Chapter 12: Nonverbal Communication: Moving Forward

Test Bank

Multiple Choice

1. One of the major differences between verbal and nonverbal messaging is ______.

A. verbal messaging offers more complete information than nonverbal messaging

B. verbal messaging is more difficult to decode than nonverbal messaging

C. nonverbal messaging is often more likely to be trusted than verbal messaging

D. nonverbal messaging is less likely to be trusted than verbal messaging

Learning Objective: 12-1: Revisit models of communication.

Cognitive Domain: Analysis

Answer Location: Nonverbal Communication in Review

Difficulty Level: Medium

2. How are verbal and nonverbal messaging similar?

A. Both nonverbal messages and verbal messages follow the communication patterns of the transactional model of communication.

B. Both nonverbal messages and verbal messages adhere to a precise set of gramatical rules.

C. Both nonverbal messages and verbal messages involve messages sent with conscious intention.

D. Both nonverbal messages and verbal messages are accurately decoded in most interactions.

Learning Objective: 12-1: Revisit models of communication.

Cognitive Domain: Analysis

Answer Location: Nonverbal Communication in Review

Difficulty Level: Medium

3. Depending upon the ______, some nonverbal codes may have greater potential for successfully sending a message than other codes.

A. culture in which your interaction with another person is occurring

B. context in which your interaction with another person is occurring

C. the number of codes used in the interaction with another person

D. the quality of the codes used in the interaction with another person

Learning Objective: 12-1: Revisit models of communication.

Cognitive Domain: Comprehension

Answer Location: Nonverbal Communication in Review

Difficulty Level: Medium

4. The ______ that nonverbal messages have in each of our own lives, and also in our shared human history, make them more likely to be believed.

A. priority

B. role

C. dominance

D. primacy

Learning Objective: 12-1: Revisit models of communication.

Cognitive Domain: Comprehension

Answer Location: Nonverbal Communication in Review

Difficulty Level: Medium

5. When Liam arrived late to the meeting, his boss raised his eyebrows and shook his head using ______ to communicate his displeasure.

A. oculesics

B. vocalics

C. kinesics

D. chronemics

Learning Objective: 12-2: Review nonverbal codes.

Cognitive Domain: Application

Answer Location: Communication Potential of the Codes

Difficulty Level: Medium

6. When compared with other codes, kinesics ______.

A. is the largest in terms of possible cues

B. is the smallest in terms of possible cues

C. contains the most complex cues

D. contributes to the highest levels of misunderstanding

Learning Objective: 12-2: Review nonverbal codes.

Cognitive Domain: Analysis

Answer Location: Communication Potential of the Codes

Difficulty Level: Medium

7. Which of the following is an accurate statement about kinesics?

A. Kinesics behaviors are complex making them difficult to learn until later in life.

B. From an early age, young people acquire an understanding of how to use and interpret kinesics.

C. Communicators are limited to using one kinesic behavior at a time to clarify their intended message.

D. Kinesic behaviors are most effective in communicating clear messages when they accompany verbal messages.

Learning Objective: 12-2: Review nonverbal codes.

Cognitive Domain: Comprehension

Answer Location: Communication Potential of the Codes

Difficulty Level: Medium

8. Amelia’s apartment was located just off-campus and she felt safe walking home after studying late at the library. One night she heard footsteps coming up quickly behind her, so she looked back and saw that a stranger approaching her personal space. Amelia quickened her pace, perceiving a threat due to the violation of the ______ code.

A. oculesics

B. proxemics

C. vocalics

D. environmental

Learning Objective: 12-2: Review nonverbal codes.

Cognitive Domain: Application

Answer Location: Communication Potential of the Codes

Difficulty Level: Medium

9. When someone uses haptics to send a message, what is the relationship between that sender’s touch and the receiver’s emotional response?

A. Regardless of the sender’s other nonverbal and verbal behaviors, the receiver of touch is more likely to experience anger than happiness.

B. Regardless of the sender’s other nonverbal and verbal behaviors, the receiver of touch is more likely to experience happiness than anger.

C. Based on their evaluation of the sender’s other nonverbal and verbal behaviors, the receiver is more likely to feel angry than happiness.

D. Based on their evaluation of the sender’s other nonverbal and verbal behaviors, the receiver is likely to feel either angry or happy.

Learning Objective: 12-2: Review nonverbal codes.

Cognitive Domain: Analysis

Answer Location: Communication Potential of the Codes

Difficulty Level: Hard

10. Which of the following is an accurate statement about the nonverbal code oculesics?

A. We tend to be more effective at receving and clearly decoding messages through our eyes than we are at sending clear messages with our eyes.

B. We tend to be ineffective at receving and decoding messages through our eyes, while at the same time more effective sending clear messages through our eyes.

