeness through the kind of virtual proximity the Internet provides.
47. The authors explain that understanding relational dynamics and communication patterns in relationships is more important than agreeing on a definition of the word relationship.
48. Attraction to appearance is a significantly better predictor of mate choice than similar values about politics or religion.
49. People with complementary financial management styles tend to be attracted to one another, but the differences can lead to significant conflict.
50. Access to profiles on Facebook and other social media sites can actually shorten the length of time a couple spends in the experimenting stage.
51. Couples who rely on one method for managing dialectical tensions have the most productive results.
52. Which of the following was found to be true about lying in online dating profiles?
a. The more deceptive a dater’s profile was the less likely they were to use “I.”
b. Fabricators tend to write shorter self-descriptions.
c. Liars often flip their language, as in “not sad” instead of “happy.”
d. b and c
e. all of the above
53. Agreeing to rules about how often couples will or won’t talk and text via cell phones can help to manage which dialectical tension?
a. connection vs. autonomy
b. openness vs. privacy
c. predictability vs. novelty
d. denial vs. disorientation
e. none of the above
54. Which of the strategies for managing dialectical tensions are most effective, according to research?
a. balance
b. integration
c. recalibration
d. reaffirmation
e. b, c, and d are seen as the most productive
55. A study of 78 Internet dating profiles showed that about __________ percent strayed from the truth on some level.
a. 20
b. 50
c. 65
d. 80
e. 98
56. A couple might declare themselves “Facebook official” (or FBO) in which stage of relational development?
a. initiating
b. intensifying
c. integrating
d. bonding
e. circumscribing
57. In Chapter Eight’s “Looking At Diversity” reading, Kevin Schomaker talks about how communicating on the Internet makes it easier to meet people since he
a. is very shy.
b. is overweight.
c. stutters.
d. is physically disabled.
e. None of these choices are correct.
58. According to the text, we are usually attracted to people who
a. like us.
b. are high self-disclosers.
c. are perfect.
d. approve of us even in ways we know are inaccurate.
e. live far away from us
59. According to Knapp’s model of interaction stages, symbolic public gestures that show the world that a relationship exists usually occur in which stage in interpersonal relationships?
a. experimenting
b. intensifying
c. bonding
d. integrating
e. circumscribing
60. Which of the following does not typically occur in the intensifying stage of interpersonal relationships?
a. The parties spend an increasing amount of time together.
b. The parties begin to take on an identity as a social unit.
c. The parties hint and flirt.
d. Feelings are expressed nonverbally.
e. The parties might take trips together.
61. Social exchange theory suggests that we often seek out people who can give us
a. rewards greater than or equal to the costs we encounter in dealing with them.
b. more self-esteem.
c. relational rewards rather than physical ones.
d. something in exchange for what we give them.
e. both relational and physical things without demanding anything of us.
62. “Why don’t you go ahead and visit your friends without me this weekend. I’ll stick around and catch up on my studies.” This statement typifies which relational stage?
a. integrating
b. differentiating
c. bonding
d. terminating
e. intensifying
63. When two opposing or incompatible forces exist simultaneously in an interpersonal relationship, the struggle to achieve these opposing goals creates what is called a
a. collectivistic tension.
b. differentiating end state.
c. counterfeit goal state.
d. dialectical tension.
e. proximity problem.
64. Conflicting desires for both intimacy and the lack of it in an interpersonal relationship lead to the
a. connection-autonomy dialectic.
b. cohesion-revolt dialectic.
c. predictability-novelty dialectic.
d. openness-privacy dialectic.
65. The strategy where communicators respond to one end of the dialectical spectrum and ignore the other is
a. denial.
b. disorientation.
c. alternation.
d. segmentation.
e. recalibration.
66. Judith and Natalie work for the same employer and often have lunch together to talk about their current romances, problems with their families, and apartment headaches. Most Saturday afternoons they play tennis together. Which relationship stage do they seem to be in?
a. initiating
b. differentiating
c. bonding
d. intensifying
e. circumscribing
67. Molly makes an excuse not to attend a party she knows Jack is invited to. She’s most likely in which stage with Jack?
a. initiating
b. avoiding
c. circumscribing
d. experimenting
e. bonding
68. Almost every message has
a. content dimension.
b. relational dimension.
c. both a content and a relational dimension.
d. no dimensions unless the communicators intend them to.
e. an unintentional message.
69. The relational dimension of a message
a. deals with one or more social needs.
b. makes statements about how the parties feel toward one another.
c. are usually expressed nonverbally.
d. All of these choices are correct.
e. None of these choices are correct.
70. Your roommate says, “It’s your turn to take out the trash” in a demanding tone of voice. If you want to find out the relational dimension of the message, you should
a. remind your roommate nicely that you took the trash out last night.
b. use perception checking to see if your roommate is upset with you.
c. negotiate other ways of dealing with the trash problem.
d. ask your roommate’s friends to explain the real problem.
e. point out how defensive your roommate sounds.
71. In any relationship, the power to determine what will happen in the relationship is a type of relational control called
a. decision control.
b. conversation control.
c. distributional control.
d. powerful control.
e. context control.
72. Talking the most, interrupting the other person, and changing the topic most often are all common indicators of
a. conversation control.
b. decision control.
c. powerful control.
d. context control.
e. distributional control.
73. Whenever we discuss a relationship with another, we are
a. arguing.
b. improving our relationship.
c. self-disclosing.
d. metacommunicating.
e. receiving double messages.
74. The degree to which the partners in an interpersonal relationship like or appreciate one another is called
a. appreciation.
b. self-respect.
c. the communication of honesty.
d. affinity.
e. the like-love phenomenon.
75. The stage where a couple might come up with “our song” is
a. initiating.
b. experimenting.
c. intensifying.
d. integrating.
e. bonding.
76. The best predictor of whether a couple will be friends after reaching the terminating stage is
a. whether they have children.
b. whether they were friends before their emotional involvement.
c. whether they went to counseling.
d. whether communication was positive during the break-up.
e. b and d
77. “I was feeling trapped” is communication that characterizes what dialectical tension?
a. connection-autonomy
b. openness-privacy
c. predictability-novelty
d. win-lose
e. None of these choices are correct.
78. The term used to describe messages that people exchange, verbally or nonverbally, about their relationship is
a. microcommunication.
b. conversation.
c. discourse.
d. metacommunication.
e. miscommunication.
79. Saying to your partner, “I wish you didn’t use that tone of voice with me” is an example of
a. metadata.
b. relational transgression.
c. the connection-autonomy dialectic.
d. metacommunication.
e. None of these choices are correct.
80. All of the following are true about similarity research except which one?
a. For the most part, we like people who are similar to us.
b. Communication ability is more important to relational happiness than being similar.
c. Being similar to others can boost your ego.
d. Attraction is greatest when we’re similar to others in areas like goals and beliefs.
e. We tend to have stronger dislike for people who are similar to us but offensive.
81. We are often attracted to people who
a. we find physically attractive.
b. are different but can satisfy our needs.
c. are similar to us.
d. we interact with frequently.
e. All of these choices are correct.
82. The stage where partners act in old, familiar ways and no growth occurs is
a. differentiation.
b. circumscribing.
c. stagnating.
d. avoiding.
e. terminating.
83. One of the key differences between marriages that end in separation and those that are restored to their former intimacy is
a. how long the couple remained in the integration stage.
b. how much metacommunication occurs.
c. the types of relational transgressions that happened.
d. the communication that occurs when the partners are unsatisfied.
e. None of these choices are correct.
