Deck 1: Communication: A First Look

Question 1

Which term best describes the process by which signs, symbols, and behaviors are used to exchange information and create meaning?

A) Interaction
B) Communication
C) Talking
D) Feedback

Answer 1

Communication

Question 2

Solitary confinement often results in the quickly deteriorating health of prisoners. Such punishment therefore deprives prisoners of which type of basic need?

A) Physical
B) Spiritual
C) Relational
D) Instrumental

Answer 2

Physical

Question 3

Robert is recently homeless and is suffering from mental illness. As a result, he feels increasingly socially isolated. Although he used to be physically healthy, he is now sick quite often. Which aspect of Robert's health is directly affected by his lack of contact with others?

A) Relational
B) Spiritual
C) Instrumental
D) Physical

Answer 3

Physical

Question 4

Which answer best describes the needs we look for in our interactions with others?

A) Relational
B) Spiritual
C) Instrumental
D) Physical

Question 5

Which of the following is NOT a relational need?

A) Affection
B) Conflict
C) Escape
D) Companionship

Question 6

Julio is a recent immigrant from Nicaragua. He cannot afford the technology that would allow him to communicate with his friends and family at home, such as a cell phone or a computer, and he has yet to make friends in the United States because he is still learning English. Julio feels lonely and often ignored in his new country. Which of his needs is not being met?

A) Physical
B) Spiritual
C) Relational
D) Instrumental

Question 7

Research shows that marital happiness is more important than income, job status, or education in accounting for how happy people are overall. In the case of a happy marriage, which type of need is being met?

A) Spiritual
B) Instrumental
C) Physical
D) Relational

Question 8

Which of the following plays a critical role in the process of identity development?

A) Spirituality
B) Noise
C) Communication
D) Decoding

Question 9

Kara views herself as a shy, introverted person, unlike her more outgoing friends. At social gatherings, Kara's friends often speak and answer questions on her behalf. Kara's shyness is based on beliefs she has about herself, but it affects the way her friends treat her as well. Her social habits play an important role in establishing which aspect of Kara's sense of self?

A) Identity
B) Level of confidence
C) Overall happiness
D) Spirituality

Question 10

Which of the following statements does NOT reflect spirituality?

A) "I believe in loyalty and honesty".
B) "I believe in God".
C) "I value my family above all others".
D) "It's never okay to steal, no matter what".

Question 11

Kyle enjoys having philosophical discussions about the meaning of life in which he often touches upon his own sense of purpose. These discussions meet which needs for Kyle?

A) Physical needs
B) Instrumental needs
C) Relational needs
D) Spiritual needs

Question 12

Most of the communication we engage in daily is routine and not emotionally charged, thus helping us to meet _______________ needs.

A) physical
B) instrumental
C) spiritual
D) relational

Question 13

When Laura calls the salon to schedule a haircut, she is using communication to fill what type of need?

A) Relational
B) Spiritual
C) Instrumental
D) Physical

Question 14

What term describes the formal description of a process such as communication?

A) Model
B) Definition
C) Analysis
D) Channel

Question 15

Which of the following is NOT a model of communication?

A) Interaction
B) Action
C) Reaction
D) Transaction

Question 16

If you mail an annual family newsletter to update your loved ones and you don't expect a response, you are using which model of communication?

A) Action
B) Interaction
C) Reaction
D) Transaction

Question 17

Which of the following is NOT a component of the action model of communication?

A) Source
B) Receiver
C) Noise
D) Feedback

Question 18

Miles sends an instant message to his brother. According to the action model of communication, which term best describes Miles's role?

A) Decoder
B) Receiver
C) Communicator
D) Source

Question 19

When you put your idea in the form of language or a gesture that the receiver can understand, you are ____________ the message.

A) decoding
B) channeling
C) encoding
D) interpreting

Question 20

Yani is on the phone with her mother, who is explaining how to go about preparing dinner for the family later. Yani is distracted by a humorous Twitter post by one of her friends. As dinner time nears, Yani realizes she has no idea how to cook the family meal as her mother instructed her to do. During the conversation with her mother, Yani was experiencing which type of noise?

A) Physical
B) Psychological
C) Physiological
D) Practical

Question 21

Fatigue and hunger are examples of ______________ noise.

