Deck 8: Improving Interpersonal Relations With Constructive Self-Disclosure

Question 1

Individuals who are very private about their personal lives may discover stress relief through appropriate self-disclosure.

Answer 1

True

Question 2

The statement,"I'm sorry;I wish I had informed you of the deadline sooner and will give you more warning in the future" includes acceptance of responsibility.

Answer 2

True

Question 3

The Johari Window identifies six kinds of information about you that affect your communication with others.

Answer 3

False

Question 4

Jan tells Jill,"I want you to do well.Please take the time to research more sources in the future." This is an inappropriate way to offer criticism.

Question 5

As a general rule,increased self-awareness is not a benefit of self-disclosure since you are already aware of the information that you communicate about yourself.

Question 6

Strained work relationships often arise because people will not discuss real or imagined problems in the workplace.

Question 7

Saying "I feel confused;I don't think I can focus with my headache" at work is an equally authentic yet more appropriate form of self-disclosure than saying "I feel confused;it must be because of this hangover from last night."​

Question 8

Lack of trust is the most common and most serious barrier to self-disclosure in organizations.

Question 9

When individuals hide their true feelings,it weakens the communication process.

Question 10

An effective apology will communicate the three Rs: regret,responsibility,and rumination.

Question 11

Self-description includes telling your co-workers about the types of food you enjoy and the movies you like to watch.

Question 12

Trust can be damaged by avoiding commitments.

Question 13

The best time to offer self-disclosure is always "now."​

Question 14

Apology alone is enough for self-disclosure to repair a relationship.

Question 15

Appropriate self-disclosure avoids the expression of feelings and emotions and focuses on the factual content of the interpersonal interaction.

Question 16

It's best to ruminate before self-disclosure.

Question 17

Constructive criticism is still effective when the listener has an attitude of defensiveness.

Question 18

The unknown area of the Johari Window never completely disappears because it contains information that may never be known to you or to others.

Question 19

Employees usually sincerely trust those employers who keep their distance,keep their values to themselves,and provide information on a "need-to-know" basis.

Question 20

It is appropriate to keep some information about yourself hidden from others.

Question 21

Jin opens her meeting presentation by saying,"Hello,I'm Jin,and I will be talking with you about doing business in the country I was raised in,South Korea.I miss living in Seoul and often wish I could move back,but I enjoy sharing my culture with others here in the United States.You might be surprised to learn that Koreans like to entertain and be entertained." Jin used self-disclosure by saying​

A) ​"Hello,I'm Jin,and I will be talking with you about doing business in the country I was raised in,South Korea."
B) ​"I miss living in Seoul and often wish I could move back..."
C) ​"You might be surprised to learn that Koreans like to entertain and be entertained."
D) ​All of these sentences demonstrate self-disclosure.

Question 22

Feedback from others can reduce the size of the unknown pane and increase the size of the ____ pane in the Johari Window.

A) ​blind
B) ​hidden
C) ​unknown
D) ​open

Question 23

When a round of downsizing forced Olivia's boss,Karen,to ask Olivia to absorb the responsibilities of the laid-off grant writer,neither woman was sure what to expect.Olivia had never written a grant before,but Karen mentored her along.Over time,they discovered that Olivia had a great talent and interest for the task,and she successfully wrote proposals that were awarded hundreds of thousands of dollars.This example of mentoring resulted in which change in Olivia's self-disclosure?​

A) ​Reduction of the unknown window
B) ​Expansion of the blind window
C) ​Reduction of the hidden window
D) ​Decrease of the open window

Question 24

Self-disclosure can increase the accuracy of communication by​

A) ​establishing a set time for sharing thoughts and feelings.
B) ​making sure people write down what they feel before they share information.
C) ​improving the quality of reports and memos.
D) ​enabling others to know how to respond effectively to an individual.

Question 25

Improving interpersonal effectiveness and building relationships often require a reduction in the size of the ____ in your Johari Window.

A) ​open area
B) ​blind area
C) ​information known to others area
D) ​information known to self area

Question 26

Trust is a complex emotion that combines three components:​

A) ​caring,competency,and commitment.
B) ​control,commitment,and clarity.
C) ​responsibility,remedy,and rumination.
D) ​reliance,dependence,and caring.

