Chapter 8

Question 1

Assertive Communication

Answer 1

A style of communicating that directly expresses the sender’s needs, thoughts, or feelings, delivered in a way that does not attack the receiver’s dignity.

Question 2

Avoidance Spiral

Answer 2

A communication spiral in which the parties slowly reduce their dependence on one another, withdraw, and become less invested in the relationship.

Question 3

Certainty

Answer 3

Messages that dogmatically imply that the speaker’s position is correct that the other person’s ideas are not worth considering.

Question 4

Communication Climate

Answer 4

The emotional tone of a relational as it is expressed in the messages that the partners send and receive.

Question 5

Compromise

Answer 5

An approach to conflict resolution in which both parties attain at least part of what they seek through self-sacrifice.

Question 6

Confirming Responses

Answer 6

A message that expresses respect and valuing of the other person.

Question 7

Conflict

Answer 7

An expressed struggle between at least two interdependent parties who perceive incompatible goals, scarce rewards, and interference from the other part in achieving their goals.

Question 8

Controlling Communication

Answer 8

Messages in which the sender tries to impose some sort of outcome on the receiver, usually resulting in a defensive reaction.

Question 9

Description

Answer 9

In terms of communication climate, a statement in which the speaker describes his/her position.

Question 10

Direct Aggression

Answer 10

An expression of the sender’s thoughts or feelings or both that attacks the position and dignity of the receiver.

Question 11

Disconfirming Response

Answer 11

A message that expresses a lack of caring or respect for another person.

Question 12

Empathy

Answer 12

The ability to project oneself into another person’s point of view, so as to experience the other’s thoughts and feelings

Question 13

Equality

Answer 13

When communicators show that they believe others have just as much worth as human beings.

Question 14

Escalatory Spiral

Answer 14

A reciprocal pattern of communication in which messages, either confirming or disconfirming between two or more communicators reinforce one another.

Question 15

Evaluative Communication

Answer 15

Messages in which the sender judges the receiver in some way, usually resulting in a defensive response.

Question 16

Gibb Categories

Answer 16

Six sets of contrasting styles of verbal and nonverbal behavior. Each set describes a communication style that is likely to arouse defensiveness and a contrasting style that is likely to prevent or reduce it.

Question 17

“I” Langauge

Answer 17

Language that describes the speaker’s position without evaluating others.

Question 18

Indirect Communication

Answer 18

Hinting at a message instead of expressing thoughts and feelings directly.

Question 19

Lose-Lose Problem Solving

Answer 19

An approach to conflict resolution in which neither party achieves its goals.

Question 20

Neutrality

Answer 20

A defense-arousing behavior in which the sender expresses indifference toward a receiver.

Question 21

Nonassertion

Answer 21

The inability or unwillingness to express one’s thoughts or feelings when necessary.

Question 22

Passive Aggression

Answer 22

An indirect expression of aggression, delivered in a way that allows the sender to maintain a facade of kindness.

Question 23

Problem Orientation

Answer 23

A supportive style of communication in which the communication focus on working together to solve their problems instead of trying to impose their own solutions on one another.

Question 24

Provisionalism

Answer 24

A supportive style of communication in which the sender expresses a willingness to consider the other person’s position.

Question 25

Spiral

Answer 25

Reciprocal communication pattern in which each person’s message reinforces the other’s.

Question 26

Spontaneity

Answer 26

Supportive communication behavior in which the sender expresses a message without any attempt to manipulate the receiver.

Question 27

Strategy

Answer 27

A defense-arousing style of communication in which the sender tries to manipulate or trick a receiver; also, the general term for any type of plan, as in the plan for a persuasive speech.

Question 28

Superiority

Answer 28

A type of communication that suggests one person is better than the other.

Question 29

Win-Lose Problem Solving

Answer 29

An approach to conflict resolution in which one party reaches its goals at the expense of the other.

Question 30

Win-Win Problem Solving

Answer 30

An approach to conflict resolution in which the parties work together to satisfy all their goals.

Question 31

“You” Language

Answer 31

Language that judges another person, increasing the likelihood of a defensive reaction.