A) physical
B) practical
C) psychological
D) physiological

Question 22

Wayne and Lindsay go on a blind date, and they both enjoy themselves. At the end of the evening, Wayne tells Lindsay he will call her "soon". Lindsay expects to hear from Wayne by the next day, as that is what "soon" means to her, but he does not call for three weeks. Lindsay most likely made an error during which stage of the communication process?

A) Noise
B) Decoding
C) Encoding
D) Channeling

Question 23

Which two elements does the interaction model of communication add to the action model?

A) Feedback and context
B) Message and feedback
C) Channel and noise
D) Encoding and decoding

Question 24

When Liz asks her father if he minds her borrowing the car, she notices he frowns and shakes his head. What is Liz observing in her father?

A) Context
B) Noise
C) Feedback
D) Decoding

Question 25

According to the interaction model of communication, receivers are not passive. Instead, receivers offer various verbal and nonverbal responses to what kinds of messages?

A) Noise
B) Feedback
C) Context
D) Channels

Question 26

As you tell your brother about your first assignment in speech class, he nods his head and says, "Uh huh", and even smiles when he hears you got an A. Which of the following terms best describes your brother's reaction to your story?

A) Feedback
B) Noise
C) Messages
D) Context

Question 27

Ralph went to a party over the weekend and, excited to share stories of his antics with his friend Sarah, he invites her to his house after school. While Ralph is telling his story, his mother enters the room. Ralph immediately changes his loud, boisterous tone and stops using profanity. According to the interaction model, Ralph is reacting to a change in what?

A) Channel
B) Noise
C) Feedback
D) Context

Question 28

One limitation of the interaction model of communication is that it doesn't account for

A) context.
B) feedback from the receiver.
C) the simultaneous exchange of messages and feedback.
D) the interference of noise.

Question 29

The ____________ model of communication maintains that both people in a conversation are simultaneously sources and receivers.

A) Action
B) Transaction
C) Reaction
D) Interaction

Question 30

As Professor Li lectures during class, she notices several students yawning. Only one student makes direct eye contact with her; the rest of the class is looking around the room. Professor Li interprets these nonverbal cues as messages that she is boring, reflecting the simultaneous nature of which model of communication?

A) Action
B) Reaction
C) Interaction
D) Transaction

Question 31

Susan observes that her new classmate, Lupe, is having some difficulty keeping up in class. Because Lupe has just learned the language and has not yet adapted to her new culture's nonverbal codes, it takes her longer to decode messages that she receives. Susan makes sure to stay after every class to share her notes with Lupe and to answer any questions she has. According to the transaction model of communication, Susan identifies which aspects of context as affecting how Lupe receives messages?

A) Cultural
B) Gender
C) Psychological
D) Social

Question 32

Submitting a written report to your supervisor for feedback best represents which model of communication?

A) Action
B) Interaction
C) Transaction
D) Construction

Question 33

Which model of communication best describes complex face-to-face communication?

A) Interaction
B) Transaction
C) Action
D) Construction

Question 34

How would you categorize the context of a "tweet", which relies on text alone, without the benefit of the sender's voice or gestures?

A) Channel-less
B) Channel-rich
C) Channel-lean
D) Channel-full

Question 35

Which of the following is NOT an example of a perceptual filter in communication?

A) Intelligence
B) Gender
C) Religious beliefs
D) All of the above are examples of perceptual filters.

Question 36

Frances and Jean are watching the president give a speech on television. Frances was a big supporter of the president and identifies politically with his party. Jean did not vote for the president and does not agree with the his policies. While listening to the address, Frances is delighted with the president's message and thinks he is on point, whereas Jean thinks the president is not addressing the issue at hand. Based on this scenario, what conclusion can we make about communication?

A) Communication passes through perceptual filters.
B) Communication has relational implications.
C) Communication sends messages, whether intentional or unintentional.
D) Communication is complex.

Question 37

Where does the meaning of a word come from?

A) The symbol
B) The object being discussed
C) The people using it
D) The referent

Question 38

Riley tells her daughter to click the mouse when playing a computer game. Her daughter is confused, and says, "But there are no animals here". What assumption did Riley make about her daughter?

A) Her daughter can use a computer.
B) Her daughter understands the meaning she intended to communicate simply because Riley understood it.
C) Her daughter understood the relational dimension to the message.
D) Her daughter is old enough to understand her use of symbols.

