ISBN: 9780135416778
Chapter 1: Foundations of Interpersonal Communication
Multiple choice Questions
1. What are the two major benefits of studying interpersonal communication?
a) intellectual and practical
b) connection and consciousness
c) educational and professional
d) personal/social and professional
Answer: d
Learning Objective: 1.1 Define interpersonal communication and explain the personal and professional benefits of the study of interpersonal communication.
Topic: Interpersonal Communication
Difficulty Level: Moderate
Skill Level: Understand the Concepts
2. In a survey of employers asked what colleges should place more emphasis on, ______ percent identified “the ability to communicate effectively orally and in writing” as the highest skill.
a) 32
b) 51
c) 67
d) 89
Answer: c
Learning Objective: 1.1 Define interpersonal communication and explain the personal and professional benefits of the study of interpersonal communication.
Topic: Interpersonal Communication
Difficulty Level: Easy
Skill Level: Remember the Facts
3. The objective of the text, Essentials of Interpersonal Communication, is to __________.
a) provide a formula for behavior
b) improve your interpersonal skills
c) focus on relevant theory
d) allow you to analyze others’ behavior
Answer: b
Learning Objective: 1.1 Define interpersonal communication and explain the personal and professional benefits of the study of interpersonal communication.
Topic: Interpersonal Communication
Difficulty Level: Easy
Skill Level: Understand the Concepts
4. In most communication models, the person who formulates and sends the message is known as the _________.
a) source
b) message
c) channel
d) receiver
Answer: a
Learning Objective: 1.2 Diagram a model of interpersonal communication containing source–receiver, messages, channel, noise, and context, and define each of these elements.
Topic: The Elements of Interpersonal Communication
Difficulty Level: Moderate
Skill Level: Understand the Concepts
5. In a linear view of communication, __________.
a) the speaker speaks and the listener listens
b) speaking and listening are simultaneous c) speaker and listener are interdependent d) the speaker is addressing themself
Answer: a
Learning Objective: 1.2 Diagram a model of interpersonal communication containing source–receiver, messages, channel, noise, and context, and define each of these elements.
Topic: The Elements of Interpersonal Communication
Difficulty Level: Moderate
Skill Level: Understand the Concepts
6. The transactional view of interpersonal communication __________.
a) is an exchange of money
b) is static
c) involves simultaneous exchanges
d) has a clear-cut end
Answer: c
Learning Objective: 1.3 Explain the seven principles of interpersonal communicaiton and give examples of each.
Topic: Seven Principles of Interpersonal Communication
Difficulty Level: Moderate
Skill Level: Understand the Concepts
7. Which of the following is a major element of interpersonal communication?
a) cell phones
b) context
c) empathy
d) clothing
Answer: b
Learning Objective: 1.2 Diagram a model of interpersonal communication containing source–receiver, messages, channel, noise, and context, and define each of these elements.
Topic: The Elements of Interpersonal Communication
Difficulty Level: Easy Skill Level: Remember the Facts
8. The question “Do you understand the instructions I just gave you?” is an example of
a) feedforward
b) crisis communication
c) feedback
d) a metamessage
Answer: d
Learning Objective: 1.2 Diagram a model of interpersonal communication containing source–receiver, messages, channel, noise, and context, and define each of these elements.
Topic: The Elements of Interpersonal Communication
Difficulty Level: Easy
Skill Level: Apply What You Know
9. Which of the following is an encoder?
a) writer
b) listener
c) reader
d) audience
Answer: a
Learning Objective: 1.2 Diagram a model of interpersonal communication containing source–receiver, messages, channel, noise, and context, and define each of these elements.
Topic: The Elements of Interpersonal Communication
Difficulty Level: Easy
Skill Level: Understand the Concepts
10. When Juan introduces information about a message before sending the message, it is
a) feedback
b) decoding
c) feedforward
d) psychological noise
Answer: c
Learning Objective: 1.2 Diagram a model of interpersonal communication containing source–receiver, messages, channel, noise, and context, and define each of these elements.
Topic: The Elements of Interpersonal Communication
Difficulty Level: Moderate
Skill Level: Apply What You Know
11. Channels in communication __________.
a) are the vehicles or media through which message signals pass
b) are usually used independently of one another
c) put ideas into words
d) may be physical, psychological, and semantic
Answer: a
Learning Objective: 1.2 Diagram a model of interpersonal communication containing source–receiver, messages, channel, noise, and context, and define each of these elements.
Topic: The Elements of Interpersonal Communication
Difficulty Level: Moderate
Skill Level: Understand the Concepts
12. Physical noise is __________.
a) external to the speaker and receiver
b) psychological
c) semantic
d) internal to the speaker and receiver
Answer: a
Learning Objective: 1.2 Diagram a model of interpersonal communication containing source–receiver, messages, channel, noise, and context, and define each of these elements.
Topic: The Elements of Interpersonal Communication
Difficulty Level: Moderate
Skill Level: Understand the Concepts
13. You hear the stomach growling of the student seated next to you. This is an example of which kind of noise?
a) physical
b) psychological
c) semantic
d) temporal
Answer: a
Learning Objective: 1.2 Diagram a model of interpersonal communication containing source–receiver, messages, channel, noise, and context, and define each of these elements.
Topic: The Elements of Interpersonal Communication
Difficulty Level: Moderate
Skill Level: Apply What You Know
14. Context is the environment that __________.
a) influences the form of communication
b) is always nonverbal
c) includes eight dimensions
d) is universal throughout all cultures
Answer: a
Learning Objective: 1.2 Diagram a model of interpersonal communication containing source–receiver, messages, channel, noise, and context, and define each of these elements.
Topic: The Elements of Interpersonal Communication
Difficulty Level: Moderate
Skill Level: Understand the Concepts
15. Which type of noise is created by barriers within the sender or receiver and includes barriers such as reduced vision or hearing?
a) physical
b) physiological
c) psychological
d) semantic
Answer: b
Learning Objective: 1.2 Diagram a model of interpersonal communication containing source–receiver, messages, channel, noise, and context, and define each of these elements.
Topic: The Elements of Interpersonal Communication
Difficulty Level: Moderate
Skill Level: Understand the Concepts
16. Ezra is from England; when he thinks of a lift, he thinks of an elevator. However, his roommate from the United States, Allen, thinks a lift means to give someone a ride. This is an example of __________ noise.
a) physical
b) physiological
c) psychological
d) semantic
Answer: d
Learning Objective: 1.2 Diagram a model of interpersonal communication containing source–receiver, messages, channel, noise, and context, and define each of these elements.
Topic: The Elements of Interpersonal Communication
Difficulty Level: Moderate
Skill Level: Apply What You Know
17. Cheryl sends an email to Cynthia asking her for the latest sales report. In the context of communication models, the email Cheryl sent is the ________.
a) receiver
b) channel
c) feedback
d) noise
Answer: b
Learning Objective: 1.2 Diagram a model of interpersonal communication containing source–receiver, messages, channel, noise, and context, and define each of these elements.
Topic: The Elements of Interpersonal Communication
Difficulty Level: Moderate Skill Level: Apply What You Know
18. Sheila cannot hear anything her teacher is saying because a noisy classmate is next to her. This is an example of __________ noise.
a) physical
b) physiological
c) psychological
d) semantic
Answer: a
Learning Objective: 1.2 Diagram a model of interpersonal communication containing source–receiver, messages, channel, noise, and context, and define each of these elements.
Topic: The Elements of Interpersonal Communication
Difficulty Level: Moderate Skill Level: Apply What You Know
19. Lisa is a technology teacher at the local college. Colleagues come to her with questions about their technology issues. In the eyes of colleagues, what type of power does Lisa have?
a) legitimate
b) expert
c) reward
d) coercive
Answer: b
Learning Objective: 1.3 Explain the seven principles of interpersonal communication and give
examples of each.
Topic: Seven Principles of Interpersonal Communication
Difficulty Level: Moderate
Skill Level: Apply What You Know
20. What does the statement “we cannot not communicate” mean?
a) both verbal and nonverbal behavior communicate
b) with effort you can avoid communication
c) in every interaction, someone is strong enough to force another to communicate
d) you can drop out of a communication situation
Answer: a
Learning Objective: 1.3 Explain the seven principles of interpersonal communication and give examples of each.
