Q&A Hero

Q: What is the difference between a contact and a noncontact culture?

Q: Jim chooses to invite two people he met in his English class over to watch a movie instead of going to a larger party with his fraternity brothers. He says, I feel like Im better one-on-one than I am in big groups. Jims decision is based on his sense of a. self-esteem. b. self-actualization. c. self-worth. d. self-efficacy.

Q: List and define the four methods of speech delivery. Describe any advantages or disadvantages each method holds for speakers. For each method, identify a context where that method of delivery would be appropriate. C = comprehension; D = 2

Q: People from individualist cultures behave differently in groups than people from collectivist cultures do.

Q: Define haptics and provide an example of a time you have used it to communicate with someone.

Q: This term refers to the way a person feels about himself or herself. a. self-concept b. self-esteem c. self-efficacy d. self-actualization

Q: Lindsay is a fairly typical student in an introductory speech class. Her anxiety about giving speeches is by no means crippling, but she doesnt feel especially confident about her abilities. Based on what youve learned in this chapter, what advice would you have to help Lindsay to build her self-confidence?

Q: Groups are more productive when they establish clear goals.

Q: Give an example of functional-professional touch you have either provided to a customer or client, or that you have received as a customer or client.

Q: Our tendency to internalize our admiration for film and TV stars, models, famous athletes, and political figures by comparing what we like about them to our own self-concept is addressed by which of the following theories? a. social comparison theory b. self-efficacy theory c. media interaction theory d. social penetration theory

Q: Briefly describe one of the pitfalls of using slideshows like PowerPoint. H = Presentation Software (p. 302); C = comprehension; D = 2

Q: Groups are usually less effective when the members take part in establishing the groups goals.

Q: List four of the five styles of touch that are categorized along Richard Heslins intimacy continuum.

Q: While getting ready to go out for a night on the town, your roommate says, You have a really great sense of style; you make any outfit look great. This compliment serves as __________, which you may choose to incorporate into your self-concept. a. self-actualization b. self-esteem c. direct evidence d. indirect evidence

Q: List three types of presentation aids you, as a speaker, have access to in your classroom. H = Types of Presentation Aids (pp. 300‒302); C = comprehension and application;

Q: While conflict can become a challenge to a group, it can also be helpful in preventing groupthink if it is managed effectively.

Q: Describe one element of the physical environment in your favorite public place to hang out with friends (a restaurant, caf, pub, etc.), and what that aspect of the environment communicates to patrons.

Q: Your awareness and understanding of who you are, as interpreted and influenced by your thoughts, actions, abilities, values, goals, and ideals, is referred to as your a. self-esteem. b. self-concept. c. self-actualization. d. self-efficacy.

Q: Imagine that you are a physician who will be making a speech presenting your findings regarding your medical research. How would you dress for the speech, and why?

Q: Groupthink refers to the positive outcome of group members putting their heads together.

Q: List the four spatial zones identified by Edward Hall and discussed in your textbook.

Q: Homophobia is an example of __________ based on negative __________ about gay and lesbian people. a. selective perception;stereotypes b. stereotyping; interactions c. prejudice; stereotypes d. racism; schemas

Q: A speaker who omits certain sounds in a word, runs words together, and speaks so softly that a listener can hardly hear what he or she is saying is guilty of what articulation problem?

Q: People waiting in line at the grocery store would be defined as a low-cohesion group.

Q: Identify one artifact you are using right now, and briefly describe what you believe it may be communicating about you to your classmates and professor.

Q: Which barrier to intercultural communication competence is considered to be the most severe because it involves deep-seated feelings of unkindness and ill will toward particular groups? a. stereotyping b. prejudice c. narrow perspective d. cultural myopia

Q: Why is it important for a speaker to vary the pitch of his or her voice?

Q: Less cohesive groups are usually more effective than more cohesive groups because there is less social loafing.

Q: A paralinguistic cue that gives information about the speakers emotional or physical state is referred to as a __________, and an example of one would be __________.

Q: Politicians lie, and young people are lazy are both examples of a. mindless assumptions. b. stereotypes. c. narrow perspectives. d. deconstructed schemas.

Q: Define extemporaneous delivery.

Q: A gatekeeper can help build cohesion in a group and minimize social loafing by ensuring that all members of the group have an opportunity to contribute.

Q: Define oculesics and provide an example of how someone would use it to communicate.

Q: Fitting our perceptions of individuals into our existing schemas without adjusting the schema adequately is referred to as a. prejudice. b. cultural myopia. c. ignorance. d. stereotyping.

Q: Give an example of a time when you might be required to give an impromptu speech.

Q: Information seekers create problems for a group because they bog down the groups progress toward accomplishing its goals.

Q: List four of the seven facial expressions that appear to be inborn, and that are exhibited across cultures as well as among people who are blind and have never had the opportunity to imitate others facial expressions.

Q: Failing to consider other cultural perspectives because of a belief that ones own culture is appropriate and relevant in all situations and to all people is associated with which term? a. stereotyping b. prejudice c. cultural myopia d. undue influence

Q: A television news anchor would probably use what method of speech delivery?

Q: In Josies family, her mom has the greatest amount of centrality. She is the one everyone shares information with, and she then makes sure everyone else who needs that information gets it. We would describe Josies family as having an all-channel network.

