Question 1

Which of the following describes "noise" in the communication process?
A) more than one communicator talking at a time
B) nonverbal behaviours that hinder communication
C) any force that interferes with effective communication
D) a communication channel that interferes with the clear flow of communication

Accepted Answer

Noise refers to any force that interferes with effective communication. This can include physical distractions (e.g. loud music), semantic barriers (e.g. language differences), psychological interference (e.g. biases), or other factors that hinder clear communication between the sender and receiver. Options A, B, and D are examples of specific types of noise.

Question 2

What are the three types of noise that can hinder communication?
A) internal, external, and transactional
B) linear, interactional, and transactional
C) external, physiological, and psychological
D) sociological, physiological, and psychological

Accepted Answer

External noise is any physical sound that interferes with communication, such as traffic outside or a loud fan. Physiological noise is any biological factor that interferes with communication, such as illness, hunger, or fatigue. Psychological noise is any mental or emotional factor that interferes with communication, such as stress, anxiety, or boredom. These are the three types of noise that can hinder communication, according to communication scholars.

Question 3

Day after day,Jeff and Simon argue about where they will go for the Christmas holidays.It seems that the more they try to resolve the problem,the more irritable and distant they become.What communication misconception does this scenario illustrate?
A) Meanings are not in words.
B) It is impossible not to communicate.
C) More communication is always better.
D) Communication can be intentional or unintentional.

Accepted Answer

This scenario illustrates the misconception that more communication is always better. Jeff and Simon are continuously discussing their holiday plans, but their constant communication only leads to increased tension and conflict. Sometimes, taking a break or approaching the situation in a different way can be more effective than constantly communicating about the same issue.

Question 4

Stacey is planning to ask her Mom for a big favour.Stacy spends extensive time planning out exactly what she is going to say in the hopes that her Mom will say yes.What communication misconception does this scenario illustrate?
A) Meanings are in words.
B) Communication is unrepeatable.
C) More communication is always better.
D) Communication can be intentional or unintentional.

Accepted Answer

Communication can be intentional or unintentional. Stacey is intentionally planning out what she is going to say to her Mom in order to get her to say yes.

Question 5

Which of the following is an example of a relational dimension?
A) "I'll have a large coffee."
B) "I'll have a large coffee," says Jason in a demanding tone.
C) Jason decides to go through the drive-through for his coffee instead of going in so he won't have to talk to the cashier.
D) Jason decides to make his coffee at home because he is in a bad mood and doesn't want to interact with people.

Accepted Answer

The tone of Jason's statement adds a relational dimension by indicating his attitude or feelings towards the situation. A relational dimension refers to the interpersonal aspect of communication, including how the speaker feels about the topic or how they want the listener to feel about it. Choices A, C, and D do not add a relational dimension.

Question 6

A jet flying low overhead interferes with your conversation with a friend.What is this an example of?
A) noise
B) feedback
C)external disruption
D) transactional disruption

Accepted Answer

This is an example of noise, which refers to any unwanted sound that interferes with communication. The jet flying overhead is creating a distraction and making it difficult for the conversation between the two individuals to continue without interruption.

Question 7

Jane,a cashier at a grocery store,tells a customer to have a nice day.What type of interpersonal communication is this?
A) dyad
B) quantitative
C) polite
D) impersonal

Accepted Answer

This interaction is impersonal because it is a routine, surface-level exchange typical in service settings, lacking personal connection or depth.

Question 8

Anuk tells a joke in economics class and the class laughs uproariously.Encouraged by this response,Anuk tells the joke in his Canadian Studies class later that afternoon,and no one laughs.What communication principle does this scenario illustrate?
A) Communication is irreversible.
B) Communication is unrepeatable.
C) More communication is not always better.
D) Communication can be intentional or unintentional.

Accepted Answer

The scenario illustrates that communication is unrepeatable because the same joke did not elicit the same response in a different context or audience.

Question 9

Marjorie is upset with her neighbour,Gord.Instead of talking through the problems with Gord she talks about Gord behind his back to other people in the neighbourhood.Gord is hurt by this and,although Marjorie apologizes and their relationship is cordial,Gord does not forget what Marjorie has said about him behind his back.Which communication principle does this scenario demonstrate?
A) Communication is irreversible.
B) It's impossible not to communicate.
C) Communication can be intentional or unintentional.
D) Communication is unrepeatable.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Marjorie is upset with her neighbour,Gord.Instead of...

Question 10

Which term is similar in meaning to decoding?
A) channeling
B) interpreting
C) cognitive complexity
D) linear communication

Accepted Answer

Decoding refers to the process of interpreting or making sense of a message. Therefore, option B, interpreting, is the best choice as it means the same thing.

Question 11

Jesse tells Joy about a crane that has been visiting his neighbourhood."I just love the crane's visits!" Jesse exclaims.Joy thinks it's strange that Jesse enjoys a construction crane in his neighbourhood; however,Jesse is actually talking about a bird.Which communication misconception does this illustrate?
A) More communication is always better.
B) Meanings are in words.
C) Successful communication always involves shared understanding.
D) A single person or event causes another's reaction.