Question 27

Your text describes how Jim Teeters,after feeling ashamed and considering quitting his college teaching job.stood up in front of his introductory sociology class and confessed that he had selfishly prioritized his need for recognition over his obligation to help them learn.This is an example of​

A) ​using the meeting to show her talents.
B) ​ambition.
C) ​the difficulty and challenge of being honest.
D) ​the blind pane in Johari's Window.

Question 28

When Bill is alone with Sally,he apologizes by saying,"I'm sorry about getting angry yesterday.I should have informed you sooner that I rescheduled my appointments." Bill's apology could be even stronger if he had included​

A) ​a remedy.
B) ​rumination.
C) ​responsibility.
D) ​regret.

Question 29

Courtney and Helen work in adjacent cubicles.For the last three years they have maintained a very professional relationship and they know very little about each other's personal lives.This happens when​

A) ​there is too much work to spend time chatting.
B) ​some people belong to the union and others don't.
C) ​there is a fear of mergers and acquisitions.
D) ​the organization's culture encourages people to hide their feelings.

Question 30

The rules of appropriate self-disclosure include​

A) ​delaying the discussion of disturbing situations for as long as possible to diffuse emotions.
B) ​accurately describing your feelings and emotions.
C) ​self-disclosing,regardless of the immediate circumstances.
D) ​learning to trust everyone with your self-disclosures.

Question 31

When Tamara is alone with Michael,she tells him,"I care about your success as a sales associate and believe that the way you interact with clients is hurting your results." Tamara's criticism could be more constructive if she remembered to​

A) ​use "I-statements."
B) ​communicate her regret.
C) ​request a specific change in his behavior in the future.
D) ​address his competency in and commitment to sales.

Question 32

The unknown area of the Johari Window is​

A) ​the same as the blind area.
B) ​made up of private feelings and needs you do not want to share.
C) ​an area you need to enlarge in order to build friendships.
D) ​an area that you,and others,can never know completely and that can never completely disappear.

Question 33

The quality of feedback you receive from others depends to a large degree on​

A) ​the number of people with whom you come into contact.
B) ​how confident you are.
C) ​how much you practice self-disclosure.
D) ​your presentation skills.

Question 34

Self-disclosure has a number of benefits,such as​

A) ​decreased self-consciousness.
B) ​enhanced rumination.
C) ​more social relationships.
D) ​stronger self-awareness.

Question 35

Discussing politics and religious beliefs at work typically​

A) ​builds respect for each employee's ways of thinking.
B) involves inappropriate amounts of self-disclosure.​
C) ​indicates knowledge of a topic.
D) ​encourages closer,more open relationships.

Question 36

Which of the following is true about authenticity?​

A) ​It requires blunt honesty at all times.
B) ​It is necessary to temper your authenticity in the workplace for the sake of professionalism.
C) ​It is the unrestricted demonstration of one's true self through communication and interactions with others.
D) ​Individuals who are authentic do not have an unknown area of the Johari Window.

Question 37

Which is true of appropriate self-disclosure?​

A) ​It erodes effective professional role relationships at work.
B) ​You can never disclose too much.
C) ​It is a way to achieve good emotional health.
D) ​The best Johari Window pattern includes four panes of the same size.

Question 38

In a 360-degree feedback assessment strategy,​

A) ​low morale is likely to result,even if the assessment is well planned.
B) ​team members discuss each other's strengths and weaknesses together.
C) ​employees are required to self-disclose.
D) ​the feedback is generally anonymous.

Question 39

Kyoko tells her friend Scott that,this semester,she's taking Accounting 122,Human Resources 156,and Business Ethics 201.This is an example of​

A) ​self-awareness.
B) ​self-disclosure.
C) ​self-efficacy.
D) ​self-description.

Question 40

A good way to become a more open person is to practice by honestly describing your concerns and feelings about minor problems that arise with neighbors or friends,in a respectful and nonthreatening manner.

