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Indicate whether the statement is true or false.
1. For the most part, we’re not conscious of the rules that guide how, when, where, and with whom we communicate
about various things.
a. True
b. False
2. Language is a primary tool that social movements use to change cultural life and meanings.
a. True
b. False
3. A common instance of conflicting punctuation is the demand–withdraw pattern.
a. True
b. False
4. To minimize misunderstandings, we should engage in dual perspective and own our own thoughts and feelings.
a. True
b. False
5. Stereotyping and totalizing are essentially the same process.
a. True
b. False
6. I language removes personal responsibility.
a. True
b. False
7. The arbitrary quality of language allows us to invent new words or to attach unconventional meanings to words.
a. True
b. False
8. The speech communities of men and women socialize the sexes to the same styles of listening.
a. True
b. False
9. Couple counselor Aaron Beck (1988) reports that overly general language distorts how partners think about a
relationship.
a. True
b. False
10. There is no objectively correct punctuation of interaction.
a. True
b. False
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11. As our symbols become increasingly abstract, the potential for confusion decreases.
a. True
b. False
12. We follow communication rules even when we are not consciously aware of them.
a. True
b. False
13. Speech communities are not necessarily defined by geographic locations and boundaries.
a. True
b. False
14. Symbols are intrinsically linked to the phenomena to which they refer.
a. True
b. False
15. The I and me aspects of self are opposing forces.
a. True
b. False
16. Effective communication includes acknowledging that we are responsible for our own feelings.
a. True
b. False
17. Regulative rules do not vary across cultures and social groups, so what is acceptable in one context is typically
acceptable anywhere.
a. True
b. False
18. Communication does not reflect cultural values and perspectives.
a. True
b. False
19. Men tend to prefer offering advice about problems while women tend to prefer offering empathy before trying to help
solve the problem.
a. True
b. False
20. Language can change culture by naming things in ways that alter understandings.
a. True
b. False
Indicate the answer choice that best completes the statement or answers the question.
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21. The French word rue and the American word road mean the same thing in their respective cultures. These different
symbols used for the same thing remind us that language is
a. abstract.
b. ambiguous.
c. arbitrary.
d. inherent.
e. objective.
22. Devin is surprised when his friend burps and belches after their dinner together. Devin says, “Burping and belching
are so rude.” Devin’s perception of his friend’s behavior is based on a(n) ________ rule.
a. intuitive
b. constitutive
c. comparative
d. regulative
e. constructive
23. Communication rules tell us
a. what to say.
b. when to speak.
c. how to interpret others’ communication.
d. All of these are correct.
e. None of these are correct.
24. Which of the following is NOT a constitutive rule of communication?
a. Not turning off a cell phone before class starts is rude.
b. Using ALL CAPS in emails comes across as “shouting.”
c. Business emails must be answered within 24 hours.
d. Speaking on a cell phone during a movie is inconsiderate.
e. Wearing a suit is essential to demonstrating professionalism.
25. Gerda is really upset and she feels like throwing a temper tantrum, even though she’s 20 years old. Disregarding the
social inappropriateness of her behavior, Gerda beats a door and then kicks it while in a public area. In this instance,
Gerda’s behavior was motivated by which aspect of herself?
a. Me
b. I
c. Symbolic self
d. True self
e. Affective self
26. According to Mead, because of the ________, we can monitor our impulses so that we conform to social norms.
a. Me
b. I
c. symbolic self
d. true self
e. affective self
27. What does it mean for language to be ambiguous?
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a. Words are not concrete or tangible.
b. The meanings of words are not clear-cut.
c. People generally agree on what words mean.
d. Words are not intrinsically connected to what they represent.
e. The meanings of words remain stable over time.
28. Hate speech is language that
a. highlights people’s flaws and downplays their good qualities.
b. strongly slants perceptions and meanings.
c. radically dehumanizes members of a particular group.
d. is laden with values rather than being objective.
e. defines someone in terms of the characteristics of a group.
29. Some couples have a rule that prohibits the adults from arguing in front of their children. This is a(n) ________ rule.
a. intuitive
b. constitutive
c. comparative
d. regulative
e. constructive
30. “One day, I won’t have to worry about being single. One day, I’ll be married.” These statements illustrate how
symbols allow for
a. arbitrary thought.
b. loaded language.
c. hypothetical thought.
d. symbolic organization.
e. symbolic evaluation.
