Deck 5: Connecting Through Nonverbal Communication

Question 1

When Dora's friend shared some bad news with her, tears came to her eyes. A few days later, Dora watched her grandson receive a prestigious award, and soon had tears in her eyes. Dora's similar responses in two different situations demonstrate that nonverbal communication is __________.

A) bound to culture
B) more believable than verbal communication
C) ambiguous
D) less significant than verbal communication

Answer 1

C

Question 2

When we include an emoji in a text message, this is an example of __________.

A) repeating
B) deceiving
C) substituting
D) regulating

Answer 2

C

Question 3

The use of nonverbal cues to control the flow of communication is referred to as __________.

A) repeating
B) regulating
C) re-emphasizing
D) restraining

Answer 3

B

Question 4

During the basketball game, one player does not speak but forms her hands in a "T" to indicate that her team wants to call a time out. What function of nonverbal communication is being used?

A) repeating
B) complementing
C) substituting
D) deceiving

Question 5

When a nonverbal message conveys the same meaning as a verbal message, its function is __________.

A) repeating
B) complementing
C) substituting
D) deceiving

Question 6

Which statement is correct regarding the characteristics of nonverbal communication?

A) It is seldom a source of misunderstanding.
B) It is less likely than verbal communication to be unintentional.
C) It is governed by a universal set of rules.
D) It is complicated and ever-changing.

Question 7

When Tina met her son's new girlfriend, her facial expression and tone of voice indicated deep displeasure, although she simply said, "Nice to meet you." Which statement best expresses the communication behaviors in this situation?

A) The verbal message carries more meaning than the nonverbal messages.
B) The nonverbal messages carry more meaning than the verbal message.
C) The verbal message is enhanced by the nonverbal messages.
D) The nonverbal messages are enhanced by the verbal message.

Question 8

In most communication situations, how do we tend to spend the most time communicating?

A) with written words
B) with spoken words
C) with nonverbal messages
D) with electronic messages

Question 9

Josiah is waiting his turn at the grocery checkout lane, and he's about to unload his items. A young woman behind him is pacing and looks unhappy, so Josiah gestures to her to go ahead of him. What characteristic of nonverbal communication does this interaction reflect?

A) Nonverbal communication occurs constantly.
B) Nonverbal communication is more believable than verbal communication.
C) Nonverbal communication is related to culture.
D) Nonverbal communication is ambiguous.

Question 10

Why do many prefer communication through asynchronous means such as email or texting?

A) enhanced understanding by most receivers
B) more significant emotional context
C) ability to receive almost simultaneous feedback
D) greater control over the message

Question 11

As you are waiting in line at class registration and begin talking to the person in front of you about the length of the wait, you roll your eyes and sigh. What type of behavior are you engaging in?

A) repeating
B) regulating
C) substituting
D) complementing

Question 12

An individualistic culture such as the United States relies the most upon which communication element as a primary source of meaning?

A) relationships between people
B) facial expressions and eye contact
C) the status of the sender
D) the status of the receiver

Question 13

While studies comparing facial expressions have found that certain universal expressions are easily understood, connotations for gestures can vary. Thus, interpreting nonverbal behavior requires understanding __________.

A) the intent of the receiver
B) the grammatical syntax of accompanying words
C) the family relationships of those involved
D) the cultural norms governing it

Question 14

During Thanking dinner, Grandpa Jim wants to make an announcement, so he stands and waits until everyone stops talking. Grandpa Jim is using regulating cues to __________.

A) describe a verbal message
B) express a preference for a quiet meal
C) establish conversational control
D) create a false impression

Question 15

When the professor was ready to begin, she looked to the back of the lecture hall and cupped her hand to her ear and asked, "Can you hear me back there?" This is an example of the __________ function of nonverbal communication.

A) repeating
B) complementing
C) substituting
D) deceiving

Question 16

Communication research indicates that in most situations __________.

A) we spend less of our time communicating nonverbally than verbally
B) verbal messages are more contextual in nature than nonverbal messages
C) our verbal messages carry more meaning than our nonverbal messages
D) our nonverbal messages carry more meaning than our verbal messages

Question 17

In the context of nonverbal communication, deceiving is understood to mean __________.

A) purposefully misleading or misinforming others
B) controlling the flow of information for our own benefit
C) remaining silent when we should be communicating
D) misinterpreting the messages others are sending

Question 18

When Kay couldn't stop laughing at one point during the speaker's presentation, several people turned to look at her and frowned. A few minutes later when Kay stood to ask a question, everyone turned to look at her with an interested expression. The difference in meaning between these similar behaviors is related to __________.

A) context
B) culture
C) consistency
D) complexity

Question 19

A police officer uses an upright hand with a flat palm to indicate "stop" to oncoming traffic in the middle of a busy city intersection. This action demonstrates that a substituting signal is often used in place of an oral message because __________.

A) verbal messages are too long
B) verbal messages can be impossible, undesirable, or inappropriate
C) nonverbal messages are ambiguous
D) nonverbal messages are universal

Question 20

The notion that direct eye contact with a friend may differ in meaning compared to direct eye contact with a stranger illustrates which characteristic of nonverbal communication?

A) Nonverbal communication is the primary means of expression.
B) Nonverbal communication is dependent on context.
C) Nonverbal communication is more believable than verbal communication.
D) Nonverbal communication is constantly occurring.

Question 21

Eye gaze at the interpersonal level usually communicates __________.

A) unhappiness
B) regret
C) sincerity
D) anger

Question 22

In support of their mom who was undergoing chemotherapy and losing her hair, Allison and her brother decide to shave their heads and wear shirts supporting a cancer charity walk. When they are together in public, Allison feels proud that they present a united front. Allison is using __________ to send a message.

