Exam 1: About Communication

Which type of noise is associated with distractions that result from a loud environment?

When your roommate says "We're out of detergent again" and you take that as a criticism, you are paying attention to which aspect of the message?

Different cultures have different standards that define competent communication. This cultural variation speaks to which element of communication competence?

Most people in the United States believe they are above-average communicators.

Ethical communication generally involves treating people fairly, communicating honestly, and avoiding immoral behavior.

Lack of effective communication is the most commonly cited reason for relationship failure.

To say that words are symbols accurately reflects which of the following ideas?

Communication can be used to meet a variety of needs in everyday interaction. Explain why it is important that people use communication to meet their needs. Next, pick any two of the five needs that communication can meet. For each of those needs, provide a definition of the idea behind the need and be sure to identify how communication can meet that need. Finally, provide a clear, concrete example of an interaction that would satisfy those needs.

In face-to-face interactions, people utilize several channels simultaneously to convey meaning. Identify any four different channels that might be at work in a face-to-face interaction. Discuss how those channels might be used together to create a message. How might they contradict one another? Finally, of the channels you have identified, pick one that you would identify as the most important in face-to-face interactions. Why did you pick that one? Use examples to illustrate why that channel is particularly important.

Communication scholars have developed three different models that can be used to analyze interactions: the action, interaction, and transaction models. What elements do these models have in common? How are they different? Although the transaction model is the most complete and widely used, consider situations in which it might be useful to analyze an interaction using either the action or interaction model; and identify two different examples, justifying your choices.

Studies involving communication between infants and caregivers have reliably demonstrated which of the following?

Instrumental needs are the least important needs served by communication.

Words have inherent meanings.

Which of the following best defines stigma?

Which term is used for anything that interferes with the accurate decoding of a message?

Interpersonal communication is governed by both explicit and implicit rules. First, define each of these terms and point out how they are similar and how they are different. Next, identify two distinct examples of explicit communication rules that were enforced in your household while growing up. Indicate what each rule was, how it was conveyed/reinforced in your home, and what happened (or would have happened) when it was violated. Finally, identify one example of an implicit communication rule that was enforced in your home. Indicate what the rule was and how you came to be aware of it (given that it was implicit).

Which of the following would be considered an instrumental need that can be met through communication?

Metacommunication occurs when individuals discuss the meaning or subtext of their messages.

According to research, what is the most powerful predictor of happiness in life?

According to the text, which of the following characteristics is NOT typically associated with some type of social stigma?