Deck 1: Introduction to Interpersonal Communication

Question 1

Which of the following is defined, in the broadest sense, as "the process of acting upon information?"

A)human communication
B)interpersonal communication
C)communication
D)impersonal communication

Answer 1

C

Question 2

When we interact with another person and exert a mutual influence, we are engaged in

A)intercultural communication.
B)communication.
C)human communication.
D)interpersonal communication.

Answer 2

D

Question 3

Depression is the most commonly diagnosed mental illness. How much of the population is estimated to suffer from depression?

A)20 percent
B)15 percent
C)5 percent
D)40 percent

Answer 3

B

Question 4

The type of communication that occurs when one person communicates the same message to many people at once but the creator of the message is not physically present is called:

A)intrapersonal communication.
B)interpersonal communication.
C)impersonal communication.
D)mass communication.

Question 5

Kelvin and Meghan are trying to decide which colour to paint their living room.As part of their decision, they discuss the merits of their choices and how well they will match the furniture and the style of the house.In which form of communication are they most likely engaging?

A)small group communication
B)interpersonal communication
C)impersonal communication
D)intrapersonal communication

Question 6

What percentage of their time do most people spend of their waking hours communicating with others?

A)80-90%
B)60-70%
C)40-50%
D)20-30%

Question 7

When Ira goes to the same coffee shop once a week, he can't remember the cashier's name, but he is always polite, and they say "Hi" to each other.Their relationship is best described as

A)I-It.
B)It-Thou.
C)I-Thou.
D)It.

Question 8

The Employability Skills Profile published by the Conference Board of Canada

A)is based on information gathered by a select group of Chief Executive officers.
B)has identified Teamwork skills as one of the essential employability skills.
C)summarizes the skills that are in demand under three headings: Academic Skills, Personal Management Skills, and Mathematic Skills .
D)is a comprehensive list of "hard skills".

Question 9

Jessica, a first year medical student is having a conversation with her Mom about life at university.While describing in graphic detail some of her anatomy lessons, Jessica notices a lack of colour in her Mom's face, and her facial expression is very strained.This type of communication is called

A)intrapersonal communication.
B)interpersonal communication.
C)impersonal communication.
D)mass communication.

Question 10

All of the following statements are true EXCEPT:

A)Grief-stricken spouses are more likely than others to die prematurely.
B)Being childless will likely lengthen one's life.
C)Terminally ill patients with a limited number of friends or no social support die sooner than those with stronger ties.
D)One study found that middle-aged, childless wives were almost two-and-one-half times more likely to die in a given year than those who had at least one child.

Question 11

Learning how to understand and improve interpersonal communication can

A)ensure that you avoid all family conflicts.
B)guarantee that your relationships with family members will be perfect.
C)limit your options to problem solve.
D)help you develop creative and constructive solutions to family conflict.

Question 12

Most individuals between the ages of nineteen and twenty-four report that they have had from

A)one to two romantic relationships.
B)three to four romantic relationships.
C)five to six romantic relationships.
D)seven or more romantic relationships.

Question 13

Bob went to dinner with his good friend Isabel.They stayed at the restaurant for hours simply because they were enjoying each other's conversation.Their relationship is best described as

A)I-It.
B)It-Thou.
C)I-Thou.
D)It.

Question 14

The statements listed are all characteristics of Impersonal Communication EXCEPT:

A)People are treated as objects.
B)People communicate in an "I-Thou" relationship.You are special.
C)There is mechanical, stilted interaction.
D)You communicate with people that you share no history with and have no expectation for any future relationship.

Question 15

Interpersonal communication occurs when people communicate in an ________ relationship.

A)I-It.
B)It-Thou.
C)I-Thou.
D)It.

Question 16

What is the definition of interpersonal communication?

A)It is a distinctive, transactual form of human communication involving mutual influence, for the purpose of managing relationships.
B)It involves treating people as objects, responding to roles rather than the person, and distinctive conversations.
C)It is a mechanical, transactual form of human communication, where each person has a role to perform.
D)It involves communicating with someone you care about, communicating in an I-It relationship, and treating people as individuals.

Question 17

When you interact with another person as a unique, authentic individual, Buber calls this

A)an impersonal relationship.
B)a self-centred relationship.
C)an "I-Thou" relationship.
D)a face-to-face relationship.

Question 18

What kind of communication occurs when we treat people as objects, or when we respond to their roles rather than as unique persons?

A)human communication.
B)interpersonal communication.
C)impersonal communication.
D)intercultural communication.

