Question 1

What category/style of communication skills is referred to as more comforting and involve a significant amount of listening?

Accepted Answer

Affectively oriented communication skills are focused on providing comfort and support to others. This often involves active listening and empathetic responses.

Question 2

According to the Onion Theory of communication, what best describes how we reveal ourselves to others?

Accepted Answer

The Onion Theory of communication suggests that we reveal ourselves to others in layers, starting with the outermost layer, which consists of the least personal information, and gradually sharing more personal details as the relationship develops. This approach is similar to peeling an onion, where the outer layers are removed to reveal the inner layers.

Question 3

Latoya says, "I might be wrong, but I think it is going to rain today." What is this an example of?

Accepted Answer

B

Question 4

Linguistics professor _____________ has done advanced research in face-to-face communication and gender differences.

Accepted Answer

Deborah Tannen is a well-known linguistics professor who has done extensive research on gender differences in communication, particularly in face-to-face interactions. She is the author of several books on the topic, including "You Just Don't Understand: Women and Men in Conversation."

Question 5

According to communication researcher Deborah Tannen, women tend to use more ________talk while men use more _______ talk.

Accepted Answer

Deborah Tannen suggests that women use more rapport talk, which focuses on building and reinforcing connections and relationships with others, while men use more report talk, which focuses on conveying information, asserting opinions, and demonstrating knowledge.

Question 6

Which of the following best describes the term genderlects ?

Accepted Answer

Genderlects refer to the differences in communication styles between men and women, which can include variations in language use, conversational topics and norms, and nonverbal cues. This concept is based on the idea that men and women are socialized to communicate differently, and that these differences can contribute to misunderstandings and conflicts in relationships.

Question 7

What best describes the three goals of communication discussed in your chapter?

Accepted Answer

The three goals of communication often compete with each other as individuals may have to prioritize one goal over another depending on the context and desired outcome.

Question 8

Which of the following is an example of using a hedge in a conversation?

Accepted Answer

Hedges are words or phrases used to lessen the impact of a statement, making it less direct or assertive. In option B, "I think" and "kind of" are hedges that soften the statement about the cold.

Question 9

Critics of Tannen's work regarding gender and communication question her assumption that _____________.

Accepted Answer

Tannen's work assumes that gender is biologically based, which is not universally agreed upon by many researchers and scholars who argue that gender is socially constructed.

Question 10

What statement best describes research findings related to gender and communication?

Accepted Answer

Many studies have found that overall gender differences in communication are small, and that there is more variation within each gender than between genders. While there may be some differences in communication styles between men and women, they do not explain a significant amount of the variation. Additionally, the stereotype that women talk more than men has been debunked by research showing that men actually use more words per day on average. However, it is worth noting that there may be some cultural or contextual factors that influence gender differences in communication.

Question 11

When we want to project an image with our message, which of the three goals of communication are we focusing on?

Accepted Answer

When we want to project an image with our message, we are focusing on the goal of identity management. This means that we are trying to shape how others perceive us or our organization through the message we are conveying with the projected image.

Question 12

When we want to avoid offending someone with our message, which of the three goals of communication are we focusing on?

Accepted Answer

Focusing on not offending someone with our message aligns with the relational goal of communication, which emphasizes maintaining positive relationships and managing how we connect with others.

Question 13

According to your text, which of the following best describes a benefit that good communication can add to a relationship?

Accepted Answer

Good communication can increase emotional intimacy in a relationship by allowing both parties to express their feelings and needs, leading to a deeper understanding and connection.

Question 14

According to Tannen's research, men tend to use more "report talk," which _____________.

Accepted Answer

Report talk is language used to convey information and knowledge, which is typically associated with masculine speech patterns. Therefore, men tend to use more report talk and impart knowledge, making option B the best choice.

Question 15

According to linguistic researchers, women often tend to end their statements with ________ to prevent disagreements.

Accepted Answer

Linguistic research suggests that women often use tag questions (such as "don't you think?" or "isn't it?") at the end of their statements to signal uncertainty, seek confirmation, or avoid potential conflict or disagreement. This may be due to societal expectations and gender norms that discourage women from being too assertive or confident in their speech.

Question 16

If someone is trying to weigh his or her options to make a decision about whether to take a new job in a different city, he or she is likely to prefer talking with a friend who has this style of communication.

Accepted Answer

An instrumentally oriented communicator is goal-oriented and prefers to focus on the facts and information needed to reach a decision. This type of communication style would be most helpful for someone trying to weigh their options for a job in a different city.

Question 17

When we have a message for someone and want to communicate that message, which of the three goals of communication are we implementing?

Accepted Answer

When we have a message for someone and want to communicate that message, we are implementing the goal of getting the job done. This means that we aim to transfer the information accurately and efficiently to achieve a specific task or goal. We may also consider the other goals of communication, such as relational (to build or maintain a relationship with the person) or identity management (to project a certain image of ourselves), but the primary goal in this scenario is to deliver the message effectively.

Question 18

In the middle of an argument, Taylor told Robin, "You always take your mother's side." Taylor's statement is an example of which of the following?

Accepted Answer

Taylor's statement is an overgeneralization because it assumes that Robin always takes her mother's side in every argument, which may not be true.

Question 19

What type of communication skills are women more likely to use?

Accepted Answer

Studies have generally found that women are more likely to use affectively oriented communication skills, such as expressing emotions and building rapport with others, compared to men who tend to use more status-oriented or instrumentally oriented communication styles. However, it is important to note that communication styles can vary based on individual differences and cultural contexts.

Question 20

According to communication experts, what type of speech pattern decreases the speaker's perceived assertiveness in speech?

Accepted Answer

Disclaimers are phrases that people use to distance themselves from a statement before they even make it. For example, "I'm not sure if this is a good idea, but..." or "I don't mean to offend anyone, but...". Using disclaimers can decrease the speaker's perceived assertiveness because it makes them sound unsure or apologetic, which can undermine the credibility of their message.

Quiz 3: Communication and Sexuality