Chapter 1

1.  Context has no effect on the meaning of a communicated message.
a. True
*b. False

2.  Communication is interpreted at both the content and the relational levels.
*a. True
b. False

3.  The perspective of “communication as action” defines communication as occurring only if information is exchanged between two or more individuals.
a. True
*b. False

4.  Symbols are always constant in meaning from one cultural context to the next.
a. True
*b. False

5.  We tend to speak differently with different people, such as with parents or our boss.
*a. True
b. False

6.  Everyday conversations create and maintain various aspects of our lives.
*a. True
b. False

7.  Gender issues are neither negotiated through nor associated with communication.
a. True
*b. False

8.  A communicative “frame” provides a definition of a scenario.
*a. True
b. False

Type: E
9.  Explain how everyday conversations create, maintain, or challenge one of the following: culture, gender, sexuality, ethnicity, meaning, or reality.
*a. Everyday communication is not always memorable, but it constitutes a person's life, and it creates, maintains, challenges, and alters relationships and identities as well as culture, gender, sexuality, ethnicity, meaning, and even reality. It is through routine, seemingly mundane everyday communication that major portions of a person's life take shape.

Type: E
10.  Explain why the perspective of “communication as action” is limited in its usefulness.
Ans:  The perspective of “communication as action” implies that communication has taken place whenever there has been an attempt to send a message. However, this perspective does not take into account whether or not the message has been successfully received or understood.

Type: E
11.  Explain why it can be problematic to interpret a symbol correctly in a communicated message.
*a. Symbols are arbitrary by nature and do not always depict what they represent (for instance, a heart symbol does not look like a real human heart). Also, symbols can have levels of meaning (for instance, a heart can reflect love, affection, or attraction). In addition, symbols can vary according to the culture and context in which they are used or according to the relationship between speaker and listener.

Type: E
12.  Explain how communication can be both representational and presentational.
*a. Communication is representational in that it can represent or convey facts and information in a more objective manner; however, it is also presentational in that most speakers also are giving their perspective on a particular issue. In other words, communication can strategically report information in such a way that it puts a speaker's preferred “spin” on the subject.

Type: E
13.  Explain the constitutive approach to communication.
*a. Communication brings into existence something that has not been there before and does not just construct meanings. Relationships are created, cultures are created, genders are created, ethnicities are created, sexualities are created, and realities are created through communication. These creations are also maintained, negotiated, challenged, and altered through communication.

14.  Signs are/can be
A.  Consequences of something specific
B.  Indicators of something specific
C.  Not changeable by arbitrary actions or labels
*D.  All of the above

15.  The way in which symbols take on meaning in a social context or society as they are used over time is known as
A.  Symbolic knowledge
B.  Presentational
*C.  Social construction
D.  None of the above

16.  The following may be said about relationships and communication
A.  Communication affects relationships, but relationships cannot affect communication.
B.  Relationships between people most often are always openly expressed.
C.  Relationships are communication interactions only between two people.
*D.  Relationships are assumed each time you communicate with someone.

17.  In an encounter, which of the following issues is/are being negotiated?
*A.  Gender, status, power, and politeness
B.  Gender and status only
C.  Power and politeness only
D.  Gender and politeness only

18.  The perspective that “communication is action” is limited because
A.  It fails to account for the correct timing of a message.
*B.  It fails to account for the receipt of a message.
C.  It fails to account for the correct length of a message.
D.  It fails to account for the attempt to communicate a message.

19.  The perspective that “communication is interaction” is limited because
A.  It fails to account for the correct timing of a message.
B.  It fails to account for the exchange of information between two or more individuals.
C.  It fails to account for the exchange of information between a sender and receiver.
*D.  It fails to fully capture what happens when people communicate

20.  The perspective of 'communication as transaction' is more accurate than other perspectives because
A.  It accounts for the correct timing of a message.
B.  It accounts for the exchange of information between two or more individuals.
*C.  It accounts for the creation of shared meanings and understandings through communication.
D.  It accounts for the intention to send a message.

21.  The use of symbols in communication is complicated because
A.  Symbols have only one meaning.
*B.  Symbols have multiple meanings.
C.  Symbols are not affected by culture and context.
D.  Symbols are not representational.

22.  Which of the following is/are true of symbols?
A.  Symbols are arbitrary representations of something else.
B.  Symbols can be different in different cultures.
C.  Strangers to a culture may need extra help understanding symbols.
*D.  All of the above

23.  A symbol can be which of the following?
A.  A movement
B.  A picture
C.  A logo
*D.  All of the above

24.  Which of the following is true of symbols and communication?
A.  Symbols have the potential for only one meaning.
B.  Symbols are used to deflect meaning.
*C.  The meaning applied to symbols may change.
D.  Symbols preclude meaning.

25.  Communication is presentational because it is
*A.  Never neutral
B.  Always objective
C.  Not always effective
D.  Always effective

26.  Frames can enhance communication by
A.  Helping to open up unlimited meanings
B.  Helping to determine outcomes
*C.  Helping to draw a boundary around the conversation
D.  Helping to completely terminate communication interactions

27.  One characteristic of framing in communication is that
A.  Every part of the message must be explicitly stated.
*B.  Frames pull attention toward certain things and away from others.
C.  Every part of the message can be ignored.
D.  Not every part of the message can be ignored.

28.  The means through which a message is conveyed is the
A.  Message
B.  Module
C.  Method
*D.  Medium

29.  A medium may be which of the following?
A.  Text message
B.  E-mail
C.  Smoke signals
*D.  All of the above

30.  People make decisions about what symbols are used and how these symbols should be interpreted through
*A.  Framing assumptions
B.  Only verbal messages
C.  Only nonverbal messages
D.  None of the above

31.  Communication frames are based in part on a person's perspectives of
A.  Situations
B.  Relationships with others
C.  Neither situations nor relationships with others
*D.  Both situations and relationships with others

32.  In order for people to communicate successfully, they must have
A.  Unlimited time
B.  Financial resources
*C.  Shared meanings
D.  No relationship

33.  Which of the following is/are created through communication?
A.  Ethnicities
B.  Sexualities
C.  Realities
*D.  All of the above