Chapter 1 Multiple-Choice Quiz

Question 1

Communication unfolds over time through a series of interconnected actions carried out by participants. This statement best describes which of the following features of communication?

Answer 1

process

Question 2

Which of the following does NOT describe a communication channel?

Answer 2

sensory

Question 3

Which of the following describes communication involving only one person, such as talking out loud to oneself or having a mental “conversation” in one’s head?

Answer 3

intrapersonal communication

Question 4

Which model of communication best characterizes text-messaging, e-mail, and spam?

Answer 4

linear

Question 5

Which model of communication includes the active role receivers play in constructing meaning during a communication event?

Answer 5

transactional

Question 6

If we perceive a relationship with another as I-Thou, according to Buber, we are

Answer 6

treating the other as a unique individual.

Question 7

Which of the following terms is NOT characteristic of interpersonal communication?
A. dynamic

B. transactional

C. dyadic

D. creates impact

E. segmented

Answer 7

segmented

Question 8

To impress a blind date, Wen brings flowers and gives many compliments in order to seem likable and thoughtful. Which interpersonal goal is Wen trying to achieve?

Answer 8

self-presentation

Question 9

Terri says to Jorge, “I’m glad we can be so open with each other.” This is an example of which of the following?

Answer 9

meta-communication

Question 10

During a job interview, Dori was careful to maintain eye contact with her interviewer despite feeling nervous and uncomfortable. Dori’s behavior is an example of which of the following competent communication skills?

Answer 10

appropriateness

Question 11

How does an awareness of ethics help someone become a more competent communicator?

Answer 11

by guiding the person to remain honest in their communication

Question 12

A competent communicator would most likely choose which of the following forms of interpersonal communication when breaking up with a long-term romantic partner?

Answer 12

face-to-face

Question 13

Online communication, such as an e-mail, is most effective in which of the following situations?

Answer 13

for providing the receiver time to respond

Question 14

Thomas is living abroad in Sydney, Australia, during his junior year of college. To build his intercultural competence, he should avoid doing which of the following?

Answer 14

reminding locals he’s an American to excuse his mistakes

Question 15

Cara is a social chameleon. She can talk to anyone in any social situation. Which one of the following terms best describes Cara?

Answer 15

low self-monitor

Question 16

The communication choices we make determine the personal, interpersonal, and relationship outcomes that follow.

Answer 16

True

Question 17

The exchange of a series of messages is called contexts.

Answer 17

False

Question 18

One of the earliest writings about interpersonal communication, by Ptah Hotep, urged people to be truthful and listen actively.

Answer 18

True

Question 19

When developing theory, you create a set of descriptive statements that define a phenomenon of interest.

Answer 19

True

Question 20

Self-actualization is the need for self-esteem, power, recognition, and prestige.

Answer 20

False

Question 21

Being loved and belonging are social needs.

Answer 21

True

Question 22

Content information consists of the actual meaning of the words exchanged.

Answer 22

True

Question 23

Communication can be reversed.

Answer 23

False

Question 24

The dynamic nature of interpersonal communication means that no two moments within the same interaction will ever be identical.

Answer 24

True

Question 25

Competent communicators generally achieve most of their interpersonal goals and avoid relationship problems.

Answer 25

False

Question 26

Jody is a low self-monitor; this means she prefers knowing exactly what she’s expected to do or say in any given situation.

Answer 26

False

Question 27

Being ethical in interpersonal communication includes more than not harming another person through words or actions.

Answer 27

True

Question 28

In general, online communication is the quickest way to send and receive a message.

Answer 28

False

Question 29

Culture is defined as an individual’s set of beliefs, attitudes, values, and practices.

Answer 29

False

Question 30

Understanding culture, particularly cultural differences, plays an important role in determining ways to improve interpersonal communication.

Answer 30

True

Question 31

communication:

Answer 31

The process through which people use messages to generate meanings within and across contexts, cultures, channels, and media.

Question 32

message:

Answer 32

The package of information transported during communication.

Question 33

interaction:

Answer 33

A series of messages exchanged between people, whether face-to-face or online.

Question 34

contexts:

Answer 34

Situations in which communication occurs. Context includes the physical locations, backgrounds, genders, ages, moods, and relationships of the communicators, as well as the time of day.

