Deck 6: Nonverbal Communication

Question 1

The Communication in Action feature in this chapter explains that tattoos and body piercings can affect a person's credibility in all of the following ways except

A) many people have negative impressions of employees who have tattoos.
B) many employees with tattoos or body piercings must conceal them on the job.
C) despite the potential for negative impressions, tattooing and body piercing have become a popular trend, especially among adolescents and young adults.
D) tattoos and body piercings have permanent and serious effects on a person's health.
E) many people believe that people who have a large number of body piercings are not good hiring choices.

Answer 1

D

Question 2

Identify the function of nonverbal cues in relation to verbal messages in the following example: When David asks Elaine whether she was able to buy any more of the on-sale Saran Wraps, she nods as she says "yes" while holding up three fingers and says "three."

A) repeats the verbal message
B) contradicts the verbal message
C) accents the verbal message
D) regulates the verbal message
E) substitutes for the verbal message

Answer 2

A

Question 3

Identify the function of nonverbal cues in relation to verbal messages in the following example: You say the words "I'm angry" with a loud volume, forceful gestures, and piercing eye contact.

A) repeats the verbal message
B) contradicts the verbal message
C) accents the verbal message
D) regulates the verbal message
E) substitutes for the verbal message

Answer 3

C

Question 4

Researchers suggest that _________ percent of the meaning we generate when interacting with others may be conveyed through nonverbal behaviors.

A) 10 to 30
B) 30 to 40
C) 40 to 60
D) 60 to 70
E) 70 to 90

Question 5

Nonverbal communication provides you with messages about another person's message by offering important clues about how to interpret the verbal portion of that message. These messages about messages are known as

A) repetitious messages.
B) metamessages.
C) co-messages.
D) regulating messages.
E) masking messages.

Question 6

Identify the communicative function of the following gesture: You can tell when Gretel is anxious. She grabs a hunk of her hair and twirls it around and around.

A) emblem
B) illustrator
C) adaptor
D) intensifier
E) deintensifier

Question 7

Identify the function of nonverbal cues in relation to verbal messages in the following example: Without saying anything, a wife may send a message to her husband about it being time to leave a party by establishing eye contact, nodding toward the front door, and standing up.

A) repeats the verbal message
B) contradicts the verbal message
C) accents the verbal message
D) regulates the verbal message
E) substitutes for the verbal message

Question 8

Which of the following statements about the nature of nonverbal communication is described in the following sentence: "Depending on the circumstances and occasion, a laugh can be interpreted as amusement, approval, contempt, scorn, or embarrassment."

A) Nonverbal communication is more convincing.
B) Nonverbal communication is highly contextual.
C) Nonverbal communication is continuous.
D) Nonverbal communication is learned informally.
E) Nonverbal communication is less structured.

Question 9

Identify the communicative function of the following gesture: Holding your hands about three feet apart and saying, "I saw a snake in our garden that was at least this long."

A) emblem
B) illustrator
C) adaptor
D) intensifier
E) deintensifier

Question 10

Research suggests that leakage cues (unintentional nonverbal behaviors) may reveal deceptive communication. Which of the following answers describes a leakage cue?

A) direct eye contact and smiles
B) carefully spoken words and phrases
C) higher pitch, vocal tension, and longer pauses
D) relaxed posture and carefully controlled physical movements
E) all of the above

Question 11

Which communication theory explains the following nonverbal behavior? You enter a crowded elevator, turn around, refrain from talking or touching anyone, and stare at the numbers as they go up or down.

A) Hall's Low-High Context Theory
B) Immediacy Theory
C) Other-Oriented Theory
D) Expectancy Violation Theory
E) Hofstede's Uncertainty Reduction Theory

Question 12

People who exhibit effective nonverbal communication skills tend to have

A) more academic and occupational success.
B) better social relationships.
C) more satisfying marriages.
D) less stress, anxiety, and hypertension.
E) all of the above.

Question 13

Identify the communicative function of the following gesture: You hear tragic news and clasp your hand to your heart.

