Question 1

According to the textbook, the study of interpersonal communication emerged as one of the primary emphases in the communication discipline because of:
A) the baby boom that followed the end of World War II.
B) the realization that relational development and communication share a symbiotic relationship.
C) the hippie movement in the 1960s.
D) the publishing of John Gray's Men Are from Mars and Women Are from Venus.

Accepted Answer

The realization that relational development and communication share a symbiotic relationship highlighted the importance of studying interpersonal communication within the communication discipline. This understanding underscores how the quality and development of relationships are deeply intertwined with the ways in which we communicate.

Question 2

In your text book, the term gender refers to:
A) biological differences between females and males.
B) culturally constructed images of men and women as masculine or feminine.
C) the degree to which individuals are androgynous.
D) a & b

Accepted Answer

Gender refers to the roles, behaviors, activities, and attributes that a given society considers appropriate for men and women, which are culturally constructed.

Question 3

As mentioned in the textbook, there are three overriding sets of goals that people strive for in relationships. If you are interested in obtaining a letter of recommendation from one of your professors, you have to communicate your wishes to your professor and explain why and how the letter will help you. In doing this, you would be attempting to fulfill which of the following sets of goals?
A) relational
B) self-presentational
C) instrumental
D) social

Accepted Answer

Seeking a letter of recommendation is an example of pursuing instrumental goals, as it involves achieving specific tasks or requests, such as furthering one's career or educational opportunities.

Question 4

Close relationships are defined by:
A) sexual activity only.
B) romantic attachment and sexual activity only.
C) behavioral interdependence, repeated interaction, emotional attachment, and need fulfillment.
D) the presence of any kind of physical contact.

Accepted Answer

Close relationships are characterized by behavioral interdependence, where what each person does significantly influences the other; repeated interaction over time; emotional attachment, where feelings of love or affection are present; and need fulfillment, where partners satisfy each other's psychological needs. These elements encompass a broader understanding of close relationships beyond just sexual activity or romantic attachment.

Question 5

Marcia is nervous when an attractive man approaches her and says "hello." She ties to hide her anxiety, but the man notices that she is a bit fidgety and figures out that she is nervous. This is an example of:
A) unattended behavior
B) attempted communication
C) miscommunication
D) accidental communication

Accepted Answer

Marcia's fidgetiness is an example of accidental communication because she unintentionally communicates her nervousness through her behavior, despite trying to hide it.

Question 6

According to the textbook, research on interpersonal communication began contributing to the study of personal relationships in the:
A) 1920s and 1930s.
B) 1940s and l950s.
C) 1960s and 1970s.
D) l980s and 1990s.

Accepted Answer

Research on interpersonal communication began contributing significantly to the study of personal relationships in the 1960s and 1970s, marking a period where the field started to gain distinct recognition and development.

Question 7

Studies suggest that approximately __________ of the meaning of a given interaction is interpreted from nonverbal behavior.
A) 10-15%
B) 20-25%
C) 60-65%
D) 90-95%

Accepted Answer

Studies suggest that a significant portion, approximately 60-65%, of the meaning in interactions is derived from nonverbal behavior, highlighting the importance of body language and other nonverbal cues in communication.

Question 8

Late one Friday afternoon, the person you are dating calls and asks, "So, what are we doing tonight positive interpretation and evaluation of this question as an indicator that you have a partner who is always there for you refers to the __________ level of the message.
A) content
B) relational
C) report
D) philosophical

Accepted Answer

The relational level of a message concerns the nature of the relationship between the communicators, including how they feel about each other. Interpreting the question as a sign of a partner's reliability and presence pertains to the relational aspect of communication, as it reflects on the dynamics and expectations within the relationship.

Question 9

According to the textbook:
A) all behavior is communication
B) behavior is communication if it is sent with intent
C) behavior is communication if it interpreted by a receiver
D) b and c

Accepted Answer

Behavior is considered communication if it is both sent with intent (B) and interpreted by a receiver (C), making both parts essential for the process of communication.

Question 10

Your text book defines relational communication as:
A) a subset of interpersonal communication.
B) the expression and interpretation of messages within close relationships.
C) the exchange of nonverbal and verbal messages between two people, regardless of the relationship they share.
D) a & b

Accepted Answer

Relational communication is both a subset of interpersonal communication and involves the expression and interpretation of messages within close relationships, making both A and B correct.

Question 11

The distinction between romantic versus nonromantic relationships is based on:
A) whether people define themselves as a couple.
B) whether two people have sex.
C) the degree to which two people are close on an emotional level.
D) how committed two people are to the relationship.

Accepted Answer

The distinction between romantic and nonromantic relationships is primarily based on whether people define themselves as a couple, which involves mutual recognition and agreement on the nature of their relationship.

