Question 1

According to the text, people with disabilities can be referred to with such terms as: 1) heroic, e.g., visually challenged, handicapped; 2) normal, e.g., they "use a wheelchair" and are not much different from anyone else; 3) disabled, e.g., they are confined to a wheelchair and are helpless and dependent; or 4) pathetic, e.g., retarded, gimpy, pathetic. Which of the following is true of using such language to seek donations for people with disabilities?

Accepted Answer

Using "heroic" language may make the speaker seem less credible because it can come across as exaggerating or idealizing the situation, but it can be more persuasive by appealing to emotions and portraying people with disabilities in a positive, admirable light.

Question 2

A communicator who said, "The Sound of Music is a great movie, don't you think?" would be exhibiting a ________________ style of language.

Accepted Answer

The use of tag questions like "don't you think?" is a characteristic of a powerless language style, which tends to lessen the speaker's authority and invite agreement or validation from others.

Question 3

Which of the following is not a type of Ultimate term?

Accepted Answer

God terms and devil terms are both types of ultimate terms, referring to concepts or ideas that are viewed as either completely positive or negative. Charismatic terms refer to words or phrases that carry a strong emotional appeal, often associated with particular leaders or movements. Powerful terms is not a recognized type of ultimate term.

Question 4

According to Richard Weaver's theory of language, the term "dead-beat dad" is an example of a/an

Accepted Answer

According to Richard Weaver's theory of language, devil terms are terms that are associated with the worst aspects of a particular group or individual, and they are used to demonize or dehumanize that group or individual. "Dead-beat dad" is a devil term because it is used to describe a father who is perceived as neglectful or irresponsible in his parental duties.

Question 5

Euphemisms with longer "careers"

Accepted Answer

Euphemisms with longer "careers" have been used regularly over a longer period of time, making them more familiar to people. This familiarity draws less attention to the euphemism and its connotations. For example, the euphemism "restroom" has been in use for over a century and is now a common and accepted term, whereas a newer euphemism such as "sanitation station" may draw more attention and seem less familiar or even comical to some people.

Question 6

Hesitations are a form of powerless language. An example of a hesitation is

Accepted Answer

Hesitations are interruptions in speech that indicate uncertainty or lack of confidence. "Well, you know" is a common hesitation phrase used when the speaker is unsure or trying to gather their thoughts.

Question 7

Using intense language is most effective if/when

Accepted Answer

Intense language can be more persuasive and effective when the listeners themselves use intense language, as it matches their communication style and may resonate more strongly with them.

Question 8

Which of the following theories is used to explain why people who use intense language are more persuaded by people who also use intense language?

Accepted Answer

Communication Accommodation Theory explains how people adjust their communication styles to match or accommodate others, which can lead to increased persuasion when both parties use similar language intensity.

Question 9

"A marriage partner" is a __________ for the word "spouse." "A lifetime pain in the neck" is a ____________ for the word "spouse."

Accepted Answer

"A marriage partner" is a denotative definition for "spouse," as it directly refers to the literal meaning of the word. "A lifetime pain in the neck" is a connotative definition, as it expresses a subjective, emotional attitude towards the concept of a spouse rather than its direct meaning.

Question 10

________ Theory assumes that people are motivated to seek pleasure and avoid pain.

Accepted Answer

Reinforcement Theory assumes that people are motivated to seek pleasure and avoid pain, and that behavior is controlled by rewards and punishments. This theory suggests that behavior can be shaped or modified by manipulating the consequences of that behavior.

Question 11

The Sapir-Whorf hypothesis argues that

Accepted Answer

The Sapir-Whorf hypothesis, also known as linguistic relativity, suggests that the language we use shapes our thinking and perception of the world around us. It argues that the structure and vocabulary of a language determine our cognitive processes and affect the way we perceive, experience, and understand the world.

Question 12

Familiar phrases such as "Money doesn't grow on trees" tend to be most persuasive when

Accepted Answer

Familiar phrases such as "Money doesn't grow on trees" are often used as a quick and easily digestible way to persuade or reinforce a point, without requiring too much mental effort from the listener. Therefore, they can be most persuasive when the audience is not carefully scrutinizing the message and may be more easily swayed by a familiar and catchy phrase, even if they are distracted or not fully engaged in the conversation.

Question 13

Hedges are a form of powerless language. An example of a hedge is

Accepted Answer

Hedges are words or phrases that weaken the impact of a statement or make it less definitive. "Sort of" is an example of a hedge because it is not a fully committed or definitive statement. The other options ("well, you know," "very," "isn't it?") may not necessarily be hedges.

Question 14

Which theory states that language choices can either facilitate or inhibit persuasion, depending on whether violations of language norms are perceived positively or negatively?

Accepted Answer

The theory that states language choices can either facilitate or inhibit persuasion, depending on whether violations of language norms are perceived positively or negatively is the Language Expectancy theory. This theory suggests that people have expectations about how language should be used in different situations, and violating those expectations can either make the speaker more persuasive or less persuasive depending on the context.

Question 15

According to the text, women are more persuasive with ________ when they use __________ forms of speech.

Accepted Answer

The answer of According to the text, women are more...

Question 16

Instead of straightforwardly informing Cameron that he is fired, Darin explains that the company is down-sizing its personnel. This is an example of

Accepted Answer

This is an example of doublespeak, where the intention of the message is hidden or disguised by using vague or indirect language. Darin is not straightforwardly informing Cameron that he is fired, but rather using a euphemism to soften the blow.

Question 17

"I know I am not the world's best public speaker, but..." is an example of

Accepted Answer

The phrase "but..." suggests that the speaker is about to make a disclaimer, which is a statement to distance oneself from a particular claim or responsibility, here the speaker is acknowledging their lack of ability in public speaking. Therefore, the correct option is C - a disclaimer.

Question 18

The use of ________ is generally more effective than ______ at holding our attention.

Accepted Answer

Vivid words have a greater impact on our attention compared to pallid (dull or uninteresting) information. Therefore, the use of vivid words is generally more effective in holding our attention than pallid information.

Question 19

Saying "Oh fudge" rather than other, more colorful terms (i.e., profanity) is an example of

Accepted Answer

Using "Oh fudge" instead of profanity is an example of using a euphemism, which is a mild or indirect word or expression used in place of one considered to be too harsh or blunt.

Question 20

People who use powerless language include a lot of intensifiers when speaking. An example of an intensifier is

Accepted Answer

"Very" is an intensifier that is often used to exaggerate or emphasize a point, but it doesn't add any real meaning or power to the language. Using it frequently can make one's language appear weaker or less confident.

Quiz 1: Why Study Persuasion