A) emblem
B) illustrator
C) adaptor
D) intensifier
E) deintensifier

Question 14

What percent of women in the United States feel unhappy about their weight and want to be thinner?

A) 10-20%
B) 30-50%
C) 60-75%
D) 75-80%
E) 85-90%

Question 15

Identify the communicative function of the following gesture: Horatio is in a rage because another driver has cut him off. As a result, Horatio speeds up so he's next to the driver and raises his middle index finger in a gesture of anger.

A) emblem
B) illustrator
C) adaptor
D) intensifier
E) deintensifier

Question 16

While preparing for a corporate job interview Richard pays careful attention to selecting appropriate clothing (including a long-sleeved blue shirt to hide his tattoo), reminding himself to smile and establish eye contact with the person who will be interviewing him, and answering questions in a strong, confident voice. What aspect of nonverbal communication has Richard failed to consider?

A) appearance
B) vocal quality
C) facial expression
D) physical expression
E) one of the above

Question 17

You would be categorized as a "touch approacher" if you

A) seldom hug other people.
B) are bothered when you see people hugging each other in public.
C) are comfortable being touched by others.
D) do not like touching other people.
E) dislike group hugs.

Question 18

Many people believe that nonverbal communication is a spontaneous expression of someone's internal thoughts and feelings. Which characteristic of nonverbal communication is illustrated in this example?

A) Nonverbal communication is less structured.
B) Nonverbal communication is learned informally.
C) Nonverbal communication is highly contextual.
D) Nonverbal communication is continuous.
E) Nonverbal communication is more convincing.

Question 19

Identify the communicative function of the following gesture: Your team has just won a game. You raise your index and middle fingers in a Victory sign.

A) emblem
B) illustrator
C) adaptor
D) intensifier
E) deintensifier

Question 20

Which of the following statements about the nature of nonverbal communication is described in the following sentence: "People will interpret your opinions and feelings even when you are not talking."

A) Nonverbal communication is more convincing.
B) Nonverbal communication is highly contextual.
C) Nonverbal communication is continuous.
D) Nonverbal communication is learned informally.
E) Nonverbal communication is less structured.

Question 21

Verbal and nonverbal communication are highly structured and governed by rules.

Question 22

Nonverbal communication refers to message components other than words that generate meaning.

Question 23

Immediacy strategies refer to

A) the extent to which you seem approachable or likable.
B) the extent to which you respond quickly and accurately to others' nonverbal behavior.
C) the extent to which you avoid masking or neutralizing your facial expressions.
D) the extent to which your nonverbal behavior repeats, complements, or contradicts what you say.
E) all of the above.

Question 24

Members of most work groups interact with one another at Hall's

A) intimate distance.
B) personal distance.
C) social distance.
D) business distance.
E) public distance.

Question 25

Anthropologist Edward T. Hall identifies four zones of interaction used by most North Americans. Which of the following answers is NOT one of Hall's zones?

A) intimate distance
B) personal distance
C) social distance
D) siness distance
E) public distance

Question 26

You can strengthen the meaning of a simple hello if your facial expression and tone of voice communicate genuine interest and pleasure in greeting someone. This is an example of the complementing function of nonverbal communication.

Question 27

More than 94 percent of the meaning we generate is conveyed through nonverbal behavior.

Question 28

Waving hello or goodbye without saying anything is an example of the accenting function of nonverbal communication.

Question 29

Which of the following questions can help you find ways to become more other-oriented?

A) Does their nonverbal behavior repeat, complement, accent, regulate, or substitute for what they say, or does it contradict their verbal messages?
B) Are their gestures emblems, illustrators, or adaptors?
C) Do their facial expressions mask, neutralize, intensify, or deintensify their thoughts and feelings?
D) Do they maintain or avoid eye contact?
E) all of the above

Question 30

Which technique for adapting facial expressions is used in the following example? You plaster a smile on your face when you hear that a colleague has been promoted to vice president, a job that you believed you would get.

A) masking
B) neutralization
C) intensification
D) deintensification
E) signification

Question 31

Anthropologist Edward T. Hall studies spatial relationships and how the distance between people communicates information about their relationship. He refers to this tendency as

A) territoriality.
B) markers.
C) proxemics.
D) chronemics.
E) kinesics.

