Deck 28: Communication Accommodation Theory

Question 1

Social Identity Theory, which influenced the development of Communication Accommodation Theory (CAT), states that a person's self-concept is comprised of both

A) internal and external manifestations
B) personal identity and social identity
C) in-group and out-group norms
D) converging and diverging tendencies

Answer 1

personal identity and social identity

Question 2

All of the following are examples of communication accommodation EXCEPT

A) adopting the slang or jargon of another
B) modeling gestures
C) copying another's rate of speech
D) repeating a sentence for a non-native speaker

Answer 2

repeating a sentence for a non-native speaker

Question 3

Convergence is a selective process that is often based on

A) respect
B) perceived dissimilarities
C) attraction
D) marginalization

Answer 3

attraction

Question 4

_________ is defined as the ability to adjust, modify, or regulate one's behavior in response to another.

A) Adaptation
B) Accommodation
C) Reflexivity
D) Assertion

Question 5

The _________ similar we are, the more willing we are to accommodate; the _________ similar we are, the less willing we are to accommodate.

A) less; less
B) less; more
C) more; less
D) more; more

Question 6

Which of the following assumptions about Communication Accommodation Theory relates to the importance of motivation in making decisions about altering one's communicative behaviors?

A) Speech and behavioral dissimilarities exist in all conversations.
B) The manner in which we perceive the speech and behaviors of another will determine how we evaluate a conversation.
C) Language and behaviors impart information about social status and group belonging.
D) Accommodation varies in its degree of appropriateness. Norms guide the accommodation process.

Question 7

The authors identify _________ as being at the root of intergroup overaccommodation.

A) jealousy
B) stereotyping
C) language barriers
D) attraction

Question 8

Dr. Smith is upset that Mrs. Hernandez isn't taking her blood pressure medicine as prescribed. He tried being nice to her and talking on her level, but now he begins speaking to her in an authoritative tone, using language to describe the perils of not taking her medicine. Which accommodation strategy is Dr. Smith employing?

A) overaccommodation
B) convergence
C) divergence
D) authoritativeness

Question 9

The third assumption of CAT states that language and behaviors impart information about

A) intentions and motivations
B) convergence and divergence
C) expectations and interpretations
D) social status and group belonging

Question 10

Before it was renamed, Communication Accommodation Theory was called

A) Speech Accommodation Theory
B) Social Identity Theory
C) Accommodation Identification Theory
D) Verbal Accommodation Theory

Question 11

When Alan communicates with his African-American friend Cedric, he uses terms like "crib" and "brother"
Quite frequently. This is because Alan perceives all African Americans as using these words when interacting with their friends. Which type of overaccommodation is Alan employing?

A) sensory
B) dependency
C) intergroup
D) alternative

Question 12

Because CAT has been invoked in a lot of studies in various contexts, it is said to have good __________ value.

A) utility
B) heuristic
C) testability
D) consistency

Question 13

Which of the following is a criticism of Communication Accommodation Theory as presented in the text?

A) It has little heuristic value.
B) It is limited in its ability to be applied to a variety of communication contexts.
C) Conversations are too complex to be reduced to convergence versus divergence.
D) It is extremely difficult to understand.

Question 14

McKenna spent the summer with her aunt and uncle in New York City. While living there, she began to integrate New York slang words like "schlepping" into her conversations with other New Yorkers. She found that it helped her to make herself understood when interacting with her new friends. Which type of accommodation did McKenna employ?

A) convergence
B) divergence
C) overaccommodation
D) attentiveness

Question 15

All of the following statements about convergence are true EXCEPT

A) While convergence is typically thought to be a positive strategy, it may be misused as a result of our stereotyped perception of others.
B) If one converges to be similar and enhance communication, it will likely be perceived as being negative.
C) If one converges with the purpose of ridiculing, teasing, or patronizing, it will likely be perceived as being negative.
D) The norms of the situation and the value of language to a community are used to evaluate convergence.

Question 16

The approach to knowing that characterizes the research undertaken using CAT is

A) phenomenological
B) interpretive
C) critical
D) positivistic/empirical

Question 17

As they try to assimilate into new communities, newly-arrived immigrants may feel subordinate because of an inability to understand language and cultural norms. According to Communication Accommodation Theory, this may result in

A) dependency overaccommodation
B) intergroup overaccommodation
C) sensory overaccommodation
D) cultural overaccommodation

Question 18

All of the following are assumptions of Communication Accommodation Theory EXCEPT

A) Speech and behavioral similarities and dissimilarities exist in all conversations.
B) Language and behaviors impart information about social status and group belonging.
C) Our evaluations of a conversation are based on the social group to which the other belongs.
D) Accommodation varies in its degree of appropriateness, and norms guide the accommodation process.

Question 19

Communication Accommodation Theory is primarily concerned with which context of communication?

A) interpersonal
B) cultural
C) intrapersonal
D) small group

Question 20

The communication tradition most closely associated with CAT is

A) semiotic
B) socio-cultural
C) rhetorical
D) socio-psychological

Question 21

Convergence is influenced by the attractiveness of an interactant.

Question 22

Perception is the process of judging a conversation.

Question 23

Accommodation is not necessarily a worthwhile or beneficial process.

Question 24

Dependency overaccommodation is typically used when communicating with those who have a limitation of some nature.

Question 25

Stereotyping is at the root of intergroup overaccommodation.

Question 26

Divergence frequently occurs in conversations where there are distinct role differences.

Question 27

People from marginalized cultures are usually expected to accommodate to others.

Question 28

Communication Accommodation Theory has been criticized for not being heuristic.

Question 29

Describe the three forms of overaccommodation. Provide an example of a situation in which each could be used.

Question 30

What factors are important to consider when making a decision to engage in convergence? Discuss the potential pros and cons of using convergence as an accommodation strategy.

Question 31

Distinguish between the following: convergence, divergence, and overaccommodation. Provide an example of a situation in which you have experienced or engaged in each of these forms of accommodation.

Question 32

Discuss the role of in-groups in influencing your decision to engage in communication accommodation. Describe a situation in which you either engaged in accommodation or witnessed another person who accommodated his/her speech.

Question 33

Looking at how conversations pervade our lives, examine how the principles and concepts of Communication Accommodation Theory relate to our dialogues with our physicians, teachers, and/or family members. Be sure to provide an example of a conversation to analyze (it can be fictional or real).

Question 34

Discuss the various reasons one might choose to engage in divergence, noting the functions it is intended to serve. Under what circumstances might such divergence be expected by the other person, and when might it offend instead? Provide examples to illustrate your points.

Question 35

How would you go about studying the phenomenon of accommodation (or divergence)? Select a particular context and specify the groups you would study. Formulate a hypothesis or research question, and describe your study.