84. According to your text, the process of getting to know others by gaining more information about them is called
a. initiating.
b. approach behavior.
c. networking.
d. uncertainty reduction.
e. All of these choices are correct.
85. Maya is getting tired of the Friday night routine of eating out at the same restaurant with her husband. She is struggling with what dialectical tension?
a. connection-autonomy
b. openness-privacy
c. predictability-novelty
d. alternation-segmentation
e. None of these choices are correct
86. A couple on their second marriage each share many feelings with each other, but they keep most details of their previous marriages private. They are managing the openness-privacy dialectic with the strategy of
a. denial.
b. alternation.
c. segmentation.
d. balance.
e. recalibration.
87. Relationships
a. are constantly changing.
b. can be characterized by dialectical tensions.
c. are affected by culture.
d. typically progress from one stage to another.
e. All of these choices are true about relationships.
88. Speed daters are most influenced by which factor of attraction?
a. appearance
b. similarity
c. complementarity
d. reciprocal attraction
e. appropriate disclosure
INSTRUCTIONS for questions 89–93: Match the statement below with the relational stage it best describes.
a. avoiding
b. circumscribing
c. experimenting
d. integrating
e. differentiating
89. Relational partners attempt to reduce uncertainty and to decide if the relationship is worth pursuing.
90. Relational partners begin to share identities and their social circles merge.
91. Relational partners begin to withdraw from one another to avoid disagreement
92. Relational partners create physical distance between one another and make excuses to reduce contact.
93. Relational partners shift from “we” orientation and use more “me” messages.
INSTRUCTIONS for questions 94–98: Match the statement below with the relational stage it best describes.
a. initiating
b. intensifying
c. bonding
d. stagnating
e. terminating
94. Marcus shakes Francine’s hand and asks her what she thinks about the weather.
95. Marcus and Francine get engaged.
96. Marcus and Francine decide to break up and date other people.
97. Marcus daydreams about Francine, and gets goosebumps when he thinks of her.
98. Marcus and Francine behave toward one another in old, familiar ways without much feeling.
99. Pick two people you know, one with whom you want to strengthen your relationship and one to whom you are not particularly attracted. Using the interpersonal attraction variables in the text, analyze the reasons why you want/don’t want to form a relationship with each person.
100. Define the four types of relational messages and illustrate each of them with examples from your life.
101. Describe each of Knapp’s relational stages, those of “coming together” and “coming apart.” Use a personal relationship and explain the stage(s) that you have gone through including the communication used to reflect each stage.
102. Identify a dialectical tension in one of your interpersonal relationships. Explain how this tension has affected the relationship and identify/explain the strategy (or strategies) you use to manage the dialectical tension.
103. Similarity is considered a significant reason for why we form relationships. Explain in detail the various findings of similarity research as they apply to our attraction to others.
104. One characteristic of relationships is that they are constantly changing. Explain this principle and include experiences from one of your own significant relationships in your discussion.
105. Describe specific ways relationships are and aren’t affected by cultural difference. Explain some ways in which cultural differences can make relationships challenging, and identify specific skills that could help manage these challenges.
106. Explain the various ways in which online communication and social media affect the reasons we form relationships.
107. Discuss how messages include both a content and relational dimension. Provide specific examples in your explanation.
108. How can you use metacommunication to improve your relationships? Be specific and give examples.
CHAPTER 9
COMMUNICATION IN CLOSE RELATIONSHIPS
1. It is quite possible to have a wide range of relationships with coworkers, roommates, and even family members without having much intimacy at all.
2. Intimacy can come from intellectual sharing.
3. Physical intimacy is obviously the best type of relational intimacy.
4. By definition, an intimate relationship must exhibit all four intimacy dimensions.
5. Male-male relationships involve less disclosure than male-female relationships.
6. Recent research has shown that men achieve intimacy through shared activities.
7. Because men share less personal information and feelings than women, they are not capable of achieving the type of intimate relationships that women have.
8. Emotional expression is the only way to develop close relationships.
9. Because cultures like Japan and Taiwan are collectivist, people there communicate the same with members of “in-groups” and “out-groups” alike.
10. Some studies show that relational intimacy may develop more quickly through computer-mediated communication than face-to-face.
11. Focusing on having intimate communication daily will lead to extremely satisfying relationships.
12. One researcher concluded that close relationships “may be the single most important source of life satisfaction and emotional well-being, across different ages and cultures.”
13. Intimacy is closely linked to life satisfaction.
14. IM-ing, blogging, and Facebooking do not enhance intimacy in interpersonal relationships.
15. Managing your privacy settings on social network sites could have an impact on intimacy in cyber-relationships.
16. While workplace romances can be messy, some research has shown that 34 percent of people who said they dated a coworker ended up marrying that person.
17. Commitment is only important in some types of interpersonal relationships.
18. Telling someone “You can count on me” will usually guarantee loyalty because it’s a measure of surefire commitment.
19. Research shows that transgressors who have been forgiven are less likely to repeat their offenses than those who have not received forgiveness.
20. Expressing regret can be more important in repairing a relational transgression than saying “I’m sorry.”
21. Research suggests that the most effective conversations about forgiveness contain two elements—an explicit statement of your thoughts or feelings, and a discussion of the implications of the transgression and the future of the relationship.
22. One type of communication that helps maintain relationships is evaluation.
23. Transgressions are always intentional.
24. The only benefit of forgiving a transgression is that the relationship might be repaired.
25. One study found that the two least forgivable offenses of dating partners were sexual infidelity and unjustified suspicion.
26. Attachment theory argues that, while secure attachment in childhood leads to confident adult communicators, insecure attachment has little to no impact on later life.
27. The way we communicate in our families is shaped by birth order.
28. Labels used by family members such as “the smart one” and “the cute one” can create self-fulfilling prophecies.
29. Communicating effectively with family members is important because we can’t choose them, and we will likely always feel their influence even if we cut them from our lives.
30. According to the text, parents and children do not really change their communication patterns during the transitional years of emerging adulthood.
31. Children who experience insecure bonds with family in their early life often grow up anxious about new relationships, uncomfortable with intimacy, and worried about losing relationships.
32. The way parents communicate with their young children creates secure or insecure bonds that have powerful and lasting effects.
33. Whereas most other interpersonal communication is transactional, as described in Chapter One, families tend to have more linear interactions.
34. Children who grow up in families with high conversation orientation have a greater number of interpersonal skills in their later relationships.
35. Research demonstrates that one family communication pattern isn’t necessarily more productive or satisfying than another.
36. Young adults from laissez-faire backgrounds are more confident listeners and more intellectually flexible than those from consensual or pluralistic families.
37. Friendships are more likely to end than any other relationship.
38. Friendships are either task-oriented or relationship-oriented, but not both.
39. Men are more likely to create and express closeness through shared activities than through talking about personal matters.
40. Practical action such as helping a friend move is more characteristic of female-to-female rather than male-to-male expressions of friendship.
41. Research supports the idea that—in “friends with benefits” relationships—women are more typically focused on “friends” and men are more likely to be interested in “benefits.”
42. The average Facebook user has 400 friends.
43. It is possible to have close quality friendships with more than 150 people.
44. Most Facebook “friends” could probably be more accurately labeled “acquaintances.”
45. A romantic turning point is always positive.
46. The first big fight in a relationship is a common romantic turning point.
47. Research suggests the validating conflict style is ideal for all couples.
48. Research suggests that relationships are more likely to be happy and successful if the couple has at least five times more positive interactions than negative ones.
