Deck 2: Arguing Ethically

Question 1

Couples who purposely avoid argument are more likely to have:

A) Satisfying relationships
B) Mediocre relationships
C) Unsatisfying relationships
D) Relational equality
E) Cannot say; willingness to argue has no bearing on relationship satisfaction.

Answer 1

C

Question 2

Employees tend to be less satisfied when their supervisor is:

A) High in argumentativeness
B) Low in verbal aggressiveness
C) High in tolerance for disagreement
D) Low in tolerance for disagreement

Answer 2

D

Question 3

An arguer who said, "If I understand you correctly, your main objection to the death penalty is that it is a form of cruel and unusual punishment," would be using:

A) Tolerance for disagreement
B) Respect for dissent
C) Paraphrasing
D) Perception checking
E) Groupthink

Answer 3

C

Question 4

Which argumentation scholar maintains that genuine arguers are analogous to "lovers"?

A) Wayne Brockriede
B) Douglas Ehninger
C) Stephen Toulmin
D) Chaim Perelman
E) Dominic Infante

Question 5

According to Brockriede, which kind of arguer would be most likely to resort to threats or ultimatums?

A) Lover
B) Seducer
C) Rapist
D) Celibate
E) Sophist

Question 6

According to Brockriede, which type of arguer would be most likely to use illicit arguments, such as fallacies in reasoning, in order to get his/her way?

A) Lover
B) Seducer
C) Rapist
D) Celebate
E) Charmer

Question 7

According to Infante, which of the following statements regarding argumentativeness and/or verbal aggressiveness is most accurate?

A) Argumentativeness and verbal aggressiveness are both subsets of assertiveness
B) Assertiveness is a subset of argumentativeness
C) Hostility is a subset of verbal aggressiveness
D) Argumentativeness is a subset of assertiveness
E) Argumentativeness is a subset of verbal aggressiveness

Question 8

Which of the following statements provides the clearest example of a verbally aggressive message?

A) "I don't want to discuss it right now."
B) "I'm furious at you."
C) "Stop yelling at me."
D) "Only an idiot would say that."
E) "I'm angry because you didn't call to let me know you'd be late."

Question 9

According to Infante, which of the following statements regarding verbal aggression is most accurate?

A) Verbal aggressiveness is never constructive and should be avoided entirely.
B) Verbal aggressiveness is usually counterproductive, but it is sometimes necessary.
C) Verbal aggressiveness is an uncontrollable reflex.
D) Verbal aggressiveness is only necessary if another person is being verbally aggressive toward you.

Question 10

Biff tends to be moderate in argumentativeness and moderate in verbal aggressiveness. Which of the following partners would you predict he would get along with best, all else about the partners being equal?

A) Eve, who is moderate in both argumentativeness and verbal aggressiveness
B) Trudy, who is low in both argumentativeness and verbal aggressiveness
C) Naomi, who is high in both argumentativeness and verbal aggressiveness
D) Ursula, who is high in argumentativeness and low in verbal aggressiveness
E) Mimi, who is low in argumentativeness and high in verbal aggressiveness

Question 11

The ideal orientation toward argumentation is:

A) High argumentativeness and high verbal aggressiveness
B) High argumentativeness and low verbal aggressiveness
C) Low argumentativeness and high verbal aggressiveness
D) Low argumentativeness and low verbal aggressiveness
E) Medium argumentativeness and medium verbal aggressiveness

Question 12

Hample's research on communication competence shows that arguers should emphasize:

A) Winning versus losing
B) Effectiveness and appropriateness
C) Power and control
D) Argumentativeness and aggressiveness

Question 13

According to Hample, too often, arguers focus on:

A) Winning
B) Assertiveness
C) Compromise
D) Politeness
E) Sparing feelings

Question 14

According to your textbook, which of the following trait dispositions might contribute to groupthink?

A) High verbal aggressiveness
B) Low assertiveness
C) Compromise
D) Intolerance for disagreement
E) Politeness

Question 15

Which of the following people tend to enjoy arguing?