Question 39

Robert is driving Samantha, his girlfriend, home from a party. He notices she is quiet and withdrawn. Robert asks Samantha if she is okay. She replies, "I'm fine", in a snide tone while rolling her eyes. Robert becomes angry and asks what her problem is. Robert is responding to what dimension of Samantha's message?

A) Relational
B) Content
C) Symbolic
D) Underlying

Question 40

If your roommate tells you that you're out of cereal and you interpret the statement as also meaning, "I'm irritated you never replace food items when they are gone", you are interpreting which dimension of your roommate's message?

A) Content
B) Symbolic
C) Underlying
D) Relational

Question 41

What do we call it when we communicate about how we communicate?

A) Higher communication
B) Metacommunication
C) Intercommunication
D) Interpersonal communication

Question 42

Carolyn and Maxine are shopping for prom dresses. Carolyn asks Maxine's opinion on a particular dress and tells her to be honest. When Maxine laughs and says the dress makes Carolyn look ridiculous, she is surprised to see Carolyn get upset. When Carolyn explains to Maxine that it is not the opinion, but the way in which it was stated, that hurt her feelings, Carolyn is engaging in what type of communication?

A) Intercommunication
B) Higher communication
C) Metacommunication
D) Interpersonal communication

Question 43

When you choose a specific suit to wear to a job interview, wanting to communicate professionalism, what type of message are you sending?

A) Intentional
B) Unintentional
C) Content
D) Relational

Question 44

Identify an example of following an explicit rule.

A) Not making eye contact on an elevator
B) Not cutting in line at the bank
C) Following your school's weapons ban
D) Not talking on your cell phone during a movie

Question 45

What are the two types of rules that govern communication?

A) Content and relational
B) Internal and external
C) Norms and values
D) Explicit and implicit

Question 46

Stan mentally rehearses what he will say to break up with his girlfriend later in the day. Stan is engaging in what kind of communication?

A) Intrapersonal
B) Interpersonal
C) Romantic
D) Dyadic

Question 47

Which of the following is NOT an example of interpersonal communication?

A) Exchanging instant messages with a friend
B) Talking on the phone with a relative
C) Visiting face-to-face with a co-worker
D) Reminding yourself to call a friend later

Question 48

What is the most common form of communication we engage in?

A) Intrapersonal
B) Interpersonal
C) Small group
D) Public

Question 49

Lynn likes interacting with the members of her soccer team, especially engaging with them to make decisions and working together to win. What type of communication does Lynn seem to most enjoy?

A) Interpersonal
B) Public
C) Small group
D) Mass

Question 50

Jeremiah has a speech to deliver in two weeks. He spends a lot of time researching and organizing his presentation. He asks his friends to listen as he practices the speech. Jeremiah may be spending so much time preparing and practicing his remarks because he is anticipating engaging in what type of communication?

A) Mass
B) Interpersonal
C) Public
D) Small group

Question 51

Mass media encompasses all of the following, EXCEPT

A) blogs.
B) magazines.
C) instant messaging.
D) television.

Question 52

Because its audience is so large, which type of communication works well for distributing news, commentary, and entertainment?

A) Public
B) Mass
C) Small group
D) Electronic

Question 53

In a nationwide survey of U.S. adults conducted by the National Communication Association, 91 percent of respondents rated their communication skills as above average. This finding reflects what common myth?

A) Everyone is a communication expert.
B) Communication will solve any problem.
C) Communication can break down.
D) Communication is inherently good.

Question 54

Kareem and Haidy have been engaged for two years, but they have been arguing a lot for the past six months. When Haidy tries to break off the engagement, Kareem insists they try couples' counseling first. He is sure that if they just work on their communication skills, they can continue with the engagement. After a few weeks of counseling, Haidy still chooses to end the engagement, despite the open communication they experienced in the counseling sessions. Kareem is surprised, thus showing he most likely believes which communication myth?

A) Everyone is a communication expert.
B) Communication is inherently good.
C) Communication can break down.
D) Communication will solve any problem.

Question 55

The idea that communication can "break down"is a myth. With this in mind, which statement is most accurate?

A) Communication is inherently good.
B) Our progress is halted because communication has halted.
C) The problem lies not with the communication itself but how we are using it.
D) Communication is not a process so therefore can be compared to a journey.

