Question 1

A strategy of adapting one's communication behavior to become more similar to another person is referred to as:

Accepted Answer

Convergence is the strategy of adapting one's communication behavior to become more similar to another person, often to increase understanding or rapport.

Question 2

A communication strategy of accentuating the differences between oneself and another person is called ________.

Accepted Answer

Divergence is a communication strategy where individuals emphasize differences between themselves and others, often to maintain social distance or assert individuality.

Question 3

When communicating, Daphne employs the strategy of persisting in her original communication style regardless of the communication behavior of her listeners. In the context of communication accommodation theory, this scenario best illustrates ________.

Accepted Answer

Maintenance refers to the strategy of persisting in one's original communication style without adapting to the listener's communication behavior, as described in communication accommodation theory.

Question 4

According to Howard Giles, which of the following statements is true about the strategy of over accommodation?

Accepted Answer

Over accommodation is described as demeaning or patronizing talk, where the speaker may simplify or amplify their message excessively, making the recipient feel belittled or underestimated.

Question 5

According to communication accommodation theory (CAT) theorists, the main motivation for convergence is:

Accepted Answer

The main motivation for convergence in communication accommodation theory is the desire for social approval, as individuals adjust their communication styles to be more similar to those they are interacting with to gain approval and reduce social distance.

Question 6

In the context of initial orientation, predicting whether a person will focus on individual identity or group identity is difficult, but the additive presence of five factors increases the odds that a communicator will see a conversation as an intergroup encounter. Identify a true statement about these factors.

Accepted Answer

The "we-centered" focus of collectivism emphasizes similarity and mutual concern within the culture, which aligns with a focus on group identity rather than individual identity.

Question 7

Giles draws from ________ to cast light on how people will interpret their conversational partners' convergent or divergent behavior.

Accepted Answer

Attribution theory explains how people interpret the behavior of others, including their conversational partners.

Question 8

Overall, listeners who interpret convergence as a speaker's desire to break down cultural barriers react quite:

Accepted Answer

Listeners who see convergence as a positive effort to connect and break down cultural barriers are likely to react favorably.

Question 9

Which of the following criteria for a good theory is most problematic for CAT?

Accepted Answer

The answer of Which of the following criteria for a...

Question 10

Giles has maintained a narrow scope since the inception of his communication accommodation theory.

Accepted Answer

Giles' communication accommodation theory has evolved over time to encompass a broad range of communication behaviors and contexts, not just a narrow scope.

Question 11

In the context of convergence, a way to bridge the generation gap can be discourse management-the sensitive selection of topics to discuss.

Accepted Answer

Discourse management involves choosing topics that are relevant and engaging for different generations, helping to bridge the gap by fostering understanding and communication.

Question 12

Counter accommodation refers to direct, intentional, and even hostile ways of maximizing social distance.

Accepted Answer

Counter accommodation involves behaviors that increase social distance, often in a direct and sometimes hostile manner, contrasting with accommodation which seeks to reduce social distance.

Question 13

The elderly often increase the social distance between themselves and the young people through the process of self-handicapping-a defensive, face-saving strategy that uses age as a reason for not performing well.

Accepted Answer

Self-handicapping is a defensive strategy used by the elderly to maintain a positive self-image in the face of age-related declines.

Question 14

According to Henri Tajfel and John Turner, if one of the interactants regards self or other as a representative of a group of people, their communication will likely become convergent because of their desire for approval.

Accepted Answer

Henri Tajfel and John Turner's Social Identity Theory suggests that communication becomes divergent when individuals emphasize their group identity, often to differentiate themselves from other groups, rather than seeking approval through convergence.

Question 15

According to Giles, desire for social approval and desire for shaping one's personal identity likely result in a communicator's desire to diverge.

Accepted Answer

Divergence in communication typically occurs when individuals want to emphasize their distinctiveness or distance themselves from others, not when they seek social approval or to shape their personal identity in alignment with others.

Question 16

Listeners regard convergence as positive and divergence as negative.

Accepted Answer

Convergence in communication is often seen as positive because it involves adapting one's speech to be more like the listener's, which can enhance understanding and rapport. Divergence, on the other hand, is seen as negative because it emphasizes differences and can create social distance.

Question 17

Communication accommodation theory (CAT) scores high on relative simplicity.

Accepted Answer

Communication accommodation theory (CAT) is considered complex due to its detailed examination of how individuals adjust their communication styles in various social contexts, involving numerous factors and variables.

Question 18

While CAT aptly predicts the tensions of intergenerational communication, the theory has limited practical utility.

Accepted Answer

Communication Accommodation Theory (CAT) is widely used in various fields such as linguistics, psychology, and communication studies to understand and improve interactions across different generations and cultural backgrounds.

Question 19

Changing communication behavior in a way that reduces social distance is referred to as ________.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Changing communication behavior in a way that...

Question 20

While convergence is moving closer to another person's communication style, ________ is strategically separating one's self from another person.

Accepted Answer

The answer of While convergence is moving closer to another...

Quiz 34: Communication Accommodation Theory