49. One researcher suggests that if couples maintain a “magic ratio” of positive to negative interactions they will be likely to be more successful.
50. Assuming your partner speaks the same love language as you is the key to success.
51. The love language that expresses love more clearly than any other is “words of affirmation.”
52. The giving of gifts is a shallow and materialistic act and certainly does not express one’s love toward another.
53. It is difficult to learn a new love language. Therefore, we are probably better off finding a romantic partner with a style for expressing love that matches ours.
54. The text states that romantic partners who fear rejection and abandonment are likely to act in ways that increase the odds of their fears coming to pass. This example best relates to which concept from Chapter Two?
a. identity management
b. self-congruence
c. self-fulfilling prophecy
d. self-serving bias
e. halo effect
55. Siblings who are ___________ are often more extraverted and concerned with control than their brothers and sisters.
a. first-born
b. middle-born
c. last-born
d. “caboose” children
e. none of the above
56. Envisioning our family members represented in a mobile, with photos of each member suspended by a thread and connected to bars containing images of other members, may help us better understand the idea that
a. family communication is involuntary.
b. family communication is role-driven.
c. family communication is formative.
d. family communication patterns vary significantly.
e. families are systems.
57. Which of the following is not a characteristic of families described in the text?
a. Family systems are interdependent.
b. Family systems are manifested through communication.
c. Family systems are nested.
d. Families are more than just the sum of their parts.
e. All of the above are characteristics of families.
58. According to research studies, which family communication pattern produces more productive and satisfying results?
a. No pattern is necessarily better than another.
b. consensual
c. both consensual and pluralistic
d. protective
e. both protective and laissez-faire
59. When Marlina and Zach fight, they blow things out of proportion, interrupt each other, and yell. Their conflict style is most likely
a. volatile.
b. avoidant
c. validating.
d. protective
e. laissez-faire.
60. Having too many online friends can mean others perceive you as
a. not very social.
b. someone whose relationships are less than genuine.
c. not very friendly.
d. both b and c.
e. all of the above.
61. Research shows that social-networking sites are used primarily to
a. meet new friends.
b. establish new romantic relationships.
c. maintain current friendships.
d. rekindle old friendships.
e. both c and d.
62. Heterosexual women value their friendships with gay men because
a. they often share interests.
b. potential for romantic complications is little to none.
c. the women feel more attractive.
d. all of the above.
e. none of the above.
63. The Greek word that describes the kind of affection long term couples or working partners might feel is
a. storge.
b. philia.
c. pragma.
d. agape.
e. eros.
64. An example of a romantic turning point might be
a. a specific date.
b. a Facebook declaration.
c. the first big fight.
d. the first kiss.
e. All of the above are examples.
65. Which of the following is not true of friendship and social media?
a. Social networking sites are used to maintain current friendships and revive old ones.
b. Social media isn’t a replacement for face-to-face communication.
c. If you have too few Facebook friends, people might perceive you to be less friendly.
d. The more friends you have on Facebook…the better.
e. Social networking sites are used primarily to build new relationships.
66. Which of the following statements accurately describes the research about “friends with benefits?”
a. Partners regularly check in with each other to discuss the status of their relationship.
b. Sex and friendships almost never mix well.
c. Neither partner has any fear of developing more serious feelings.
d. Neither partner has any fear that feelings will go unreciprocated.
e. These relationships are often problematic for the same reasons they are attractive.
67. Which of the following statements summarizes Scott Johnson’s thoughts about his bi-racial family in the “Looking At Diversity” reading?
a. He is certain racial differences will not impact the children in his bi-racial family.
b. He is certain racial differences will significantly impact the children in his bi-racial family.
c. He is unsure how much of an impact racial differences will have on the children in his bi-racial family.
d. He is sure that they are all learning a lot and communicating frankly about the role of race in their lives.
e. Both c and d.
68. Social psychologist Roy Baumeister makes the case that, on average, most people want ___________ close, important relationships in their lives at any given time.
a. one to two
b. two to three
c. three to four
d. four to six
e. more than six
69. All of the following are dimensions of intimacy except which one?
a. physical
b. emotional
c. shared activities
d. intellectual
e. All of these answer are correct dimensions.
70. An intimate relationship
a. may only exhibit one or two dimensions.
b. can be achieved by sharing activities.
c. can be created through exchanging important feelings.
d. can come from exchanging ideas.
e. All of these answer are correct.
71. Research of male and female intimacy styles shows that
a. differences are not as great as some people might think.
b. women disclose more than men.
c. women disclose more personal information than men.
d. men grow close by doing things together.
e. All of these answer are correct.
72. Members of an individualistic culture like the United States
a. disclose the same no matter what group is being disclosed to.
d. rarely show emotions.
c. are not considered very romantic.
d. act more familiar with strangers and disclose more personal information.
e. shy away from public displays of affection.
73. Some studies show that computer-mediated communication
a. always ensures intimacy.
b. enhances verbal, emotional, and social intimacy in interpersonal relationships.
c. is harmful to sustaining intimacy.
d. results in one level of self-disclosure.
e. None of these answers are correct.
74. According to the text, all of the following are strategies that couples use to keep their relationships satisfying except
a. positivity.
b. social networks.
c. openness.
d. dividing chores equally.
e. assurances.
75. Of the following, what is not a category of relational transgressions?
a. minor vs. significant
b. one-time vs. incremental
c. deliberate vs. intentional
d. social vs. relational
e. open vs. private
76. Omid and Micayla have an agreement that he will call to tell her when he will be late from work so she won’t worry. When he forgets, Micayla is upset because of what type of transgression?
a. minor
b. significant
c. relational
d. deliberate
e. incremental
77. The benefit of forgiveness is
a. less emotional distress.
b. less aggression.
c. improvement of cardiovascular functioning.
d. restoration of the damaged relationship.
e. All of these choices are beneficial.
78. One type of relational transgression is
a. unfaithfulness.
b. verbal hostility.
c. rage.
d. criticism in front of others.
e. All of these choices are types of relational transgressions.
79. A research study found that college students use the following relational maintenance strategies most in email.
a. openness and social networks
b. social networks and sharing tasks
c. positivity and assurances
d. openness and assurances
e. sharing tasks and openness
80. All of the following are major indicators of a committed romantic relationship except for
a. providing affection.
b. maintaining integrity.
c. create a relational future.
d. making an effort to not over-communicate.
e. creating a positive relational atmosphere.
INSTRUCTIONS for questions 81–84: Match each statement with the family communication pattern it characterizes.
a. consensual
b. pluralistic
c. protective
d. laissez-faire
81. Fifteen-year old Bela wants to get her nose pierced. She feels comfortable making her case and discussing the idea with other family members, but the decision rests with her parents.
82. The family is trying to decide where to go for summer vacation. All family members—and maybe even other relatives—get to weigh in with their perspectives until a consensus is reached.
83. Most family members do their own thing and make their own decisions without much discussion.
84. Twelve-year old Russell asks his parents if he can attend a rock concert. They say “no” and end the discussion there. Russell does not bring it up again.
85. Discuss the four dimensions of intimacy in a relationship that is important to you. Explain your satisfaction with the intimacy or distance in each area. Relate any other factors (change, independence, culture, gender, etc.) that affect your intimacy in this relationship.
86. Discuss the differences between masculine and female intimacy styles. Include research findings from your text to support your discussion.
