SPC 3301 EXAM 1 QUESTIONS WITH VERIFIED
ANSWERS
Definition of a goal - Answers - Cognitive representation of a desired end-state, an
expression of what you want to have happen as a result of a course of action
Goal directed behavior - Answers - any behavior that is aimed at achieving a particular
end-state, ex. Studying for a test
Interpersonal Goals - Answers - a goal that requires the cooperation of another person
3 types of interpersonal goals - Answers - o Self-presentation
o Relationship
o Instrumental
o Self-presentation Goals - Answers - involve how we want to be perceived by another
person, ex. Appear likeable or maybe unlikeable depending on situation
o Relationship goals - Answers - involve the state of the relationship between the
speaker and listener, ex. Intimacy, power and control
o Instrumental goals - Answers - directly related to completing the task the speaker has
in mind- the point/purpose of the conversation, ex. Things you want from another
person, not their affection though
Properties of Goals - Answers - • People manage multiple goals simultaneously
• Ex. Asking for a person's phone number
Tricky Situations - Answers - • Sometimes achieving one goal contradicts or interferes
with achieving your other goals.
• Ex. Ending a long term relationship
o Instrumental: complete the conversation quickly/causing as little pain as possible to
the other person/avoid drama
o Relational: reduce intimacy
o Self-presentation: appear like a caring, unselfish, person
Typical Strategies when dealing w/ tricky situations - Answers - 1. Use multiple
message parts each designed to achieve one of the goals
2. Focus on only one goal and ignore others
3. Go "off the record" by communicating indirectly or by changing the subject
, 4. Use a message that changes the situation so that the goals are no longer
contradictory
(SMCR) Model of Communication - Answers - Sender/Message/Channel/Receiver
Recent Modifications of SMCR - Answers - o Messages are constantly being sent back
and forth between sender and receiver
o Sender and receiver are both experiencing different cultural situations
MAJOR Problems with SMCR: - Answers - Assumes the "container" model of
communication
o Container model assumes the meaning of a message is contained in the message
o Problem: there is not enough information in the message to understand the speaker's
meaning
Container problem ex 1 - Answers - Does anyone know a good place for nails? Assume
she is talking about finger nails not actual nails** Problem of Disambiguation... nothing
in the message to tell you what she is asking about
Container problem ex 2 - Answers - It is 7PM and I am at Buffalo Wild Wings watching a
game when my wife texts me: "Our movie starts at 7:30" she seems to already be mad
**Problem of indirect meaning... say one thing but you mean another
Alternative to Container Model is the Strategic Inferential Model - Answers - 1. Purpose
of communication is to accomplish goals
2. People use words to get others to recognize their goals/intentions
3. We infer the other's goals/intentions by using our understanding of word meaning,
rules for using words, and our knowledge of the person and situation
4. SIM Solves both ambiguity and indirection problems
GOALS play a cental role in how communication works:
• - Answers - Goals motivate us to use words
• Goals influence the words we choose
• Coals, at least the assumption that a speaker is attempting to achieve a recognizable
goal, guides the interpretation of words a speaker uses
• Point of communicating is to get the listener to recognize the speaker's intention to
achieve some goal
Nonverbal Communication - Answers - nonlinguistic communication
• Vocal cures like pitch, rate, and volume
• Not writing or sign language since they both use words
3 general categories - Answers - • Intrinsic Cues
• Iconic Cues
• Arbitrary Cues
ANSWERS
Definition of a goal - Answers - Cognitive representation of a desired end-state, an
expression of what you want to have happen as a result of a course of action
Goal directed behavior - Answers - any behavior that is aimed at achieving a particular
end-state, ex. Studying for a test
Interpersonal Goals - Answers - a goal that requires the cooperation of another person
3 types of interpersonal goals - Answers - o Self-presentation
o Relationship
o Instrumental
o Self-presentation Goals - Answers - involve how we want to be perceived by another
person, ex. Appear likeable or maybe unlikeable depending on situation
o Relationship goals - Answers - involve the state of the relationship between the
speaker and listener, ex. Intimacy, power and control
o Instrumental goals - Answers - directly related to completing the task the speaker has
in mind- the point/purpose of the conversation, ex. Things you want from another
person, not their affection though
Properties of Goals - Answers - • People manage multiple goals simultaneously
• Ex. Asking for a person's phone number
Tricky Situations - Answers - • Sometimes achieving one goal contradicts or interferes
with achieving your other goals.
• Ex. Ending a long term relationship
o Instrumental: complete the conversation quickly/causing as little pain as possible to
the other person/avoid drama
o Relational: reduce intimacy
o Self-presentation: appear like a caring, unselfish, person
Typical Strategies when dealing w/ tricky situations - Answers - 1. Use multiple
message parts each designed to achieve one of the goals
2. Focus on only one goal and ignore others
3. Go "off the record" by communicating indirectly or by changing the subject
, 4. Use a message that changes the situation so that the goals are no longer
contradictory
(SMCR) Model of Communication - Answers - Sender/Message/Channel/Receiver
Recent Modifications of SMCR - Answers - o Messages are constantly being sent back
and forth between sender and receiver
o Sender and receiver are both experiencing different cultural situations
MAJOR Problems with SMCR: - Answers - Assumes the "container" model of
communication
o Container model assumes the meaning of a message is contained in the message
o Problem: there is not enough information in the message to understand the speaker's
meaning
Container problem ex 1 - Answers - Does anyone know a good place for nails? Assume
she is talking about finger nails not actual nails** Problem of Disambiguation... nothing
in the message to tell you what she is asking about
Container problem ex 2 - Answers - It is 7PM and I am at Buffalo Wild Wings watching a
game when my wife texts me: "Our movie starts at 7:30" she seems to already be mad
**Problem of indirect meaning... say one thing but you mean another
Alternative to Container Model is the Strategic Inferential Model - Answers - 1. Purpose
of communication is to accomplish goals
2. People use words to get others to recognize their goals/intentions
3. We infer the other's goals/intentions by using our understanding of word meaning,
rules for using words, and our knowledge of the person and situation
4. SIM Solves both ambiguity and indirection problems
GOALS play a cental role in how communication works:
• - Answers - Goals motivate us to use words
• Goals influence the words we choose
• Coals, at least the assumption that a speaker is attempting to achieve a recognizable
goal, guides the interpretation of words a speaker uses
• Point of communicating is to get the listener to recognize the speaker's intention to
achieve some goal
Nonverbal Communication - Answers - nonlinguistic communication
• Vocal cures like pitch, rate, and volume
• Not writing or sign language since they both use words
3 general categories - Answers - • Intrinsic Cues
• Iconic Cues
• Arbitrary Cues