C. The nonverbal code oculesics offers a consistent, reliable set of communication cues.

D. The nonverbal code oculesics is an ureliable way to send a message unless accompanied by a verbal message.

Learning Objective: 12-2: Review nonverbal codes.

Cognitive Domain: Comprehension

Answer Location: Communication Potential of the Codes

Difficulty Level: Medium

11. When Heather arrived at the party her friend’s apartment was packed with people, the music was blaring, and the conversation was lively. Heather was excited to enjoy the fun until she noticed a guy staring at her from across the room. Was he interested in her? Or was he a creep? Should she go talk to him or should she run away? Heather wasn’t sure what to do because ______.

A. she needed addtional training to be able to read eye contact more effectively

B. she needed additional nonverbal and verbal cues to determine if he’s communicating threat or affection

C. he was using eye contact to purposely send an ambiguous message about his intentions

D. he was using eye contact to purposely send a direct message about his intentions

Learning Objective: 12-2: Review nonverbal codes.

Cognitive Domain: Application

Answer Location: Communication Potential of the Codes

Difficulty Level: Medium

12. At an early age, we learn how to carefully and intentionally craft their own vocal sounds in order to reflect our ______.

A. committed relationships, interesting content, and emotional variation

B. personal meaning, informational context, and emotional variation

C. relational meaning, informational content, and emotional tone

D. relational apptitude, content verification, and emotional well-being

Learning Objective: 12-2: Review nonverbal codes.

Cognitive Domain: Knowledge

Answer Location: Communication Potential of the Codes

Difficulty Level: Easy

13. One of the things Melvin always appreciated about his girlfriend, Justine, was her soft, gentle voice. But when Melvin forgot their 6-month anniversary, Justine increased her volume, raised her pitch, and emphasized words that revealed her intense displeasure, using ______ to express her message.

A. oculesics

B. vocalics

C. kinesics

D. chronemics

Learning Objective: 12-2: Review nonverbal codes.

Cognitive Domain: Application

Answer Location: Communication Potential of the Codes

Difficulty Level: Medium

14. Which of the following reflects one of the ways that the nonverbal code vocalics differs from the nonverbal code physical appearance?

A. The nonverbal code vocalics is rarely used while the nonverbal code physical appearance is often used.

B. The nonverbal code vocalics is used in prescribed ways while the nonverbal code physical appearance is used in unpredictable ways.

C. The nonverbal code vocalics displays a wide range of variation while the nonverbal code physical appearance is often fixed and difficult to change.

D. The nonverbal code vocalics conveys deep meaning while the nonverbal code physical appearance conveys superficial meaning.

Learning Objective: 12-2: Review nonverbal codes.

Cognitive Domain: Analysis

Answer Location: Communication Potential of the Codes

Difficulty Level: Hard

15. The day Izzy turned 18 she treated herself to neck tattoo of climbing roses with thornes, a personal statement of her independence and beauty. At college, Izzy’s tattoo was often a conversation starter, making it easy to make new friends. However, when Izzy decided to pursue a career in nursing, she quickly discovered that her treasured tattoo was a liability as she experienced firsthand the impact of the nonverbal code of ______.

A. environment

B. physical appearance

C. chronemics

D. oculesics

Learning Objective: 12-2: Review nonverbal codes.

Cognitive Domain: Application

Answer Location: Communication Potential of the Codes

Difficulty Level: Medium

16. Unlike kinesic cues that can be effectively used to alter a message partway through an interaction, physical appearance cues ______.

A. can only be altered at the end of an interaction

B. are an ineffective way to alter a message partway through an interaction

C. offer limited opportunities to alter a message partway through an interaction

D. have an insignifiant influence on messaging during an interaction

Learning Objective: 12-2: Review nonverbal codes.

Cognitive Domain: Comprehension

Answer Location: Communication Potential of the Codes

Difficulty Level: Medium

17. The environmental code is much more about ______ a space rather than about shaping the communicative content of the space itself.

A. acquiring culturally relevant reactions to

B. acquiring personal artifacts in

C. accenting the architectural decor of

D. accepting the inherent limits within

Learning Objective: 12-2: Review nonverbal codes.

Cognitive Domain: Comprehension

Answer Location: Communication Potential of the Codes

Difficulty Level: Medium

18. Elements of the environmental code that may carry culturally agreed-upon meanings that convey information about how to communicate in a space are known as ______.

A. architectural design

B. semi-fixed features

C. fixed-features

D. artifacts

Learning Objective: 12-2: Review nonverbal codes.

Cognitive Domain: Knowledge

Answer Location: Communication Potential of the Codes

Difficulty Level: Easy

19. When a person emits a scent that is generated due to their hormonal state, the associated olfactic message sent is ______.

A. a reliable indicator of that person’s intention

B. consistent over time

C. difficult to intentionally manage

D. variable depending on other environmental factors

Learning Objective: 12-2: Review nonverbal codes.