87. Explain how gender, culture and/or mediated communication affect intimacy in one of your important relationships.
88. Describe how the roles in your family are created and perpetuated through communication.
89. Describe the characteristics of family systems, and explain how they apply to your own family.
90. Describe the communication patterns in your own or another family. In your opinion, how effective are these patterns? What can be done to make communication more effective and/or maintain the current level of effectiveness?
91. Give examples of several different types of communication in friendships. How effective is your communication with friends, and what communication strategies can improve and/or maintain your friendships?
92. Identify one or more turning points in your own or another romantic relationship. Describe the conflict styles of the partners. What communication strategies may help to improve and/or maintain the relationship?
93. Identify the love languages spoken in your own or another romantic relationship. Explain how effectively each person adapts to the other’s love language. Make suggestions for improvement, if necessary.
94. Explain why relationships require maintenance and the five strategies couples use to help maintain them.
95. Define a relational transgression and provide some examples of specific types of transgressions. Also, explain the four categories of transgressions.
CHAPTER 10
IMPROVING COMMUNICATION CLIMATES
1. Defensiveness is often a self-perpetuating cycle.
2. Once a progressive spiral has been established in a relationship, it is likely to continue indefinitely.
3. When you respond nondefensively to criticism, you can agree with the truth of what the critic is saying.
4. The most damaging kind of disconfirming response is disagreeing with the other person.
5. The assertive message format should always be used in the order given in your text for best results.
6. It’s okay to reword the assertive message format to suit your own particular style of speaking.
7. You shouldn’t have to repeat the assertive message format if you express yourself clearly in the first place.
8. Messages shaping the communication climate of a relationship can be both verbal and nonverbal.
9. Endorsement is the strongest type of confirming message.
10. The Gibb categories define behaviors that can improve or hurt the communication climate.
11. Stating your intentions is an important element of an assertive message.
12. Tangential responses are one type of disconfirming message.
13. Just recognizing the other person isn’t enough to be considered confirming.
14. Acknowledgment is more confirming than recognition.
15. Incongruous responses contain two messages that seem to deny or contradict each other.
16. Since ambiguous responses leave your partner unsure of your position, they would likely be interpreted as disconfirming.
17. Whereas acknowledging others means you are interested in their ideas, endorsement means that you agree with them.
18. Perception makes little difference in determining whether a message is disconfirming.
19. When coping with criticism, it isn’t a good idea to ask what else is wrong because it just brings up too much material to handle at one time.
20. A controlling message can be verbal or nonverbal.
21. Behavior that fits into Gibb’s category of “strategy” attempts to manipulate the other into doing what you want.
22. What Gibb describes as “spontaneity” means saying the first thing that comes into your mind.
23. A supportive climate usually results from the expression of empathy.
24. When you decide to acknowledge an accurate criticism, an apology is also necessary.
25. Being ignored is less disconfirming than being dismissed or attacked.
26. A communication climate has to do with the way people feel about each other as they carry out activities.
27. The most common form of acknowledgement is listening.
28. The emotional tone of a relationship is called the communication climate.
29. A spiral is always negative.
30. Once engaged in a negative spiral, it is impossible for a couple to recover.
31. When others confront us with attacks on our presenting self, we are likely to become defensive.
32. If an attack to our presenting self is justified, we will not react defensively.
33. Another word to describe Gibb’s defensive behavior of neutrality is indifference.
34. Asking for more information from your critics as a way to respond nondefensively means you need to be prepared to accept the comments.
35. One advantage of paraphrasing a critic’s comments is that the intensity of the attack may be reduced.
36. Research suggests that agreeing with a correct fact when criticized is highly effective in restoring a damaged reputation with the critic.
37. It’s impossible to honestly accept the other person’s point of view while maintaining your own position.
38. In order to truly respond nondefensively to criticism you must always agree with the critic’s judgment of you.
39. Children whose parents use more confirming messages tend to have higher self-esteem and less stress.
40. Employees usually do not appreciate open-door policies at work because it makes their bosses seem weak.
41. Trust and morale on the job can be increased by something as simple as saying “hello” or “thanks” in e-mail messages.
42. The most confirming type of message is acknowledgement.
43. In marriage, stonewalling is a strong predictor of divorce.
44. Complaining is the most destructive way to disagree with another person.
45. Argumentativeness is actually admired in some, and is associated with a number of positive attributes.
46. In marriage, complaining is healthy, as long as the complaint is worded as a personal criticism rather than as a behavioral description.
47. The authors suggest that aggressiveness is the behavior we should all strive for in relationships.
48. In order to be successful in real life, we should try to word our assertive messages as closely as we can to the authors’ examples.
49. Aggressiveness can only occur in face-to-face situations.
50. Fifteen percent of students report having abused someone online, and 30 percent report having been victims of cyberbullying themselves.
51. The responsibility for reducing defensiveness in an interpersonal exchange belongs only to the person receiving criticism.
52. You are less likely to get a defensive response if you deliver criticism in a way that protects the presenting self (or “face”) of the other person.
53. Abusing your rank or status over others by demeaning, humiliating, or exploiting them is called “rankism.”
54. Clicking “like” on someone’s Facebook post can be a way to send a confirming message.
55. Others may interpret your lack of interaction in social media sites as a disconfirming message.
56. Which of these behaviors is characterized by the use of “we” language?
a. evaluation
b. description
c. problem-orientation
d. strategy
e. provisionalism
57. “Rankism” best relates to which of these behaviors?
a. evaluation
b. superiority
c. control
d. strategy
e. certainty
58. Which of these strategies has been used successfully to protest slavery, secure rights for women, reject war, oppose racial segregation, and accomplish other great social change in principled and pragmatic ways?
a. aggressiveness
b. nonviolence
c. neutrality
d. all of the above
e. none of the above
59. Cassie felt ignored because Jaime kept playing on his phone during their lunch together. This example best illustrates which type of disconfirming message?
a. impersonal
b. ambiguous
c. incongruous
d. irrelevant
e. impervious
60. Brianne angrily waited three minutes at the counter before the clerk finished his phone conversation and signaled awareness that Brianne was waiting. Brianne would’ve felt better if the clerk had at least __________ her while she was waiting.
a. recognized
b. acknowledged
c. endorsed
d. been assertive with
e. responded nondefensively
61. Intention statements can communicate
a. where you stand on an issue.
b. requests of others.
c. descriptions of how you plan to act in the future.
d. a, b, and c above.
e. only interpretations of behavior.
62. Which of the following is an accurate feeling statement?
a. “I feel like you’re angry at me.”
b. “I feel like going home now.”
c. “I feel angry when you laugh at me.”
d. “I feel you ought to be more careful.”
e. All of these answers are correct are feeling statements.
63. All of the following are disconfirming messages except
a. interrupting the other person.
b. giving ambiguous responses.
c. ignoring the other person.
d. using a problem-oriented approach.
e. responding with clichés.
64. All of the following are behavioral descriptions except
a. “I notice you’re frowning.”
b. “I saw you walk out of the party.”
c. “Your behavior tells me you’re angry.”
d. “You’ve shouted the last three times we’ve discussed money.”
e. “You haven’t said ‘I love you’ in over a week.”
65. Which of the following is an interpretation?
a. “I got an A on my history paper.”
b. “Sue only cares about herself.”
c. “I sure appreciate your help.”
d. “Would you tell me what you mean by that?”
e. All of these answers are correct are interpretations.
