Deck 1: The Importance of Communication

Question 1

Humans use _______ to represent things, processes, ideas, or events in ways that make communication possible.

A) characters
B) verbs
C) messages
D) symbols

Answer 1

D

Question 2

When two or more people agree to use the same word or term to refer to something, they will more likely have

A) communication inhibition.
B) effective communication.
C) familiar communication.
D) a conversation.

Answer 2

B

Question 3

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

A) Communication is symbolic.
B) Communication is irreversible.
C) Communication is a process.
D) Communication is linear.

Answer 3

C

Question 4

Which of the following statements about communication is true?

A) Communication is always encoded.
B) Communication is only achieved by using symbols.
C) Communication occurs in discrete, individual acts.
D) Communication is something we do with others.

Question 5

There is no logical reason why the letters in the word "test" should represent the activity you are currently engaged in. This demonstrates which characteristic of communication?

A) Communication is symbolic.
B) Communication is relational.
C) Communication is unintentional.
D) Communication is irreversible.

Question 6

Messages which you communicate carelessly, especially online, may sometimes come back to haunt you. This demonstrates that communication is

A) irreversible.
B) a process.
C) unintentional.
D) relational.

Question 7

Which communication model describes communication as similar to tossing a ball?

A) Face-to-face communication
B) Linear communication
C) Mediated communication
D) Transactional communication

Question 8

The method by which a message is conveyed between people is called a

A) device.
B) channel.
C) message.
D) symbol.

Question 9

Communication channels influence

A) only what is communicated in a message.
B) only how a message is communicated.
C) neither how a message is communicated, nor what is communicated.
D) both how a message is communicated, and what is communicated.

Question 10

An example of external noise is

A) insecurity.
B) fatigue.
C) hunger.
D) loud music.

Question 11

Mikayla believes that Amber thinks highly of her. Amber is just being polite toward Mikayla, but Mikayla perceives it as admiration. What best describes Mikayla's misperception?

A) Psychological noise
B) Physiological noise
C) External noise
D) Communication environments

Question 12

Isaac feels very strongly about whether the government should intervene to help people who are struggling financially. He has these strong feelings because his own family is struggling-his mother just got laid off from her job. Isaac's feelings could be attributed to his

A) feedback.
B) relational communication.
C) encoding ability.
D) environment.

Question 13

A receiver's perceivable response to a message is

A) encoding.
B) self-monitoring.
C) feedback.
D) empathy.

Question 14

Andrew can't help noticing and being negatively impacted by an interviewer's frown as he explains to her why he left his last job. This scenario demonstrates which model of communication?

A) Linear
B) Transactional
C) Interactional
D) Mediated

Question 15

Devon is having a conversation with Carol. As Devon speaks to Carol, she crosses her arms and looks perturbed. Devon notices that Carol looks unhappy and begins to talk about something else. When Devon changes topics, Carol wonders why the conversation shifted and looks confused. From what is described here, what best characterizes the interaction?

A) Devon is the sender encoding messages to Carol. Carol is the receiver who then decodes the message.
B) Devon is the sender and Carol is the receiver. Her facial expressions are encoded messages.
C) Devon and Carol are the senders and receivers simultaneously. This is apparent because Carol's facial expressions sent a message to Devon while he spoke.
D) Neither Devon nor Carol is a sender or receiver because they are oblivious to each other's messages.

Question 16

Fields of experience that help communicators understand others' behavior are referred to as

A) environments.
B) channels.
C) dyads.
D) models.

Question 17

John is in biology class trying to listen to the lecture. He is having difficulty following because he stayed up most of the night studying for an economics test. This best exemplifies _______ noise.

A) external
B) psychological
C) physiological
D) environmental

Question 18

Which of the following statements breaks down the differences between the linear and transactional models?

A) The linear model relies on messages and the transactional model does not.
B) The linear contains message encoding and the transactional model does not.
C) The roles of sender and receiver are separate in the linear model, but both are considered simultaneous communicators in the transactional model.
D) The linear model is based on simultaneous communication, while the transactional model is based on sender feedback.

Question 19

Which of the following is an example of intrapersonal communication?