Cognitive Domain: Comprehension

Answer Location: Communication Potential of the Codes

Difficulty Level: Medium

20. In North America, cultural norms dictate that we should try limit body odors to communicate that we are ______.

A. happy

B. wealthy

C. hygenic

D. intelligent

Learning Objective: 12-2: Review nonverbal codes.

Cognitive Domain: Comprehension

Answer Location: Communication Potential of the Codes

Difficulty Level: Medium

21. Kai was homeschooled in an unstructured, creative environment. A naturally inquisitive student, he excelled and was accepted at the college of his choice. Much to Kai’s surprise, his biggest challenge at college was his resistance to keeping to a set class schedule due to his lack of familiarity with his college’s ______ code.

A. oculesics

B. vocalics

C. kinesics

D. chronemics

Learning Objective: 12-2: Review nonverbal codes.

Cognitive Domain: Application

Answer Location: Communication Potential of the Codes

Difficulty Level: Medium

22. What is the relationship between the compelling nonverbal messages conveyed by an attractive or charismatic person and our ability to evaluate that person’s overall message?

A. We tend to listen more attentively and discerningly to person we perceive to be attractive or charismatic.

B. We tend to be distracted by a person we perceive to be attractive or charismatic and listen less attentively and discerningly.

C. We tend to associate honesty and integrity with the messages of a person we perceive to be attractive or charismatic.

D. We tend to associate dishonesty and a lack of integrity with the messages of a person we perceive to be attractive or charismatic.

Learning Objective: 12-3: Consider strategies for nonverbal success moving forward.

Cognitive Domain: Analysis

Answer Location: Absorbing Popular Media, Moving Forward

Difficulty Level: Hard

23. What is the relationship between nonverbal communication and ethical behavior?

A. People who do not understand how to use nonverbal behaviors to influence others have an ethical responsibility to learn more about nonverbal communication.

B. People who do not understand how to use nonverbal behaviors to influence others have an ethical responsibility to avoid using nonverbal communication.

C. People who understand how to use nonverbal behaviors to influence others have a greater ethical responsibility to use that understanding to communicate responsibly.

D. People who do not understand how to use nonverbal behaviors to influence others are not ethically responsibility for impact of their nonverbal communication.

Learning Objective: 12-3: Consider strategies for nonverbal success moving forward.

Cognitive Domain: Analysis

Answer Location: Examining Ethical Behavior, Moving Forward

Difficulty Level: Hard

24. Gemma prided herself on her good fashion sense and made sure she looked “just right” everyday. At college when she attended her first English 101 class, Gemma was dismayed to discover that her professor was an older woman who wore an outdated outfit and no makeup. In that moment, Gemma decided that she wasn’t going to learn anything of value in the class, revealing how her attitudes about personal appearance influence her ______.

A. sociodemographic characteristics

B. style preferences

C. strategy for success

D. cultural assumptions about age

Learning Objective: 12-3: Consider strategies for nonverbal success moving forward.

Cognitive Domain: Application

Answer Location: Examining Ethical Behavior, Moving Forward

Difficulty Level: Medium

25. Our perceptions of our ______ are influenced by our assumptions about the meaning of specific nonverbal codes.

A. similarity or difference with another person

B. communication competence

C. self-assessment

D. relationship satisfaction

Learning Objective: 12-3: Consider strategies for nonverbal success moving forward.

Cognitive Domain: Comprehension

Answer Location: Recognizing Diverse Perspectives, Moving Forward

Difficulty Level: Medium

True/False

1. Nonverbal communication can be defined as “any communicative characteristic or behavior that intentionally or unintentionally conveys a message through nonverbal cues in conjunction with verbal language.”

Learning Objective: 12-1: Revisit models of communication.

Cognitive Domain: Knowledge

Answer Location: Nonverbal Communication in Review

Difficulty Level: Easy

2. Human beings typically use multiple nonverbal codes simultaneously in each individual interaction.

Learning Objective: 12-1: Revisit models of communication.

Cognitive Domain: Knowledge

Answer Location: Nonverbal Communication in Review

Difficulty Level: Easy

3. Using multiple oculesic behaviors at the same time can help to clarify our intended message.

Learning Objective: 12-2: Review nonverbal codes.

Cognitive Domain: Comprehension

Answer Location: Communication Potential of the Codes

Difficulty Level: Medium

4. The nonverbal code kinesics is comprised of motion-based behaviors.

Learning Objective: 12-2: Review nonverbal codes.

Cognitive Domain: Knowledge

Answer Location: Communication Potential of the Codes

Difficulty Level: Easy

5. When one person experiences a reduction of interpersonal distance unexpectedly initiated by another person, they are likely to be physiologically aroused resulting in a fight-or-flight response.