66. A consequence statement can describe
a. what happens to you, the speaker.
b. what happens to the person you’re addressing or to others.
c. why you’re bothered or pleased by another’s behavior.
d. what happens without moralizing about it.
e. All of these answers are correct.
67. The most visible way disconfirming messages reinforce one another, as when one attack leads to another and another, is termed a(n)
a. escalatory conflict spiral.
b. de-escalatory conflict spiral.
c. cognitive dissonance reaction.
d. impervious dyad.
e. pillow-talk incident.
68. The text suggested that you may react nondefensively to criticism by
a. asking for a “time-out.”
b. guessing about the specifics of a critic’s remarks.
c. criticizing yourself.
d. giving the reasons for your behavior.
e. telling the critic to stop.
69. Your instructor tells you how poor your writing ability is and how wrong it is for you not to work harder on it. That instructor used the Gibb category of
a. description.
b. evaluation.
c. problem orientation.
d. equality.
e. provisionalism.
70. According to research findings about defensiveness, when one person in a dyad acts in a defensive manner
a. a counterattack is appropriate.
b. the partner will be supportive.
c. a defensive spiral usually results.
d. perceptions are not realistic.
e. self-disclosure usually takes place.
71. The elements of an assertive message are
a. feeling, interpretation, assertion, and consequence.
b. behavior, interpretation, feeling, assertion, and intention.
c. behavior, assertion, aggression, and interpretation.
d. behavior, interpretation, feeling, consequence, and intention.
e. assertion, aggression, negotiation, interpretation, and intention.
72. Another term which describes the Gibb defensive category of neutrality would be
a. understanding.
b. aggressive perception.
c. positive/negative balance.
d. displaced loyalty.
e. indifference.
73. Evaluative language is also described as
a. “me” language.
b. “it” language.
c. “you” language.
d. “neutral” language.
e. “supportive” language.
74. The term that describes the emotional tone of a personal relationship is
a. mood.
b. tone.
c. climate.
d. environment.
e. foundation.
75. Defensiveness is the process of protecting your
a. interpretations.
b. sense data.
c. perceived self.
d. presenting self.
e. None of the above answers are correct.
76. Gibb’s categories provide a useful way for us to examine our
a. self-concept.
b. patterns of self-disclosure.
c. defensive and supportive behaviors.
d. manipulative behaviors.
e. perceptual differences.
77. The communication climate in a relationship is determined by the
a. roles each person has in the relationship.
b. similarities of the parties.
c. degree to which each person feels valued.
d. amount of self-disclosure that occurs.
e. listening and perceptual skills that each individual brings to the relationship.
78. A confirming response may
a. criticize the other.
b. agree with or acknowledge the other.
c. reveal deception.
d. recognize manipulation.
e. control the other.
79. People who act in accordance with Gibb’s category of equality communicate that
a. everyone is equal in every way.
b. while they may have greater talent in some areas, all have just as much worth as human beings.
c. all human beings are created with the capacity to be equal in all areas.
d. All of these answers are correct.
e. None of the above answers are correct.
80. “I know that isn’t going to work under any circumstances” is an example of the Gibb defensive category of
a. evaluation.
b. control.
c. superiority.
d. certainty.
e. strategy.
81. Jenna says, “Sophia, I’m really upset about how we divide the cooking chores.” Sophia retorts, “Speaking of cooking, my secretary brought in great cookies today.” Sophia’s response is an example of a(n)
a. impervious response.
b. interrupting response.
c. irrelevant response.
d. impersonal response.
e. tangential response.
82. Mercedes asks her boss if she can take Friday afternoon off to clear up some legal problems. Her boss replies, “Seems like everybody has problems these days.” The boss’s reply is an example of a(n)
a. impervious response.
b. interrupting response.
c. irrelevant response.
d. tangential response.
e. impersonal response.
83. Molly asks her mother if she’ll help her go through her wardrobe to see what needs to be thrown out. Her mother replies, “Throwing out things is a great idea; help me with cleaning out this refrigerator, won’t you?” This reply is an example of a(n)
a. impervious response.
b. interrupting response.
c. irrelevant response.
d. tangential response.
e. impersonal response.
84. Lilly calls Cameron to invite her to a party, leaving the message on Cameron’s voicemail. After two days, Cameron still hasn’t returned Lilly’s call. Lilly might interpret this as what type of response?
a. impervious.
b. interrupting.
c. irrelevant.
d. tangential.
e. impersonal.
85. “You are such a couch potato” is an example of what Gibb defense-arousing behavior?
a. evaluation.
b. control.
c. strategy.
d. neutrality.
e. superiority.
86. Which of the following statements is the best supportive alternative to the accusation, “You just don’t try hard enough.”
a. “You should try harder.”
b. “You give up too easily.”
c. “I’m worried you’ll fail with two D’s.”
d. “You should study two hours every night.”
e. “It’s time we had a talk about trying.”
87. Ambiguous responses
a. are conversational “take aways.”
b. are unrelated to what the other person has just said.
c. ignore the other person’s attempt to communicate.
d. contain messages with more than one meaning.
e. interrupt the other person.
88. Disconfirming responses loaded with clichés and other statements that never truly respond to the speaker are called
a. impervious.
b. interrupting.
c. irrelevant.
d. tangential.
e. impersonal.
89. Agreeing with a critic’s perception of your behavior involves
a. apologizing to the critic.
b. agreeing with the critic’s right to see things his/her way.
c. backing off from your position.
d. All of these answers are correct.
e. None of the above answers are correct.
90. Which of the following is a nondefensive response to the criticism, “You’ve really messed up that account now”?
a. “Tell me what, in your mind, I did that upset you.”
b. “Not taking Mr. Kimble to dinner endangers the account?”
c. “So you’re upset that the account may be lost?”
d. “Losing that account might really hurt our department?”
e. All of these answers are correct to respond nondefensively to that criticism.
91. If others start criticizing you, one productive way to respond is to
a. tell them to stop the criticism.
b. point out that criticism is not productive.
c. criticize them to show them how it feels.
d. ask for more specifics about what the criticism involves.
e. just back off; there’s no effective way to deal with this kind of “no-win” situation.
92. All of the following are nondefensive responses to criticism recommended by your text except
a. asking for more details about the criticism.
b. paraphrasing the speaker’s comments.
c. asking about the consequences of your behavior.
d. accepting the speaker’s comments, even if you disagree.
e. guessing about the details of the criticism.
93. Communication climates are a function of
a. the way people feel about one another.
b. the tasks people perform.
c. individual personality characteristics.
d. Gibb’s functional theories.
e. time, place, and context.
94. A reciprocating communication pattern in which each person’s message reinforces the other’s is called a(n)
a. conflict.
b. defense mechanism.
c. face-threatening act.
d. attack.
e. spiral.
95. Saying, “That’s the way the cookie crumbles,” is an example of what Gibb defense-arousing behavior?
a. control
b. strategy
c. certainty
d. evaluation
e. neutrality
96. All of the following are defense-arousing behaviors except
a. neutrality.
b. control.
c. superiority.
d. strategy.
e. spontaneity.
97. The assertive message format
a. should be worded to suit your own style of communication.
b. may require you to repeat a part to ensure the other person’s understanding.
c. may be delivered in mixed order of the elements.
d. can combine two or more elements in a single phrase.
e. All of these answers are correct.
