Question 1

What is the most destructive way to disagree with someone?
A)by being argumentative
B)by complaining
C)by being aggressive
D)by being impersonal

Accepted Answer

Being aggressive is the most destructive way to disagree with someone because it involves hostile actions or attitudes that can lead to harm or intimidation, damaging relationships more severely than the other options listed.

Question 2

What do people who act in accordance with Gibb's category of equality communicate?
A)Everyone is equal in every way.
B)Everyone is equal in the things that matter.
C)Everyone has just as much worth as human beings.
D)Everyone is created with the capacity to be equal in all areas.

Accepted Answer

According to Gibb's category of equality, individuals communicate that everyone has just as much worth as human beings. This means that regardless of any characteristics or traits, every person deserves equal respect and consideration.

Question 3

You're in an argument with your partner, and you say, "I hate to admit it, but you have a right to be angry with me." What confirming communication are you using?
A)acknowledgement
B)endorsement
C)recognition
D)support

Accepted Answer

Endorsement is when you agree with or support another person's feelings or thoughts, which is what is happening when you admit that your partner has a right to be angry.

Question 4

What function does defensiveness serve?
A)It protects one's self-concept.
B)It increases intimacy in the relationship.
C)It is a way to prepare for self-disclosure.
D)It is a way to protect our presenting self.

Accepted Answer

The answer of What function does defensiveness serve?
A)It protects one's...

Question 5

Trinh, a supervisor at a social service agency, makes sure she always asks her employees for input on new ideas before they are implemented. What kind of leadership style is Trinh using?
A)laissez-faire
B)democratic
C)transactional
D)authoritative

Accepted Answer

Trinh is using a democratic leadership style because she encourages employee input and participation in decision-making.

Question 6

Crystal asks her roommate if she'll help her go through her closet to see what needs to be thrown out. Her roommate replies, "Throwing out things is a great idea; help me with cleaning out the refrigerator, won't you?" What type of disconfirming response is this?
A)impersonal response
B)impervious response
C)interrupting response
D)tangential response

Accepted Answer

The roommate's response does not directly address Crystal's request to go through her closet but instead brings up a different topic, cleaning out the refrigerator. This type of response is called a tangential response.

Question 7

Which term describes Gibb's category of neutrality?
A)conciliatory
B)even-handed
C)indifference
D)objective

Accepted Answer

Gibb's category of neutrality refers to a communication style that is indifferent, meaning it does not lean towards any side or show bias, thus maintaining a neutral stance.

Question 8

Which type of communication is a message that expresses a lack of caring or respect for another person?
A)confirming
B)disconfirming
C)disagreeing
D)complaining

Accepted Answer

A message that expresses a lack of caring or respect for another person is considered disconfirming communication. It can involve interrupting or ignoring the person, dismissing their feelings, or using inappropriate language or tone.

Question 9

Which statement is a behavioural description?
A)"I notice that you're frowning."
B)"You seem angry today."
C)"You're weird."
D)"You don't appear to be very happy."

Accepted Answer

A is a behavioural description because it describes a behavior that is observable - the act of frowning. The other statements describe emotions or use judgemental language.

Question 10

Which of the following would a transformational leader do?
A)set goals, clarify desired outcomes, provide feedback, and give subordinates rewards for good work
B)create a vision for the future and then motivate people to buy into and work toward it
C)work with subordinates to achieve goals
D)maintain a hands-off attitude and provide very little leadership

Accepted Answer

A transformational leader is focused on creating a vision for the future and inspiring and motivating people to work towards it. This involves inspiring followers to work towards a common goal, empowering them to be innovative and creative, and encouraging them to take ownership of their work. A transformational leader is not simply focused on setting goals and providing feedback, but on inspiring and motivating their followers to achieve their full potential. Choices A, C, and D describe more transactional leadership behaviors.

Question 11

An old friend waves at you from across the room. You turn away. What type of disconfirming response have you given?
A)avoiding
B)impervious
C)irrelevant
D)impersonal

Accepted Answer

Turning away from an old friend who waves at you from across the room is an impervious response, indicating indifference or lack of acknowledgment to the friend's greeting.

Question 12

Which statement is an example of a request of others?
A)"Unless we clear this up now, don't expect me to lend you anything ever again!"
B)"I'd like to know if you're angry."
C)I want you to know how much this bothers me."
D)"If you don't clean up after yourself, then I'm going to hire a cleaner."

Accepted Answer

This is an example of a request because the speaker is asking others to share their emotional state with them.

Question 13

Which of the following is the best example of a strategy statement?
A)"What are you doing on Sunday?"
B)"Do you want to go to the hockey game with me on Sunday?"
C)"Can you help me move on Sunday?"
D)"Are you doing anything fun this weekend?"