Question 41

To facilitate more open communication,supervisors and managers should​

A) try to become employees' buddies.​
B) ​avoid developing role expectations.
C) ​demonstrate competence and honesty daily.
D) ​display a wide range of expectations.

Question 42

Explain the concept of the 360-degree assessment.What are the benefits of this type of assessment?​

Question 43

Diego has just been introduced to Dan,a more experienced engineer who will be his teammate for several projects.Draw two Johari Windows for Diego,one representing his communication with Dan now and one representing his communication with Dan after a closer relationship has developed over several months.Explain the difference in the size of the panes in the two window designs.

Question 44

Integrity and ____________________ are related in that they involve the alignment of one's values,beliefs,words,and actions.

Question 45

Unquestioning belief in another person's competency,commitment,and capacity to care are important components of ____________________.

Question 46

​Case 8.1
​
Ted is a vice-president in a small company.He's a very laid back and private man.Everyone considers him very nice but indecisive.When he makes a decision,he communicates it accurately,but he often just won't make one.Ted thinks of himself as a very decisive person who likes to be flexible and take his time making decisions.In casual conversations with his secretary,Ted reveals that he went to school in the South,has been married for 20 years,and is thinking about taking a cruise for the first time for this year's vacation.
​
Ted is terrified of making the wrong decision in most situations.He knows this but won't tell anyone,even his wife.You see,he once worked for a very demanding and abusive boss who eventually fired him.Anytime Ted would make a decision this boss disagreed with,whether it was the right decision or not,the boss would yell at and humiliate him in front of others.As a consequence,now,years later,Ted has a tough time making decisions.
Refer to Case 8.1.Ted's conversation with his secretary is an example of​

A) ​self-description.
B) ​self-disclosure.
C) ​self-awareness.
D) ​staying in his organizational role.

Question 47

​Case 8.1
​
Ted is a vice-president in a small company.He's a very laid back and private man.Everyone considers him very nice but indecisive.When he makes a decision,he communicates it accurately,but he often just won't make one.Ted thinks of himself as a very decisive person who likes to be flexible and take his time making decisions.In casual conversations with his secretary,Ted reveals that he went to school in the South,has been married for 20 years,and is thinking about taking a cruise for the first time for this year's vacation.
​
Ted is terrified of making the wrong decision in most situations.He knows this but won't tell anyone,even his wife.You see,he once worked for a very demanding and abusive boss who eventually fired him.Anytime Ted would make a decision this boss disagreed with,whether it was the right decision or not,the boss would yell at and humiliate him in front of others.As a consequence,now,years later,Ted has a tough time making decisions.
Refer to Case 8.1.Ted's inability to make decisions is an example of information in which "pane" of his Johari Window?​

A) ​Open
B) ​Blind
C) ​Hidden
D) ​Unknown

Question 48

Vicki cannot seem to stop thinking,over and over,about how she could have better handled an irate customer she encountered last week.Vicki's continual replay of thoughts is known as ____________________.

Question 49

​Case 8.1
​
Ted is a vice-president in a small company.He's a very laid back and private man.Everyone considers him very nice but indecisive.When he makes a decision,he communicates it accurately,but he often just won't make one.Ted thinks of himself as a very decisive person who likes to be flexible and take his time making decisions.In casual conversations with his secretary,Ted reveals that he went to school in the South,has been married for 20 years,and is thinking about taking a cruise for the first time for this year's vacation.
​
Ted is terrified of making the wrong decision in most situations.He knows this but won't tell anyone,even his wife.You see,he once worked for a very demanding and abusive boss who eventually fired him.Anytime Ted would make a decision this boss disagreed with,whether it was the right decision or not,the boss would yell at and humiliate him in front of others.As a consequence,now,years later,Ted has a tough time making decisions.
Refer to Case 8.1.Ted has decided to talk with his coworkers about how humiliated and defensive he was after one of his former boss's disagreements over his decisions.Ted needs to pay particular attention to which element of self-disclosure?​

A) ​​Practicing the art of apologizing
B) ​​Accurately describing feelings and emotions
C) ​​Communicating the situation in terms of facts
D) ​​Presenting constructive criticism with care

Question 50

What roles do self-disclosure and feedback play in our relationships with others?​

Question 51

Sharing feelings through appropriate ____________________ is a social skill anyone can learn.

