Question 1

Your co-worker remarks to you,"You are always late to meetings,how come?" Your co-worker is practicing what type of communication?
A)Specific
B)Invalidation
C)Descriptive
D)Global
E)Incongruent

Accepted Answer

The co-worker is making a generalization about the individual always being late to meetings, which is an example of global communication. This type of communication can be harmful as it does not focus on specific behaviors and may lead to misunderstandings or resentment.

Question 2

You tell your boss that disjunctive communication can occur in three ways.They are (1)controlling airtime, (2)extended pauses,and (3)topic control.Is what you said to your boss true or false?
A)All three statements are true.
B)Statements 1 and 3 are true,but statement 2 is false.
C)Statements 2 and 3 are true,but statement 1 is false.
D)Statements 1 and 2 are true,but statement 3 is false.
E)All three statements are false.

Accepted Answer

All three statements are true. Controlling airtime refers to dominating the conversation, extended pauses create awkward silences and limit communication, and topic control refers to steering the conversation towards certain subjects and ignoring others.

Question 3

You just watched your employee handle a customer poorly.How should you respond?
A)"What were you thinking? That's not how we do it here!"
B)"I don't like the way you handled the situation."
C)"All employees are expected to follow procedures outlined in the employee manual when dealing with a customer.I am disappointed with the way you handled that situation.Can we review that policy together?"
D)"Let me show you how to do it.I can't believe you are unable to do something so simple."

Accepted Answer

Option C addresses the issue constructively and gives the employee a chance to improve. It reminds the employee of the company's policy and procedures and provides an opportunity to review them together to avoid similar mistakes in the future. Options A, B, and D are overly critical, unhelpful, and may damage the employee's confidence and morale.

Question 4

If,in a counseling situation,you are willing to accept that other alternatives besides yours exist,what type of communication are you practicing?
A)Indifferent communication
B)Superior communication
C)Person-oriented communication
D)Flexible communication

Accepted Answer

By being willing to accept that other alternatives besides yours exist, you are practicing flexible communication. This means that you are open to different ideas and perspectives and are willing to adapt your approach to better suit the client's needs.

Question 5

"Not only does a fairway wood have a larger sweet spot,but it reacts better to bad hits.Thin shots don't lose as much yardage as off an iron.Toe shots don't lose ..." You are lost in the discussion of golf.What type of communication is this person using?
A)Rigidity
B)Indifference
C)Superiority-oriented

Accepted Answer

The person is using superiority-oriented communication by implying that fairway woods are better than irons because they have a larger sweet spot and react better to bad hits. This type of communication implies that the person speaking knows more about golf and is conveying that knowledge to the listener.

Question 6

You are channel surfing while watching TV,and you come across a rather rotund individual sitting by himself talking politics in a rather rushed manner.In the few minutes you watch,you notice that he has an answer for everything,that his answer is always right,and that he appears to reduce complex issues to very simplistic definitions.You think to yourself,"I'm glad no one listens to this person." The TV person is practicing which form of communication?
A)Indifference
B)Superiority-oriented
C)Rigidity
D)Imperviousness
E)None of the answer choices are correct.

Accepted Answer

The answer of You are channel surfing while watching TV,and...

Question 7

The difference between saying "You are stubborn" and "This is the second time we are unable to reach agreement" is the difference between what two types of communication?
A)Congruent and incongruent communication
B)Owned and disowned communication
C)Superior and egalitarian communication
D)Person- and problem-oriented communication

Accepted Answer

The difference lies in focusing on the person's character trait (stubbornness) versus the situation (inability to reach an agreement), which exemplifies person-oriented versus problem-oriented communication. Person-oriented communication targets the individual's characteristics, while problem-oriented communication focuses on the issue at hand.

Question 8

In her student evaluations,Morgan notes the following comments: (1)"The course is boring," (2)"The room is always cold," (3)You are a great teacher," and (4)"You are easy to understand;you provide real-life examples to clarify your point."
A)All the comments are global communication.
B)All the comments are specific communication and are useful.
C)Comments 3 and 4 are specific communication and are useful.
D)Only comment 4 is specific communication that is useful.

