Question 1

_________ are the central focus in Muted Group Theory (MGT).

Accepted Answer

Muted Group Theory (MGT) emphasizes how language limitations can silence or marginalize certain groups, making language the central focus of the theory.

Question 2

Which of the following is NOT consistent with the main ideas of Muted Group Theory?

Accepted Answer

Muted Group Theory suggests that the dominant group's language norms and structures do not accommodate the experiences and worldviews of muted groups, making it difficult for these groups to express themselves within the dominant discourse. It does not suggest that a common language is negotiated between the two groups; rather, it highlights the challenges muted groups face in translating their experiences into the dominant language.

Question 3

Kosenko (2010) studied ___________, concluding that they are rendered mute by a biomedical discourse which does not include their experiences.

Accepted Answer

Kosenko (2010) studied transgender individuals, highlighting how biomedical discourse often excludes their experiences, rendering them voiceless.

Question 4

The group that holds the power in the culture is referred to as the _________ group.

Accepted Answer

The term "dominant group" refers to the group in a society that holds the most power, often setting norms, values, and cultural standards. This group's influence pervades various societal aspects, including politics, economy, and social norms, thereby shaping the cultural landscape.

Question 5

Shirley Ardener discovered that women explain their mutedness as being a result of men's

Accepted Answer

Shirley Ardener introduced the concept of muted groups in anthropology, suggesting that women's mutedness in society is often a result of men's 'deafness' to women's voices, meaning that societal structures and communication practices are designed in ways that do not hear or value women's experiences and perspectives as much as men's.

Question 6

One of the primary factors contributing to the differences in the ways that women and men experience the world, as identified by muted group theorists, is

Accepted Answer

Muted group theory suggests that women's and men's different experiences, perceptions, and treatment in society are significantly influenced by the division of labor. This division historically assigns different roles and responsibilities to men and women, which in turn affects their experiences and the way they are perceived and heard in society.

Question 7

All of the following statements describing how women experience the communication process when interacting with men are true EXCEPT

Accepted Answer

Men engaging in storytelling to assist women in finding words to describe their experiences is not a commonly described aspect of how women experience the communication process when interacting with men. The other options relate to the cognitive and social processes involved in communication and the development of specific terminology to articulate experiences.

Question 8

Labeling women's talk as "gossip," "chatter,"
"nagging,"
Or "whining"
Is a type of silencing referred to as

Accepted Answer

Labeling women's talk with derogatory terms like "gossip," "chatter," "nagging," or "whining" is a form of ridicule. This tactic is used to undermine and devalue women's speech, effectively silencing their voices by making their contributions seem less serious or unworthy of consideration.

Question 9

The events that take place in a wedding ceremony are often perceived as serving the function of silencing women. This exemplifies which process of silencing?

Accepted Answer

Ritual silencing occurs through formal or ceremonial practices, such as those in a wedding ceremony, where traditional roles and actions may implicitly or explicitly serve to silence women's voices or agency.

Question 10

_________ refers to verbal threats of men and their nonverbal control of public places.

Accepted Answer

Street harassment encompasses both verbal threats and nonverbal behaviors aimed at controlling public spaces, often directed towards women by men.

Question 11

Which of the following is NOT one of the strategies identified by Houston and Kramarae for resisting the process of muting?

Accepted Answer

Negotiating a shared language is not identified by Houston and Kramarae as a strategy for resisting muting. Their focus is on naming silencing strategies, studying women's artistic expressions, and developing a language that represents women's experiences.

Question 12

Some critics have pointed out that there are examples of women in today's society who are willing and able to speak out in public and be heard. Hillary Rodham Clinton and Sarah Palin are two examples. This best exemplifies the criticism against the theory that

Accepted Answer

The criticism that the theory exaggerates women's mutedness is best exemplified by pointing out women like Hillary Rodham Clinton and Sarah Palin, who are prominent figures able to speak out and be heard in public, challenging the notion that women are universally muted or silenced.

Question 13

Traditionally, white men have decided what information will be included in our textbooks and have underrepresented the roles of women and minorities in shaping our history. This demonstrates the process of silencing referred to as

Accepted Answer

This demonstrates the process of silencing through control, as it involves the deliberate decision-making about what information is included or excluded in educational materials, thereby controlling the narrative and underrepresenting certain groups.

Question 14

One of the primary benefits of Muted Group Theory is that it

Accepted Answer

Muted Group Theory highlights how certain groups (often women and minorities) are marginalized in communication, leading to their voices being less heard or valued. It challenges us to reconsider the norms and biases in our communication practices, including how we evaluate what is accepted or rejected from public speakers. This theory does not advocate for maintaining the status quo or essentializing gender differences, nor is it primarily noted for its empirical support, but rather for its conceptual contribution to understanding power dynamics in communication.

Question 15

Other non-dominant groups to which MGT has been applied include:

Accepted Answer

Minority Group Threat (MGT) theory has been applied to various non-dominant groups, including the elderly, non-Christians, and the disabled, to understand the dynamics of prejudice and discrimination they face.

Question 16

The research of Radhika Chopra showed that muting can also affect

Accepted Answer

Radhika Chopra's research highlighted how muting can affect fathers, exploring the nuances of their experiences and roles within the context of silence and communication.

Question 17

One ultimate goal of Muted Group Theory is to

Accepted Answer

Muted Group Theory focuses on how language systems reflect, reinforce, and perpetuate power dynamics in society, particularly how they serve dominant groups (often men) more than marginalized groups (such as women). It aims to highlight and change these linguistic structures to create a more equitable communication environment.

Question 18

_____ is a biological category; _____ is a social category.

Accepted Answer

Sex is a biological category based on physical differences in genetic composition and reproductive anatomy, while gender is a social category that refers to the roles, behaviors, activities, and attributes that a given society considers appropriate for men and women.

Question 19

The communication traditions most closely associated with MGT are

Accepted Answer

The answer of The communication traditions most closely associated with...

Question 20

The central premise of MGT as given in the text is that:

Accepted Answer

The central premise of MGT (Male Generic Terms) is that it reflects and perpetuates a societal structure where members of marginalized groups, particularly women, are silenced or rendered less visible and articulate in language and communication. This premise suggests that language use and development can contribute to the marginalization of certain groups by prioritizing male perspectives or experiences as the default or norm.

Quiz 29: Muted Group Theory

_________ are the central focus in Muted Group Theory (MGT) .