98. Paraphrasing is valuable in responding to critics because
a. the intensity of the attack is often reduced when a complaint is acknowledged.
b. the critic knows then that he/she is right.
c. important information can be learned.
d. All of these answers are correct.
e. a and c
99. A spiral
a. is a reciprocating communication pattern.
b. can be escalatory or de-escalatory.
c. rarely goes on indefinitely.
d. reinforces the principle that “what goes around comes around.”
e. All of these answers are correct.
100. When Estefanie tells Tracy exactly what she needs to do differently rather than withholding information so she’ll look bad to others at work, she is being __________ rather than __________.
a. spontaneous, strategic
b. provisional, certain
c. equal, superior
d. empathetic, neutral
e. descriptive, evaluative
101. When Abdul suggests to Kimya that there might be another way to approach handling a problem instead of enforcing his way of handling it, he is being __________ rather than __________.
a. spontaneous, strategic
b. provisional, certain
c. equal, superior
d. empathetic, neutral
e. descriptive, evaluative
102. When Libby tells her husband, “I’d really like to go out to dinner more often,” instead of saying, “Our best friends go out to dinner every week,” she is being __________ rather than __________.
a. spontaneous, strategic
b. provisional, certain
c. equal, superior
d. empathetic, neutral
e. problem-oriented, controlling
103. Kathie likes her new boss, Kay, better than her old boss because Kay is more likely to admit when she’s wrong and point out that she makes mistakes like every other human being. Kathie probably experiences a more supportive work climate because Kay’s behavior is more __________ rather than __________.
a. spontaneous, strategic
b. provisional, certain
c. equal, superior
d. empathetic, neutral
e. problem-oriented, controlling
INSTRUCTIONS for questions 104–108: Match each statement below with the appropriate defense-arousing behaviors.
a. evaluation
b. control
c. neutrality
d. superiority
e. certainty
104. “How many times do you think I’ll have to explain this to you?!”
105. “That’s the way of the world. Get used to it.”
106. “You’re a slob!”
107. “It’s my way or the highway!”
108. “I don’t really need your input. I’ve already made my decision.”
INSTRUCTIONS for questions 109–113: Match each statement below with the appropriate face-honoring behaviors.
a. empathy
b. provisionalism
c. equality
d. problem-orientation
e. description
109. “I can completely understand why you are so upset about this.”
110. “When you leave your shoes by the door, I get frustrated because I trip over them.”
111. “I’d love to know what you think about this idea. I’ll be considering input through Friday.”
112. “Sure, I’ll be glad to show you how this program works, and I know you’ll get the hang of it soon!”
113. “We should work together on this. I’ll bet we can figure out an idea that will benefit both of us.”
INSTRUCTIONS for questions 114–119: Match the type of disconfirming response with its behavioral description.
a. impervious
b. tangential
c. personalized complaining
d. impersonal
e. irrelevant
114. Alex says, “Let’s decide what we’re doing this weekend after I get paid tomorrow,” and you reply, “ I’m really excited about getting an A on my test.”
115. Vince says, “I’m so tired,” and you reply, “Boy, everybody’s got problems today.”
116. You see Denise smile at you, but you walk past without smiling back.
117. ”I wish you wouldn’t be such a slob.”
118. Omar asks how your roommate is feeling; you tell him about your own health.
119. Josh gets upset because Cassandra did not text him back.
INSTRUCTIONS for questions 120–138: Match the following statements with the appropriate part of the assertive message format.
a. feeling
b. behavior
c. interpretation
d. consequence
e. intention
120. “Whenever we fight, both of us usually wind up regretting it.”
121. “I’m worried about you.”
122. “I just want you to know how much this affects me.”
123. “You’re smoking again after you said you were quitting.”
124. “I’m thinking you just don’t like me.”
125. “Because we were five minutes late, we couldn’t be seated until intermission.”
126. “You seem pretty sure of yourself.”
127. “I’m uncomfortable about that.”
128. “I’d like to know whether you are angry.”
129. “It seems to me that you’re just trying to set me against her.”
130. “I’m happy you’re coming.”
131. “Gene didn’t call at the usual time.”
132. “You shouldn’t expect me to help you out again.”
133. “I take this to mean that you’re mad at me.”
134. “I’m really burned up about that bill.”
135. “You didn’t invite me to the party.”
136. “Ever since you said that I was wrong, I’ve been afraid to ask your opinion.”
137. “It seems like something is bothering you.”
138. “I think you’ve been ignoring me lately.”
139. Describe two of your important relationships in terms of communication climate. What factors contribute to the overall climate in each relationship? Describe confirming and disconfirming behaviors for each relationship that led you to your overall assessment.
140. How do defensive behaviors work in the sphere of work relationships? Given your knowledge of Gibb’s categories, what advice would you give to a manager?
141. Describe a recent incident when you were defensive. Explain which part of your self-concept you were protecting, and describe the consequences of your defensiveness.
142. Describe an important relationship in which you are involved in terms of a positive or negative “spiral” of behavior. Indicate how behaviors over the past six months (or any defined segment of time) have tended to “beget” similar behaviors in your relationship. Comment on the future direction of your spiral.
143. Imagine the following scene: Your instructor (we’ll call him Dr. Roberts) angrily thrusts your research paper back at you saying, “This paper is not only late, it is full of errors.” Write a response to Dr. Roberts that demonstrates three different ways to respond using Chapter Ten’s strategies for handling criticism nondefensively.
144. Use the Assertive Message Format to respond to one of two situations described below, labeling each of the five parts of the message.
A friend is in the habit of borrowing your belongings and not returning them to you without you having to ask for them back several times. Now your friend is returning a sweater of yours and there’s a stain on it.
One of your friends has been especially supportive lately, has called often, spent time getting you out socially and even prepared dinner for you to help you get through a difficult time.
145. Describe two examples each of confirming, disagreeing, and disconfirming messages in your own life, and describe their consequences. Explain how each message threatens or honors the presenting self (or “face”) of the communicators involved.
146. Describe (from your own life) or create one example each of all 12 Gibb behaviors. Explain how each message threatens or honors the presenting self (or “face”) of the communicators involved.
147. Consider this saying, “I can be right or I can be happy.” Discuss this in terms of defensiveness/nondefensive concepts from the text, as well as any pertinent Gibb climate components.
148. Describe ways in which we send confirming and disconfirming messages via text and social media.
149. Describe ways in which we contribute to supportive and defensive climates via text and social media.
CHAPTER 11
MANAGING INTERPERSONAL CONFLICTS
1. Research has shown that strong marriages manage conflict in constructive ways.
2. Destructive fights often start because the initiator confronts a partner who isn’t ready for a confrontation.
3. Interdependence must exist between two parties in order for a conflict to exist.
4. A conflict can exist only when both parties are aware of a disagreement.
5. One key to the win-win approach to conflict resolution is to look for the single best solution at the beginning of your conversation.
6. The text says that “stopping and counting to ten” applies to win-win problem solving.
7. As long as one person in the relationship is aware of the disagreement, a conflict exists.
8. The win-win approach to conflict resolution requires parties to reach a solution through compromise.
9. With enough skill you should be able to use win-win problem solving successfully in almost any conflict.
10. When people express hostility in obscure ways, “passive aggression” occurs.
11. A full-fledged conflict will not occur unless the individuals involved try to prevent one another from achieving their goals.
12. Direct aggression is described as physical attacks and swearing, but does not include teasing or nonverbal gestures.
13. Gender is the most important variable in determining conflict style.
14. The situation at hand and the behavior of the other person in the conflict are more powerful determinants of a person’s conflict style than gender.