A) Floyd, who takes conflict personally
B) Phyllis, who is verbally aggressive
C) Frank, who is argumentative
D) Nate, who has low tolerance for disagreement
E) Lyle, who doesn't recognize the face needs of others

Question 16

Alan is trying to convince Alanis that the greatest movie villain of all time was the Wizard in The Wizard of Oz, but every time he opens his mouth, Alanis interrupts. According to politeness theory, Alanis is threatening:

A) Alan's positive face
B) Alan's negative face
C) Alan's neutral face
D) Alan's emotional face
E) Alan's logical face

Question 17

Harry is trying to convince Harriet that the greatest movie hero of all time was Mr. Smith in The Matrix. When he has finished making his case, Harriet responds by calling him an idiot. According to politeness theory, Harriet is threatening:

A) Harry's positive face
B) Harry's negative face
C) Harry's neutral face
D) Harry's emotional face
E) Harry's logical face

Question 18

Which of Grice's maxims says that communicators are expected to provide information that is not false?

A) Quality
B) Quantity
C) Relation
D) Manner
E) Quackery

Question 19

Marty, a high school student, violates his curfew because he is out partying with some friends. When he arrives home, his parents ask where he has been. "I was studying at the library and got locked inside," he says. "I waited for hours and eventually climbed out of a window." Which of Grice's maxims is Marty most likely violating?

A) Quality
B) Quantity
C) Relation
D) Manner
E) Quackery

Question 20

Marty, a high school student, violates his curfew because he is out partying with some friends. When he arrives home, his parents ask where he has been. "Jeez! All you do is hover over me like a couple of vultures! What is with you two? Why are you making my life so miserable?" Which of Grice's maxims is Marty most likely violating?

A) Quality
B) Quantity
C) Relation
D) Manner
E) Quackery

Question 21

Which of the following approaches maintains that the traditional, male, patriarchal view of communication focuses on winning at the expense of relationships, and that an open, nonjudgmental approach is preferable?

A) Monologue perspective
B) Dialogical perspective
C) Invitational rhetoric
D) Cooperative argument
E) Arguers as lovers

Question 22

Which of the following approaches suggests that communicators should view each other as "resources, rather than as rivals"?

A) Monologue perspective
B) Narrative paradigm
C) Disjointed rhetoric
D) Cooperative argument
E) Politeness theory

Question 23

According to the textbook, competent communication and, by extension, competent arguing, is best viewed as:

A) A monologue
B) A dialogue
C) A diatribe
D) A confrontation

Question 24

Which of Grice's maxims suggests that, although providing more information than required is acceptable, communicators are expected to provide no less information than is required?

A) Quality
B) Quantity
C) Manner
D) Relation

Question 25

Verbal aggressiveness is:

A) A form of assertiveness
B) A form of hostility
C) A form of argumentativeness
D) A form of owning one's emotions

Question 26

Argumentativeness is most closely associated with:

A) Negative face
B) Assertiveness
C) Arguers as seducers
D) Taking conflict personally
E) Monologue

Question 27

Craig Shirley argues, "The last thing we need in American politics is more civility." What is your reaction to his position? Is incivility ever justified? If so, when?

Question 28

Identify and discuss three traits that are associated with being a competent arguer, or an incompetent arguer. If you selected competence, which of the three traits is the most beneficial to arguing, and why? If you selected incompetence, which of the three traits is most detrimental to arguing, and why?

Question 29

Why are goals important ethical arguers? As part of your answer, be sure to discuss specific goals and their relevance to arguing.

Question 30

What are positive and negative face? Define each and provide specific examples. How might knowing these concepts help someone argue more competently?

Question 31

Wayne Brockriede and your authors use a relational metaphor to discuss the ways that people show regard for others while arguing. Discuss the metaphor and its component parts. How might the metaphor help us understand various traits that are related to arguing (in)competently?