Question 52

The assessment approach that involves receiving feedback from one's supervisor,peers,subordinates,and sometimes clients is known as ____________________.

Question 53

The ____________________ of the Johari Window represents your public or awareness area.

Question 54

Discuss how to use self-disclosure and feedback in order to repair damaged relationships.

Question 55

The best way for a new supervisor to build trust among the people he supervises is to show them that he cares about their success,is _________ to guide them,and is committed to their shared goals.

Question 56

​Case 8.1
​
Ted is a vice-president in a small company.He's a very laid back and private man.Everyone considers him very nice but indecisive.When he makes a decision,he communicates it accurately,but he often just won't make one.Ted thinks of himself as a very decisive person who likes to be flexible and take his time making decisions.In casual conversations with his secretary,Ted reveals that he went to school in the South,has been married for 20 years,and is thinking about taking a cruise for the first time for this year's vacation.
​
Ted is terrified of making the wrong decision in most situations.He knows this but won't tell anyone,even his wife.You see,he once worked for a very demanding and abusive boss who eventually fired him.Anytime Ted would make a decision this boss disagreed with,whether it was the right decision or not,the boss would yell at and humiliate him in front of others.As a consequence,now,years later,Ted has a tough time making decisions.
Refer to Case 8.1.If Ted chose to disclose his past experience with his new boss as a way to help the new boss understand Ted's decision-making process,Ted would need to pay special attention to which element of appropriate self-disclosure?​

A) ​Practicing the art of apologizing
B) ​Using it to repair a damaged relationship
C) ​Communicating the experience in terms of facts
D) ​Selecting the right time and place

Question 57

The technique for helping other people look at their own behavior without putting them on the defensive is called ____________________.

Question 58

____________________ involves disclosing nonthreatening information,such as your age and favorite food.

Question 59

​Case 8.1
​
Ted is a vice-president in a small company.He's a very laid back and private man.Everyone considers him very nice but indecisive.When he makes a decision,he communicates it accurately,but he often just won't make one.Ted thinks of himself as a very decisive person who likes to be flexible and take his time making decisions.In casual conversations with his secretary,Ted reveals that he went to school in the South,has been married for 20 years,and is thinking about taking a cruise for the first time for this year's vacation.
​
Ted is terrified of making the wrong decision in most situations.He knows this but won't tell anyone,even his wife.You see,he once worked for a very demanding and abusive boss who eventually fired him.Anytime Ted would make a decision this boss disagreed with,whether it was the right decision or not,the boss would yell at and humiliate him in front of others.As a consequence,now,years later,Ted has a tough time making decisions.
Refer to Case 8.1.By not telling anyone of his fear of making the wrong decision,Ted is preventing which of the following from taking place?​

A) ​Role relationships
B) ​Reduction of stress
C) ​360-degree feedback assessment
D) ​Forgiveness

Question 60

David was taken aback to learn that people think he talks too much in meetings.This tendency was part of David's ____________________ area of the Johari Window.

Question 61

You are trying to change the culture in your department to be more friendly and honest.This year you will have a new approach for the annual performance review.Write a form for a 360-degree feedback appraisal that everyone will complete for each department member.

Question 62

Anne is a loan manager and Ken is her client.Anne lost track of time while working on another project and didn't pick up Ken's papers until almost a week after he submitted them.She now must call Ken to apologize for the delay in starting the approval process and ask a few questions.Identify the three components of an effective apology,and offer an example of a strong apology that Anne might use.

Question 63

Explain the important elements of the art of forgiving.

Question 64

Name the primary barrier to self-disclosure in an organizational setting,and describe its effects.

Question 65

Assume you have a Facebook page.Discuss how the information you share on that page could affect your professional success.How would you determine whether you are using appropriate self-disclosure on Facebook?​

Question 66

If you are trying to convince a friend to self-disclose more,what would you describe as the most important benefits? What personal characteristics lead you to talk openly to someone?​