197
Chapter 1
Multiple-Choice Items
1. Monica and Chandler have an argument over whose turn it is to do clean their house. In the
. –
centered moron. e made up, Chandler tries to apologize to Monica.
However, Monica is still hurt and complains that no matter what Chandler says now he must
realize that:
A. interpersonal communication is unrepeatable
B. interpersonal communication is irreversible
C. interpersonal communication is complicated
D. interpersonal communication is inescapable
E. None of these
2. Britney and Kevin have been dating for over five years. They constantly talk about how
many children they want and where they will live in the future. This is an example of how
interpersonal _______________.
A. communication is unintentional
B. communication is irreversible
C. communication is transactional
D. communication develops and sustains relationships
E. none of these
3. Sally is unhappy with Sam because he left his dirty laundry on the floor instead of putting it
ther fight about laundry, she
This is an example of which principle of interpersonal communication? A.
Interpersonal communication is irreversible
B. Metacommunication affects meanings
C. You cannot NOT communicate
D. Interpersonal communication is not a panacea
E. Interpersonal communication effectiveness can be learned
198
4. An example of psychological noise is
A. poor health
B. being preoccupied with a problem
C. cigarette smoke in a crowded room
D. fatigue
E. poor sound
5. An example of physiological noise is
A. puppies
B. being preoccupied with a problem
C. cigarettes
D. fatigue
E. poor sound
6. Shay-Nay talks with a different accent and most people cannot understand her. This is an
example of what kind of noise?
A. preoccupied
B. physical
C. physiological
D. psychological
E. semantic
7. Jen and Mark have been happily married. Recently, Mark had an affair. He tried to tell
Mark says to her, she is very upset and cannot get over his betrayal. This is indicative of
how interpersonal:
A. communication is unintentional
B. communication is irreversible
C. communication is transactional
D. communication is unrepeatable
E. communication is not a panacea
199
8. Ning believes that she will never be able to take public speaking, because she does not have a
A. communication is unintentional
B. communication is irreversible
C. communication is transactional
D. communication is unrepeatable
E. communication effectiveness can be learned
9. According to the book, all of the following are guidelines for interpersonal communication
competence EXCEPT:
A. develop a range of skills
B. adapt communication appropriately
C. engage in dual perspective
D. use your imagination when communicating with others
E. commit to ethical communication
10. Communication about communication is:
A. Metacommunication
B. Channel
C. Noise
D. Summacommunication
E. Multicommunication
11. The author of your text argues that:
A. self-actualization needs are the most important ones that we fulfill through
communication.
B. our self-esteem is shaped by how others communicate with us.
C. belonging needs are not essential to everyone, as eed
others to enjoy life.
D. physical needs cannot be met by communicating with others.
E. safety needs must be met through activities such as installing new locks for our
homes or purchasing weapons for self-protection.
200
12.
parents are addressing her ____ needs.
A. self-actualization
B. safety
C. belonging
D. self-esteem
E. physical
13. This psychologist first described a hierarchy of human needs.
A. Wilbur Schramm
B. Claude Shannon
C. Abraham Maslow
D. Warren Weaver
E. Julia Wood
14.
A. between persons.
B. with persons.
C. innermost self.
D. coming from the person.
E. about persons.
15. As Jenema is walking in a mall, a homeless person approaches her and asks for money.
Jenema keeps walking without speaking to or looking at the person. The relationship between
Jenema and the homeless person is
A. I You
B. I Thou
C. I It
D. I ME
E. I Us
16. ____ models of communication view communication as flowing only in one direction, from
sender to receiver.
A. Transactional
B. Linear
C. Relational
D. Interactive
E. Metacommunicative
17. ____ models of communication highlight the dynamic nature of interpersonal
communication.
A. Transactional
B. Linear
C. Relational
D. Interactive
E. Metacommunicative
18. Miguel tries to conc
problem. His preoccupation with his personal problem is an example of ____ noise
A. psychological
B. physical
C. semantic
D. syntactic
E. behavioral
19. Which of the following is NOT one of the general dimensions of relationship-level
meanings?
A. responsiveness
B. content
C. liking
D. power
E. affection
20. Symbols such as ;-) or :-( are called _____ and are used to convey inflection and nonverbal
features of communication.