Topic: Seven Principles of Interpersonal Communication
Difficulty Level: Easy
Skill Level: Understand the Concepts
21. Saying that communication is irreversible means we __________.
a) need to monitor our messages
b) have to carefully choose the messages we wish to withdraw
c) cannot withdraw a message
d) sometimes need to defend or justify our behavior
Answer: c
Learning Objective: 1.3 Explain the seven principles of interpersonal communication and give examples of each.
Topic: Seven Principles of Interpersonal Communication
Difficulty Level: Easy
Skill Level: Understand the Concepts
22. Your interpersonal competence is __________.
a) your knowledge of all the relevant theory
b) your ability to communicate effectively
c) your ability to put thoughts and feelings into a code
d) a special type of message
Answer: b
Learning Objective: 1.4 Explain the essential interpersonal communication competencies.
Topic: Interpersonal Competence
Difficulty Level: Easy
Skill Level: Understand the Concepts
23. One way to increase mindfulness is to __________.
a) look around the room when others are speaking
b) be open to new information and points of view
c) rely heavily on first impressions
d) be closed-minded about new points of view
Answer: b
Learning Objective: 1.4 Explain the essential interpersonal communication competencies.
Topic: Interpersonal Competence
Difficulty Level: Easy
Skill Level: Understand the Concepts
24. __________ involves the study of what is moral and immoral.
a) Ethics
b) Social rules
c) Interpersonal competence
d) Context
Answer: a
Learning Objective: 1.4 Explain the essential interpersonal communication competencies.
Topic: Interpersonal Competence
Difficulty Level: Easy
Skill Level: Remember the Facts
25. Interpersonal interaction involves the exchange of both verbal and __________ messages.
a) spoken
b) nonverbal
c) oral
d) uttered
Answer: b
Learning Objective: 1.3 Explain the seven principles of interpersonal communication and give examples of each.
Topic: Seven Principles of Interpersonal Communication
Difficulty Level: Easy
Skill Level: Remember the Facts
True /False Questions
26. Interpersonal communication is communication that takes place only between two people in an intimate relationship.
Answer: False
Learning Objective: 1.1 Define interpersonal communication and explain the personal and professional benefits of the study of interpersonal communication.
Topic: The Nature of Interpersonal Communication
Difficulty Level: Easy
Skill Level: Understand the Concepts
27. Interpersonal communication is a transactional process in which all elements are interdependent.
Answer: True
Learning Objective: 1.3 Explain the seven principles of interpersonal communication and give examples of each.
Topic: Seven Principles of Interpersonal Communication
Difficulty Level: Easy
Skill Level: Understand the Concepts
28. For interpersonal communication to occur, meanings must be encoded and decoded.
Answer: True
Learning Objective: 1.2 Diagram a model of interpersonal communication containing source–receiver, messages, channel, noise, and context, and define each of these elements.
Topic: The Elements of Interpersonal Communication
Difficulty Level: Moderate
Skill Level: Understand the Concepts
29. One of the problems with information overload is that it absorbs an enormous amount of time for workers only at higher levels of management.
Answer: False
Learning Objective: 1.2 Diagram a model of interpersonal communication containing source–receiver, messages, channel, noise, and context, and define each of these elements.
Topic: The Elements of Interpersonal Communication
Difficulty Level: Moderate
Skill Level: Understand the Concepts
30. Feedforward occurs when we plan our remarks before making them.
Answer: False
Learning Objective: 1.2 Diagram a model of interpersonal communication containing source–receiver, messages, channel, noise, and context, and define each of these elements.
Topic: The Elements of Interpersonal Communication
Difficulty Level: Easy
Skill Level: Remember the Facts
31. The tagline after your name on your social media site is an example of feedforward.
Answer: True
Learning Objective: 1.2 Diagram a model of interpersonal communication containing source–receiver, messages, channel, noise, and context, and define each of these elements.
Topic: The Elements of Interpersonal Communication
Difficulty Level: Moderate
Skill Level: Remember the Facts
32. “Noise” is always physical disruption of a message.
Answer: False
Learning Objective: 1.2 Diagram a model of interpersonal communication containing source–receiver, messages, channel, noise, and context, and define each of these elements.
Topic: The Elements of Interpersonal Communication
Difficulty Level: Moderate
Skill Level: Understand the Concepts
33. The four types of noise discussed in the text are semantic, physical, emotional, and psychological.
Answer: False
Learning Objective: 1.2 Diagram a model of interpersonal communication containing source–receiver, messages, channel, noise, and context, and define each of these elements.
Topic: The Elements of Interpersonal Communication
Difficulty Level: Moderate
Skill Level: Remember the Facts
34. The temporal or time dimension has to do with where a particular message fits into a sequence of communication events.
Answer: True
Learning Objective: 1.2 Diagram a model of interpersonal communication containing source–receiver, messages, channel, noise, and context, and define each of these elements.
Topic: The Elements of Interpersonal Communication
Difficulty Level: Moderate
Skill Level: Remember the Facts
35. One of the purposes of communication is to play.
Answer: True
Learning Objective: 1.3 Explain the seven principles of interpersonal communication and give examples of each.
Topic: Seven Principles of Interpersonal Communication
Difficulty Level: Easy
Skill Level: Remember the Facts
36. An ambiguous message is communication that can be interpreted as having only one meaning.
Answer: False
Learning Objective: 1.3 Explain the seven principles of interpersonal communication and give examples of each.
Topic: Seven Principles of Interpersonal Communication
Difficulty Level: Moderate
Skill Level: Understand the Concepts
37. Some employers and colleges ask candidates to open their social networking accounts during the interview.
Answer: True
Learning Objective: 1.3 Explain the seven principles of interpersonal communication and give examples of each.
Topic: Seven Principles of Interpersonal Communication
Difficulty Level: Easy
Skill Level: Remember the Facts
38. Communication is irreversible.
Answer: True
Learning Objective: 1.3 Explain the seven principles of interpersonal communication and give examples of each.
Topic: Seven Principles of Interpersonal Communication
Difficulty Level: Easy Skill Level: Understand the Concepts
39. Styles of communication that prove effective in one culture will, by definition, prove effective in another culture.
Answer: False
Learning Objective: 1.4 Explain the essential interpersonal communication competencies.
Topic: Interpersonal Competence
Difficulty Level: Moderate
Skill Level: Understand the Concepts
Fill in the Blanks
40. __________ is the verbal and nonverbal interaction between two interdependent people.
Answer: interpersonal communication
Learning Objective: 1.1 Define interpersonal communication and explain the personal and professional benefits of the study of interpersonal communication.
Topic: Interpersonal Communication
Difficulty Level: Easy
Skill Level: Remember the Facts
41. The _________ works like a bridge connecting source and receiver.
Answer: channel
Learning Objective: 1.2 Diagram a model of interpersonal communication containing source–receiver, messages, channel, noise, and context, and define each of these elements.
Topic: The Elements of Interpersonal Communication
Difficulty Level: Moderate
Skill Level: Understand the Concepts
42. Your ability to communicate effectively is your interpersonal __________.
Answer: competence
Learning Objective: 1.4 Explain the essential interpersonal communication competencies.
Topic: Interpersonal Competence
Difficulty Level: Moderate
Skill Level: Understand the Concepts
43. A(n) __________ is a message that refers to another message.
Answer: metamessage
Learning Objective: 1.2 Diagram a model of interpersonal communication containing source–receiver, messages, channel, noise, and context, and define each of these elements.
Topic: The Elements of Interpersonal Communication
Difficulty Level: Moderate
Skill Level: Understand the Concepts
44. Four dimensions of the context of communication are physical, social–psychological, temporal, and __________.
Answer: cultural
Learning Objective: 1.2 Diagram a model of interpersonal communication containing source–receiver, messages, channel, noise, and context, and define each of these elements.
Topic: The Elements of Interpersonal Communication
Difficulty Level: Difficult
Skill Level: Remember the Facts
45. A(n) __________ message focuses on the real world, something external to the speaker and listener; a(n) __________ message focuses on the connection between the individuals.
Answer: content; relationship
Learning Objective: 1.3 Explain the seven principles of interpersonal communication and give examples of each.
Topic: Seven Principles of Interpersonal Communication
Difficulty Level: Moderate
Skill Level: Understand the Concepts
46. _________ is an inevitable condition in which a message can be interpreted as having more than one meaning.
Answer: ambiguity
Learning Objective: 1.3 Explain the seven principles of interpersonal communication and give examples of each.
