Question 1

Jon often uses profanities when he is out with his friends, but he is always polite when he visits his grandmother. This example illustrates which principle of interpersonal communication?
A) Interpersonal communication is continuous.
B) Interpersonal communication is indexical.
C) Interpersonal communication is situated.
D) Interpersonal communication is transactional.

Accepted Answer

Interpersonal communication is situated, meaning it varies depending on the social context or situation. Jon's behavior changes based on whether he is with his friends or visiting his grandmother, illustrating how the context influences the way he communicates.

Question 2

Dark-side messages
A) may be appropriate in some situations
B) are always inappropriate
C) are always unethical
D) are never appropriate

Accepted Answer

Dark-side messages, such as threats or intimidation, may be appropriate in certain situations where safety is at risk, like warning someone about danger or defending oneself in a physical altercation. However, they should be used sparingly and only when there are no other viable options. In most other situations, using dark-side messages is inappropriate and can be unethical.

Question 3

Slanderous name-calling is an example of what kind of message?
A) bright-side
B) easy dark-side
C) hard dark-side
D) evil dark-side

Accepted Answer

Slanderous name-calling is considered an "evil dark-side" message because it is intentionally harmful and damaging to a person's reputation.

Question 4

Telling your friends that their baby is beautiful when you really think the baby is anything but beautiful is an example of a(n)
A) evil dark-side message
B) easy dark-side message
C) hard dark-side message
D) bright-side message

Accepted Answer

This is an example of an "easy dark-side message," which refers to a situation where someone tells a small, harmless lie or withholds their true negative opinion to avoid hurting someone's feelings or to maintain social harmony.

Question 5

Raj is sending his girlfriend an e-mail. What type of temporal structure is he using?
A) asynchronous communication
B) synchronous communication
C) continual communication
D) psychological communication

Accepted Answer

Asynchronous communication involves sending messages without requiring an immediate response from the receiver. E-mail is a form of asynchronous communication because the sender does not expect an immediate response from the receiver.

Question 6

Communication that occurs in real time is called
A) asynchronous communication
B) synchronous communication
C) continual communication
D) psychological communication

Accepted Answer

Real-time communication is referred to as synchronous communication, which involves two or more individuals communicating simultaneously in real-time. Asynchronous communication, on the other hand, refers to communication that happens intermittently and not in real-time. Continual communication and psychological communication are not synonymous with real-time communication.

Question 7

Becky made a YouTube video about shopping for shoes. She is surprised when it goes viral and millions of people have viewed it on YouTube. Which trait of social media technology did Becky not consider?
A) social
B) media richness
C) mobility
D) reach

Accepted Answer

Becky did not consider the "reach" of social media technology, which refers to the ability to distribute content to a wide audience globally.

Question 8

In terms of media richness, if sending a message via postal mail is a lean form of communication, which is considered the most rich?
A) phone calls
B) email
C) texting
D) face-to-face

Accepted Answer

Face-to-face communication is the most rich in terms of media richness because it includes verbal and nonverbal cues, immediate feedback, and the ability to clarify misunderstandings. It provides the richest possible channel for transferring complex messages with emotional or sensitive content.

Question 9

Which of the following is not a trait of social media technology?
A) reach
B) mobility
C) temporal structure
D) convenience

Accepted Answer

Convenience is not a specific trait of social media technology; it is a general benefit or characteristic of many technologies. The other options are specific traits related to how social media functions.

Question 10

Which of the following can help you decide if you should use social media technology to communicate?
A) Remember the richness.
B) Do a cost-benefit analysis.
C) Keep abreast of rapidly evolving social media technologies.
D) All of these.

Accepted Answer

All of the given options can help in deciding whether to use social media technology to communicate.

A) Remember the richness: This refers to the level of detail or complexity that can be conveyed through different channels of communication. Social media platforms may be limited in terms of their ability to convey nuanced, nonverbal cues or emotional expressions.

B) Do a cost-benefit analysis: Any decision regarding the adoption of technology should be informed by a thorough cost-benefit analysis. This should consider the potential benefits of using social media technology for communication (e.g. increased efficiency, wider reach, reduced costs) against the potential drawbacks (e.g. security risks, loss of privacy, limited control over message dissemination).