A. metacommunication
B. emoticons
C. conveyors
D. illustrators
E. distortion
21.
nt is an example of:
A. metacommunication.
B. emoticons.
C. conveyors.
D. illustrators.
E. distortion.
22. According to research discussed in Chapter 1, for intimates, talking about a vision of a
shared future
A. is one of the most powerful ties that link people.
B. is uncommon in romantic relationships.
C.
D. provides a way for partners to communicate in secret code.
23. The author argues that most of us take ___ for granted.
A. affection
B. content
C. belonging
D. responsiveness
E. socialization
24. Sharpay notices that she is the only person who has not spoken in a group conversation. She
eaks
up. Sharpay
an example of:
A. irreversibility.
B. monitoring.
C. person-centeredness.
D. systemic thinking.
E. content-level meaning.
25. Love
A. Self-actualization
B. Safety and Protection Needs
C. Belonging Needs
D. Self-esteem
E. Physical Needs
True-False Items
1. Most of us take socialization for granted.
2. All of our communication involves personal interaction.
3. The transactional model of interpersonal communication emphasizes the dynamism of
interpersonal communication and the multiple roles people assume during the process.
4. Online communication provides a context for effectively monitoring our interactions with
others.
5. According to a nationwide poll, a majority of people perceive communication problems
as the number one reason marriages fail.
6. The majority of our interactions involve I It communication.
7. Humans generally do not focus on higher (more abstract) needs until more basic needs
are first met.
8. Egocentric people cannot take the perspectives of others.
9. William Schutz (1966) developed the interpersonal needs theory.
10. The interpersonal needs theory asserts that we create and sustain relationships to meet
three basic needs, which are affection, inclusion, and pleasure.
11. Research shows that exposure to students from a range of backgrounds is one of the best
predictors of whether first-year college students return for a second year.
12. The likelihood of meeting the needs Maslow discussed depends on our ability to
participate effectively in a very diverse social world.
13. A 2010 national survey of employers reported that 89% of employers consider that
college students should focus on learning to communicate effectively and orally in
writing in order to be successful professionally.
14. The early linear communication models were faultless
15. The transactional model recognizes that noise is absent throughout interpersonal
communication.
16. In I It communication, we do not acknowledge the humanity of other people; we may not
even affirm their existence.
17. Physiological noise is distraction caused by hunger, fatigue, headaches, medications, and
other factors that affect how we feel and think.
18. Psychological noise refers to qualities in us that affect how we communicate and how we
interpret others.
205
19. Physical noise is interference in our environments, such as noises made by others, overly
dim or bright lights, spam and pop-up ads, extreme temperatures, and crowded
conditions.
20. At the deepest level, interpersonal communication involves engaging others as
individuals who are unlike anyone else.
Identification Items
1. Metacommunication
2. Feedback
3. Content and relational levels of meaning in interpersonal communication
4. Dual perspective
5. Systemic
6. I-Thou relationships
7. Models of interpersonal communication
8. Model
9. I-You Communication
10. Semantic noise
11. Ethics
12. Monitoring
13. Interpersonal communication competence
14. I-It communication
15. Symbols
Essay Items
1. Write out the textbook definition of interpersonal communication. Using a personal
example, explain the various parts of the definition.
2. Compare and contrast what happens in one of your I-You relationships with what happens in
one of your I-Thou relationships.
3. Define the relational level of meaning in interpersonal communication. Describe and provide
an example of each dimension of relational-level meanings, as described by Martin Buber.
4. Briefly describe each of the three models of communication discussed in the text and identify
the strengths and limitations of each model.
5. What are some guidelines for interpersonal communication competence?
6. Choose three of the communication principles stated in the text. Use personal experiences to
explain why you agree or disagree with them.
7. Abraham Maslow identified five human needs. The author of your textbook added a sixth
need. Identify this sixth need and explain why this need is important to life in a diverse
society.
8. The author of your textbook states that interpersonal communication involves ethical choices.
Define ethics and explain why interpersonal communication involves ethical choices,
especially in relation to other interpersonal communication principles.
9. Describe the four kinds of noise and give examples of each kind of noise.
10. Briefly describe each of the eight principles of communication.
Rejoinders
Multiple-Choice Items
True-False Items
Identification Items
Essay Items