A) Joanne is asked to make a speech about the club, to which she replies, "Absolutely!"
B) Frank is speaking to his cycling group.
C) Elisha is having an intimate face-to-face conversation with Jill.
D) Tanya is asked to speak to the school board and she thinks, "I'm not a good enough speaker to do that."

Question 20

Larger, more permanent collections of people engage in _______ communication when they collectively work to achieve goals.

A) public
B) organizational
C) mass
D) small group

Question 21

An article in the print edition of a magazine is an example of _______ communication.

A) public
B) organizational
C) mass
D) small group

Question 22

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

A) This is both public and organizational communication.
B) This is organizational communication.
C) This is both mass and organizational communication.
D) This is both public and mass communication.

Question 23

Social scientists call it _______ when two persons interact.

A) a channel
B) small group communication
C) dyadic communication
D) intrapersonal communication

Question 24

Larger collections of people, where specific roles shape what, how, and with whom individuals communicate, demonstrate _______ communication.

A) intrapersonal
B) mediated
C) dyadic
D) organizational

Question 25

In _______ communication every person can participate actively with other members.

A) public
B) small group
C) intrapersonal
D) organizational

Question 26

What is/are present in small group communication, but not in dyadic communication?

A) Mediated channels
B) Specific roles
C) An unequal amount of speaking
D) A majority and a minority

Question 27

When a group grows too large for all its members to communicate at one time, we are faced with an example of _______ communication.

A) public
B) mass
C) mediated
D) linear

Question 28

The three characteristics identified by the textbook as uniquely combined in social media are: users are essentially their own publishers; both known and unknown recipients are likely to be reached; and

A) the public overlaps with the personal.
B) audiences could consist of five or five million people.
C) anyone can generate content.
D) groups can become too large for all members to communicate simultaneously.

Question 29

In the United States, two out of three young adults check their phone

A) first thing every morning.
B) first thing every morning and until they fall asleep at night.
C) as their principal means of identity management.
D) mainly to provide distractions.

Question 30

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

A) He could have been less open on social media.
B) He could have been more open on social media.
C) He could have been more careful and civil when he posted.
D) He could have been less casual when posting.

Question 31

You always check social media sites on your smart phone when you're paying for goods at the grocery store, and you don't care if others do either. One day, you do this and the man behind you thinks the way you are treating the cashier is rude. What communication competence with social media should you follow to avoid such reactions next time?

A) Balance mediated and face-to-face time.
B) Respect privacy boundaries.
C) Keep your tone civil.
D) Respect others' need for undivided attention.

Question 32

People who spend excessive time on the Internet may begin to experience problems at school or work and withdraw further from their offline relationships. Which social media communication competence could help?

A) Be mindful of bystanders.
B) Respect privacy boundaries.
C) Respect others' need for undivided attention.
D) Balance mediated and face-to-face time.

Question 33

Juanita is angry with her friend Jamal. She sends a social media message that personally attacks his character. Her words are incredibly harsh. Which option best describes Juanita's actions?

A) She was not mindful of bystanders.
B) She did not choose her medium well.
C) She did not adapt to her audience.
D) She was disinhibited.

Question 34

Julian's ways of interacting with others and his system of values have altered since he started using social media heavily. This is best accounted for by the fact that social media

A) can make you feel bad about yourself.
B) is distracting.
C) can hijack your time.
D) can be addictive.

Question 35

Izzy posts a video of himself cuddling with his cat to YouTube. He only has about 25 friends who regularly watch his YouTube postings. His friends really like the video and tell him so, which pleases him. They share it with their friends. The video goes viral and receives over 500,000 views. Many of these unexpected viewers leave highly offensive comments, and Izzy is devastated. What feature of social media does this situation best illustrate?

A) Izzy had no idea that the video would go viral.
B) Social media is distracting in unexpected ways.
C) People relying heavily on social media for validation are more prone to high levels of stress than moderate users.
D) Social media posts that include people-pleasing imagery get the most views.

Question 36

Sammy has some bad news to share with a friend. Instead of waiting to see her friend later that night, Sammy decides to just send her a text. Which tip for effective communication with social media would Sammy benefit from?

A) Choose the best medium.
B) Think before you post.
C) Never over-share.
D) Keep your cool.

