Question 1

If the person you are communicating with suddenly begins to drop important names in the conversation such as "When the general manager,Sue,spoke with me about this matter,I offered her advice ..." you have probably caused this person to feel that he or she has been counseled.

Accepted Answer

Name-dropping often indicates an attempt to impress or assert authority, not necessarily that the person feels counseled.

Question 2

Much of the literature on communication focuses on the accuracy of information being communicated.

Accepted Answer

Much of the literature on communication does indeed focus on the accuracy of information being communicated.

Question 3

You take responsibility for your statements,using first-person words,such as "I," "me," and "mine." This practice alone ensures that you are practicing validating communication.

Accepted Answer

Using first-person words such as "I," "me," and "mine" demonstrates ownership of your statements but does not ensure validating communication. Validating communication also involves acknowledging and respecting the feelings and perspectives of others.

Question 4

Congruence in communication means that what is communicated verbally and nonverbally matches what the person is thinking and feeling.

Accepted Answer

Congruence in communication refers to the consistency between verbal and nonverbal communication and the internal thoughts and feelings of the communicator. When there is congruence, the verbal and nonverbal messages match the person's intended meaning, creating a sense of authenticity and trust in the communication.

Question 5

Interaction management,which focuses on taking turns speaking,management of timing,and topic control,has been found to be crucial in supportive communication.

Accepted Answer

Interaction management is crucial in supportive communication.

Question 6

If a subordinate's problem stems from attitudes,personality clashes,or other factors tied to emotions,his or her boss faces a counseling problem.

Accepted Answer

Counseling is a common approach to addressing issues related to attitudes, personality clashes, and emotions, as these are often rooted in personal beliefs, values, and experiences. A boss who wants to help their subordinate address such issues may need to use counseling techniques and strategies to support their development and growth.

Question 7

Studies have found that productivity at work is markedly higher when relationships are positive.

Accepted Answer

Research has shown that positive relationships in the workplace lead to higher job satisfaction, better health outcomes, and increased productivity. Employees who work in an environment where they feel supported and valued by their colleagues and supervisors are likely to be more engaged and motivated, leading to increased performance and job success.

Question 8

Problem-oriented communication focuses on the individual's personal traits that led to the unacceptable behavior.

Accepted Answer

Problem-oriented communication focuses on addressing the behavior itself, rather than blaming or focusing on the individual's personal traits. It aims to find solutions rather than assigning blame.

Question 9

You comment to a co-worker,"My supervisor,Maxine,is dictatorial." This is an example of person-oriented communication.

Accepted Answer

The comment about the supervisor focuses on her personality traits (being dictatorial), rather than a specific behavior or action, making it an example of person-oriented communication.

Question 10

Your boss usually only likes to discuss his point of view.When you offer another point of view,he ignores you.He is practicing rigidity in his communication.

Accepted Answer

Rigidity in communication refers to a lack of flexibility or openness to hearing new perspectives. When your boss only discusses his point of view and ignores yours, he is demonstrating rigidity in his communication style.

Question 11

If you make the comment,"You are doing it wrong," to a co-worker,you are engaging in evaluative communication.

Accepted Answer

Evaluative communication involves making judgments or evaluations about someone's behavior or actions. The comment "You are doing it wrong" implies a judgment about the co-worker's performance, making it evaluative communication.

Question 12

One suggested reason as to why communication remains a major problem for managers is that they are expected to focus on what organizational goals should be,not how to accomplish the organizational goals.

Accepted Answer

Communication is a crucial aspect of achieving organizational goals, and managers are typically responsible for both identifying the goals and determining how they will be accomplished. Therefore, this suggested reason does not accurately reflect the role and responsibilities of managers.

Question 13

Although much progress has recently been made in improving the transmission of accurate messages,comparable progress has not occurred in the interpersonal aspects of communication.

Accepted Answer

The statement suggests that there has been progress in transmission of accurate messages, but not in interpersonal communication, indicating that Option A is correct.

Question 14

When her boyfriend asks if everything is okay,a woman coldly responds,"Everything is fine." She is practicing congruent communication.

Accepted Answer

Congruent communication involves expressing your true feelings and being honest, rather than giving a false or misleading response. In this scenario, the woman is not being congruent because she is saying "everything is fine" when in reality it is not.

Question 15

Studies have found that people make fewer mental errors when experiencing positive relationships.

Accepted Answer

Research has shown that positive relationships can lead to improved cognitive functioning, including better attention, memory, and decision-making abilities, resulting in fewer mental errors.

Question 16

Communication that is accurate and honest regardless of whether or not it jeopardizes interpersonal relationships is supportive communication.

Accepted Answer

Supportive communication prioritizes maintaining positive relationships and often involves using diplomacy and avoiding hurtful or offensive language. While honesty is important, it is not always appropriate to communicate everything in order to avoid damaging personal relationships.

Question 17

Your boss tells you,"I can help you do this better." This statement lets you know that your boss sees your problem as an attitude problem.

Accepted Answer

The boss's statement suggests that they are offering assistance and support to help improve the task or situation, but it does not necessarily imply that they think the problem is rooted in the employee's attitude. It could also mean that they think the employee may need additional resources, training, or guidance to perform better.

Question 18

When utilizing descriptive communication,evaluative comments should never be made.

Accepted Answer

Evaluative comments are subjective opinions and do not fall under objective descriptions. Therefore, evaluative comments should not be included in descriptive communication.

Question 19

Your supervisor remarks to you,"You spent an hour scheduling meetings today when that could have been done by your assistant." Your supervisor is using global communication.

Accepted Answer

The supervisor's remark is specific to a particular behavior (spending an hour scheduling meetings) and suggests an alternative (having the assistant do it), which is more indicative of direct communication rather than global communication, which would be more general and less specific.

Question 20

Whereas coaching focuses on attitudes,counseling concentrates on abilities.

Accepted Answer

Coaching focuses on developing skills and improving performance, while counseling focuses on addressing personal or emotional issues and improving mental health. Therefore, counseling concentrates on attitudes, emotions, and behaviors, rather than just abilities.

Quiz 4: Building Relationships by Communicating Supportively