Question 1

Which of the following statements is true about communication?
A)If a speaker's nonverbal signals disagree with the words being said, it is best to believe the words.
B)Communication includes listening as well as speaking.
C)In a formal communication, nonverbal expressions should ideally be avoided.
D)The main cause of selective listening during communication is lack of information.

Accepted Answer

Communication is a two-way process that involves not only speaking but also actively listening to the other person's message. Option A is incorrect as nonverbal signals often provide more accurate information than the spoken words. Option C is incorrect as nonverbal expressions such as body language, facial expressions, and tone of voice are essential components of effective communication. Option D is incorrect as selective listening is usually caused by factors such as distractions, preconceived notions, or lack of interest, rather than lack of information.

Question 2

While greeting a person, variations in facial expression rarely carry any significance.

Accepted Answer

Facial expressions often carry significance while greeting a person, such as a smile indicating friendliness or a frown indicating displeasure.

Question 3

In a high-context culture, one must be very careful about cultural norms and nonverbal behaviors on both sides.

Accepted Answer

In high-context cultures, much of the meaning is conveyed through nonverbal cues and contextual factors. Therefore, it is important to be aware of cultural norms and nonverbal behaviors on both sides to avoid misunderstandings or offending others.

Question 4

In the case of selective listening:
A)a listener deliberately chooses what he or she wants to hear.
B)a listener deliberately tunes out distractions.
C)a listener's subconscious mind decides which part of a conversation to register.
D)a listener's subconscious mind tunes out distractions.

Accepted Answer

Selective listening involves a listener deliberately choosing what he or she wants to hear. This can be intentional or unintentional, but the listener is actively making the decision to focus on certain parts of a conversation and tune out others.

Question 5

People have a tendency to allow their minds to wander while attending a conference or a business seminar because:
A)much of what people say is expressed by nonverbal.
B)people are in the habit of indulging in selective listening.
C)most humans have a capacity for listening at a speed that far exceeds the ability of the fastest speaker.
D)from childhood, most people are trained to listen with less tolerance for distractions and more feedback to the speaker.

Accepted Answer

Most humans can listen much faster than anyone can speak, leading to the mind wandering when the information being presented doesn't fully engage their listening capacity.

Question 6

Which of the following statements is true about red flag words?
A)Red flag words mostly communicate false information.
B)Red flag words typically evoke positive emotions in a listener.
C)Red flag words are used to reduce noise in a communication channel.
D)Red flag words bring an immediate emotional response.

Accepted Answer

Red flag words are used to evoke an immediate emotional response in the listener, often indicating a potential problem or issue.

Question 7

A listener is overwhelmed with incoming data and has to decide which data will be processed and remembered. This situation is an example of:
A)procrastination.
B)self-efficacy.
C)cognitive dissonance.
D)information overload.

Accepted Answer

The listener is experiencing a situation where there is too much information coming in and they have to decide which information to process and which to ignore or forget. This is a classic example of information overload, where a person is unable to cope with the amount of information they are receiving. Procrastination, self-efficacy, and cognitive dissonance are not related to this scenario.

Question 8

Displays involve facial expressions and general body movements.

Accepted Answer

Displays are a combination of facial expressions and general body movements that convey emotional states or intentions.

Question 9

Grapevine is best described as a gossip network that produces false information.

Accepted Answer

Grapevine is a communication network that spreads information, but whether the information is true or false depends on the source and accuracy of the information. It is not inherently designed to produce false information.

Question 10

People in high-context cultures need to know how to put you into context.

Accepted Answer

In high-context cultures, social cues, relationships, and nonverbal communication are important factors in communication. Therefore, people in such cultures need to understand the context of the conversation and the speaker's position or background to interpret their message correctly.

Question 11

In the context of proxemics, Americans preserve the third bubble for close friends.

Accepted Answer

In the context of proxemics, the third bubble, known as social distance, is typically used for interactions among acquaintances, not close friends. Close friends usually interact within the personal distance.

Question 12

Your self-esteem level is indicated by the verbal mode of communication and not the nonverbal communication signals.

Accepted Answer

This statement is false. Nonverbal communication signals, such as body language and tone of voice, can also indicate a person's self-esteem level.

Question 13

While having dinner with his friends in a crowded restaurant, Michael consciously ignores the noise around him. He makes an attempt to pay attention to his friends' discussions. In doing so, Michael is engaging in:
A)groupthink.
B)cognitive dissonance.
C)vertical communication.
D)selective listening.

Accepted Answer

Michael is selectively listening to his friends' discussions by consciously ignoring the noise around him, which is a form of selective attention.