Question 19

Philosopher Martin Buber presented the concept of true dialogue as the essence of

A)simultaneous interaction.
B)authentic communication.
C)intellectual communication.
D)unusual communication.

Question 20

Which of the following is NOT a true statement about communication?

A)Experts agree on a definition of communication.
B)Human communication is in part the process of making sense out of the world.
C)Human communication encompasses many media, including advertisements.
D)Communication is the process of acting on information.

Question 21

When we interpret words or unspoken signals, we are

A)decoding.
B)filtering.
C)transmitting.
D)encoding.

Question 22

For most scholars today, which view of communication is considered the most realistic?

A)Lasswell's model
B)transactional model
C)Shannon-Weaver model
D)the interactional model

Question 23

You choose to discuss a sensitive matter with a friend in a small, comfortable, vacant room.In choosing the room, you are recognizing the importance of

A)interference.
B)channel.
C)context.
D)information source.

Question 24

The elements that distinguish the communication-as-action perspective from the communication-as-interaction view are

A)encoding and decoding.
B)spoken and unspoken elements.
C)feedback and context.
D)signals and signs.

Question 25

What distinguishes the model Communication-as-Transaction from the other two models is that

A)it was the first model to be developed.
B)all of the interaction is simultaneous.
C)it considers the context and culture of the individuals.
D)it can be applied to hearing and visually impaired individuals.

Question 26

The transactional perspective of communication acknowledges that

A)when we talk to others, we are constantly reacting to what our partner is saying.
B)we talk to others and then when they talk to us, we listen.
C)we talk to others and they listen; they talk to us, and we listen.
D)when the message gets to the receiver, communication ends.

Question 27

What is a channel in the communication model?

A)the words and messages used to communicate
B)the filters through which messages pass
C)the pathways used to send a message
D)the transmitter of a thought or feeling

Question 28

Jessica's best friend Helen has just moved from Toronto, Ontario, to Montreal, Quebec .They keep in touch using their computers which are equipped with webcams.When they chat they are using the ________ to communicate.

A)olfactory channel
B)transmitters
C)tactile channel
D)auditory and visual channels

Question 29

The message transfer model of communication portrays human communication as a

A)revolving process.
B)linear process.
C)circular process.
D)helical process.

Question 30

What is encoding?

A)putting thoughts, ideas, and feelings into words and messages
B)filtering messages through past experiences
C)minimizing external and psychological noise
D)making sense out of words and messages

Question 31

The person who decodes and tries to make sense out of a message is the

A)receiver.
B)information source.
C)transmitter.
D)encoder.

Question 32

When you are preoccupied with your own thoughts and do not pay attention to your teacher's lecture, you are experiencing

A)psychological noise.
B)unintentional noise.
C)external noise.
D)intentional noise.

Question 33

The person who decodes and tries to make sense out of a message is the

A)receiver.
B)information source.
C)transmitter.
D)encoder.

Question 34

Visual, auditory, olfactory, and tactile all serve as ________ for a message.

A)transmitters
B)noise
C)context
D)channels

Question 35

Channels correspond to your

A)signals.
B)senses.
C)receivers.
D)noise source.

Question 36

________ is anything that interferes with a message and keeps it from being understood and achieving its intended effect.

A)Noise
B)A channel
C)A signal
D)Understanding

Question 37

What is decoding?

A)putting thoughts, ideas, and feelings into words and messages
B)filtering messages through past experiences
C)minimizing external and psychological noise
D)interpreting ideas, feelings, and thoughts that have been translated into a code

Question 38

The ________ is the written, spoken, or unspoken elements of communication to which we assign meaning.

A)message
B)source
C)receiver
D)channel

Question 39

Which of the following models of human communication is the oldest and most simplistic?

A)communication as action
B)communication as interaction
C)communication as transaction
D)communication as contraction

Question 40

An intentional or unintentional, verbal or nonverbal response to a message is called

A)destination.
B)receiver input.
C)feedback.
D)channel selection.

Question 41

Based upon the criteria for determining the "richness" of communication channels, which of the following would be the richest channel of communication?

A)a live video conference
B)an exchange of e-mail
C)voice mail
D)a memo sent by your boss

Question 42

The Social Information-Processing Theory explains how

A)information about society is conveyed to the public by the mass media.
B)family members convey essential information to one another through e-mail.
C)information about social groups learned over the Internet is used to form opinions that affect communication with those groups.
D)we can develop quality relationships with others via e-mail and other electronic means.