Question 35

channel:

Answer 35

The sensory dimension (sound, sight, touch, scent, or taste) used to transmit information during communication. For example, you may apologize by showing someone a sad facial expression, lightly touching his shoulder, and saying “I’m so sorry.”

Question 36

media:

Answer 36

Tools used to exchange messages, including everything from newspapers, blackboards, and photographs to computers, smartphones, and television.

Question 37

linear communication model:

Answer 37

A depiction of communication messages that flow in one direction from a starting point to an end point.

Question 38

sender:

Answer 38

The individual who generates, packages, and delivers a message.

Question 39

noise:

Answer 39

Environmental factors that impede a message on the way to its destination.

Question 40

receiver:

Answer 40

The individual for whom a message is intended or to whom it is delivered.

Question 41

interactive communication model:

Answer 41

A depiction of communication messages that are exchanged back and forth between a sender and a receiver and are influenced by feedback and the fields of experience of both communicators.

Question 42

feedback:

Answer 42

Verbal and nonverbal messages that receivers use to indicate their reaction to communication, such as a frown or saying, “I disagree.” See also interactive communication model.

Question 43

fields of experience:

Answer 43

Beliefs, attitudes, values, and experiences that each communicator brings to an interaction.

Question 44

transactional communication model:

Answer 44

A depiction of communication in which each participant equally influences the communication behavior of the other participants. For example, a salesperson who watches his customer’s facial expression while describing a product is sending and receiving messages at the same time.

Question 45

interpersonal communication:

Answer 45

A dynamic form of communication between two (or more) people in which the messages exchanged significantly influence their thoughts, emotions, behaviors, and relationships.

Question 46

dyadic:

Answer 46

Communication involving only two people.

Question 47

intrapersonal communication:

Answer 47

Communication involving only one person, such as talking to yourself.

Question 48

I-Thou:

Answer 48

A way to perceive a relationship based on embracing fundamental similarities that connect you to others, striving to see things from others’ points of view, and communicating in ways that emphasize honesty and kindness.

Question 49

I-It:

Answer 49

A type of perception and communication that occurs when you treat others as though they are objects that are there for your use and exploitation—for example, when you dismiss someone by saying, “I don’t have time for your stupid questions. Figure it out yourself.”

Question 50

impersonal communication:

Answer 50

Messages that have negligible perceived impact on your thoughts, emotions, behaviors, or relationships, such as commenting about the television schedule or passing someone and saying, “How’s it going?” without looking up.

Question 51

meta-communication:

Answer 51

Verbal or nonverbal communication about communication—that is, messages that have communication as their central focus.

Question 52

self-presentation goals:

Answer 52

In interpersonal encounters, presenting yourself in certain ways so that others perceive you as being a particular type of person.

Question 53

instrumental goals:

Answer 53

Practical aims you want to achieve or tasks you want to accomplish through a particular interpersonal encounter.

Question 54

relationship goals:

Answer 54

Goals of building, maintaining, or terminating relationships with others through interpersonal communication.

Question 55

interpersonal communication competence:

Answer 55

The ability to communicate consistently in appropriate, effective, and ethical ways.

Question 56

communication skills:

Answer 56

Repeatable goal-directed behaviors and behavioral patterns that enable you to improve the quality of your interpersonal encounters and relationships. See also appropriateness; interpersonal communication competence.

Question 57

appropriateness:

Answer 57

A measure of communication competence that indicates the degree to which your communication matches the situational, relational, and cultural expectations regarding how people should communicate.

Question 58

self-monitoring:

Answer 58

The process of observing your own communication and the norms of the situation in order to make appropriate communication choices.

Question 59

effectiveness:

Answer 59

The ability to use communication to accomplish interpersonal goals.

Question 60

ethics:

Answer 60

The set of moral principles that guide our behavior toward others. Ethical communication consistently displays respect, kindness, and compassion.

Question 61

online communication:

Answer 61

Interaction through communication technology, such as social networking sites, e-mail, text- or instant-messaging, Skype, chatrooms, and even massively multiplayer online video games like World of Warcraft.

Question 62

gender:

Answer 62

The composite of social, psychological, and cultural attributes that characterize us as male or female.

Question 63

sexual orientation:

Answer 63

Enduring emotional, romantic, sexual, or affectionate attraction to others that exists along a continuum ranging from exclusive heterosexuality to exclusive homosexuality and that includes various forms of bisexuality.