Accepted Answer

The answer of In her student evaluations,Morgan notes the following...

Question 9

Some research suggests that one's communication style may indicate a person's mental health.What did this research find?
A)Individuals are mentally healthy if they avoid taking responsibility for their statements and behavior.
B)Individuals are not mentally healthy if they take responsibility for their statements and behavior.
C)Individuals are mentally healthy if they take responsibility for their statements and behavior.

Accepted Answer

The research suggests that individuals who take responsibility for their statements and behavior have a higher level of mental health. This means that they are more self-aware, accountable for their actions, and able to communicate effectively. Conversely, individuals who avoid taking responsibility may be more prone to denial, deflection, and blaming others, indicating lower levels of mental health.

Question 10

You notice that your manager frequently interrupts you;when you ask him a question,you have to repeat it two or three times before he acknowledges you.Your manager is practicing which form of communication?
A)Superiority-oriented
B)Rigidity
C)Indifference
D)None of the answer choices are correct.

Accepted Answer

The answer of You notice that your manager frequently interrupts...

Question 11

You overhear a conversation where one person says,"You really believe that? I think if you look at the facts again,I'm sure you would draw a different conclusion." What would this communication be an example of?
A)Practicing person-oriented communication
B)Practicing problem-oriented communication
C)Practicing communication that validates the individual
D)Practicing communication that is disowned

Accepted Answer

The answer of You overhear a conversation where one person...

Question 12

A manager maintains little eye contact,interrupts subordinates,and criticizes them for feeling a certain way.He or she is displaying which type of communication?
A)Rigid and evaluative communication
B)Indifferent and impervious communication
C)Indifferent and superior communications
D)Indifferent communication

Accepted Answer

The answer of A manager maintains little eye contact,interrupts subordinates,and...

Question 13

"Either you do it now or never." Why is this statement useless?
A)It is an inaccurate representation of reality.
B)It denies any alternatives.
C)It has potential for hidden agendas.
D)It invalidates the other person's identity.

Accepted Answer

This statement presents a false dichotomy, suggesting that there are only two options and no other alternatives. This is not necessarily true in all circumstances, and can limit potential solutions or strategies.

Question 14

Examples of conjunctive communication include (1)"Relating to what you just said,I'd like to discuss this." (2)"...so,that's how I see it.So what is your opinion?" (3)"Let's talk about horned frogs ...No,I don't want to talk about birds ...I want to talk about horned frogs in particular and lizards in general."
A)Only statement 1 is an example.
B)Only statement 2 is an example.
C)Only statement 3 is an example.
D)Statements 1 and 2 are both examples.
E)Statements 2 and 3 are both examples.

Accepted Answer

Conjunctive communication involves linking two or more ideas or topics together. Statement 1 links the speaker's response to the previous speaker's comment. Statement 2 links the speaker's opinion to the listener's potential opinion. Therefore, both statements 1 and 2 are examples of conjunctive communication. Statement 3 is not an example because it involves a speaker changing the topic, rather than linking two topics together.

Question 15

What does person-oriented communication focus on?
A)The problem and its solution
B)Validating the other individual
C)Achieving congruent communication
D)The traits of individuals

Accepted Answer

The answer of What does person-oriented communication focus on?
A)The problem...

Question 16

Your boss always asks you questions and gives you "air time" to offer your ideas.She is practicing what type of communication?
A)Problem-oriented
B)Congruent
C)Descriptive
D)Validating
E)Specific

Accepted Answer

Validating communication involves recognizing and accepting another person's thoughts, feelings, sensations, and behaviors. By asking questions and giving you "air time" to offer your ideas, your boss is acknowledging your contributions and making you feel valued, which is a key aspect of validating communication.

Question 17

You have a tendency to finish your brother's sentences.This annoys him but it makes you happy.You are practicing what type of communication?
A)Respectful
B)Problem-oriented
C)Invalidating
D)Evaluative
E)Validating

Accepted Answer

The tendency to finish someone else's sentence can be seen as invalidating because it implies that the other person is not capable of expressing themselves or finishing their thought on their own. This behavior can be frustrating and annoying to the person who is being interrupted, as it can make them feel unheard and dismissed.