Question 43

What constitutes an episode is defined by

A)the sender and receiver of the message.
B)the extent to which sender and receiver agree on meaning.
C)the psychological context of the message.
D)the physical context of the message.

Question 44

All of the following statements about mediated interpersonal communication are true EXCEPT:

A)There is no current research suggesting that some long-distance relationships can be a satisfying as face-to-face relationships.
B)Canadians are among the world's most enthusiastic users of the internet.
C)Email conversations reduce homesickness experienced by first-year university students.
D)People who meet in chat rooms can eventually develop real-time relationships.

Question 45

The principle of interpersonal communication that says communication is complicated is due partially to

A)the unintentional nature of some messages.
B)the time we spend taking back messages.
C)the interpretation of information through symbols.
D)the cultural nature of communication.

Question 46

The helical model suggests that

A)interpersonal communication never loops back on itself.
B)interpersonal communication is a series of loops moving back through old territory.
C)interpersonal communication is a closed system.
D)interpersonal communication loops through various contexts.

Question 47

According to the transactional model, interpersonal communication is defined as

A)the process of acting upon information.
B)the process of making sense out of the world.
C)simultaneous interaction and the coordinated management of meaning through episodes.
D)the receiver of the message responds to the source through feedback.

Question 48

Media Richness Theory describes the richness of a communication channel using four criteria. Which of the following is NOT one of those criteria?

A)the amount of feedback that the communicators can receive
B)the number of cues that the channel can convey and that can be interpreted by a receiver
C)the variety of language that communicators use
D)the number of channels used in the communication

Question 49

"If communication can fail, it will." This illustrates the principle that

A)interpersonal communication is complicated.
B)interpersonal communication is governed by rules.
C)interpersonal communication is irreversible.
D)interpersonal communication involves both content and relationship dimensions.

Question 50

The principle that says interpersonal communication is inescapable means that

A)once a message is sent, you can't take it back.
B)you cannot not communicate.
C)communication occurs in a variety of contexts.
D)you cannot completely understand others.

Question 51

A sequence of interaction between individuals during which the message of one person influences the message of another person is referred to as

A)an episode.
B)meaning.
C)interference.
D)a message.

Question 52

Your unspoken messages, even when you are asleep, provide cues to which others react.What principle of interpersonal communication does this demonstrate?

A)Interpersonal communication connects us to others.
B)Interpersonal communication is complicated.
C)Interpersonal communication is irreversible.
D)Interpersonal communication is governed by rules.

Question 53

The principle that says interpersonal communication is irreversible means that

A)you cannot completely understand others.
B)you cannot not communicate.
C)once a message is sent, it cannot be uncreated.
D)once a message is sent, it continues to loop back on itself.

Question 54

Using the telephone, e-mail, or a chat room to communicate with others is referred to as

A)mediated interpersonal communication.
B)electronic interpersonal communication.
C)information-age interpersonal communication.
D)impersonal communication.

Question 55

Systems Theory helps us understand that

A)the transactional communication model is static.
B)a change in any aspect (source, receiver, context, channel, etc)of the system, may potentially influence all other aspects of the system.
C)a change in any aspect (source, receiver, context, channel, etc)of the system, does not influence any other aspect of the system.
D)all elements of the communication model are distinct and unique.

Question 56

Cues-Filtered-Out Theory suggests that

A)people use information they receive from others via electronic media to develop relationships.
B)the richness of a medium-based communication depends on the amount of emotional meaning it expresses.
C)electronic mediated relationships can involve mutual influence.
D)communication of emotions is restricted when people send messages to others via e-mail because nonverbal cues such as facial expression and tone of voice are absent.

Question 57

One feature of mediated interpersonal communication states that your interaction with others can be ________, which would not happen in a face-to-face interaction.

A)synchronous
B)immediate
C)asynchronous
D)objective

Question 58

Communication theorists have noted that whenever we communicate with another person, there are really at least ________ "people" involved.

A)2
B)4
C)6
D)8

Question 59

There are four key differences in mediated interpersonal communication as compared to face-to-face interpersonal communication:

A)Anonymity, social consciousness, physical appearance, and distance.
B)Social consciousness, physical appearance, distance, and time.
C)Anonymity, physical appearance, distance, and time.
D)Anonymity, physical appearance, distance, and group.

Question 60

You shout at a colleague, voicing all of your frustrations toward the colleague as well as toward your work.You can apologize and you can say you didn't really mean what you said, but you cannot "take back" what you said because

A)interpersonal communication is complicated.
B)interpersonal communication is contextual.
C)interpersonal communication is inescapable.
D)interpersonal communication is irreversible.