15. Some scholars assert that conflict style is often determined simply by a person’s biological makeup.
16. A conflict can exist even if the parties in conflict are not dependent on each other.
17. College students who kept diaries of their relationships reported that they took part in about 10 arguments per week.
18. Avoidance is never an effective conflict style to choose.
19. An avoiding conflict style reflects the belief that there is no good way to resolve the conflict at hand.
20. In high-context, collectivist countries, avoidance and accommodation are considered positive, appropriate ways to handle conflict.
21. Even when accommodation is a genuine act of kindness, it is not considered an acceptable style because the accommodator is showing a lack of regard for him/herself.
22. Compromise is considered a win-win conflict style because each person gets at least some of what they want.
23. What conflict style to choose should be determined by the style you are most comfortable using.
24. Collaboration is considered the single “best” way to resolve a conflict.
25. Conflict is considered relational because it is determined by the way the parties interact with each other.
26. In a symmetrical conflict style, the partners use different but mutually reinforcing behaviors.
27. A complementary conflict style can be problematic for couples, but a symmetrical one will not be.
28. Conflict rituals are not necessarily wrong until they become the only way relational partners handle their conflicts.
29. Probably the most important cultural factor in shaping attitudes toward conflict is an orientation toward individualism or collectivism.
30. The ethnic background of communicators is not a significant factor in their views regarding conflict.
31. A constructive conflict style is rarely used, due in part to people not being aware that it is a viable alternative to a competitive approach.
32. A win-win, collaborative approach might be beneficial, but it isn’t very realistic to use due to its detail and complicated structure.
33. Although avoidance of conflict is tempting, your partner is likely to experience more frustration and discomfort than he/she would if you were to face your conflicts in a constructive way.
34. Lack of time for yourself and others is a common source of conflict in relationships.
35. Controlling resources like money, staffing, and time in order to keep employees from being successful is a form of workplace bullying.
36. Research shows that investing time and money in mentoring others pays off for the protégé but rarely for the mentor.
37. Due to the “Queen Bee” complex, women are less likely to invest time in mentoring, coaching, and sponsoring other women because they are afraid new success will undermine their own.
38. Contempt is communicated verbally rather than nonverbally.
39. Destructive behaviors included in the “four horsemen” described by researcher John Gottman are likely to feed off each other and develop into destructive conflict rituals.
40. Women are more likely than men to view withdrawal from conflict as more harmful to the relationship than do men.
41. If you listen to your partner sincerely, avoid judgmental attacks, and empathize with his/her concerns, there’s a good chance you’ll get the same behavior in return.
42. If both partners are willing, the collaborative win-win approach is very likely to be successful.
43. Which of the following strategies is not recommend as a way to manage workplace bullying?
a. Reframe your thinking.
b. Negotiate with the offender.
c. Appeal to a third party.
d. Back off.
e. All of the above are recommended strategies.
44. Which of the following is not an example of workplace bullying?
a. assertive language
b. impossible deadlines
c. behind the back criticism
d. withholding resources employees need to be successful
e. nit picking
45. In the “Looking At Diversity” reading, Marilyn Jorgensen recommends which of the following strategies when working with people from a different cultural background?
a. Face conflict head on, and get to the bottom of any conflicts right away.
b. Slow down and adopt an attitude of curiosity.
c. Show genuine interest in the other person.
d. both b and c
e. none of the above
46. Stonewalling sends a(n) __________ message to the other person.
a. assertive message
b. confirming
c. disagreeing
d. disconfirming
e. competing
47. Researcher John Gottman has been able to predict with over 90 percent accuracy whether a marriage will end in divorce by looking for evidence of
a. complementary conflict styles.
b. the four horsemen of destructive conflict styles.
c. crazymaking behaviors.
d. direct aggression.
e. pseudoaccomodation.
48. Men are more likely than women to
a. be more competitive.
b. be more cooperative.
c. give reasons for their suggestions.
d. gossip, backbite, and exclude others.
e. begin proposals with the word “lets.”
49. Women are more likely than men to say “we have to talk about it” because
a. women are more accommodating than men.
b. women are more insecure than men.
c. women view withdrawal from a conflict as more injurious than men.
d. women are more demanding than men.
e. women are more direct than men.
50. In a survey of conflict views of college men and women, women were described as being
a. more concerned with maintaining the relationship during a conflict.
b. more concerned with power in the conflict.
c. more interested in the content of the conflict.
d. more ego-involved in the conflict than men.
e. All of these answers are correct.
51. Complementary and symmetrical conflict styles have been shown to produce
a. marriages that got back together after conflict.
b. couples who find other mates while getting divorced.
c. a greater percentage of divorces that are settled amicably.
d. both “good” results as well as “bad” ones.
e. divorces that only have the facade of politeness.
52. Individuals in low-context cultures typically resolve conflict by
a. avoidance.
b. indirect communication.
c. nonassertion.
d. All of these answers are correct.
e. None of these answers are correct.
53. An uncontrolled, spontaneous “explosion,” a “Vesuvius,” is
a. encouraged by your text as a first step to solving conflict.
b. therapeutic when you feel it’s impossible to be relational and your partner understands what you’re doing.
c. a great way of eliminating defensive behaviors by “clearing the air.”
d. one way to make sure your partner will listen to you.
e. All of these answers are correct.
54. Win-win problem solving is seldom used because
a. there is a lack of awareness of it.
b. emotional reflexes prevent constructive solutions.
c. it requires both persons’ cooperation.
d. win-win problem solving is actually the most used problem-solving style of all.
e. a, b, and c are correct.
55. A person who buys a piece of new furniture, finds it damaged, and says nothing because he doesn’t want to confront the retailer, is engaging in the personal conflict style of
a. avoiding.
b. accommodating.
c. indirect communication.
d. compromising.
e. None of these answers are correct.
56. In order for a conflict to exist, two interdependent parties must perceive
a. incompatible goals.
b. scarce resources.
c. interference from the other party in achieving their goals.
d. a, b, and c are correct.
e. both a and c are correct.
57. When people deliver subtle aggressive messages involving feelings of resentment, anger, or rage that they aren’t able or willing to express directly, they are engaging in what psychologist George Bach calls
a. defense arousal.
b. nonverbal conflict.
c. pseudo-messages.
d. crazymaking.
e. one-up conflict resolution.
58. Conflict rituals are
a. inherently wrong.
b. the best way to solve the variety of conflicts that are part of any relationship.
c. almost always positive.
d. unacknowledged but repeating patterns of dealing with conflict.
e. All of these answers are correct.
59. The “ownership” of a problem almost always belongs to
a. the person who is dissatisfied.
b. the person to whom the complaint is directed.
c. the person with the lowest amount of self-disclosure.
d. the person with the greatest amount of passive aggressive behavior.
e. the most assertive person.
60. You and your partner’s pattern of managing disagreements that repeats itself over time is called your
a. relational conflict style.
b. cognitive dissonance pattern.
c. harmony/disharmony pattern.
d. “Vesuvius.”
e. assertive message format.
61. In the Communication Transcript in Chapter Eleven, Chris tries to resolve a conflict with her roommate Terry over cleaning their apartment by
a. relying on authority as a source of power.
b. using the “Vesuvius” method to get Terry’s attention.
c. appealing to their mutual self-interests.
d. employing “crazymaking” strategies.
e. None of these answers are correct
62. All of the following are true about conflict, except
a. conflict is natural.
b. every relationship of any depth at all has conflict.
c. conflict can be beneficial.
d. people typically have similar conflict styles.
e. b and d.
