Question 1

When we say that a personal construct has been primed, we mean that it is a new concept we have never encountered before.

Accepted Answer

Priming refers to the activation of existing concepts or constructs in memory, not the introduction of new ones.

Question 2

Cognitive complexity interferes with good communication and should be avoided if possible.

Accepted Answer

Cognitive complexity can enhance communication by allowing individuals to understand and appreciate multiple perspectives, leading to more nuanced and effective interactions.

Question 3

We can listen much faster than we can speak.

Accepted Answer

Humans can typically listen at a rate of 400-500 words per minute, while speaking is usually around 125-175 words per minute.

Question 4

People who engage in critical listening are generally poor listeners because they are too negative and reject what others have to say.

Accepted Answer

Critical listening involves evaluating and analyzing the content of what is being said, which can lead to a deeper understanding and more informed responses, rather than simply being negative or dismissive.

Question 5

In evaluating what you hear, it is generally a good idea to "consider the source."

Accepted Answer

Considering the source helps assess the credibility, bias, and reliability of the information being presented.

Question 6

When the early American settlers used the term "Boston massacre" to describe a minor skirmish with the British, they were using loaded language.

Accepted Answer

Loaded language is used to provoke an emotional response, and calling a minor skirmish a "massacre" exaggerates the event to elicit strong feelings against the British.

Question 7

Now that we can gather information on the Web, it is no longer necessary to look for information from any other sources.

Accepted Answer

The web is a valuable resource, but other sources like books, experts, and firsthand experiences can provide information that may not be available or reliable online.

Question 8

In evaluating information gleaned from the World Wide Web, it is a good idea to accept what you read; if it wasn't true, it wouldn't be on the Web.

Accepted Answer

The World Wide Web contains information from a wide range of sources, including unreliable and unverified ones, so not everything on the web is true.

Question 9

Active listening is a term used to describe a form of listening in which people multi-task while they are listening.

Accepted Answer

Active listening involves fully concentrating, understanding, responding, and remembering what is being said, without distractions or multitasking.

Question 10

Abstract information generally captures involuntary attention more successfully than concrete information.

Accepted Answer

Concrete information is more likely to capture involuntary attention because it is easier to visualize and relate to, making it more engaging and memorable.

Question 11

Skilled communicators consider only voluntary attention when designing messages; little can be done to capture involuntary attention.

Accepted Answer

Skilled communicators consider both voluntary and involuntary attention, as they can use various techniques to capture and maintain involuntary attention, such as using vivid imagery, emotional appeals, or unexpected elements.

Question 12

Research shows that relating new information to old information confuses audience members and makes comprehension difficult.

Accepted Answer

Research generally shows that relating new information to existing knowledge can aid comprehension by providing context and making the new information more relatable and easier to understand.

Question 13

What are the five steps in the listening process?

Accepted Answer

The answer of What are the five steps in the...

Question 14

Why does listening often fail? What are some things that can be done to improve listening?

Accepted Answer

The answer of Why does listening often fail? What are...

Question 15

What is the difference between voluntary and involuntary attention? What are two things a speaker can do to increase voluntary attention? What are two things a speaker can do to increase involuntary attention?

Accepted Answer

The answer of What is the difference between voluntary and...

Question 16

When listeners try to make sense of incoming stimuli, they do three things. What are they? Give examples.

Accepted Answer

The answer of When listeners try to make sense of...

Question 17

What are schemata? What kinds of schemata guide perception? Give an example of each.

Accepted Answer

The answer of What are schemata? What kinds of schemata...

Question 18

List one way you could improve each of the following: attention, interpretation, evaluation, responding, and storage and retrieval.

Accepted Answer

The answer of List one way you could improve each...

Question 19

What is paraphrasing? Why is it a good idea to paraphrase during empathic listening?

Accepted Answer

The answer of What is paraphrasing? Why is it a...

Question 20

What are some of the factors that can impede message storage and retrieval?

Accepted Answer

The answer of What are some of the factors that...

Quiz 3: Decoding Messages: Listening and Perception