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Chapter 4
Multiple-Choice Items
1.
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.
2.
rised when many of the papers
are extended examples of personal thought instead of being analyses of observations of
words meant to her/him reflects the fact that language is:
A. arbitrary.
B. ambiguous.
C. abstract.
D. inherent.
E. objective.
3. Which is the most abstract term in the following examples?
A. Interpersonal Communication: Everyday Encounters
B. textbook
C. reading matter
D. literature
E. book
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4. In some face-to-face business meetings, employees are typically instructed to raise their
hands if they would like to make a point. This requirement is a (n) ____ rule.
A. intuitive
B. constitutive
C. comparative
D. regulative
E. constructive
5. Devin is surprised when his friend burps and belches after their dinner together. Devin says,
a
(n) ____ rule.
A. intuitive
B. constitutive
C. comparative
D. regulative
E. constructive
6. 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 e-mails comes across a
C. business email 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
7. Which of the following is NOT a regulative rule of interpersonal communication?
A. You should not speak when others are speaking.
B.
C. Only speak when called upon.
D. Speaking is a way to show you care about issues.
E. to speak.
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8. The wife nags at her husband because he constantly withdraws from her. The husband
withdraws, because he feels that his wife is nagging all the time. 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.
9.
statements illustrate how symbols allow for:
A. arbitrary thought.
B. loaded language.
C. hypothetical thought.
D. symbolic organization.
E. symbolic evaluation.
10.
years old. Disregarding the social inappropriateness of her behavior, Gerda beats a door and
which aspect of herself?
A. Me
B. I
C. symbolic self
D. true self
E. affective self
11. 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.
12.
A. I
B. You
C. We
D. They
E. Me
13. According to Mead, because of the ____ we can set goals for becoming the person we want
to be.
A. Me
B. I
C. symbolic self
D. true self
E. affective self
14. The theory of linguistic determinism states.
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
15. Communication rules tell us.
A. what to say
B. when to speak
C. how
D. all of the above
E. none of the above
16. 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
17. A cornerstone of effective interpersonal communication skills is.
A. ensuring that what we say is clearly heard by the listener
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
18. These rules specify how to interpret different kinds of communication. We learn what counts
as respect (paying attention), friendliness (smiles or smiley emoticons in online
communication), affection (kisses, hugs), and professionalism (punctuality, competence).
A. intuitive
B. constitutive
C. comparative
D. regulative
E. constructive
19. These rules specify when, how, where, and with whom to talk about certain things.
A. intuitive
B. constitutive
C. comparative
D. regulative
E. constructive
20. An example of these rules is when we understand that we can wear jeans and T-shirts to
class, but that different clothes are generally appropriate in our workplaces
A. intuitive
B. constitutive
C. comparative
D. regulative
E. constructive
21. To take responsibility for your own feelings, rely on ____language.
A. I
B. You
C. We
D. They
E. Me
21. ____ language tends to be accusatory and abstract.
A. I
B. You
C. We
D. They
E. Me
22. ____ language is more descriptive than you language.
A. I
B. You
C. We
D. They
E. Me
23. ____ language provides concrete descriptions of behaviors we dislike without directly
blaming the other person for how we feel.
A. I
B. You
C. We
D. They
E. Me
24. Some people feel awkward when they first start using this language.
A. I
B. You
C. We
D. They
E. Me
25. ____ language is more honest.
A. I
B. You
C. We
D. They
E. Me
26. Using ____ language allows you to own your own feelings while explaining to others how
you interpret their behaviors.
A. I
B. You
C. We
D. They
E. Me
27. ____ language may be acceptable or even appreciated when it conveys praise of
another.
A. I
B. You
C. We
D. They
E. Me
28. Qualities of symbols include all of the following except:
A. arbitrariness
B. ambiguity
C. abstraction
D. attribution
E. a & c
29. All of the following are five ways that symbolic abilities affect our lives except:
A. Definition
B. Evaluation
C. Organization
D. Self-Reflection
E. Self-Monitoring
30. According to your text, misunderstanding is less likely when we are conscious of
A. our I language
B. our you language
C. levels of abstraction
D. speech community
E. punctuation
1. We follow communication rules even when we are not consciously aware of them.
2. Symbols are neutral descriptions of phenomena.
3. The I and ME aspects of self are opposing forces.
4. Speech communities are not necessarily defined by geographic locations and boundaries.
5. Interaction punctuation can be objectively defined.
6.
7. Language is a primary tool that social movements use to change cultural life and
meanings.
8. As our symbols become increasingly abstract, the potential for confusion decreases.
9. According to Judi Miller (1993), children begin to understand and follow communication
rules as early as 1 to 2 years of age.
10. many
symbols have an agreed-upon range of meanings.
11. Couple counselor Aaron Beck (1988) reports that overly general language distorts how
partners think about a relationship.
12. Research shows that we are more likely to recall behaviors that are consistent with our
labels for people than behaviors that are inconsistent.
13. The informal style of writing common in e-mail, text messages, and social network
postings is beginning to affect writing in more formal contexts
14. Communication does not reflect cultural values and perspectives.
15. Cultural understandings of other sexual activities have been similarly reformed by the
coining of terms such as sexual harassment and marital rape, both of which characterize
activities previously perceived as acceptable.
16. Regulative rules do not vary across cultures and social groups, so what is acceptable in
one context may be regarded as inappropriate elsewhere.
17. Constitutive rules specify how to interpret different kinds of communication. We learn
what counts as respect (paying attention), friendliness (smiles or smiley emoticons in
online communication), affection (kisses, hugs), and professionalism (punctuality,
competence).
18. where, and
with whom we communicate about various things.
19. A study by Victoria DeFrancisco (1991) revealed a clear pattern between spouses, in
which husbands interrupted wives and were unresponsive to topics wives initiated. Both
husbands and wives were unaware of the rules, but their communication nonetheless
sustained the pattern.
20. A common instance of conflicting punctuation is the demand-withdraw pattern.
Identification Items
1. Symbols
2. Arbitrary
3. Constitutive rules
4. Punctuation
5. Totalizing
6. Speech communities
7. I language
8. Hate speech
9. Loaded language
10. Indexing
11. Abstract
12. You language
13. Linguistic determinism
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14. Static evaluation
15. Communication rules
Essay Items
1. 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.
2. 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.
3. In Chapter 3 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).
4. 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.
5. 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.
6. Meiko is not very good at communicating. How can you help her become a better verbal
communicator?
7. What are constitutive rules? How do they differ from regulative rules? Also, be sure to give
an example?
8.
9. What is the Whorf-Sapir View of language?
10. Give an example of punctuation and explain how punctuation shapes meaning.
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Rejoinders
Multiple-Choice Items
249
True-False Items
Identification Items
250
Essay Items