Question 32

Because facial muscles are difficult to control, a person's facial expressions can reveal deception and lying.

Question 33

Overall, most people's ability to accurately detect deception is equivalent to the flip of a coin: about fifty-fifty.

Question 34

Which technique for adapting facial expressions is used in the following example? When Iantha learns that her former boyfriend is dating her best friend, she conceals her consternation by shrugging her shoulders as if to say "it's no big deal."

A) masking
B) neutralization
C) intensification
D) deintensification
E) signification

Question 35

A mixed message is a contradiction between verbal and nonverbal meanings.

Question 36

Nonverbal communication is more believable than verbal communication because it seems spontaneous and revealing.

Question 37

Nonverbal communication has few agreed-upon rules and can communicate multiple and ambiguous messages.

Question 38

Which technique for adapting facial expressions is used in the following example? You are thrilled that you've made the dean's list, but you downplay showing your excitement among friends who didn't make the dean's list.

A) masking
B) neutralization
C) intensification
D) deintensification
E) signification

Question 39

What are the distance parameters most North Americans use when interacting with close personal friends and family members?

A) 0 to 18 inches
B) 18 inches to 4 feet
C) 4 feet to 8 feet
D) 8 feet to 12 feet
E) 12 feet to 15 feet

Question 40

All of the following research on eye behavior is true except

A) we look at people and things we like.
B) men look more at their conversational partner than women do.
C) we look more at another person when seeking approval or wanting to be liked.
D) when we avoid looking at someone directly, it's an intentional act.
E) our pupils dilate when we look at someone or something that is appealing or interesting to us.

Question 41

If you raise your hand in class to indicate, "I want to speak" or "I can answer that question," you are using the type of gesture classified as an emblem.

Question 42

Regulating nonverbal behavior tells us when to start and stop talking, whose turn it is to speak, and how to encourage others to talk more.

Question 43

Violations of nonverbal expectancy are negative and effectively change someone's nonverbal behavior.

Question 44

If you pound your fists in anger, you are using the type of gesture classified as an illustrator.

Question 45

If you chew your nails because you are worried or anxious, you are using the type of gesture classified as an illustration.

Question 46

The Japanese, who are accustomed to crowding, need less space around them, where North Americans need more space to feel comfortable.

Question 47

When we turn our eyes away from someone, it is an intentional act.

Question 48

According to a police services survey, public respect for police officers would not drop if officers had tattoos, piercings or unusual hair colour.

Question 49

In looking for the causes of infant deaths, researchers conclude that babies need to be touched and carried in order to develop and thrive.

Question 50

Direct and consistent eye contact from others is insulting to most North Americans.

Question 51

Gestures include hand, arm, head, and foot movements.

Question 52

Other-oriented people are effective self-monitors.

Question 53

Researchers claim that emoticons such as :-) and :-O have become less and less useful as nonverbal cues and have little or no effect on the interpretation of typed online messages.

Question 54

Each year approximately 1.5 million women and more than 800,000 men are victims of violence from an intimate partner such as a husband, wife, boyfriend, girlfriend, or date.

Question 55

Most North American men avoid same-sex touch except for the hugging and high-fiving we see on sports teams.

Question 56

According to Expectancy Violation Theory, your expectations about nonverbal behavior affect the way you interact with others and how you interpret the meaning of nonverbal messages.

Question 57

According to Edward T. Hall, most North Americans maintain about 4 to 8 feet between people when talking to close personal friends and family members.

Question 58

A study found that good-looking people tend to make more money and get promoted more often than those with average looks.

Question 59

Anthropologist Edward T. Hall uses the term territoriality to refer to the study of spatial relationships and how the distance between people communicates information about their relationship.

Question 60

Nonverbal illustrators are habitual gestures that satisfy a need or express an emotion.

Question 61

Immediacy refers to whether a person stands close enough to be touched.

Question 62

Several studies find positive links between immediacy and learning. Teachers who are immediate generate more interest and enthusiasm about the subject matter.