Question 12

Isabel stands at the foot of the stairs and yells "dinner's ready" to her kids who are upstairs. However, her kids do not hear her because they are both listening to their I-Pods. This is an example of:
A) unattended behavior
B) attempted communication
C) miscommunication
D) accidental communication

Accepted Answer

Isabel's action of yelling "dinner's ready" to her kids is an attempt to communicate with them. The fact that they do not hear her because they are listening to their I-Pods does not change the nature of her action as an attempt to communicate.

Question 13

The most basic requirement for defining all types of relationships is that people share:
A) repeated interaction.
B) some level of behavioral interdependence.
C) some level of emotional attachment.
D) a unique pattern of communication.

Accepted Answer

Behavioral interdependence is the most basic requirement for defining all types of relationships because it means that the actions of each person affect the outcomes of the other, which is fundamental to any form of relationship.

Question 14

The three most central interpersonal needs that close relationships satisfy are:
A) security, food, and sell-actualization.
B) attractiveness, sense of humor, and a good personality.
C) affection, social inclusion, and behavioral control.
D) attachment, behavioral interdependence, and challenge.

Accepted Answer

Affection, social inclusion, and behavioral control are considered central interpersonal needs satisfied by close relationships, as they address emotional connection, belongingness, and influence over one's environment, respectively.

Question 15

The two fields that have contributed most to the study of personal relationships are:
A) social psychology and sociology
B) social psychology and communication
C) communication and family studies
D) family studies and sociology

Accepted Answer

Social psychology and communication have been pivotal in understanding personal relationships, focusing on interpersonal dynamics and the exchange of information.

Question 16

Which of the following is the best example of symmetrical message exchange?
A) Brent says "I love you," and Carrie says "That's nice."
B) Jessica says "Do you want to go to the movies Veronica says, "No thanks."
C) Keisha touches Jamal five times, whereas Jamal only touches Keisha once.
D) Tom says, "Take out the trash," and Jake says, "Take it out yourself."

Accepted Answer

In symmetrical message exchange, the responses mirror each other in terms of communication style or content. In option D, both Tom and Jake are issuing commands, making it a symmetrical exchange.

Question 17

Relationships that are characterized by genetic relatedness are also usually characterized as:
A) involuntary
B) voluntary
C) traditional
D) non-traditional

Accepted Answer

Relationships characterized by genetic relatedness, such as those between parents and children or siblings, are typically considered involuntary because individuals do not choose their family members.

Question 18

Using the same example as above, if you spent a large amount of time preparing an e-mail request to ask for the letter of recommendation, you would be attempting to fulfill:
A) relational goals.
B) self-presentational goals.
C) instrumental goals.
D) social goals.

Accepted Answer

Self-presentational goals involve managing how others perceive you, and spending a lot of time preparing an email for a recommendation letter is an effort to present yourself positively.

Question 19

The first journal dedicated solely to the study of interpersonal relationships is entitled:
A) The Journal of Social and Personal Relationships
B) Interpersonal Communication Monographs.
C) Personal Relationships.
D) Cosmopolitan Relationships.

Accepted Answer

The Journal of Social and Personal Relationships was the first journal dedicated solely to the study of interpersonal relationships.

Question 20

According to research cited in the text, when people interact with others, the most common topics involve:
A) the weather, current events, and work.
B) movies, pets, and activities.
C) relationship problems, sex, family, and romantic partners.
D) all of the above.

Accepted Answer

Research indicates that people often discuss personal topics such as relationship problems, sex, family, and romantic partners when interacting with others.

Quiz 1: Conceptualizing Relational Communication

According to the textbook, the study of interpersonal communication emerged as one of the primary emphases in the communication discipline because of:

In your text book, the term gender refers to:

Close relationships are defined by:

Marcia is nervous when an attractive man approaches her and says "hello." She ties to hide her anxiety, but the man notices that she is a bit fidgety and figures out that she is nervous. This is an example of:

According to the textbook, research on interpersonal communication began contributing to the study of personal relationships in the:

Studies suggest that approximately __________ of the meaning of a given interaction is interpreted from nonverbal behavior.

Late one Friday afternoon, the person you are dating calls and asks, "So, what are we doing tonight positive interpretation and evaluation of this question as an indicator that you have a partner who is always there for you refers to the __________ level of the message.

According to the textbook:

Your text book defines relational communication as:

The distinction between romantic versus nonromantic relationships is based on:

Isabel stands at the foot of the stairs and yells "dinner's ready" to her kids who are upstairs. However, her kids do not hear her because they are both listening to their I-Pods. This is an example of:

The most basic requirement for defining all types of relationships is that people share:

The three most central interpersonal needs that close relationships satisfy are:

The two fields that have contributed most to the study of personal relationships are:

Which of the following is the best example of symmetrical message exchange?

Relationships that are characterized by genetic relatedness are also usually characterized as:

Using the same example as above, if you spent a large amount of time preparing an e-mail request to ask for the letter of recommendation, you would be attempting to fulfill:

The first journal dedicated solely to the study of interpersonal relationships is entitled:

According to research cited in the text, when people interact with others, the most common topics involve: