Question 1

Which of the following scholars is primarily responsible for developing structuration theory?

Accepted Answer

Anthony Giddens is primarily responsible for developing structuration theory.

Question 2

The idea that every group or organization has a natural life cycle that includes its birth, development, maturation, and death best illustrates which assumption of structuration theory?

Accepted Answer

E

Question 3

The ability to ride a bicycle involves _____ knowledge, but the ability to explain how to ride one is ______ knowledge.

Accepted Answer

The ability to ride a bicycle is practical knowledge because it involves physical skills and muscle memory. On the other hand, the ability to explain how to ride a bicycle is discursive knowledge because it involves using language and communication skills.

Question 4

Instead of having students raise their hands to ask a question in class, Dr. Schrodt tells his students that they should place their hands behind their head when they want to ask a question. According to structuration theory, the raising of hands to ask questions in class represents a(n) _____, and the fact that Dr. Schrodt mentions the raising of hands in his effort to change how students will ask questions in his class represents the ________.

Accepted Answer

According to structuration theory, the raising of hands to ask questions in class represents a structure (a pattern of behavior that is repeated over time). Dr. Schrodt's attempt to change how students ask questions in his class represents the duality of structure, as he is both influenced by the existing structure and attempting to change it through his own agency. Therefore, option C is the best choice.

Question 5

Rules as domination indicate control or power over the _____ world, whereas resource allocation as domination indicates power or control over the ______ world.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Rules as domination indicate control or power...

Question 6

Although she meant to help students by providing her PowerPoint lectures online, Dr. Carr had no idea that her students would use the notes as an excuse to skip class. Which of the following concepts from structuration theory does this example best illustrate?

Accepted Answer

This example best illustrates the concept of unintended consequences of action, as Dr. Carr did not intend for her online lectures to be used as an excuse to skip class, but that was the unintended consequence of her action.

Question 7

Poole, DeSanctis, and McPhee adapted structuration theory to examine which of the following issues?

Accepted Answer

Poole, DeSanctis, and McPhee adapted structuration theory specifically to examine issues related to group decision-making and communication technologies, as well as group support systems and task-oriented groups.

Question 8

Which of the following structures refers to the reasons we give for our actions in the context of daily life?

Accepted Answer

The rationalization of action refers to the reasons we give for our actions in the context of daily life. A refers to monitoring our own actions, B refers to the process of integrating various aspects of the self, D refers to unconscious factors that influence our actions, and E refers to a state of inner turmoil or disagreement.

Question 9

All of the following individuals helped contribute to diffusion of innovations theory, EXCEPT:

Accepted Answer

While Howard Giles has made significant contributions to the field of communication, he is not typically associated with diffusion of innovations theory. The other individuals listed (Everett Rogers, Gabriel Tarde, Bryce Ryan, and Neal Goss) are all recognized as contributors to the development and refinement of this theory.

Question 10

In their influential diffusion research, professors Ryan and Goss found which of the following factors to be most influential in farmers' decisions to adopt the innovation of hybrid corn seed?

Accepted Answer

In their research, professors Ryan and Goss found that the interpersonal networks and social modeling between adopters and potential adopters were the most influential factors in farmers' decisions to adopt hybrid corn seed. This suggests that observing peers and being influenced by their adoption of the innovation was a key factor in the diffusion of the technology.

Question 11

Despite having several colleagues and students recommend Venmo, Dr. Ledbetter remained suspicious of the financial application and questioned the wisdom of using it to conduct transactions. According to diffusion of innovations theory, Dr. Ledbetter would be classified as:

Accepted Answer

Dr. Ledbetter's suspicion of Venmo suggests that she is resistant to adopting new innovations, making her a laggard according to diffusion of innovations theory.

Question 12

All of the following statements about early and later adopters are true, EXCEPT:

Accepted Answer

B) is incorrect because it suggests later adopters are less dogmatic than early adopters, which contradicts typical adoption theory. Generally, early adopters are more open to new ideas and less dogmatic, enabling them to adopt innovations sooner.

Question 13

Diffusion of innovations theory makes which of the following assumptions?

Accepted Answer

The theory of diffusion of innovations assumes that changes resulting from innovation adoption occur primarily through communication processes and channels, and that the diffusion of any innovation is a time-consuming process. However, it does not assume that adoption of innovations is an index of social intelligence.

Question 14

Prior to the release of the iPhone 12, Apple ran a series commercial advertisements designed to build consumer excitement for the new product. This best illustrates which of the following elements of diffusion of innovations theory?

Accepted Answer

The advertising campaign designed by Apple to build excitement for the release of iPhone 12 highlights the role of communication channels in the diffusion of innovation theory. The company used various communication channels such as social media, television, and online ads to communicate the advantages of the new phone to potential customers.

Question 15

According to Everett Rogers, innovators are people who have:

Accepted Answer

Everett Rogers states that innovators are individuals who possess all of the aforementioned qualities, including an adventurous personality, substantial financial resources, an ability to understand complex technical knowledge, and an ability to cope with high levels of uncertainty. Therefore, the correct answer is D.

Question 16

Communication accommodation theory contains elements of all of the following social psychological theories, EXCEPT:

Accepted Answer

Communication accommodation theory primarily integrates concepts from theories related to social interaction, perception, and group dynamics, such as similarity-attraction, attribution, social exchange, and intergroup relations. Burke's dramatism theory, which focuses on life as a drama and narrative analysis, is not a direct element of communication accommodation theory.

Question 17

Although she loves her grandmother, Mckenzie has grown tired of listening to her grandmother talk about how lazy and entitled millennials seem to be. According to communication accommodation theory, Mckenzie views her grandmother's talk as:

Accepted Answer

Under-accommodating refers to a lack of adjustment in communication style to meet the conversational needs or expectations of the other person. Mckenzie perceives her grandmother's talk as not adjusting to her perspective or generational context.

Question 18

Louise finds her assisted care nurse to be condescending because she constantly refers to Louise as "my dear" and "sweetie." According to communication accommodation theory, Louise's nurse may be guilty of:

Accepted Answer

Over-accommodation refers to when a communicator excessively tailors their responses to match a perceived lack of ability or understanding in the other person. By calling Louise "my dear" and "sweetie," Louise's nurse may be over-accommodating to her perceived age or disability. This can come across as condescending and may negatively impact the communication between the two.

Question 19

Communication accommodation theory makes all of the following assumptions, EXCEPT:

Accepted Answer

Communication accommodation theory does NOT assume that a person's degree of convergence and management of social distance occurs independent of the social and historical context. In fact, it acknowledges that the social and historical context can greatly influence communication accommodation. All of the other statements are assumptions made by the theory.

Question 20

_______ is the process whereby individuals shift their speech styles to become more like that of those with whom they are interacting, whereas ______ is the process of using verbal of nonverbal behavior to differentiate oneself from other.

Accepted Answer

The first blank refers to the process of adjusting one's speech style to be more similar to the person or group they are communicating with, which is known as convergence. The second blank refers to the opposite process of intentionally emphasizing differences between oneself and others, which is known as divergence. Therefore, the correct answer is D) Convergence; divergence.

Quiz 7: Discourse and Change