Exam 3: Understanding Verbal Messages

We use language as an involuntary reflex to a stimulus.

_____ is defined as the patterns in the arrangement of words in a language.

Bypassing rarely occurs between two people who are both fluent in English.

Sexist language is considered inclusive.

When you try to put yourself in another person's shoes and experience what he or she is feeling, you are using _____.

Andrea was trying to tell her roommate Chris about the difficulty she has been having in her geography class. Chris interrupted, "Believe me I've seen it before, and if you go on whining the way you are instead of working harder, you are never going to pass this class!" Rewrite this statement using supportive language, and explain the language that makes it be supportive.

Select three of the following characteristics of language: (1) Words are symbols with meanings. (2) Words have denotative and connotative meanings. (3) Words reflect concrete and abstract meanings. (4) Words are culture bound. (5) Words are context bound. Then, in a well-supported answer, address (1) what it means, and (2) why it is important for an effective communicator to understand that concept. A superior answer will contain illustrations that are original and not in the textbook.

Defensive communication tends to create _____.

Words that are _____ refer to things that we can see, touch, smell, taste, or hear.

The rules and standards that structure language are known as _____.

One person describes arriving "early" as 15 minutes before class and another describes "early" as 5 minutes before class. This discrepancy in the understanding of the word "early" is an example of _____.

The _____ Hypothesis suggests that our language and thought are so interrelated that how we think is based in and controlled by the language we speak.

The most common form of sexism in language is the use of _____ language, which refers to using a masculine term to describe all people.

Carson wants his audience to understand his message, so he clarifies the meaning of the word he wants to use by looking it up in the dictionary. Carson is seeking the _____.

When the realtor tells Kim the countertops are granite, Kim runs her hand over the smooth, speckled surface. Kim knew the word granite because she could touch it and see it. This demonstrates the idea of a(n) _____ word.

Which of the following demonstrates the use of a gender-neutral term?

Concrete meanings of words require people to use their senses.

Neologisms are new terms introduced into the language.

Greg is feeling overwhelmed at his new job with projects that are coming due in a short time. He is talking with Julia, his friend and coworker. Julia responds by relating the frustration and confusion she felt when she started the job and offers to help Greg get back on track. Julia's expression of understanding is an example of _____.

When Margaret sees the American flag, she thinks about the men and women who fought for democracy. When Jaret sees the flag, he thinks about the football players who "take a knee" when the National Anthem is played. These two interpretations of the flag represent _____.