C) Keep abreast of rapidly evolving social media technologies: As new social media technologies emerge, it's important to stay informed about their capabilities and limitations. This can help to ensure that you are using the most appropriate platform for your needs and adapting to changing trends in communication.

Question 11

The specific communication setting does not affect how messages are produced, interpreted, or coordinated.

Accepted Answer

The specific communication setting, such as face-to-face conversation, phone call, or email, can significantly impact how messages are produced, interpreted, and coordinated. Factors such as body language, tone of voice, and nonverbal cues may all play a role in communication effectiveness in different settings.

Question 12

Internal noises are words in a message that interfere with or distort the meaning of a message for the receiver.

Accepted Answer

Internal noises refer to psychological or physiological factors within the receiver that interfere with communication, such as stress, fatigue, or preconceptions, not words in a message.

Question 13

The metaphor used to describe messages that are inappropriate or unethical is "dark-side."

Accepted Answer

The metaphor used to describe messages that are inappropriate or unethical is indeed "dark-side."

Question 14

Ethical communicators respect the ideas, opinions, and feelings of others even when those opinions and feelings are completely opposite of our own.

Accepted Answer

Ethical communicators recognize the value of diverse perspectives and strive to engage in respectful dialogue that promotes understanding, empathy, and inclusivity. They do not dismiss, belittle, or attack those with differing opinions, but rather seek to listen actively, express themselves clearly, and find common ground where possible. This requires a commitment to open-mindedness, honesty, and constructive engagement, even in the face of disagreement or conflict.

Question 15

Competent communication need not be appropriate at all times.

Accepted Answer

Competent communication involves not only being effective in achieving a desired outcome, but also being appropriate in terms of social norms, expectations, and values. Therefore, it is important for communication to be appropriate at all times to ensure that it is perceived as competent and respectful.

Question 16

Improving micro communication skills might include creating a set of generic "lines" to use in certain situations.

Accepted Answer

Creating a set of generic lines can help improve micro communication skills by providing a go-to response for certain situations, such as expressing agreement or disagreement, showing appreciation, or asking for clarification. However, it is important to also develop the ability to tailor communication to specific contexts and individuals.

Question 17

Behavioral flexibility allows us to analyze a communication situation and adapt our skills to that situation.

Accepted Answer

Behavioral flexibility is the ability to adjust our behavior and communication style according to the situation and the person we are interacting with. It helps us in being an effective communicator and building positive relationships.

Question 18

In any given conversation, the sender is exclusively responsible for creating meaning.

Accepted Answer

The creation of meaning in a conversation is a joint effort between the sender and the receiver. Both individuals must actively participate in the communication process in order to ensure that the intended message is accurately communicated and understood.

Question 19

In the model of interpersonal communication, an individual participant can be a sender and a receiver simultaneously.

Accepted Answer

In interpersonal communication, individuals constantly exchange messages and can simultaneously send and receive information.

Question 20

The communication setting is the set of conditions surrounding an interaction.

Accepted Answer

The communication setting includes factors such as physical environment, social context, cultural background, and personal characteristics of the communicators. These conditions can influence the effectiveness of communication.

Quiz 1: An Orientation to Interpersonal Communication

Jon often uses profanities when he is out with his friends, but he is always polite when he visits his grandmother. This example illustrates which principle of interpersonal communication?

Dark-side messages

Slanderous name-calling is an example of what kind of message?

Telling your friends that their baby is beautiful when you really think the baby is anything but beautiful is an example of a(n)

Raj is sending his girlfriend an e-mail. What type of temporal structure is he using?

Communication that occurs in real time is called

Becky made a YouTube video about shopping for shoes. She is surprised when it goes viral and millions of people have viewed it on YouTube. Which trait of social media technology did Becky not consider?

In terms of media richness, if sending a message via postal mail is a lean form of communication, which is considered the most rich?

Which of the following is not a trait of social media technology?

Which of the following can help you decide if you should use social media technology to communicate?