COMM 1300 FINAL EXAM QUESTIONS
AND ANSWERS
Interpretation - answer-assigning meaning to information that has been selected for
attention and organized
Attribution - answer-an explanation for an observed behavior
Locus - answer-where the cause of the behavior is "located" whether within or outside
ourselves
Self-serving bias - answer-the tendency to attribute one's successes to stable internal
causes + one's failures to unstable external causes
Fundamental attribution error - answer-the tendency to attribute others' behaviors to
internal rather than external causes
Self-concept - answer-the set of stable perceptions a person has about who he or she
is, aka identity
Johari window - answer-a visual representation of components of the self that are
known or unknown to the self and to others (open, hidden, blind, and unknown area)
Open area - answer-known to self and to others (name, sex)
Hidden area - answer-known to self only (insecurities and trauma)
Blind area - answer-others see in us, self is unaware
Unknown area - answer-not known to self or others
Image management - answer-the process of projecting one's desired public image
Language is symbolic - answer-each word represents a particular object or idea, and
does not constitute the object or idea itself
Denotative meaning - answer-the literal meaning of a word
Connotative meaning - answer-suggested meaning of a word
Semantic triangle - answer-portrays 3 necessary elements for identifying the meaning→
symbol (word), reference (connotative), and referent (denotative)
Loaded language - answer-words with strong positive or negative connotations
,Ambiguous language - answer-words that can have more than one meaning
Concrete words - answer-specific object in the physical world
Abstract words - answer-broader category or organizing concept of objects
Hayakawa's ladder of abstraction - answer-shows progression from more abstract to
more concrete
(living being → brother tim)
Clichés - answer-words/phrases that were novel at one time but have lost their effect
due to being overused (loses credibility)
Ways we use and abuse language - answer--humor
-euphemism
-slang
-defamation
-profanity
-hate speech
Dialects - answer-language variations shared by people of a certain region or social
class
Communication accommodation theory - answer-can enhance credibility by speaking in
a familiar dialect to the audience, diminish credibility when using a different dialect to
audience
Equivocation - answer-language that disguises the speaker's true intentions through
strategic ambiguity (used when in dilemma and no options are good)
Weasel words - answer-terms/phrases intended to mislead listeners by implying
something they don't actually say (making broad, unsupported generalizations)
Allness statements - answer-a statement implying that a claim is true without exception
Euphemism - answer-a vague, mild expression that symbolizes + substitutes for
something blunter/harsher (sugarcoating)
Slang - answer-informal and unconventional words often understood only within a
particular group (jargon)
Defamation - answer-language that harms a person's reputation/image
Profanity - answer-language considered vulgar, rude, or obscene
, Hate speech - answer-language used to degrade intimidate, or dehumanize specific
groups of people (traumatizes recipients and can incite physical violence)
Characteristics of nonverbal communication - answer-- present in most communication
contexts
- conveys more information than verbal communication
- believed over verbal communication
- primary means of expressing emotion
- metacommunicates
Functions of nonverbal behavior - answer-- helps manage conversations
- helps maintain relationships
- helps form impressions
- helps influence other people
- helps conceal information
Facial displays - answer-facial expressions that are an important source of information
in nonverbal communication, 3 important functions are revealing identity, signaling
attractiveness, and expressing emotion
Proxemics - answer-the study of the use of space
Intimate distance - answer-space shared with intimate friends, family members, and
romantic partners (0-18 inches)
Personal distance - answer-space shared with close friends and relatives (18 inches-4
feet)
Social distance - answer-space shared with casual acquaintances (4-12 feet)
Public distance - answer-space maintained during a public presentation (more than 12
feet)
Chronemics - answer-the use of time
Artifacts - answer-objects and visual features that reflect a person's identity and
preferences
Hearing - answer-the sensory process of receiving and perceiving sounds
Listening - answer-the active process of making meaning out of another person's
spoken message
Attending - answer-paying attention to someone's words well enough to understand
what that person is trying to communicate
