Chapter 12 – Communication Privacy Management Theory
Chapter 12
Communication Privacy Management Theory
Multiple Choice Questions
1. Over 30 years ago, Petronio and her colleagues published some studies outlining principles
that would eventually become part of Communication Privacy Management Theory. These
principles looked at
2. Originally, Petronio referred to her theory as a(n) _____ because its boundaries were
confined to privacy management within a marital dyad.
3. Which of the following is an assumption of Communication Privacy Management Theory?
4. Miranda is concerned about disclosing information about things that matter deeply to her to
her boss. Thus, she is wary of communicating _____ to her boss.
5. Which of the following is NOT one of the features of boundaries as discussed by Petronio?
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16. Which of the following statements accurately captures the main criticism of
Communication Privacy Management (CPM)?
17. Which of the following is a reason why the recency of Communication Privacy
Management is exciting?
18. How did Petronio’s earlier work on Communication Privacy Management differ from her
later conceptualization of the theory?
19. _____ refers to a criteria used for developing privacy rules that are “more resilient and often
function in the background.”
True/False Questions
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20. Communication Privacy Management Theory has its roots in economics.
21. Human beings, in Communication Privacy Management Theory, are viewed as choice
makers, rule makers, and rule followers.
22. Private disclosure puts more emphasis on the personal content of the disclosure than does
traditional self-disclosure literature.
23. Boundary ownership refers to a person’s decision to cross over appropriate relational
guidelines.
24. When private information is shared, the boundary around it is called a collective boundary.
25. Communication Privacy Management Theory is a dialectic theory, although it has been
criticized for reflecting more of a dualistic approach.
26. Petronio has argued that privacy can only be understood in a dialectical tension with
disclosure. If we disclose everything, we won’t have a concept of privacy.
Essay Questions
27. Explain the role of rules in Communication Boundary Management Theory. How are they
interpreted by Petronio and how do they function?
Answers will vary.
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28. Apply Communication Privacy Management Theory to online relationships.
Answers will vary.
29. How does boundary ownership exist in work relationships?
Answers will vary.
30. Differentiate between private disclosures and self-disclosures. Are they basically the same
or are they different? Use examples.
Answers will vary.
31. Define boundary turbulence and describe an instance in which you experienced it. What
adjustments were made in order to reduce turbulence and achieve coordination? Were they
effective? Why or why not?
Answers will vary.
32. How would you go about studying Communication Privacy Management in a particular
relationship or context? Formulate a hypothesis or research question based on the theory, and
describe your method for investigating it.
Answers will vary.