Question 56

How we use communication determines whether it will have positive or negative effects. This fact dispels what myth?

A) Communication can break down.
B) Communication is inherently good.
C) Communication will solve any problem.
D) Communication is a process.

Question 57

Lulu disagrees with her friends' position on the war in Afghanistan. She thinks her friends simply aren't informed of the nuances of the situation. Lulu talks at length about her understanding of the conflict, and whenever her friends try to state their opinion, she simply speaks over them. She is sure if they would just listen, they would come to understand and agree with her point of view. Lulu probably believes which communication myth?

A) More communication is always better.
B) Communication will solve any problem.
C) Communication is inherently good.
D) Everyone is a communication expert.

Question 58

A 2012 National Association of Colleges and Employers survey found that verbal and written communication skills top the list of most desired qualities in potential hires. In other words, employers are most interested in which of the following?

A) Teamwork skills
B) Communication competence
C) Workplace competence
D) Initiative

Question 59

Someone with communication __________________ is able to communicate in ways that are effective and appropriate in a given situation.

A) skills
B) traits
C) talent
D) competence

Question 60

In June 2010, President Obama went on NBC's Today show to discuss the BP oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico. During the interview, the president told host Matt Lauer he was holding discussions with BP executives so he would know "whose [obscenity] to kick". In the following days, there was much discussion and debate in the media over the use of obscenity in that situation. What does this controversy demonstrate with regard to the communication decisions of the president and other high-ranking officials?

A) It is important to communicate appropriately for the social and cultural context.
B) Communication should be enacted logically.
C) It is important to communicate appropriately for the Today show audience.
D) A public figure should always be honest about his or her opinions.

Question 61

Which of the following is NOT a trait of competent communicators?

A) Adaptable
B) Self-aware
C) Cognitively simple
D) Empathic

Question 62

Fred does not notice that he tends to dominate conversations because he is a __________ self-monitor.

A) poor
B) high
C) low
D) average

Question 63

Which of the following can make someone a more competent communicator by enabling that person to see how his or her behavior fits, or doesn't fit, in a given social situation?

A) Self-monitoring
B) Adaptation
C) Empathy
D) Cognitive complexity

Question 64

Tom Cruise has appeared in various interviews to defend his views on Scientology and medication. In these interviews, he appears earnest, focused, and serious. This is in sharp contrast to his appearance on MTV's Movie Awards in 2010, where he appeared as a crude character named Les Grossman and did a suggestive dance with Jennifer Lopez. The appearance was widely viewed in a positive light by its intended audience. By assessing what would be appropriate in different contexts and modifying his behavior accordingly, Tom Cruise demonstrates the idea that competent communicators are which of the following?

A) Self-aware
B) Empathic
C) Ethical
D) Adaptable

Question 65

Melanie wants to go with her friends on a class trip to Mexico, but her mother refuses to let her go. Melanie is frustrated, as she thinks her mother is too protective and won't let her have any fun. However, Melanie's mother is worried that something will happen to Melanie, a fear based on her own experiences at Melanie's age. Which of the following traits would help Melanie to become a more competent communicator, and thus understand her mother's perspective?

A) Adaptability
B) Empathy
C) Self-awareness
D) Ethical foresight

Question 66

If you ask someone to "put yourself in my shoes", you are asking that person to practice which of the following?

A) Empathy
B) Sympathy
C) Understanding
D) Awareness

Question 67

If Chelsea looks for only one explanation for her friend's behavior, then she most likely lacks ___________ complexity as a communicator.

A) empathic
B) ethical
C) cognitive
D) nonverbal

Question 68

Which of the following approaches to communication generally dictates that we treat people fairly and communicate honestly?

A) Sympathetic
B) Empathic
C) Self-aware
D) Ethical

Question 69

Chrissie is the owner of a small photocopying business. When her daughter participates in a fundraiser for a cheerleading competition, Chrissie asks her employees to contribute to the fundraiser, even though she pays most of them minimum wage. Most of her employees feel obligated to contribute, and are upset. Which of the following practices of a competent communicator might Chrissie keep in mind to understand her coworkers' feelings better?

A) Practicing self-awareness
B) Behaving ethically
C) Thinking with cognitive complexity
D) Adaptability