Question 1

Along which parameter are media classified based on their capacity to facilitate shared meaning?

Accepted Answer

Media richness refers to the capacity of a medium to convey multiple cues (such as tone of voice, body language, and context) and facilitate immediate feedback. This parameter is important in determining how well a medium can facilitate shared meaning, as communication is more effective when participants can pick up on these cues and give timely feedback. Therefore, media are classified based on their media richness.

Question 2

The act of constructing a message is known as ________.

Accepted Answer

Encoding is the process of converting a message into a form that can be transmitted through a communication channel. It involves selecting words, phrases, and symbols that are appropriate for the message and arranging them in a way that conveys the intended meaning.

Question 3

Which of the following is an example of oral communication?

Accepted Answer

Oral communication involves spoken words, and videoconferences involve real-time conversations between people using audio and/or video technology, making it the only option listed that fits this definition. Memos, faxes, and reports are all forms of written communication.

Question 4

Liam is a college major from the University of Long Beach,California.He is forced to take a sabbatical from studies due to personal reasons and writes a detailed letter to his professor explaining the circumstances of his decision to discontinue the course.The medium of this communication between Liam and his professor is considered to be lean because ________.

Accepted Answer

Lean communication mediums are characterized by their limitations in providing immediate feedback or responses, which is the case with a letter compared to more immediate forms of communication.

Question 5

A manager has to resolve a serious disagreement between two of her sales staff,one of whom accuses the other of "stealing" his clients.________ would be the best way for the manager to expedite the resolution of this dispute.

Accepted Answer

Face to face meetings allow for a more personal and direct conversation where both parties can express their perspectives and concerns openly. This also allows for the manager to facilitate a productive discussion and potentially come up with a resolution that satisfies both parties. E-mail correspondence, formal letters and telephone conversations may not allow for the same level of communication and understanding.

Question 6

Which of the following steps in the communication process involves interpreting a message?

Accepted Answer

Decoding is the process of interpreting or understanding a message that has been received. This step involves deciphering the symbols or words used in the message and arriving at a meaning that is consistent with the sender's intent.

Question 7

Which of the following situations is best suited for communication via a rich medium?

Accepted Answer

A hike in salary is a matter of importance and sensitivity for an employee, which requires detailed discussion and negotiation. Therefore, a rich medium that allows for two-way communication and visual cues like facial expressions and body language is best suited for such communication. A face-to-face meeting or a video conference would be more appropriate than a simple email or message. The other options (A, C, and D) require relatively straightforward information sharing and can be communicated effectively through simpler mediums like email or messaging.

Question 8

Which of the following statements is true of nonverbal communication?

Accepted Answer

Nonverbal communication is an important aspect of communication in organizations. When verbal and nonverbal messages are contradictory, people often pay more attention to the nonverbal signals as they are believed to be more difficult to fake or control.

Question 9

Which of the following is an example of a rich medium?

Accepted Answer

Face-to-face meeting is an example of a rich medium as it allows for a high degree of immediate feedback, provides opportunities for nonverbal communication, and enables a more personal and emotional connection between participants. E-mail, memos, and fax are examples of lean media as they lack these features and are more suitable for conveying simple or routine messages.

Question 10

________ refers to the interference with the transmission or decoding of a message.

Accepted Answer

Noise refers to any disturbance or interference that affects the signal being transmitted or received, thereby hindering the communication process. It can be caused by various factors, such as physical barriers, electronic interference, or perceptual differences between the sender and the receiver. Noise can make it difficult to understand the intended message or cause misinterpretation, leading to communication breakdowns.

Question 11

Which of the following situations is best suited for communication via a lean medium?

Accepted Answer

Postponing a meeting is a simple and straightforward message that can be communicated through a lean medium such as email or a quick phone call. A lean medium is best suited for short, non-complex messages that do not require immediate feedback or discussion. The other options involve more complex and sensitive messages that may require a richer medium for effective communication.

Question 12

Which of the following is a disadvantage of oral communication?

Accepted Answer

Oral communication is subjective and depends heavily on how the message is received by the listener. Therefore, misinterpretation is a common disadvantage of oral communication.

Question 13

Which of the following is the leanest medium of communication?

Accepted Answer

E-mail is the leanest medium of communication as it is fast, efficient and doesn't require any physical presence. It requires only a computer or mobile device with an internet connection. This reduces the need for travel, saves time and is a cost-effective way of communicating. The other options require more resources and time, such as setting up a videoconference or travelling for a face-to-face meeting.

Question 14

Which of the following is a characteristic typically associated with a rich medium?

Accepted Answer

A rich medium is characterized by conveying multiple cues to aid in decoding the message, such as tone of voice, facial expressions, and body language. This allows for a greater understanding of the message and is typically associated with more personal and interactive forms of communication, such as face-to-face conversations or video conferences. Impersonal communication, delayed feedback, and wide reach are more often associated with lean media, which convey fewer cues and require more effort to decode the message.

Question 15

The means of transmitting information from sender to receiver is known as the ________ of communication.

Accepted Answer

The correct terminology for the means of transmitting information in communication is the medium. The body refers to the physical actions and gestures used in communication, while essence refers to the underlying meaning or purpose behind the communication. Interference refers to any external factors or barriers that may disrupt the communication process.

Question 16

Which of the following is an example of nonverbal communication?

Accepted Answer

Nonverbal communication refers to communication that takes place without spoken language, such as through gestures, facial expressions, body language, or tone of voice. Letters, e-mail, and videoconferences all involve written or spoken language, and do not qualify as nonverbal communication.

Question 17

Which of the following is a characteristic typically found in lean media?

Accepted Answer

Delayed feedback is a characteristic typically found in lean media. Lean media is characterized by a low amount of information richness, which means that it lacks the multiple cues, such as body language, tone of voice, and facial expressions, that aid in decoding the message. It also has a low cost of transmission and may be impersonal in nature.

Question 18

When nonverbal messages are ________ the spoken message,the odds of effective communication taking place are ________.

Accepted Answer

When nonverbal messages are consistent with the spoken message, it enhances the clarity and reliability of the communication, thereby increasing the odds of effective communication.

Question 19

________ is defined as the process of transferring information,meaning,and understanding from sender to receiver.

Accepted Answer

Communication is the process of conveying information, meaning and understanding from one person to another. It is a vital aspect of human interaction and necessary for any form of cooperation or collaboration, whether in personal or professional contexts. Management, planning, and programming are all related to organizing, coordinating, and directing activities, but they do not necessarily involve communication as their primary function.

Question 20

Which of the following is an advantage of written communication?

Accepted Answer

Written communication can decrease misinterpretation by providing a clear, tangible form of communication that can be reviewed and referred to, reducing the chances of misunderstanding.

Quiz 11: Communication and Negotiation