Topic: Seven Principles of Interpersonal Communication
Difficulty Level: Moderate
Skill Level: Understand the Concepts
47. __________ is a state of awareness in which you are conscious of your reasons for thinking or behaving.
Answer: mindfulness
Learning Objective: 1.4 Explain the essential interpersonal communication competencies.
Topic: Interpersonal Competence
Difficulty Level: Moderate
Skill Level: Understand the Concepts
48. On the television show “I Love Lucy,” Ricky Ricardo often began his sentences in English
but ended them in Spanish. This is an example of __________.
Answer: code switching
Learning Objective: 1.4 Explain the essential interpersonal communication competencies.
Topic: Interpersonal Competence
Difficulty Level: Moderate Skill Level: Apply What You Know
49. You can never recapture the same context for any act of communication according to the principle that communication is ___________.
Answer: unrepeatable
Learning Objective: 1.3 Explain the seven principles of interpersonal communication and give examples of each.
Topic: Seven Principles of Interpersonal Communication
Difficulty Level: Moderate Skill Level: Understand the Concepts
Essay Questions
50. What are the essential elements of interpersonal communication? How does the concept of transactional communication tie these elements together?
Answer: The ideal answer should include:
1. The essential elements of interpersonal communication include source–receiver, messages, feedback, feedforward, channel, noise, and context.
2. In the transactional view of communication, each person sends and receives messages at the same time.
Learning Objective: 1.2 Diagram a model of interpersonal communication containing source–receiver, messages, channel, noise, and context, and define each of these elements.
Topic: The Elements of Interpersonal Communication
Difficulty Level: Moderate Skill Level: Analyze It
51. Define the distinguishing characteristics of metamessages, feedback messages, and feedforward messages.
Answer: The ideal answer should include:
1. Metamessages are messages about other messages.
2. Feedback is a special type of message that conveys information about the messages you send.
3. Feedforward messages convey information about a message before it is sent.
Learning Objective: 1.2 Diagram a model of interpersonal communication containing source–
receiver, messages, channel, noise, and context, and define each of these elements.
Topic: The Elements of Interpersonal Communication
Difficulty Level: Moderate
Skill Level: Understand the Concepts
52. What are four types of noise, and what is one example of each?
Answer: The ideal answer should include:
1. Physical noise an example is the siren from a fire truck.
2. Physiological noise an example is the loss of vision.
3. Psychological noise an example is bias toward a topic or prejudice against a speaker
4. Semantic noise an example is “phat” versus “fat. ”
Learning Objective: 1.2 Diagram a model of interpersonal communication containing source–receiver, messages, channel, noise, and context, and define each of these elements.
Topic: The Elements of Interpersonal Communication
Difficulty Level: Moderate
Skill Level: Apply What You Know
53. Discuss the impact of context on communication. Give examples of impact from two different dimensions of context.
Answer: The ideal answer should include:
1. Communication always takes place within a context an environment that influences the form and content of communication. The dimensions of context are cultural, social–psychological, physical, and temporal.
2. A physical context consists of the surrounding environment. For example, communication in a face-to-face conversation may differ from online communication. The social–psychological context involves roles and status in the relationship, such as a teacher–student relationship. The temporal context involves when the communication takes place. For example, if a speaker tells a joke about death to a friend just after the friend’s mother died, that joke would be received very differently than it would be at another time. The cultural dimension focuses on norms, beliefs, and attitudes. For example, in various cultures, eye contact is perceived and interpreted differently.
Learning Objective: 1.2 Diagram a model of interpersonal communication containing source–receiver, messages, channel, noise, and context, and define each of these elements.
Topic: The Elements of Interpersonal Communication
Difficulty Level: Moderate
Skill Level: Apply What You Know
54. What are the six types of power? Give one example of each.
Answer: The ideal answer should include:
1. Legitimate A judge in a courtroom.
2. Referent A younger sibling wants to be like you
3. Reward Teachers control grades.
4. Coercive A supervisor can fire an employee.
5. Expert Medical doctors have expertise in medicine.
6. Information or persuasive Researchers and scientists are regarded as informed critical thinkers
Learning Objective: 1.4 Explain the principles of interpersonal communication and give examples of each.
Topic: Seven Principles of Interpersonal Communication
Difficulty Level: Difficult
Skill Level: Apply What You Know