Learning Objective: 12-2: Review nonverbal codes.

Cognitive Domain: Comprehension

Answer Location: Communication Potential of the Codes

Difficulty Level: Medium

6. The nonverbal code haptics includes all of the ways we communicate with our eyes.

Learning Objective: 12-2: Review nonverbal codes.

Cognitive Domain: Knowledge

Answer Location: Communication Potential of the Codes

Difficulty Level: Easy

7. Our eyes are extremely effective tools for the observation of both proximal and distal nonverbal messages.

Learning Objective: 12-2: Review nonverbal codes.

Cognitive Domain: Comprehension

Answer Location: Communication Potential of the Codes

Difficulty Level: Medium

8. Vocalics, when occurring alongside verbal language, may be the nonverbal code with the greatest ability to create and share meaning within interpersonal encounters.

Learning Objective: 12-1: Review nonverbal codes.

Cognitive Domain: Comprehension

Answer Location: Communication Potential of the Codes

Difficulty Level: Medium

9. Happily, people are rarely judged on appearance cues over which they have little or no control.

Learning Objective: 12-2: Review nonverbal codes.

Cognitive Domain: Comprehension

Answer Location: Communication Potential of the Codes

Difficulty Level: Medium

10. In North American culture, it is typically quite important to remove or limit many of the scents that remind us of our biology.

Learning Objective: 12-2: Review nonverbal codes.

Cognitive Domain: Comprehension

Answer Location: Communication Potential of the Codes

Difficulty Level: Medium

11. Many scents are ambiguous in their communication potential, because they are often characterized on a subjective, evaluative continuum.

Learning Objective: 12-2: Review nonverbal codes.

Cognitive Domain: Comprehension

Answer Location: Communication Potential of the Codes

Difficulty Level: Medium

12. The environmental code is much more about acquiring culturally relevant reactions to a space rather than about shaping the communicative content of the space itself.

Learning Objective: 12-2: Review nonverbal codes.

Cognitive Domain: Comprehension

Answer Location: Communication Potential of the Codes

Difficulty Level: Medium

13. The nonverbal code chronemics offers highly effective cues for clear communication.

Learning Objective: 12-2: Review nonverbal codes.

Cognitive Domain: Comprehension

Answer Location: Communication Potential of the Codes

Difficulty Level: Medium

14. In communication interactions, the burden of ethical responsibility lies with the person who is manipulatived by the nonverbal messages they receive from the sender.

Learning Objective: 12-3: Consider strategies for nonverbal success moving forward.

Cognitive Domain: Comprehension.

Answer Location: Examining Ethical Behavior, Moving Forward

Difficulty Level: Medium

15. To expand knowledge in the field of social science, scholars test an idea and make an assertion under a variety of conditions, which leads to additional research to test that same idea under slightly different conditions or in unique contexts.

Learning Objective: 12-3: Consider strategies for nonverbal success moving forward.

Cognitive Domain: Comprehension

Answer Location: Assessing the Self, Moving Forward

Difficulty Level: Medium

Essay

1. Differentiate nonverbal and verbal messages. How are they similar? How do they differ?

Learning Objective: 12-1: Revisit models of communication.

Cognitive Domain: Analysis

Answer Location: Nonverbal Communication in Review

Difficulty Level: Hard

2. Using an example from your own experience, describe a situation when you chose a nonverbal code that was ineffective in sending your intended message. Include the type of nonverbal code you used and explain why you think using it to send your message was ineffective. Finally, name the nonverbal code you think would have been more effective and explain why.

Learning Objective: 12-2: Review nonverbal codes.

Cognitive Domain: Application

Answer Location: Communication Potential of the Codes

Difficulty Level: Medium

3. Differentiate between proxemics and haptics, indicating their similarities and differences.

Learning Objective: 12-2: Review nonverbal codes.

Cognitive Domain: Analysis

Answer Location: Communication Potential of the Codes

Difficulty Level: Hard

4. What is the relationship between vocalics and the process of creating and sharing meaning within an interpersonal encounter?

Learning Objective: 12-2: Review nonverbal codes.

Cognitive Domain: Analysis

Answer Location: Communication Potential of the Codes

Difficulty Level: Hard

5. Using an example from your own experience, describe a situation when you ignored or discounted the attitudes, values, beliefs, opinions, and actions of someone you perceived to be dissimilar to yourself. Specifically indicate which nonverbal codes influenced you to make that assumption of difference, including indicators of race, gender, religion, sexual orientation, age, ability, or other sociodemographic characteristics of that person. Going forward, to uphold your ethical responsibility how can you avoid ignoring or discounting someone due to perceived dissimilarity?

Learning Objective: 12-3: Consider strategies for nonverbal success moving forward.

Cognitive Domain: Application

Answer Location: Examining Ethical Behavior, Moving Forward

Difficulty Level: Medium