31. Which type of rule specifies how to interpret different kinds of communication?
a. Intuitive
b. Constitutive
c. Comparative
d. Regulative
e. Constructive
32. In general, masculine-gender speech communities follow this communication rule:
a. use talk cooperatively.
b. be expressive.
c. include others in conversations.
d. use talk to accomplish practical goals.
e. show caring through speaking.
33. Symbols are
a. arbitrary, ambiguous, and abstract.
b. ambiguous, abstract, and attributive.
c. abstract, attributive, and analytical.
d. attributive, analytical, and arbitrary.
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e. analytical, arbitrary, and ambiguous.
34. ________ language tends to be accusatory and abstract.
a. I
b. You
c. We
d. They
e. Me
35. “When you said my idea was stupid, I felt hurt” is an example of ________ language.
a. I
b. You
c. We
d. They
e. Me
36. The five symbolic abilities described in your textbook are
a. I, Me, We, She, and He.
b. clarification, understanding, restructuring, continuity, and closure.
c. definition, punctuation, interpretation, subjectivity, and self-concept.
d. definition, evaluation, organization, hypothetical thought, self-reflection.
e. circular, rectangular, oval, triangular, and octagonal.
37. The husband nags at his wife because she withdraws from him. The wife withdraws, because she feels that her
husband is pushing her to be closer than she wants to be. The difference between how the husband and wife see their
communication behaviors is due to differences in
a. abstraction.
b. punctuation.
c. regulative rules.
d. constitutive rules.
e. ambiguity.
38. Which of the following is NOT a regulative rule of interpersonal communication?
a. You should not speak when others are speaking.
b. Don’t speak with your mouth full.
c. Only speak when called upon.
d. Speaking is a way to show you care about issues.
e. When the other person pauses, it’s your turn to speak.
39. A cornerstone of effective interpersonal communication is
a. ensuring that we give responsibility to the speaker for how we feel.
b. respecting what others say about what they feel and think.
c. making certain to abide by the rules of all speech communities.
d. assuming an understanding of how others feel and think.
e. clearly telling others when their feelings are unacceptable or inappropriate.
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40. The theory of linguistic determinism states that
a. language determines who we associate with.
b. language determines what we can perceive and think.
c. we are predestined to speak a certain language.
d. the rules of language are clearly defined across situations.
e. linguists are the only ones who can develop language.
41. When we respond to a person as if one label fully represents who that person is, we are
a. loading.
b. monitoring.
c. abstracting.
d. determining.
e. totalizing.
42. To take responsibility for your own feelings, rely on ________ language.
a. I
b. You
c. We
d. They
e. Me
43. Which technique involves reminding ourselves that our evaluations of people apply only to specific times and
circumstances?
a. Loading
b. Monitoring
c. Abstracting
d. Indexing
e. Totalizing
44. Which rules specify when, how, where, and with whom to talk about certain things?
a. Intuitive
b. Constitutive
c. Comparative
d. Regulative
e. Constructive
45. Your textbook states that respecting what others say about what they feel is a cornerstone of effective interpersonal
communication. Describe some strategies for respecting what others say and feel.
46. Why is it important that we don’t have to be aware of communication rules to follow them?
47. What is the linguistic determinism?
48. Describe the genesis of feminine and masculine speech communities and explain the kinds of rules for communicating
that each speech community instills in its members.
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49. Define static evaluation and explain what Chapter 4 suggested as a method of avoiding static evaluation in our
thinking. Provide a concrete example of the method in a real-life situation.
50. The author of your text argues that language is arbitrary, ambiguous, and abstract. Explain each of these terms and
their implications for our communication with others.
51. Meiko is not very good at communicating. How can you help her become a better verbal communicator?
52. What are constitutive rules? How do they differ from regulative rules? Be sure to give examples to illustrate your
points.
53. In Chapter 3, the chapter on perception and communication, the author stated that there is no intrinsic meaning in
phenomena but that humans actively construct meanings and attach values. In Chapter 4, the author argued that language
is powerful and that values inherent in the words we use shape our perceptions and those of others. Do these two
statements contradict one another? Craft your answer in relation to the notions of hate speech and loaded language. (Be
sure to distinguish between these two notions in your answer and provide concrete examples to support your point).
54. Give an example of punctuation and explain how punctuation shapes meaning.
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Answer Key
1. True
2. True
17. False
18. False
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26. a
27. b
28. c
29. d
30. c
31. b
32. d
33. a
34. b
35. a
36. d
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