Chapter 3: Language and Meaning

Question 1

Question

Answer 1

Answer

Question 2

something that stands in for or represents something else

Answer 2

Symbol

Question 3

culturally agreed on and ever-changing systems of symbols that help us organize, understand and generate meaning

Answer 3

Codes

Question 4

our ability to talk and events that are removed in space or time from a speaker and situation

Answer 4

Displacement

Question 5

a model of communication that indicates the relationship among a thought, symbol, and referent and highlights indirect relationship between the symbol and referent

Answer 5

Triangle of meaning

Question 6

object or idea to which the symbol refers

Answer 6

Referent

Question 7

definitions that are accepted by the language group as a whole, or the dictionary definition of a word

Answer 7

Denotation

Question 8

definitions that are based on emotion- or experience-based associations people have with a word

Answer 8

Connotation

Question 9

rules that govern how words are used to make phrases and sentences

Answer 9

Grammar

Question 10

language helps us communicate our observations, thoughts, feelings, and needs

Answer 10

Verbal expressions

Question 11

utterances that try to get another person to do something

Answer 11

Directives

Question 12

newly coined or used words

Answer 12

Neologisms

Question 13

new or adapted words that are specific to one group, context, or time period

Answer 13

Slang

Question 14

messages communicated in an open, honest, and non-confrontational way

Answer 14

Supportive messages

Question 15

make others respond defensively, which can lead to feelings of separation and actual separation or dissolution of a relationship

Answer 15

Unsupportive messages

Question 16

sweeping judgments and generalizations are sure to escalate a negative situation.

Answer 16

Global labels

Question 17

often disguised as humor, it usually represents passive-aggressive behavior through which a person indirectly communicates negative feelings

Answer 17

Sarcasm

Question 18

a tactic used by people when they do not want to discuss a current situation

Answer 18

Dragging up the past

Question 19

holding a person up to the supposed standards or characteristics of another personÊh

Answer 19

Negative comparisons

Question 20

generalized overstatements about another person that go beyond labeling but still do not describe specific behavior in a productive way

Answer 20

Judgmental ‘“you” messages

Question 21

suggesting violence or some other negative consequence usually signals the end of productive communication and usually overcompensates for a personÕs insecurity

Answer 21

Threats

Question 22

a model used to illustrate how language can range from concrete to abstract

Answer 22

The ladder of abstraction

Question 23

refers to specialized words used by certain group or profession

Answer 23

Jargon

Question 24

language used to express a person’s feelings and create similar feelings in another person

Answer 24

Affective language

Question 25

breaking semantic rules, but in a way that typically enhances meaning or understanding rather than diminishes it

Answer 25

Figurative language

Question 26

a direct comparison of two things using the words like or as

Answer 26

Simile

Question 27

an implicit comparison of two things that are not alike and/or are not typically associated

Answer 27

Metaphor

Question 28

the attribution of human qualities or characteristics of other living things to nonhuman objects or abstract concepts

Answer 28

Personification

Question 29

occurs when a person deviates from established social norms

Answer 29

Incivility

Question 30

creates social bonds or for impression management (to seem cool or attractive)

Answer 30

Social swearing

Question 31

provides a sense of relief, as people use it to manage stress and tension, which can be a preferred alternative to physical aggression

Answer 31

Annoyance swearing

Question 32

conclusions based on thoughts or speculation, but not direct observation

Answer 32

Inferences

Question 33

conclusions based on direct observation or group consensus

Answer 33

Facts

Question 34

expressions of approval or disapproval that are subjective and not verifiable

Answer 34

Judgments

Question 35

misperception of an inference (conclusion based on limited information) as an observation (an observed or agreed-on fact)

Answer 35

Inference-observation confusion

Question 36

a skewed way of viewing or talking about a group negatively

Answer 36

Cultural bias

Question 37

race, gender, age, sexual orientation, and ability

Answer 37

Cultural identities