Accepted Answer

None of the options is a strategy statement, but option A is the most irrelevant to the question prompt.

Question 14

"You drink too much." What Gibb's category is this statement an example of?
A)control
B)evaluation
C)problem orientation
D)superiority

Accepted Answer

The statement is an example of evaluation because it is a judgment about someone's behavior.

Question 15

"When you have friends in the backyard late at night, it disturbs the neighbours. Mrs. Watkin was complaining to me that she couldn't sleep last night." What type of consequence statement is this an example of?
A)what happens to the speaker
B)what happens to the person you are addressing
C)what happens to others
D)what happens to the communication climate

Accepted Answer

The consequence statement is describing the impact on others, specifically the neighbor Mrs. Watkin who was disturbed by the late night activity.

Question 16

What is the best method to use to describe your problem and needs to a partner during a conflict resolution?
A)assertive message format
B)behavioural description
C)paraphrasing
D)perception checking

Accepted Answer

The assertive message format is the best method to use during conflict resolution because it is a clear and direct way to express your needs and feelings without blaming or attacking the other person. This format involves stating the observable behavior, describing the impact it has on you, expressing your feelings, and making a request for specific action or change. It is an effective communication style that promotes mutual respect and understanding, and can help to resolve the conflict in a constructive way.

Question 17

When is defensiveness most likely to occur?
A)when an individual's presenting image is attacked
B)when an individual's hidden area is being exposed
C)when another person is making problem-oriented statements
D)when the sender and receiver are experiencing similar environments

Accepted Answer

Defensiveness is most likely to occur when an individual's presenting image is attacked, as people tend to protect their self-image and react defensively to perceived threats or criticisms.

Question 18

Hailie and Toni have been dating for almost a year when Hailie tells Toni, "I want to end our relationship; I find you to be just too selfish." Toni replies "Good; I was thinking we were not good for each other because you are so self-centred and demanding of my time." Which negative reciprocal communication pattern are they using?
A)arguments involving punctuation
B)complaint-counter complaint
C)disagreement-disagreement
D)mutual indifference

Accepted Answer

Hailie and Toni are using the complaint-counter complaint communication pattern, where one person makes a complaint and the other person responds with a counter complaint. In this case, Hailie complained about Toni being too selfish, and Toni responded with a counter complaint about Hailie being self-centered and demanding.

Question 19

Janet stops shooting basketball hoops when she notices Ali entering the park. She yells out "Hey Ali, do you want to shoot with me?" What confirming communication is demonstrated by Janet's actions?
A)acknowledgment
B)endorsement
C)intensifying
D)recognition

Accepted Answer

Janet's action of calling out to Ali upon his arrival at the park demonstrates recognition, as she acknowledges his presence and directly engages with him by offering to shoot basketball together.

Question 20

What is the most effective way to respond when other people start to criticize you?
A)Tell them to stop the criticism.
B)Explain that criticism is not helpful.
C)Ask them for details about what the criticism involves.
D)Ask them to reflect on a time when they were criticized and ask them how they felt.

Accepted Answer

Asking for details about the criticism can help you understand the specific concerns or issues the other person has, allowing for a constructive conversation and potential growth or resolution.

Quiz 9: Improving Communication Climates

What is the most destructive way to disagree with someone?

What do people who act in accordance with Gibb's category of equality communicate?

You're in an argument with your partner, and you say, "I hate to admit it, but you have a right to be angry with me." What confirming communication are you using?

What function does defensiveness serve?

Trinh, a supervisor at a social service agency, makes sure she always asks her employees for input on new ideas before they are implemented. What kind of leadership style is Trinh using?

Crystal asks her roommate if she'll help her go through her closet to see what needs to be thrown out. Her roommate replies, "Throwing out things is a great idea; help me with cleaning out the refrigerator, won't you?" What type of disconfirming response is this?

Which term describes Gibb's category of neutrality?

Which type of communication is a message that expresses a lack of caring or respect for another person?

Which statement is a behavioural description?

Which of the following would a transformational leader do?

An old friend waves at you from across the room. You turn away. What type of disconfirming response have you given?

Which statement is an example of a request of others?

Which of the following is the best example of a strategy statement?

"You drink too much." What Gibb's category is this statement an example of?

"When you have friends in the backyard late at night, it disturbs the neighbours. Mrs. Watkin was complaining to me that she couldn't sleep last night." What type of consequence statement is this an example of?

What is the best method to use to describe your problem and needs to a partner during a conflict resolution?

When is defensiveness most likely to occur?

Janet stops shooting basketball hoops when she notices Ali entering the park. She yells out "Hey Ali, do you want to shoot with me?" What confirming communication is demonstrated by Janet's actions?

What is the most effective way to respond when other people start to criticize you?