Question 37

Is choosing the right communication medium important in social media use?

A) Yes, because using the wrong social media option in certain situations can add insult to injury.
B) Yes, but only in personal relationships.
C) Yes, because the social media option you use is the one you know always works best for you.
D) No, as long as the message is sent and received.

Question 38

The textbook points out that beginning an email to your manager or professor by saying "Hey", or nothing at all, may be considered disrespectful. This illustrates which tip for communicating well on social media?

A) Treat others as you would like to be treated yourself.
B) Adapt to the audience.
C) Choose the best medium.
D) Treat everyone equally.

Question 39

Competent communication is _______ communication.

A) linear
B) intelligent
C) face-to-face
D) effective

Question 40

Which characteristic of competent communication describes how it can be loud, quiet, serious, humorous, and more?

A) There is no "ideal" way to communicate.
B) Communication is situational.
C) Communication is relational.
D) Competence can be learned.

Question 41

Experiences showing that competence relates to both culture and the transactional nature of communication will also demonstrate that competence is

A) learned.
B) empathic.
C) relational.
D) flexible.

Question 42

Amelia is a competent communicator in large groups, but she is not so effective during interpersonal communication. What most likely accounts for this?

A) There is no "ideal" way to communicate.
B) Communication is situational.
C) Communication is relational.
D) Competence can be learned.

Question 43

Which characteristic of communication says that we can become more effective communicators?

A) There is no "ideal" way to communicate.
B) Communication is situational.
C) Communication is relational.
D) Competence can be learned.

Question 44

The ability to imagine how someone might be reacting internally to a situation, even if they cannot express that reaction clearly, points to which facet of communication competence?

A) Commitment
B) Sympathy
C) Empathy
D) Flexibility

Question 45

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

A) She was not a relational communicator.
B) She was not an empathic communicator.
C) She was not self-monitoring.
D) She was not committed.

Question 46

Ivan likes to make jokes and he often uses humor in his daily interactions. This approach to communication is usually effective for him. Ivan sees Dane at the market looking sad. After speaking with him, he finds that he recently lost a family pet. Ivan knows the feeling because he lost his pet hamster the month before. Ivan tries to cheer Dane up with his light-hearted humor, but Dane leaves feeling annoyed. From what we know, what best explains why Ivan was an ineffective communicator?

A) He was not empathic.
B) He was not situational.
C) He was not relational.
D) He was not flexible.

Question 47

The process of paying close attention to one's own behavior and using these observations to shape the way one communicates is called

A) self-monitoring.
B) commitment.
C) cognitive complexity.
D) empathy.

Question 48

Amy's friends describe her as a good listener and she believe she is a competent communicator. She goes to Jill's house and notices that Jill seems unhappy. Although Jill gives a few hints about what is upsetting her, Amy is reluctant to press for details for fear of distressing her friend further. This situation most likely arose because Amy is a(n)

A) accommodator.
B) tactful communicator.
C) sympathetic communicator.
D) distracted communicator.

Question 49

It is a mistake to think that communication competence is a trait that a person either possesses or lacks. That is because

A) there is no "ideal" way to communicate.
B) competent communication is transactional.
C) competent communication is relational.
D) competent communication is both situational and can be learned.

Question 50

According to the textbook, a person with the ability to balance assertiveness with good listening skills can be categorized as a(n)

A) empathic communicator.
B) impatient communicator.
C) tactful communicator.
D) accommodator.

Question 51

Sophia's friends always enjoy talking to her, as she tries to see situations from their perspectives on a range of subjects. Sophia illustrates which implication of competent communication?

A) Competence can be learned.
B) Competence is situational.
C) Competent communicators are empathic.
D) Competent communicators are committed.

Question 52

Jeffrey tends to be very serious, while Brian tends to use a lot of humor. Both are successful communicators. This illustrates that

A) there is no "ideal" way to communicate.
B) competence is situational.
C) competence is relational.
D) competence can be learned.

Question 53

Sarah passes Emma in the hall, and quickly blurts, "How are ya?" Emma responds by saying, "Hi." Which misconception of communication does this point to?

A) Communication requires complete understanding.
B) Communication will solve all problems.
C) Communication is itself a good thing.
D) Meanings rest in words.