Q: Provide an example each of an illustrator and an affect display.

Q: What three recommendations have been made for improving perception? a. Verify your perceptions, be thoughtful when you seek explanations, and look beyond first impressions. b. Narrow your perspective, verify your perceptions, and be careful of stereotyping. c. Remove barriers to your perception, be mindful of others feelings, and consider your first impressions. d. Stick to the facts, ask questions, and adjust your perspective when needed.

Q: List two strategies a speaker can use to help build his or her confidence.

Q: Chain networks often lead to miscommunication when the information is shared through the oral channel.

Q: In the context of a job interview, provide an example of how an interviewee could use mimicry to create a sense of immediacy in his or her interaction with the interviewer.

Q: When Joe shows up late to meet his friends for dinner, he explains that he is late because he was held up in traffic. His friend Maggie reminds him, though, that they all drove in the same traffic, but that everyone else left early to accommodate the rush hour. The differences in their perception is best associated with a. mindlessness. b. interaction appearance theory. c. mindfulness. d. fundamental attribution error.

Q: What are the three common anxiety triggers your textbook discusses?

Q: The people in a group whose job it is to break up cliques (or coalitions) are called countercoalitions.

Q: Define immediacy as it would be communicated through nonverbal communication.

Q: Which theory helps explain how people change their attributions of someones physical appearance as they communicate with them more? a. interaction appearance theory b. fundamental attribution theory c. communication processing theory d. cultural myopia theory

Q: What is the difference between public speaking anxiety and communication apprehension?

Q: The development of coalitions within a group helps to facilitate communication.

Q: Using a brief example, illustrate how a communicator could use nonverbal behavior to accent a verbal message.

Q: Brianna is planning a vacation, and even though she really wants to go someplace quiet and relaxing, she has settled on a trip to Miami because her older sister told her she should go someplace with a great night life. Which of the following seems to be challenging Briannas perception? a. interaction appearance b. narrow perspective c. undue influence d. selective perception

Q: Define communication apprehension.

Q: Group members may feel less commitment to participate in a larger group in part because there are limited opportunities to contribute and the communication becomes less intimate.

Q: What is the difference between a nonverbal message that repeats a verbal message and one that complements a verbal message?

Q: Edgar, who is a communication major, finds himself frustrated by the number of times his professors say umm, mispronounce words, and use awkward gesturesso much so that he often misses the point of their lectures. Edgars perceptions are best attributed to which of the following? a. interaction appearance theory b. selective perception c. mindlessness d. fundamental attribution theory

Q: Speaking in front of a mirror is a foolproof way to view yourself from the audiences perspective while you practice.

Q: Adding even one person to a group can make the relationships between the group members more complex.

Q: Using one of your experiences, provide a brief example of a time when someones nonverbal behavior contradicted his or her verbal message, and you found the nonverbal message to be more believable.

Q: Reduced cognitive activity, inaccurate recall, and uncritical evaluation are all signs that a state of __________ is challenging ones perception. a. selective attention b. undue influence c. narrow perspective d. mindlessness

Q: The authors of your text recommend practicing your speech using the working outline, but to transition to the speaking outline for your presentation.

Q: Communication tends to be less formal in larger groups.

Q: Briefly explain why sign language would not be considered nonverbal communication.

Q: People sometimes feel uncertain in new situations where they do not know what to expect. This uncertainty develops because the person does not have a/an __________ to guide his or her perception of the new event. a. stereotype b. schema c. attribution d. context

Q: An effective way of using PowerPoint as a visual aid is to transfer all the details from the speaking outline to PowerPoint, because the speaker can read his or her notes from the screen instead of from hand-held notes.

Q: It is possible for a group to continue on without ever adjourning, or disbanding.

Q: __________ is an example of a nonvocal form for verbal communication that is often mistaken for nonverbal communication because of its reliance on gestural symbols rather than spoken words.

Q: Communication processing can be defined as a. the encoding and decoding of messages between two or more communicators. b. the use of technology such as cell phones or Internet chat programs to process and transmit information. c. the means by which you gather, organize, and evaluate the information you receive. d. putting chunks of information together to form patterns and create meaning at a more complex level.

Q: Another person could be used as a visual aid if a speaker wanted to use a live prop for demonstration purposes.

Q: It is during the forming stage that a leader tends to emerge within a group.

Q: Define nonverbal communication.

Q: A cognitive process through which we interpret our experiences and form our own unique understandings is best associated with which of the following terms? a. perception b. selecting information c. mindfulness d. communication

Q: Effective speeches involve a delivery style that reflects a conversation with, rather than a speaker talking to, his or her audience.

Q: Groups typically develop along a predictable path from forming to adjournment.

Q: The location or environment, the event, and the level of touch are all indicators that might help us determine the informal-formal dimension of the situational context.

Q: Describe a recent conflict you had with your roommate, a close friend, or your significant other. Apply the model of competent communication to this interaction to illustrate the elements of the model. How does considering the interaction through the lens this model provides help you understand the interaction differently than you might have before engaging in this analysis?

Q: Expressing genuine and appropriate emotion during a presentation can help a speaker connect with his or her audience on a personal level.

Q: Self-directed work teams are common in the modern workplace.