Question 61

Rules governing interpersonal relationships may be

A)complementary or symmetrical.
B)self-oriented or other-oriented.
C)content-driven or emotion-driven.
D)explicit or implicit.

Question 62

Metacommunication is defined as

A)Verbal or non-verbal communication about communication.
B)Communication at the level of emotion.
C)Communication at the level of content.
D)Non-verbal communication codes that contradict verbal communication.

Question 63

If you have a genuine desire to improve your communication skills and you want to connect with others, you are

A)motivated.
B)knowledgeable.
C)flexible.
D)other-oriented.

Question 64

Which of the following is NOT a common myth of interpersonal communication?

A)Words are symbols.
B)More words will make the meaning clearer.
C)Meanings are in words.
D)Information equals communication.

Question 65

An egocentric communicator is one who

A)creates messages without giving much thought to the person who is listening.
B)creates messages intended only to make him/herself look good.
C)wishes to control the communication.
D)believes that his/her own method of communication is the best one.

Question 66

The rules that govern interpersonal relationships

A)define appropriate and inappropriate communication in a given situation.
B)indicate which partner is in control.
C)define the impersonal or interpersonal nature of the relationship.
D)describe the current stage of relationship development.

Question 67

The communibiological approach suggests

A)that a person's communication behaviour can be predicted based on the community within which the person grew up.
B)that a person's communication behaviour cannot be predicted.
C)that a person's communication behaviour can be predicted based on genetic traits.
D)that a person's communication behaviour can only be predicted based on community and biology.

Question 68

Which of the following is NOT a dimension of Emotional Response Theory?

A)pleasure-displeasure
B)arousal-nonarousal
C)dismissiveness-submissiveness
D)dominance-submissiveness

Question 69

It is difficult to communicate effectively when

A)we focus on our partner.
B)we are motivated.
C)we focus exclusively on ourselves.
D)we use our knowledge and skill.

Question 70

To assess each communication situation and then adapt your behaviour is to be

A)flexible.
B)motivated.
C)other-oriented.
D)knowledgeable.

Question 71

What statement is NOT true about rules?

A)Interpersonal relationships are shaped by explicit and implicit rules.
B)Rules are based on the individuals, not the culture.
C)Relationship rules can be learned by experience.
D)Rules may be modified as the relationship progresses.

Question 72

Competent communication should be appropriate, which requires which of the following?

A)Choosing the single best way to communicate.
B)Choosing only our own approach to communication.
C)Letting other people dictate the approach to communication.
D)Considering time, place, and overall context, as well as the feelings and attitudes of the listener.

Question 73

Unethical communication is characterized by

A)increasing listener's freedom of choice.
B)presenting the truth.
C)forcing views on others.
D)keeping confidences.

Question 74

Considering the needs, goals, and desires of our partners is a way to become

A)other-oriented.
B)self-focused.
C)symmetrical.
D)complementary.

Question 75

To be other-oriented, we must first

A)learn everything we can about the other person.
B)gain an accurate understanding of your self-concept and self-esteem.
C)accept that communication is the most important goal of any relationship.
D)attain a specific level of relationship with the listener.

Question 76

"It wasn't what you said, it was how you said it," demonstrates what principle of interpersonal communication?

A)Interpersonal communication connects us to others.
B)Interpersonal communication involves both content and relationship dimensions.
C)Interpersonal communication is complicated.
D)Interpersonal communication is governed by rules.

Question 77

Which statement is NOT true about the myth "meanings are in words"?

A)A written or spoken word has no meaning by itself.
B)A symbol by its very nature can have different meanings for different people.
C)Differences in culture and experience often explain why words create different meanings for different people.
D)Meaning is in the words, not the people.

Question 78

Being motivated about improving your communication effectiveness means that

A)you will select the right behaviour for the situation.
B)you will translate your knowledge into action.
C)you will learn principles, concepts, and ideas.
D)you will want to use your knowledge and skills.

Question 79

Being "skilled" in interpersonal communication refers to

A)learning principles, concepts and ideas of effective communication.
B)translating knowledge about communication into action.
C)selecting the right behaviour for the situation.
D)using decentering to develop empathy for your partner.

Question 80

If you are honest, keep confidences, and consider the needs of others, you are more likely to make sure your message is

A)important.
B)motivated.
C)ethical.
D)flexible.