Questions and Answers |
COM 325 Week 1 - Quiz:
2026 Update | 100% Correct.
Foundations of Conflict Communication
Question 1
Study circle's rules that facilitate listening in discussions of controversial topics include:
A) disagreements should not be expressed verbally
B) everyone should speak as much as they wish
C) listening to find flaws in others' arguments
D) listening to understand and find areas of agreement
Rationale: Study circles emphasize listening to understand and find common ground
rather than seeking flaws or dominating conversation .
Question 2
Which of the following is the best way to respond to periods of silence when listening?
A) Allow the speaker to reflect, deal with emotions, or perhaps be motivated by
the silence
B) Ask the speaker to explain why they aren't speaking
C) Explain that the silence makes you uncomfortable
D) Understand that the silence means the speaker has said all there is to say
Rationale: Periods of silence may help the speaker reflect, deal with emotions, or be
motivating to continue speaking. Listeners should not fear silence .
Question 3
Which of the following facilitates listening for conflict management?
,A) Don't allow uncomfortable periods of silence
B) Don't ask the speaker to define words the listener doesn't understand
C) Ignore the feelings underlying the speaker's messages
D) Make frequent summaries of facts and issues
Rationale: Summarizing facts and issues helps ensure understanding and demonstrates
active listening during conflict situations .
Question 4
Constructive conflict in organizations can result in:
A) increased motivation and productivity
B) participants focusing on hurting or annihilating each other
C) losing sight of their original goals
D) resistance to change weakened group cohesiveness
Rationale: Constructive conflict can enhance motivation and productivity when
managed effectively, unlike destructive conflict which harms relationships and goals .
Question 5
The first stage of effective listening is:
A) Interpreting
B) Evaluating
C) Responding
D) Receiving
Rationale: The listening process begins with receiving the message before any
interpretation or evaluation can occur .
Question 6
Which communication principle states that "one cannot not communicate" in face-to-
face settings?
,A) The principle of symbolic communication
B) The principle of communication as inevitable
C) The principle of intentionality
D) The principle of content versus relational information
Rationale: This foundational principle recognizes that all behavior communicates, even
silence or inaction .
Question 7
The three types of goals in interpersonal communication are:
A) Self-presentational, relational, and instrumental
B) Personal, social, and professional
C) Verbal, nonverbal, and written
D) Primary, secondary, and tertiary
Rationale: These three goal types represent the image we want to convey, the social
ties we desire, and task-related objectives .
Question 8
Identity management refers to:
A) The person we think we are
B) The process people use to project and maintain a positive image to others
C) How groups shape individual behavior
D) The feedback we receive from others
Rationale: Identity management involves strategically presenting ourselves to others to
maintain desired images .
Question 9
According to the dramaturgical perspective:
, A) Communication is always honest and transparent
B) The world is a stage, people are actors, and we enact performances for
particular audiences
C) Identity is fixed and unchanging
D) Only verbal communication matters
Rationale: This perspective, derived from Goffman's work, views social interaction as
theatrical performance where we manage impressions .
Question 10
Politeness theory focuses on:
A) The content of messages
B) How people manage and save face using communication
C) Nonverbal cues only
D) Power dynamics in organizations
Rationale: Brown and Levinson's politeness theory examines facework strategies people
use to protect their own and others' face .
Question 11
Uncertainty Reduction Theory suggests that:
A) People seek to increase uncertainty in relationships
B) The driving force in initial encounters is obtaining information to reduce
uncertainty
C) Uncertainty is always negative
D) People never reduce uncertainty
Rationale: This theory posits that uncertainty reduction is a primary motivation in initial
interactions with others .
COM 325 Week 1 - Quiz:
2026 Update | 100% Correct.
Foundations of Conflict Communication
Question 1
Study circle's rules that facilitate listening in discussions of controversial topics include:
A) disagreements should not be expressed verbally
B) everyone should speak as much as they wish
C) listening to find flaws in others' arguments
D) listening to understand and find areas of agreement
Rationale: Study circles emphasize listening to understand and find common ground
rather than seeking flaws or dominating conversation .
Question 2
Which of the following is the best way to respond to periods of silence when listening?
A) Allow the speaker to reflect, deal with emotions, or perhaps be motivated by
the silence
B) Ask the speaker to explain why they aren't speaking
C) Explain that the silence makes you uncomfortable
D) Understand that the silence means the speaker has said all there is to say
Rationale: Periods of silence may help the speaker reflect, deal with emotions, or be
motivating to continue speaking. Listeners should not fear silence .
Question 3
Which of the following facilitates listening for conflict management?
,A) Don't allow uncomfortable periods of silence
B) Don't ask the speaker to define words the listener doesn't understand
C) Ignore the feelings underlying the speaker's messages
D) Make frequent summaries of facts and issues
Rationale: Summarizing facts and issues helps ensure understanding and demonstrates
active listening during conflict situations .
Question 4
Constructive conflict in organizations can result in:
A) increased motivation and productivity
B) participants focusing on hurting or annihilating each other
C) losing sight of their original goals
D) resistance to change weakened group cohesiveness
Rationale: Constructive conflict can enhance motivation and productivity when
managed effectively, unlike destructive conflict which harms relationships and goals .
Question 5
The first stage of effective listening is:
A) Interpreting
B) Evaluating
C) Responding
D) Receiving
Rationale: The listening process begins with receiving the message before any
interpretation or evaluation can occur .
Question 6
Which communication principle states that "one cannot not communicate" in face-to-
face settings?
,A) The principle of symbolic communication
B) The principle of communication as inevitable
C) The principle of intentionality
D) The principle of content versus relational information
Rationale: This foundational principle recognizes that all behavior communicates, even
silence or inaction .
Question 7
The three types of goals in interpersonal communication are:
A) Self-presentational, relational, and instrumental
B) Personal, social, and professional
C) Verbal, nonverbal, and written
D) Primary, secondary, and tertiary
Rationale: These three goal types represent the image we want to convey, the social
ties we desire, and task-related objectives .
Question 8
Identity management refers to:
A) The person we think we are
B) The process people use to project and maintain a positive image to others
C) How groups shape individual behavior
D) The feedback we receive from others
Rationale: Identity management involves strategically presenting ourselves to others to
maintain desired images .
Question 9
According to the dramaturgical perspective:
, A) Communication is always honest and transparent
B) The world is a stage, people are actors, and we enact performances for
particular audiences
C) Identity is fixed and unchanging
D) Only verbal communication matters
Rationale: This perspective, derived from Goffman's work, views social interaction as
theatrical performance where we manage impressions .
Question 10
Politeness theory focuses on:
A) The content of messages
B) How people manage and save face using communication
C) Nonverbal cues only
D) Power dynamics in organizations
Rationale: Brown and Levinson's politeness theory examines facework strategies people
use to protect their own and others' face .
Question 11
Uncertainty Reduction Theory suggests that:
A) People seek to increase uncertainty in relationships
B) The driving force in initial encounters is obtaining information to reduce
uncertainty
C) Uncertainty is always negative
D) People never reduce uncertainty
Rationale: This theory posits that uncertainty reduction is a primary motivation in initial
interactions with others .
