Question 1

The amount of time we give to our loved ones reflects not only the value we place on relational bonds, but the ___________ values as well.

Accepted Answer

The amount of time we give to loved ones is heavily influenced by cultural values, such as the importance placed on family and social relationships. The other options (government, family, sibling, code) do not have as direct of a connection to the amount of time spent with loved ones.

Question 2

___________ space is most likely to be employed between two roommates engaged in casual conversation.

Accepted Answer

Personal space is typically used for casual conversations between individuals who are familiar with each other, such as roommates.

Question 3

Of all the different types of nonverbal communication, ______ is arguably the most honest.

Accepted Answer

Body language is often considered the most honest form of nonverbal communication because it is often involuntary and can reveal one's true emotions or feelings. It includes facial expressions, body posture, and gestures.

Question 4

Why do most scholars categorize oculesics as a separate nonverbal code rather than simply categorize it as a form of facial expression?

Accepted Answer

Scholars categorize oculesics as a separate nonverbal code because they believe that the eyes have significant power to communicate on their own, rather than solely as a part of facial expression.

Question 5

__________ is how we structure a message by using nonverbal communication to repeat, complement, contradict, substitute for, and regulate what we say.

Accepted Answer

Framing is the correct answer because it involves the process of structuring a message through nonverbal means to support, contradict, substitute, or regulate the verbal message, thus encompassing all the functions listed in the question.

Question 6

You are a diligent student and want your professor to know this, so during each class, as you participate in every discussion, asking a lot of questions, you sit in the front row. You are employing which form of nonverbal communication to complement your message?

Accepted Answer

By sitting in the front row, the student is utilizing the nonverbal communication of proxemics to signify their attentiveness and engagement in the class. Proxemics refers to the use of physical space and distance to convey a message. The other options listed (silence, haptics, oculesics, and markers) do not apply to the scenario described.

Question 7

You're roommate just got his dream job at an accounting firm in Memphis. You want to let him know how happy you are for him, so you shake his hand and offer him congratulations with an additional pat on the back. You are employing which form of nonverbal communication to complement your message?

Accepted Answer

The additional pat on the back is an example of haptics, which is the study of touch as a form of nonverbal communication.

Question 8

Your girlfriend has been on vacation for three weeks and never bothered to contact you-not even a postcard. So upon her return you explain how frustrated you are with her and then avoid taking her phone calls for two weeks. You are employing which form of nonverbal communication to complement your message?

Accepted Answer

Silence is a form of nonverbal communication that complements the message of frustration that was conveyed verbally. By avoiding phone calls, the person is communicating their disapproval without saying anything at all.

Question 9

At a party, someone tells you a very funny joke. You laugh hysterically while at the same time reassuring him that it's "one of the funniest jokes you've ever heard." You are employing which form of nonverbal communication complement your message?

Accepted Answer

Vocalics refer to the tone, pitch, and volume of one's voice, and laughing hysterically is a form of vocal expression that complements the verbal message of finding the joke funny.

Question 10

Emblems, adaptors, illustrators, affect displays, and regulators are all forms of __________.

Accepted Answer

Gesticulations refer to movements of the hands and arms to convey messages or add emphasis to verbal communication. Emblems, adaptors, illustrators, affect displays, and regulators are all types of gesticulations, each serving different functions in communication.

Question 11

Shaking your head "no" is an example of what type of gesticulation?

Accepted Answer

Shaking your head "no" is an example of an emblem, which is a type of gesture that has a specific meaning in a particular culture or context. In this case, shaking your head side to side is a universally understood gesture that means "no" or "disagreement" in many cultures.

Question 12

As you deliver your presentation in class, you try hard to connect with your audience members by making eye contact with each student in the room. You are employing which form of nonverbal communication to complement your message?

Accepted Answer

Oculesics refers to the use of eye contact as a form of nonverbal communication. By making eye contact with each student in the room, the speaker is trying to establish a connection and engage the audience.

Question 13

You tell your grandmother her pickled cow's tongue taste great, but you wrinkle your nose, turn down the corners of your mouth, and frown. You are employing which form of nonverbal communication to frame your message?

Accepted Answer

Wrinkling your nose, turning down the corners of your mouth, and frowning are all facial expressions, which are a form of nonverbal communication used to convey emotions and attitudes.

Question 14

You tell your grandmother her pickled cow's tongue taste great, but you wrinkle your nose, turn down the corners of your mouth, and frown. You want the nonverbal code to ___________ your spoken message.

Accepted Answer

Wrinkling your nose, turning down the corners of your mouth, and frowning all indicate a negative or displeased reaction, which contradicts the spoken message of telling your grandmother that the pickled cow's tongue tastes great. Therefore, the nonverbal code contradicts the spoken message.

Question 15

While all your roommates are laboring over their textbooks in preparation for tomorrow's exam, you conspicuously pull your e-reader from your backpack. You are employing which form of nonverbal communication to complement your message?

Accepted Answer

Artifacts are objects or items that we use to communicate messages about ourselves to others. In this scenario, the e-reader is an artifact that communicates that the person is not studying from a traditional textbook like their roommates, but instead using technology.

Question 16

You want to plan a holiday evening of caroling with friends, and decide to do it on Friday rather than Saturday because the forecast is for snow. As you begin to sing "Silver Bells," flakes begin to gently fall, setting the stage for a perfect holiday celebration. You employed which form of nonverbal communication to complement your message?

Accepted Answer

The falling snow is an environmental factor that complements the message of a holiday celebration, enhancing the overall experience.

Question 17

Many nonverbal codes have universal meaning; among those that do not is ____________.

Accepted Answer

Kissing is not a universally understood nonverbal code as it varies greatly in meaning and significance across cultures.

Question 18

When a relative at a family gathering asks you a ridiculous question you remain silent, later explaining that you simply refused to dignify the question with a response. You wanted the nonverbal code to ___________ your unspoken message.

Accepted Answer

Remaining silent and refusing to dignify a question with a response is a form of nonverbal communication that serves as a substitute for an explicit verbal message.

Question 19

Gestures that can be translated into words, for example, nodding "yes," are ___________.

Accepted Answer

Gestures that can be translated into words are called emblems. A nodding "yes" is an example of an emblem. Affect displays are nonverbal displays of emotion such as facial expressions or tone of voice. Regulators are nonverbal cues used to control or coordinate conversation. Adaptors are nonverbal behaviors used to satisfy a personal need, such as scratching an itch or adjusting clothing. Markers do not have a specific meaning on their own and need to be interpreted in context.

Question 20

Gestures to help the flow of speech, for example, raising your hand in class are _______.

Accepted Answer

Gestures used to regulate or control the conversation, such as raising a hand to indicate a desire to speak, are called regulators. Affect displays are gestures used to convey emotions, emblems are gestures with a specific meaning in a culture, adaptors are gestures used to manage personal needs or emotions (e.g. playing with hair when nervous), and markers are gestures used to indicate a point in a conversation.

Quiz 4: Nonverbal Communication