AND ANSWERS
Interpretation - answer-assigning meaning to information that has been selected for
attention and organized
Attribution - answer-an explanation for an observed behavior
Locus - answer-where the cause of the behavior is "located" whether within or outside
ourselves
Self-serving bias - answer-the tendency to attribute one's successes to stable internal
causes + one's failures to unstable external causes
Fundamental attribution error - answer-the tendency to attribute others' behaviors to
internal rather than external causes
Self-concept - answer-the set of stable perceptions a person has about who he or she
is, aka identity
Johari window - answer-a visual representation of components of the self that are
known or unknown to the self and to others (open, hidden, blind, and unknown area)
Open area - answer-known to self and to others (name, sex)
Hidden area - answer-known to self only (insecurities and trauma)
Blind area - answer-others see in us, self is unaware
Unknown area - answer-not known to self or others
Image management - answer-the process of projecting one's desired public image
Language is symbolic - answer-each word represents a particular object or idea, and
does not constitute the object or idea itself
Denotative meaning - answer-the literal meaning of a word
Connotative meaning - answer-suggested meaning of a word
Semantic triangle - answer-portrays 3 necessary elements for identifying the meaning→
symbol (word), reference (connotative), and referent (denotative)
Loaded language - answer-words with strong positive or negative connotations
,Ambiguous language - answer-words that can have more than one meaning
Concrete words - answer-specific object in the physical world
Abstract words - answer-broader category or organizing concept of objects
Hayakawa's ladder of abstraction - answer-shows progression from more abstract to
more concrete
(living being → brother tim)
Clichés - answer-words/phrases that were novel at one time but have lost their effect
due to being overused (loses credibility)
Ways we use and abuse language - answer--humor
-euphemism
-slang
-defamation
-profanity
-hate speech
Dialects - answer-language variations shared by people of a certain region or social
class
Communication accommodation theory - answer-can enhance credibility by speaking in
a familiar dialect to the audience, diminish credibility when using a different dialect to
audience
Equivocation - answer-language that disguises the speaker's true intentions through
strategic ambiguity (used when in dilemma and no options are good)
Weasel words - answer-terms/phrases intended to mislead listeners by implying
something they don't actually say (making broad, unsupported generalizations)
Allness statements - answer-a statement implying that a claim is true without exception
Euphemism - answer-a vague, mild expression that symbolizes + substitutes for
something blunter/harsher (sugarcoating)
Slang - answer-informal and unconventional words often understood only within a
particular group (jargon)
Defamation - answer-language that harms a person's reputation/image
Profanity - answer-language considered vulgar, rude, or obscene
, Hate speech - answer-language used to degrade intimidate, or dehumanize specific
groups of people (traumatizes recipients and can incite physical violence)
Characteristics of nonverbal communication - answer-- present in most communication
contexts
- conveys more information than verbal communication
- believed over verbal communication
- primary means of expressing emotion
- metacommunicates
Functions of nonverbal behavior - answer-- helps manage conversations
- helps maintain relationships
- helps form impressions
- helps influence other people
- helps conceal information
Facial displays - answer-facial expressions that are an important source of information
in nonverbal communication, 3 important functions are revealing identity, signaling
attractiveness, and expressing emotion
Proxemics - answer-the study of the use of space
Intimate distance - answer-space shared with intimate friends, family members, and
romantic partners (0-18 inches)
Personal distance - answer-space shared with close friends and relatives (18 inches-4
feet)
Social distance - answer-space shared with casual acquaintances (4-12 feet)
Public distance - answer-space maintained during a public presentation (more than 12
feet)
Chronemics - answer-the use of time
Artifacts - answer-objects and visual features that reflect a person's identity and
preferences
Hearing - answer-the sensory process of receiving and perceiving sounds
Listening - answer-the active process of making meaning out of another person's
spoken message
Attending - answer-paying attention to someone's words well enough to understand
what that person is trying to communicate