63. Studies of different cultures and conflict reveal that
a. assertiveness is valued worldwide.
b. North Americans avoid confrontation more than other cultures studied.
c. individualistic cultures are less assertive than collective ones.
d. the assertiveness appropriate in North America could be perceived as rude and insensitive in collectivist cultures.
e. All of these answers are correct are true.
64. One of the best methods to use to describe your problem and needs to a partner during conflict resolution is
a. paraphrasing.
b. perception checking.
c. the assertive message format.
d. high-level abstractions.
e. emotional description.
65. Rhonda complains to Collin that she’s tired of their weekend routine. Irritated, Collin snaps back that he’s tired of her complaining. Their conflict pattern reflects which of the following conflict styles?
a. complementary
b. symmetrical
c. tangential
d. conditional
e. None of these answers are correct
66. In order to decide which conflict style you should use, you should consider
a. the situation.
b. the other person.
c. your goals.
d. the relationship.
e. All of these answers are correct.
67. Conflict rituals
a. are always damaging.
b. should be replaced with compromise.
c. most often involve avoidance by both of the participants in the conflict.
d. become problems when they are seen as the only way to resolve problems.
e. are defined as ways partners use guilt and intimidation to fight dirty.
68. At which step in the win-win, collaborative process would you utilize the assertive message format?
a. Identify your problem and unmet needs.
b. Negotiate a solution.
c. Make a date.
d. Describe your problem and needs.
e. Consider your partner’s point of view.
69. At which step in the win-win, collaborative process would brainstorming be appropriate?
a. Identify your problem and unmet needs.
b. Negotiate a solution.
c. Make a date.
d. Describe your problem and needs.
e. Consider your partner’s point of view.
70. Of the following statements, which most accurately describes the part gender plays in conflict style?
a. Gender is less important in determining conflict style than the behavior of the other person in the conflict.
b. Research indicates that the stereotype of women as passive is nearly 90% accurate.
c. There are virtually no discernible differences between the conflict styles of men and women.
d. When actual behaviors are observed, women are more likely to withdraw from discussion issues than men are.
e. All of these answers are correct.
71. When unhappy couples argue, they
a. use evaluative “you” language.
b. ignore each other’s nonverbal relational messages.
c. have minimal empathy for the other.
d. are not problem-oriented.
e. All of these answers are correct .
72. The habitual approach you take when your needs appear incompatible with what another wants is called your
a. conflict ritual.
b. conflict style.
c. passive aggression.
d. conflict manner.
e. crazymaking.
73. When Brody steered clear of Miranda after they had an argument, he was using what style of conflict?
a. accommodating
b. compromising
c. avoiding
d. passive aggression
e. crazymaking
74. The conflict style where one has a low concern for him/herself and a high concern for others is called
a. avoiding.
b. collaborating.
c. compromising.
d. competing
e. accommodating.
75. Alicia wanted to see a movie with her friends Friday night, but ended up at a bar since that’s where most of the girls wanted to go. Alicia used what conflict style in this situation?
a. avoiding
b. collaborating
c. compromising
d. competing
e. accommodating
76. The distinguishing characteristic in win-lose problem solving is
a. passivity.
b. power.
c. aggression.
d. discussion.
e. assertiveness.
77. Audra and Alfonso argue and Alfonso storms out of the house. Audra calls Alfonso asking for forgiveness. He returns and they reconcile. Soon they fight again with Alfonso once again leaving. This is an example of a(n)
a. complementary style.
b. symmetrical style.
c. conflict ritual.
d. avoiding style.
e. win-lose.
78. Of the following, what is not a step in negotiating a solution in the collaborative conflict style approach?
a. Identify and define the conflict.
b. Generate a number of possible solutions.
c. Evaluate the alternative solutions.
d. Decide on the best solution.
e. All of these answers are steps.
79. A competing/win-lose conflict style
a. involves high concern for self and low concern for others.
b. can sometimes enhance a relationship.
c. has a distinguishing characteristic of power.
d. occurs when people perceive a situation as being an “either-or” one.
e. All of these answers are correct.
80. Avoiding is sometimes an appropriate style to choose when
a. the issue is temporary or minor.
b. speaking up might cause physical harm.
c. the relationship isn’t worth the effort.
d. a and b are correct.
e. All of these answers are correct.
81. All of the following are types of direct verbal aggression except
a. teasing.
b. character attacks.
c. threats.
d. shoving.
e. nonverbal emblems.
82. What plays a significant role in the effectiveness of the accommodating conflict style?
a. goodwill
b. motivation
c. skill
d. intelligence
e. None of these answers are correct.
INSTRUCTIONS for questions 83-87: Match each of the following crazymakers with its description.
a. mind reader
b. crisis tickler
c. guilt maker
d. pseudoaccommodator
e. avoider
83. When this person’s partner brings up a problem, she pretends to be busy with the laundry.
84. This person pretends to give in and then continues to act in the same way.
85. This person handles conflict by trying to make her partner feel responsible for causing her discomfort.
86. This person almost brings what’s bothering him to the surface, but never quite comes out and expresses himself.
87. Instead of expressing her feelings honestly, this person explains what her partner “really” means or what’s “really wrong.”
INSTRUCTIONS for questions 88–92: Match each of the following crazymakers with its description.
a. joker
b. withholder
c. gunnysacker
d. trivial tyrannizer
e. trapper
88. James tells Ivy he wants her advice, and when she offers it, he becomes very angry and accuses her of trying to tell him what to do.
89. Elaine deliberately cranks up the volume on her music, knowing that it irritates her mother.
90. Jacob kept all his frustrations to himself and then when his sister asked him to run an errand for him he erupted, telling her all the ways he felt she had imposed upon him in the past two weeks.
91. Renee refused to speak to Javier for two days.
92. Thomas laughed off his business partner’s comments that he was shirking some of his work responsibilities by saying, “And who got out of the wrong side of the bed today?”
93. Explain a current conflict you are having with a friend or loved one. Apply the win-win method to arrive at a solution using all six steps as though you were speaking to your partner. Explain what you believe might be the outcome of using this method to solve the problem.
94. Your text states that compromise hardly deserves the positive image it seems to carry. Describe a time when you compromised to settle a conflict. Did your experience present a more negative or more positive outcome? What is your view of compromise as a conflict resolution outcome?
95. In a short essay, defend or refute the following statement: “Conflict is a destructive behavior.”
96. Imagine a conflict which seems unable to be resolved. What have you learned about interpersonal communication that might enable you to work toward a resolution of the conflict?
97. Pick the two crazymakers you use most often. For each, describe the circumstances in which the crazymaker is used, the function which the crazymaker serves, the consequences of using the crazymaker, and any alternative behavior which would be more constructive.
98. “In order for there to be winners, there have to be losers.” Discuss this statement by examining an interpersonal conflict in which you have been involved.
99. Define the term conflict as described in your text. Explain in detail each element of the definition.
100. Examine the differences between men and women in how they approach conflict. Include research findings as well as your own personal experiences in your discussion.
101. Recall a past or current conflict from your life and explain it using all parts of the definition in the text. Explain how it was or is being handled by referring to conflict styles, rituals and patterns. Describe how satisfied you are with the way it was or is being handled, and explain what you would’ve done or can do differently.
102. Describe what you believe to be your primary conflict style, and discuss its effectiveness. If necessary, suggest alternatives, and explain your reasoning.
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