Question 14

Horizontal messages are the messages that need to go through a chain of command in an organization.

Accepted Answer

Horizontal messages do not need to go through a chain of command. They are messages that are exchanged among employees at the same level or department in an organization.

Question 15

Which of the following reflects poor listening caused by bad communication habits?
A)Deciding which information will be processed and remembered when the listener is overwhelmed with incoming information
B)Allowing the mind to wander because the speaker is speaking at a speed that is much lower than the average capacity for listening
C)Choosing to believe the nonverbal signals sent by a speaker when the signals conflict with the words being said
D)Attempting to feel another person's feelings, attitudes, or thoughts while listening to that person

Accepted Answer

Allowing the mind to wander is a result of bad communication habits such as boredom, daydreaming, or lack of interest in the speaker's topic.

Question 16

Illustrators are the gestures that are used to control the flow of communication.

Accepted Answer

Illustrators are nonverbal behaviors or gestures that accompany speech to clarify or emphasize the verbal message, not to control the flow of communication.

Question 17

The Ebbinghaus curve shows that:
A)we remember less than half of what we've heard after an hour and about one-fourth after a week.
B)we are capable of recalling two-thirds of the information we receive on the day after receiving the information.
C)we remember more than two-thirds of the information we receive after an hour, about a half after a day, and about a third after a week.
D)we cannot remember half of what we hear after an hour, they can remember about a two-third after one day of receiving the information.

Accepted Answer

The Ebbinghaus curve states that we tend to forget a large portion of information quickly after learning it. Specifically, we remember less than half of what we've heard after an hour and about one-fourth after a week. Option B is incorrect as it overestimates our memory capacity after one day. Option C and D also have incorrect information about the exact percentages of information that we remember.

Question 18

In the United States, eighteen inches to four feet is the accepted distance when communicating with business associates and casual acquaintances.

Accepted Answer

This statement is false. The distance of eighteen inches to four feet is not a universally accepted distance for communication in the United States. The appropriate distance may vary depending on cultural norms, personal preferences, and the context of the interaction.

Question 19

Selective listening is justifiable when:
A)the listener assumes that a subject is too difficult or easy to understand.
B)the listener wants something to be true so badly that he or she interprets the message so as to make it true.
C)the listener is overwhelmed with incoming information and has to decide which information will be processed and remembered.
D)the listener refuses to listen to other people due to prejudice.

Accepted Answer

Selective listening can be justifiable when the listener is overwhelmed with incoming information and has to filter and prioritize the information they process and remember. This can help them focus on important information and avoid being overloaded with irrelevant information. However, selective listening based on assumptions, biases, or desires can lead to poor communication and misunderstandings.

Question 20

How do red flag words affect listening?
A)They begin a flood of emotions that prevent some people from hearing anything else for quite a while.
B)They overwhelm a listener with information and force him or her to decide which information will be remembered.
C)They make people forget half of what they have heard after an hour, about a third after a day, and about one-fourth after a week.
D)They put a listener in a position where he or she has to decide which information will be processed and remembered.

Accepted Answer

Red flag words are emotionally charged and can trigger a strong emotional response in a listener. This can cause them to ignore or forget important information because they are too focused on their emotional reaction to the red flag words. In extreme cases, the listener may be so overwhelmed by emotion that they are unable to hear anything else for a period of time.

Quiz 6: Communication and Human Relations

Which of the following statements is true about communication?

While greeting a person, variations in facial expression rarely carry any significance.

In a high-context culture, one must be very careful about cultural norms and nonverbal behaviors on both sides.

In the case of selective listening:

People have a tendency to allow their minds to wander while attending a conference or a business seminar because:

Which of the following statements is true about red flag words?

A listener is overwhelmed with incoming data and has to decide which data will be processed and remembered. This situation is an example of:

Displays involve facial expressions and general body movements.

Grapevine is best described as a gossip network that produces false information.

People in high-context cultures need to know how to put you into context.

In the context of proxemics, Americans preserve the third bubble for close friends.

Your self-esteem level is indicated by the verbal mode of communication and not the nonverbal communication signals.

While having dinner with his friends in a crowded restaurant, Michael consciously ignores the noise around him. He makes an attempt to pay attention to his friends' discussions. In doing so, Michael is engaging in:

Horizontal messages are the messages that need to go through a chain of command in an organization.

Which of the following reflects poor listening caused by bad communication habits?

Illustrators are the gestures that are used to control the flow of communication.

The Ebbinghaus curve shows that:

In the United States, eighteen inches to four feet is the accepted distance when communicating with business associates and casual acquaintances.

Selective listening is justifiable when:

How do red flag words affect listening?