Question 18

Your boss tells you,"If you continue to be late,you will lose your job." Did your boss practice supportive communication?
A)No,this is an evaluative comment.
B)Yes,even though the comment is evaluative in nature,it is linked to a probable outcome.
C)Yes,this is a validating comment.
D)No,the comment is person oriented.

Accepted Answer

Although the comment is evaluative, it is linked to a probable outcome and therefore serves as a warning to the employee. This type of communication can be considered supportive as it helps the employee correct their behavior and avoid losing their job.

Question 19

You want to utilize supportive communication.You plan to employ validation in your communication with your subordinate.In particular,you want to practice areas of mutual agreement.What will you do?
A)List the subordinate's disadvantages before his/her advantages to finish on a strong positive note.
B)List the subordinate's past mistakes to establish a foundation so that new positive steps can be utilized.
C)List areas of disagreements first followed by areas of agreement.
D)List compliments before criticisms.

Accepted Answer

In order to utilize supportive communication and validation, it is important to start with positive feedback and compliments before offering any criticisms or areas for improvement. This helps to establish trust and build rapport with the subordinate, leading to a more productive and effective working relationship. Listing areas of agreement before areas of disagreement can also help to establish this positive tone in the communication. Option A and B focus too much on the negative, while option C puts emphasis on the disagreements before seeking common ground.

Question 20

You have just given a report to your boss.He says,"You have a good idea,but I'm afraid headquarters will think it is a little radical." What type of communication is this an example of?
A)Supportive
B)Owned
C)Disowned
D)Disjunctive

Accepted Answer

This is an example of disowned communication, where the boss is distancing himself from the idea by attributing potential rejection to headquarters.

Quiz 4: Building Relationships by Communicating Supportively

Your co-worker remarks to you,"You are always late to meetings,how come?" Your co-worker is practicing what type of communication?

You tell your boss that disjunctive communication can occur in three ways.They are (1) controlling airtime, (2) extended pauses,and (3) topic control.Is what you said to your boss true or false?

You just watched your employee handle a customer poorly.How should you respond?

If,in a counseling situation,you are willing to accept that other alternatives besides yours exist,what type of communication are you practicing?

"Not only does a fairway wood have a larger sweet spot,but it reacts better to bad hits.Thin shots don't lose as much yardage as off an iron.Toe shots don't lose ..." You are lost in the discussion of golf.What type of communication is this person using?

The difference between saying "You are stubborn" and "This is the second time we are unable to reach agreement" is the difference between what two types of communication?

In her student evaluations,Morgan notes the following comments: (1) "The course is boring," (2) "The room is always cold," (3) You are a great teacher," and (4) "You are easy to understand;you provide real-life examples to clarify your point."

Some research suggests that one's communication style may indicate a person's mental health.What did this research find?

You notice that your manager frequently interrupts you;when you ask him a question,you have to repeat it two or three times before he acknowledges you.Your manager is practicing which form of communication?

You overhear a conversation where one person says,"You really believe that? I think if you look at the facts again,I'm sure you would draw a different conclusion." What would this communication be an example of?

A manager maintains little eye contact,interrupts subordinates,and criticizes them for feeling a certain way.He or she is displaying which type of communication?

"Either you do it now or never." Why is this statement useless?

What does person-oriented communication focus on?

Your boss always asks you questions and gives you "air time" to offer your ideas.She is practicing what type of communication?

You have a tendency to finish your brother's sentences.This annoys him but it makes you happy.You are practicing what type of communication?

Your boss tells you,"If you continue to be late,you will lose your job." Did your boss practice supportive communication?

You want to utilize supportive communication.You plan to employ validation in your communication with your subordinate.In particular,you want to practice areas of mutual agreement.What will you do?

You have just given a report to your boss.He says,"You have a good idea,but I'm afraid headquarters will think it is a little radical." What type of communication is this an example of?