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© 2013 by McGraw-Hill Education. This is proprietary material solely for authorized instructor use. Not authorized for sale or distribution in any
manner. This document may not be copied, scanned, duplicated, forwarded, distributed, or posted on a website, in whole or part.
Chapter 1: Introduction to Human Communication
Essay Questions
1. Write an essay in which you define communication and the eight components of communication. Explain how those components function
together in the communication process.
Answer: Answers will vary.
Bloom’s level: Understand
2. Write an essay in which you answer the question “Why should I study communication?” You may use answers based on the book, but you
should also think of some of your own reasons for studying communication.
Answer: Answers will vary.
Bloom’s level: Apply
3. Write an essay in which you explain why our society might especially need to improve communication between and among people.
Answer: Answers will vary.
Bloom’s level: Apply
4. Explain in an essay why the concept of process is important in understanding how communication works.
Answer: Answers will vary.
Bloom’s level: Understand
5. Write an essay in which you explain what is meant by the idea of “understanding and sharing meaning.”
Answer: Answers will vary.
Bloom’s level: Understand
6. Explain in an essay the idea that communication begins with the self.
Answer: Answers will vary.
Bloom’s level: Understand
7. Write an essay explaining the role of “others” in communication.
Answer: Answers will vary.
Bloom’s level: Understand
8. Explain in an essay the difference between the content and the relational elements of communication.
Answer: Answers will vary.
Bloom’s level: Understand
9. Write an essay that explains the concepts of encoding and decoding as they function in communication.
Answer: Answers will vary.
Bloom’s level: Understand
10. Write an essay in which you define and provide examples of the contexts of communication.
Answer: Answers will vary.
Bloom’s level: Understand
11. Discuss reasons why studying communication can improve the way you see yourself.
Answer: Answers will vary.
Bloom’s level: Understand
12. Explain reasons why the study of communication can help you succeed in your professional career.
Answer: Answers will vary.
Bloom’s level: Apply
13. Write an essay in which you explain the eight principles of communication discussed in chapter 1.
Answer: Answers will vary.
Bloom’s level: Understand
14. Write an essay in which you explain how studying communication helps you exercise your constitutionally guaranteed freedom of speech.
Answer: Answers will vary.
Bloom’s level: Understand
15. Explain and provide at least one example of media convergence.
Answer: Answers will vary.
Bloom’s level: Understand
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© 2013 by McGraw-Hill Education. This is proprietary material solely for authorized instructor use. Not authorized for sale or distribution in any
manner. This document may not be copied, scanned, duplicated, forwarded, distributed, or posted on a website, in whole or part.
Bloom’s level: Remember
33. An increased quantity of communication promotes more harmony and understanding.
34. Using your computer to check the voice mail for your office telephone is an example of media convergence.
35. Having a local newspaper start placing video about news events on its website is an example of media convergence.
36. The word communication comes from the Latin “communicare,” which means
a. “to speak with understanding.”
b. “to make common.”
c. “to form a community of believers.”
d. “to care for others.”
37. Which of the following does not relate to the term process?
a. continuous
b. ongoing
c. dynamic
d. static
38. Which of the following terms is not part of the definition of communication?
a. process
b. signs
c. meaning
d. codes
39. Communication begins with
a. the self.
b. the other.
c. the dyad.
d. the group.
40. Dialogic communication is best described as
a. persuasion.
b. discussion.
c. transmission.
d. failure.
41. Which of the following is the least public form of communication?
a. intrapersonal
b. interpersonal
c. group
d. organizational
42. Which of the following is not a component of communication?
a. feedback
b. message
c. code
d. action
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© 2013 by McGraw-Hill Education. This is proprietary material solely for authorized instructor use. Not authorized for sale or distribution in any
manner. This document may not be copied, scanned, duplicated, forwarded, distributed, or posted on a website, in whole or part.
Answer: D
Bloom’s level: Remember
43. When you do not listen well because you are daydreaming, it is because of
a. encoding.
b. semantic distractions.
c. noise.
d. channeling.
44. Which of the following is not a context of communication?
a. feedback
b. intrapersonal
c. interpersonal
d. public
45. When you look at yourself in the mirror and decide that you need to comb your hair, you are using what context of communication?
a. intrapersonal communication
b. interpersonal communication
c. dyadic communication
d. public communication
46. Which of the following does not relate to the term public communication?
a. formality
b. structure
c. planning
d. spontaneity
47. Of the contexts that include two or more people, the one that permits the least opportunity for feedback is
a. intrapersonal context.
b. interpersonal context.
c. public context.
d. mass context.
48. The term that includes the use of symbols to create meaning is known as
a. feedback.
b. code.
c. meaning.
d. context.
49. Which term refers to communication between two people?
a. dyadic communication
b. intrapersonal communication
c. small-group communication
d. synthetic communication
50. Saying “uh huh” to indicate you understand is classified as a
a. verbal code.
b. nonverbal code.
c. language code.
d. linguistic code.
51. The component of communication that consists of facial expressions, words, and phrases is the
a. channel.
b. nonverbal code.
c. verbal code.
d. message.
52. Jennifer and Lisa are sitting in a coffee shop having a friendly conversation. What descriptor of their communication interaction is most
accurate?
a. group communication
b. intrapersonal communication
c. dyadic communication
d. linguistic communication
53. The accumulation of various types of mass communication (radio, television, newspapers, internet, etc.) into one medium is called
a. technological convergence.
b. organizational convergence.
c. inherent convergence.
d. media convergence.
54. The integration of email, calendars, internet, and voice communication into devices like smart phones (e.g., iPhones, Blackerries) is called
a. technological convergence.
b. organizational convergence.
c. inherent convergence.
d. media convergence.
55. Jennifer, Lisa, and Christina are having an in-depth conversation about a previous relationship that was abusive. Each of the women is
participating equally. What type of descriptor most accurately describes this conversation?
a. persuasive
b. dialogic
c. transmission
d. failure
56. Paul is at home watching a politically oriented discussion show on cable TV. One of the commentators is making arguments that are faulty,
which makes Paul very angry. But Paul cannot express that to the commentator on TV. Paul is feeling the frustrations of which context of
communication?
a. intrapersonal context
b. interpersonal context
c. public context
d. mass context