Deck 20: The Narrative Paradigm

Question 1

The narrative paradigm asserts that

A) humans often are more persuaded by a good story than a good argument
B) the essential nature of humans is rooted in stories and storytelling
C) the world is experienced by people as a set of stories from which to choose
D) all of these

Answer 1

all of these

Question 2

The narrative paradigm argues that the criteria used to evaluate stories are

A) power and vision
B) language and rational argumentation
C) coherence and fidelity
D) none of these

Answer 2

coherence and fidelity

Question 3

All of the following are questions the listener asks about the narrative regarding a "logic of reason" EXCEPT

A) Are the patterns of reasoning in the narrative based on emotional or logical appeals?
B) Are the statements in the narrative the claim to be factual, really factual?
C) Have any relevant facts been omitted from the narrative or distorted in its telling?
D) How relevant are the arguments in the story to any decision the listener may make?

Answer 3

Are the patterns of reasoning in the narrative based on emotional or logical appeals?

Question 4

After listening to his daughter's story about an event that happened at school, Alberto says, "I believe the story because a similar thing happened to me when I was in sixth grade." Alberto is judging his daughter's story on the basis of

A) material coherence
B) characterological coherence
C) vividness
D) fidelity

Question 5

The logic of _________ presents a listener with a set of values that allows her or him to accept or reject the advice advanced in a narrative.

A) good reasons
B) rational argumentation
C) fidelity
D) all of these

Question 6

Which approach to knowing characterizes the research undertaken using the narrative paradigm?

A) phenomenological
B) interpretive
C) critical
D) positivistic/empirical

Question 7

Whereas the rational world paradigm requires that arguments adhere to specific criteria for soundness and logic, the narrative paradigm argues that

A) good reasons are determined by issues of history, biography, culture, and character
B) only narratives can produce true knowledge
C) the world can be reduced to a series of logical relationships that are understood through deductive reasoning
D) none of these

Question 8

Narratives

A) are found in all cultures and time periods
B) provide for the sharing of the practical wisdom that all individuals possess
C) are affected by history, biography, culture, and character
D) all of these

Question 9

Fisher argues that

A) only verbal communication is narrative
B) only nonverbal communication is narrative
C) all communication is narrative
D) none of these

Question 10

After seeing the movie Next Stop, Abigail tells Ruthie that she did not believe the characters. In fact, Abigail thinks that the actions of the characters in the movie were inconsistent with their motivations. The basis on which Abigail judges the characters in Next Stop is known as

A) narrative disconnect
B) narration
C) fidelity
D) characterological coherence

Question 11

Critics of the narrative paradigm fault it for its

A) breadth of coverage
B) conservative nature
C) failure to actually provide an alternative to the rational world paradigm
D) all of these

Question 12

Which of the following is NOT one of the consistencies used to judge the coherence of a story?

A) structural coherence
B) material coherence
C) rationality coherence
D) characterological coherence

Question 13

_________ is a broader concept than _________.

A) Paradigm; theory
B) Theory; paradigm
C) Coherence; fidelity
D) Fidelity; coherence

Question 14

Narrative rationality

A) provides individuals with a method for judging narratives that is different from traditional methods found in the rational world paradigm
B) includes any verbal or nonverbal account with a sequence of events to which listeners assign a meaning
C) is viewed as superior to traditional methods of evaluating arguments
D) includes any verbal or nonverbal account AND is viewed as superior to traditional methods of evaluating arguments

Question 15

When you are skeptical about your classmate's account of what happened at last night's party because it is inconsistent with what your roommate told you happened, you are doubting the ____________ of your classmate's story.

A) rationality
B) good reasons
C) material coherence
D) fidelity

Question 16

Which one of the following is NOT one of the assumptions of the Narrative Paradigm?

A) The world is experienced by people as set of stories from which to choose among.
B) Good reasons are determined by matters of history.
C) Decision-making is based on good reasoning.
D) Humans are inadequate storytellers who make points needlessly.

Question 17

The significant change in thinking from viewing persuasion as resulting from well-reasoned arguments to acknowledging that humans are often more persuaded by a good story, has been called a

A) structural change
B) paradigm shift
C) rejection of logic
D) paradigm reversal

Question 18

Which one of the following is NOT one of the assumptions of the Rational World Paradigm?

A) Humans are rational beings.
B) Arguments adhere to specific criteria for soundness and logic.
C) Decision-making is based on "good reasons."
D) The world can be reduced to a series of logical relationships that are uncovered through reasoning.

Question 19

What communication context is most associated with the Narrative Paradigm?

A) public/rhetorical
B) interpersonal
C) small group
D) mass/media.

Question 20

All of the following are questions the listener asks about the narrative regarding a "logic of good reasons" EXCEPT

A) How well does the narrative address the important and significant issues of this case?
B) What are the implicit and explicit values contained in the narrative?
C) What would be the effects of adhering to the values embedded in the narrative?
D) Are the values of the narrative the basis for ideal human conduct?

Question 21

The narrative paradigm asserts that logic and rational thinking are the bases of human beliefs.

Question 22

Fisher argues that all communication is storytelling.

Question 23

The narrative paradigm suggests that all stories are equally effective.

Question 24

Aristotle and Plato valued logos (rational argument) above mythos (story and narrative).

Question 25

The logic of good reasons presents a listener with a set of values that appeal to her or him and form warrants for accepting or rejecting the advice advanced by any form of narrative.

Question 26

Fisher contends that people may believe a compelling story, even if it is factually inaccurate.

Question 27

Fisher argues that there is no way of knowing what individuals consider when judging whether to believe a particular story because individuals differ too greatly in their life experiences, perceptions, biases, etc.

Question 28

Identify the five essential assumptions of the narrative paradigm.

Question 29

Identify, define, and provide an example of the three types of coherence used to evaluate a narrative.

Question 30

How is fidelity used as a standard for assessing narrative rationality?

Question 31

What does Fisher mean by "good reasons"?

Question 32

Do you agree or disagree that all communication is narrative? Why or why not?

Question 33

Comment upon the following statement within the context of the Narrative Paradigm: "Stories are lived experiences which are random, unpredictable, and spontaneous."
What does the statement mean to you? How does it apply to Fisher's theory? Discuss the statement using some key concepts of the theory.

Question 34

The authors of your text comment that "the Narrative Paradigm has made a substantial contribution to our understanding of human communication and human nature in general."
Based upon your understanding of the theory, is their claim too broad and wishful? What evidence and examples can you point to in order to justify your opinion?

Question 35

Evaluate a story you heard recently on at least five concepts of the narrative paradigm as you deem relevant. Did you believe the story? Explain why or why not, invoking the appropriate concepts from narrative paradigm.

Question 36

How would you go about using narrative paradigm to frame a study about how individuals assess narratives? Select a particular context and type of narrative or narrative topic to investigate in your study. Develop a research question or hypothesis and describe your study.