Question 1

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 2

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

Accepted Answer

Research shows that positive relationships can improve cognitive function and reduce stress, leading to fewer mental errors.

Question 3

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

Accepted Answer

If the woman is saying "everything is fine" in a cold manner when in reality something is bothering her, she is not practicing congruent communication. Congruent communication involves expressing one's true feelings and thoughts in a genuine and honest manner.

Question 4

Whereas coaching focuses on attitudes, counseling concentrates on abilities.

Accepted Answer

Coaching and counseling both focus on attitudes and abilities, but counseling may place more emphasis on addressing emotional or psychological issues that may affect one's abilities.

Question 5

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 6

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

Accepted Answer

Studies have shown that positive relationships at work lead to higher productivity. When people feel connected to their colleagues and enjoy a positive work environment, it can lead to greater job satisfaction and motivation, both of which can increase productivity. In contrast, negative relationships can lead to stress, tension, and distraction, all of which can decrease productivity.

Question 7

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 alignment between what a person says with their tone of voice, body language, and facial expressions. When these different modes of communication are in harmony, the message being conveyed becomes more effective and authentic.

Question 8

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 indeed crucial in supportive communication.

Question 9

Difficulties in effective message delivery are often related to the interpersonal aspects of communication.

Accepted Answer

Interpersonal aspects such as language barriers, cultural differences, emotional state, and lack of attention or active listening can all impact the delivery and reception of a message.

Question 10

The positive effects of short-term, momentary interactions are similar to those of longer-term relationships.

Accepted Answer

Short-term, momentary interactions can still create positive feelings such as joy, connection, and empathy, which can have similar effects as longer-term relationships in terms of mental and emotional well-being. Additionally, even brief interactions with strangers can increase our sense of social connectedness and decrease feelings of loneliness.

Question 11

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

Accepted Answer

Evaluative comments can be made in persuasive or argumentative communication, but in descriptive communication, the goal is to provide factual and objective information without expressing personal opinions or judgments.

Question 12

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

Emotions and attitudes are psychological factors that require counseling in order to address and resolve issues.

Question 13

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 in considering other perspectives or ideas. In this case, the boss is ignoring alternative viewpoints and only considering his own, demonstrating rigidity.

Question 14

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

Accepted Answer

The statement is about a specific person, Maxine, and includes an evaluation of her behavior or style of leadership, indicating a focus on the individual (person-oriented communication).

Question 15

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 effectively.

Accepted Answer

Name-dropping, especially in a professional context, often indicates an attempt to assert authority or credibility, not necessarily a sign of feeling effectively counseled.

Question 16

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

There is no indication in the statement that the problem is attributed to an attitude issue. The boss simply offers to provide assistance in improving the task.

Question 17

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

Accepted Answer

Problem-oriented communication focuses on identifying and addressing the specific problem or behavior, rather than solely blaming or focusing on personal traits of the individual.

Question 18

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

Accepted Answer

"You are doing it wrong" is a judgment or evaluation of the co-worker's actions, hence it is evaluative 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

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

Accepted Answer

Supportive communication involves both accuracy and honesty, but also considers the impact on interpersonal relationships. It involves finding a balance between truthful communication and maintaining positive relationships with those involved. Therefore, communication that jeopardizes interpersonal relationships may not be considered as supportive communication.

Quiz 4: Building Relationships by Communicating Supportively