CMN 122 Midterm 1 Exam and All
Correct Answers 2026 Updated.
How much of our meaning derives from nonverbal behavior? - Answer 60-65% of social
meaning derives from nonverbal behavior
When do we rely more heavily on verbal messages for meaning? - Answer Studies show that
adults often interpret messages by relying more on nonverbal than verbal cues. People also rely
more on nonverbal than verbal communication to send positive and negative messages to
relational partners, such as spouses, family members, or best friends. Verbal messages usually
account for most factual or persuasive messages
Why are nonverbal messages seen as more believable? - Answer Seen as more believable
than verbal messages because people view nonverbal behaviors as spontaneous expressions of
internal thoughts and feelings that reveal our "inner selves." When interpreting messages,
people often pay more attention to the visual channel, which includes facial expressions and
body movement, than to the verbal channel
What is the distinction between "behavior" & "communicative messages?" - Answer -
Messages stand for something other than themselves; behavior stands for itself
- To count as a communicative message, a behavior must be sent with intent or be interpreted
as meaning something (have social meaning)
-Not all behaviors constitute communicative messages
Attempted communication - Answer -occurs when a person intends to send a message, but
no one receives it.
Miscommunication - Answer -occurs when a person receiver interprets the message
incorrectly.
Successful communication - Answer occurs when a person intentionally sends a message.
Unattended behavior - Answer occurs when a behavior goes unnoticed by the receiver
Misinterpretation - Answer occurs when the person attaches the wrong meaning to an
unintended behavior
Accidental communication - Answer occurs when a person attaches the right meaning to
another person's unintentional behavior
, Kinesics - Answer -Messages sent by our bodies; gestures, posture, body movement, body
lean
-Messages sent by our faces; smiles, frowns, grimaces, pouts
-Eye behavior (oculesics): eye movement, eye contact, gaze aversion, pupil dilation
Appearance & Adornment - Answer -Physical appearance, smell (perfume/cologne), how you
dress, cosmetics, jewelry you use to adorn yourself, how you wear your hair
Vocalics - Answer HOW you say words, not WHAT you say; changes in speech rate, volume,
pitch, accent, pauses, hesitations
Proxemics - Answer -spatial communications, how you use space/territory, personal space
vs.territoriality (homes, cars we occupy)
Haptics - Answer -tactile communications, touch, grabbing, patting, hitting, hugging, kicking,
kissing
Time and place codes - Answer Communication through time (chronemics): punctuality, time
preferences
• Environmental cues: furniture arrangement, design, noise, color
Contexts that shape our interpretation of NV messages (3) - Answer -cultural
-relational
-situational
In Dillard & Sptizberg's study of social skills (p. 20), which NV behaviors were perceived to be
skillful or competent? - Answer Response latency, eye gaze, eye contact, smiles, head
movements, adaptors, volume, vocal variety, talk time
Know and understand the four fundamental dimensions of communication competence? (4) -
Answer -coordination
-attentiveness
-composure
-expressiveness
Coordination - Answer managing speaking turns, topic flow, initiating/terminating convo,
speaking fluency, follow-up comments
Correct Answers 2026 Updated.
How much of our meaning derives from nonverbal behavior? - Answer 60-65% of social
meaning derives from nonverbal behavior
When do we rely more heavily on verbal messages for meaning? - Answer Studies show that
adults often interpret messages by relying more on nonverbal than verbal cues. People also rely
more on nonverbal than verbal communication to send positive and negative messages to
relational partners, such as spouses, family members, or best friends. Verbal messages usually
account for most factual or persuasive messages
Why are nonverbal messages seen as more believable? - Answer Seen as more believable
than verbal messages because people view nonverbal behaviors as spontaneous expressions of
internal thoughts and feelings that reveal our "inner selves." When interpreting messages,
people often pay more attention to the visual channel, which includes facial expressions and
body movement, than to the verbal channel
What is the distinction between "behavior" & "communicative messages?" - Answer -
Messages stand for something other than themselves; behavior stands for itself
- To count as a communicative message, a behavior must be sent with intent or be interpreted
as meaning something (have social meaning)
-Not all behaviors constitute communicative messages
Attempted communication - Answer -occurs when a person intends to send a message, but
no one receives it.
Miscommunication - Answer -occurs when a person receiver interprets the message
incorrectly.
Successful communication - Answer occurs when a person intentionally sends a message.
Unattended behavior - Answer occurs when a behavior goes unnoticed by the receiver
Misinterpretation - Answer occurs when the person attaches the wrong meaning to an
unintended behavior
Accidental communication - Answer occurs when a person attaches the right meaning to
another person's unintentional behavior
, Kinesics - Answer -Messages sent by our bodies; gestures, posture, body movement, body
lean
-Messages sent by our faces; smiles, frowns, grimaces, pouts
-Eye behavior (oculesics): eye movement, eye contact, gaze aversion, pupil dilation
Appearance & Adornment - Answer -Physical appearance, smell (perfume/cologne), how you
dress, cosmetics, jewelry you use to adorn yourself, how you wear your hair
Vocalics - Answer HOW you say words, not WHAT you say; changes in speech rate, volume,
pitch, accent, pauses, hesitations
Proxemics - Answer -spatial communications, how you use space/territory, personal space
vs.territoriality (homes, cars we occupy)
Haptics - Answer -tactile communications, touch, grabbing, patting, hitting, hugging, kicking,
kissing
Time and place codes - Answer Communication through time (chronemics): punctuality, time
preferences
• Environmental cues: furniture arrangement, design, noise, color
Contexts that shape our interpretation of NV messages (3) - Answer -cultural
-relational
-situational
In Dillard & Sptizberg's study of social skills (p. 20), which NV behaviors were perceived to be
skillful or competent? - Answer Response latency, eye gaze, eye contact, smiles, head
movements, adaptors, volume, vocal variety, talk time
Know and understand the four fundamental dimensions of communication competence? (4) -
Answer -coordination
-attentiveness
-composure
-expressiveness
Coordination - Answer managing speaking turns, topic flow, initiating/terminating convo,
speaking fluency, follow-up comments