Question 54

Bella talks to Christopher about the problems she's been having with her mother. Christopher suggests she speak with her mother until they reach a solution. Which misconception of communication is Christopher most likely basing his suggestion on?

A) Communication maximizes understanding.
B) Communication will solve all problems.
C) Communication is itself a good thing.
D) Meanings rest in words.

Question 55

Derrick feels comfortable talking to just about everyone and he feels pretty good about it. He is asked to give a speech about electrical engineering to a class of university students. He is not concerned and does not practice for the speech. After all, he's already a good communicator. Which misconception might Derrick be basing his confidence in?

A) Communication maximizes understanding.
B) Communication will solve all problems.
C) Communication is itself a good thing.
D) Communication is simple.

Question 56

The value of communication comes from the way it's used. This is an example of how

A) communication does not require complete understanding.
B) communication will not solve all problems.
C) communication is not itself a good thing.
D) meanings don't rest in words.

Question 57

Most people operate on the flawed assumption that the goal of all communication is to maximize _______ between communicators.

A) words
B) attention
C) relationships
D) understanding

Question 58

A politician is overheard calling a constituent some very colorful names. While the conversation is not meant for the public, it is reported nonetheless, and a story is run in the local paper. Many constituents are angry about what was said, but what wasn't reported was that the politician went to elementary school with the constituent and he was an old friend. How might that unknown fact change the public's understanding of the words used?

A) The name-calling may have been no more than playful banter amongst old friends, because meanings rest in people, not in words.
B) The name-calling used amongst old friends was used to show dominance.
C) The name calling amongst friends only proves that communication isn't always a good thing.
D) The name-calling was used because the politician was trying to solve a problem with the old friend and communication will not solve all problems.

Question 59

Kendrick and Felicia are married. Kendrick has just made Felicia an anniversary dinner. He asks her how she likes it, to which she responds, "It's pretty good." The truth is, Felicia doesn't care for it at all, but she doesn't want to hurt Kendrick's feelings. How did her response likely affect understanding? Choose the best answer.

A) Her response was meant to maximize understanding.
B) Her response was meant to be ambiguous, but Kendrick did not understand her at all.
C) Her response was meant to be simple.
D) Her response was meant to be ambiguous, but Kendrick knew roughly what she meant because communication does not always require complete understanding.

Question 60

An axiom that communication scholars like to use is: "Meanings are in _______, not in words."

A) sentences
B) vocabulary
C) objects
D) people

Question 61

Andy tells Karen that she looks tired. Karen says, "What do you mean by that?" using an irritated tone. Andy tries to explain by describing what he meant, but Karen only gets more irritated. What common misconception of communication is this an example of?

A) More communication is always better.
B) Communication is simple.
C) Meanings rest in words.
D) Communication requires complete understanding.

Question 62

Instead of saying "I don't want to spend time with you," Kiara tells Katherine, "I can't make it tonight." What principle does this best illustrate?

A) Complete comprehension and maximizing understanding is not the goal.
B) Communication is simple.
C) Meanings rest in people.
D) Communication can solve all problems.

Question 63

Communication can be a tool for expressing warm feelings and useful facts, but under different circumstances the same words and actions can cause both physical and emotional pain. This is because

A) more communication is not always better.
B) communication is not simple.
C) meanings rest in words.
D) communication isn't always a good thing.

Question 64

Some people may be insulted if you tell them they are "savage," while others may take it as compliment. This illustrates that

A) more communication is not always better.
B) communication is not simple.
C) meanings rest in people.
D) communication can't solve all problems.

Question 65

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

Question 66

What is communication noise? List the different types.

Question 67

What are the eight contexts of communication listed in the chapter?

Question 68

What are the five tips for communicating well on social media, as listed in the chapter?

Question 69

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

Question 70

Name the six common misconceptions about communication referred to in the chapter.

Question 71

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

Question 72

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

Question 73

How can social media be understood as a source of distraction? Discuss the reasons why this new communication context presents unique challenges to the independent formulation of an individual's own ideas.

Question 74

One characteristic of competent communication is that there is no "ideal" way to communicate. Use the constituent factors of competent communication to explain why.

Question 75

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