A) proxemics
B) paralanguage
C) oculesics
D) artifacts

Question 23

Hyo notices that his male friends shake hands when greeting one another, but his female friends usually exchange hugs. He then notices that when unmarried men and women greet one another, it often involves a kiss on the cheek. Hyo is examining the communication behaviors referred to as __________.

A) haptics
B) oculesics
C) vocalics
D) chronemics

Question 24

The categories of emblems, illustrators, regulators, affect displays and adaptors are all types of __________.

A) tactile communication
B) eye movements
C) facial expressions
D) body movements

Question 25

What type of nonverbal behavior is the first and primary characteristic most people notice about others, according to researchers?

A) use of space
B) hand gestures
C) eye behavior
D) paralanguage

Question 26

What aspect of nonverbal communication includes the attitudes, feelings, perceptions, and relationships of the participants?

A) environment
B) paralanguage
C) use of space
D) chronemics

Question 27

How a speaker utilizes vocal pauses or silence represents a form of __________.

A) nonverbal communication
B) spatial communication
C) verbal communication
D) tactile communication

Question 28

According to anthropologist Edward T. Hall's four zones, we use __________ to carry on most professional conversations and meetings.

A) intimate space
B) personal space
C) social space
D) public space

Question 29

Which communication scenario describes someone who is self-monitoring?

A) Leah uses sign language to communicate with her parents.
B) Rani beams with happiness after being complimented on her dress.
C) Julio tries to speak quietly at the office to avoid disturbing others.
D) Kyle looks surprised when he wins the raffle.

Question 30

What is the primary strategy utilized by the functional approach in determining meaning?

A) Understand that nonverbal cues are interdependent.
B) Understand that most nonverbal cues have a singular meaning.
C) Understand that nonverbal cues operate in isolation from verbal messages.
D) Understand that nonverbal cues are simple and obvious.

Question 31

Each day before class, Asha arrives early and hangs her cardigan on her preferred seat in the second row. She then takes a moment to go chat with other students or get a drink of water. Asha's behavior demonstrates which nonverbal communication concept?

A) territoriality
B) affect display
C) interpersonal attraction
D) tactile communication

Question 32

According to the text, what aspect of interpreting nonverbal behaviors do women tend to excel at?

A) recognizing dominance
B) reading facial expressions
C) noticing discrepancies
D) interpreting voice tone

Question 33

When Jeannette ran into an old friend from high school, she was shocked at how much weight he had gained and how unhealthy he looked. However, Jeannette tried to smile and seem pleased to see him again. This scenario demonstrates which facial management technique?

A) masking
B) neutralizing
C) deintensifying
D) intensifying

Question 34

Tyrone has just started a new job in a small office, and wants to make a good impression. Knowing that he has a problem interpreting nonverbal cues, Tyrone would find which strategy most useful to help him improve?

A) jump quickly to conclusions
B) just ignore any nonverbal behaviors
C) use descriptive feedback
D) express agreement or disagreement openly

Question 35

What does research indicate about people who are on the receiving end of lies?

A) They become more truthful overall.
B) They are more willing to engage in lies themselves.
C) They are better able to discern lies from the truth.
D) They grow to admire the liars.

Question 36

Which facial expression was not identified by researchers as a basic emotion?

A) anger
B) disgust
C) embarrassment
D) fear

Question 37

When Kara listened to the speaker, she thought he spoke way too slowly and said "um" and "ya know" far too many times. Kara is assessing the speaker's __________.

A) message
B) paralanguage
C) artifacts
D) use of time

Question 38

During a medical examination, Dr. Vedala discovers a serious problem but attempts to hide his concern by maintaining neutral facial expressions. In this instance, Dr. Vedala is relying on what function of nonverbal communication?

A) repeating
B) complementing
C) substituting
D) deceiving

Question 39

While researchers have clearly identified __________ basic emotional expressions, it's believed that humans can produce more than __________ different expressions.

A) 5; 25
B) 6; 100
C) 5; 500
D) 6; 1000

Question 40

What strategy is best for interpreting unclear nonverbal messages?

A) be more observant
B) verify the intended meaning
C) make inferences
D) reach conclusions quickly

Question 41

"Nonverbal communication cannot always be interpreted from one culture to another." Explain this statement, and provide two examples that support your response.

Question 42

Discuss research findings regarding gender differences in nonverbal communication. What are the implications for communication competence?

Question 43

What is the best method to use for improving your interpretation of nonverbal messages? Illustrate how you might use that method.

Question 44

Discuss why nonverbal communication is dependent upon context. Provide an example that illustrates this concept.

Question 45

Artifacts play an important role in communicating information about us to the world. Describe yourself in terms of the artifacts you use to send a message to others. Concentrate on four or more of the following areas: age, gender, status, role, class, importance, group membership, personality, or relationship to others, using details and specific examples to support your description.

Question 46

In a brief essay, discuss the role that physical attractiveness plays in nonverbal communication.

Question 47

Explain why you can't separate nonverbal communication from the total communication process.

Question 48

The various degrees of touch/haptics can all be misconstrued by the receiver of the touch. Briefly describe three categories of touch, and explain how each could be misconstrued for another category.

Question 49

Consider a scenario in which you are having a conversation with a professor about your upcoming final exam. Describe how you might use three of the five functions of nonverbal communication during this imaginary conversation. The five functions are: complementing, repeating, regulating, substituting, and deceiving.

Question 50

Think of a recent instance when you misinterpreted a nonverbal message from someone you know well: your parents or other family members, a roommate, a significant other. Briefly summarize what happened, and explain the primary reason you believe this misinterpretation occurred.