Accepted Answer

This illustrates the misconception that meanings are in words, as Joy assumed Jesse was referring to a construction crane instead of a bird, solely based on the word "crane".

Question 12

What is common in almost all interactions?
A) a proximity and temporal dimension
B) a kinetic and geographical dimension
C) a content and relational dimension
D) a semantic and syntactic dimension

Accepted Answer

The answer of What is common in almost all interactions?
A)...

Question 13

Which element is included in the transactional communication model?
A) relational
B) linear
C) environment
D) noise

Accepted Answer

The transactional communication model includes the element of "environment," which refers to the context or situation in which communication occurs, affecting how messages are sent and received.

Question 14

What are two friends likely doing while they are communicating?
A) primarily sending messages
B) primarily receiving messages
C) taking turns sending and receiving messages
D) sending and receiving messages at the same time

Accepted Answer

The answer of What are two friends likely doing while...

Question 15

Janie decides not to tell her friend Anne that she hates her new haircut; however,Bill thinks that Janie should be honest with Anne and tell her what she really thinks.Which communication misconception does this illustrate?
A) A single person or event causes another's reaction.
B) Communication can solve all problems.
C) Successful communication always involves shared understanding.
D) More communication is always better.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Janie decides not to tell her friend...

Question 16

Peter is trying to explain how to complete a complex police report to a new trainee.He is having trouble focusing because he feels like he might be coming down with the flu.What type of noise is this an example of?
A) external noise
B) physiological noise
C) psychological noise
D) environmental noise

Accepted Answer

Physiological noise refers to any biological factors that can affect communication, such as illness, fatigue, or hunger. In this case, Peter's potential flu is acting as physiological noise that is interfering with his ability to effectively communicate the police report instructions to the new trainee.

Question 17

Ian is scowling as he does his reading for Interpersonal Communications.Which communication principle is his scowling an example of?
A) It's impossible not to communicate.
B) Communication is irreversible.
C) Communication has a content and relational dimension.
D) Communication is unrepeatable.

Accepted Answer

Scowling is a nonverbal cue that communicates a message, illustrating the principle that it's impossible not to communicate. Even without speaking, Ian is conveying his feelings or reactions through his facial expression.

Question 18

Which term is defined as "the fields of experience that affect how a communicator understands another's behaviour?"
A) decoding
B) empathy
C) encoding
D) environment

Accepted Answer

The term "environment" refers to the fields of experience that affect how a communicator understands another's behavior. It encompasses the context and background that influence communication.

Question 19

What is a channel for communication?
A) walking
B) gesturing
C) self-talk
D) self-awareness

Accepted Answer

Gesturing is a form of non-verbal communication that involves the use of body movements, especially of the hands and arms, to convey messages or express emotions, making it a channel for communication.

Question 20

What is an example of physiological noise?
A) cars driving by your home
B) a headache
C) fear of this afternoon's test
D) feeling happy about tonight's date

Accepted Answer

Physiological noise refers to any bodily or physical factors that interfere with communication. A headache is an example of physiological noise because it can affect a person's ability to concentrate and understand messages.

Answer: C 
 Fear or anxiety can also be considered physiological noise as it can create physical symptoms such as sweating or an increased heart rate that can distract a person from effective communication. However, this answer is not as clear-cut as option B since fear and anxiety can also be considered psychological noise.

Answer: A and D 
 Cars driving by (option A) can be considered external or environmental noise rather than physiological noise since it is not an internal bodily factor. Feeling happy about a date (option D) is not an example of physiological noise since it is not a bodily or physical factor interfering with communication.

Quiz 1: A First Look at Interpersonal Communications

Which of the following describes "noise" in the communication process?

What are the three types of noise that can hinder communication?

Day after day,Jeff and Simon argue about where they will go for the Christmas holidays.It seems that the more they try to resolve the problem,the more irritable and distant they become.What communication misconception does this scenario illustrate?

Stacey is planning to ask her Mom for a big favour.Stacy spends extensive time planning out exactly what she is going to say in the hopes that her Mom will say yes.What communication misconception does this scenario illustrate?

Which of the following is an example of a relational dimension?

A jet flying low overhead interferes with your conversation with a friend.What is this an example of?

Jane,a cashier at a grocery store,tells a customer to have a nice day.What type of interpersonal communication is this?

Anuk tells a joke in economics class and the class laughs uproariously.Encouraged by this response,Anuk tells the joke in his Canadian Studies class later that afternoon,and no one laughs.What communication principle does this scenario illustrate?

Which term is similar in meaning to decoding?

What is common in almost all interactions?

Which element is included in the transactional communication model?

What are two friends likely doing while they are communicating?

Janie decides not to tell her friend Anne that she hates her new haircut; however,Bill thinks that Janie should be honest with Anne and tell her what she really thinks.Which communication misconception does this illustrate?

Peter is trying to explain how to complete a complex police report to a new trainee.He is having trouble focusing because he feels like he might be coming down with the flu.What type of noise is this an example of?

Ian is scowling as he does his reading for Interpersonal Communications.Which communication principle is his scowling an example of?

Which term is defined as "the fields of experience that affect how a communicator understands another's behaviour?"

What is a channel for communication?

What is an example of physiological noise?