COMM 243 FINAL Test Questions and
Complete Solutions Graded A+
(1) What are the two processes of communication? - Answer: Linear communication: one-way
(as in an email, where a message flows from sender to receiver)
Transactional communication: human interaction, communication as the simultaneous
sending/receiving of messages in an irreversible process
What makes an effective communicator? (11) - Answer: A wide range of behaviours, ability to
choose most appropriate behaviour, skill at performing behaviours, cognitive complexity,
empathy, self-monitoring, commitment, motivation, tolerance for ambiguity, open-mindedness,
knowledge + skill.
There is no "ideal" way to communicate, competence is situational.
What can communication NOT accomplish? - Answer: can not solve all problems such as
financial issues
Examine the benefits of interacting with others through social media - Answer: Can be an
effective way to keep in touch with people you can't see often (Chris Hadfield used in space), or
friends in different time zones/countries
Examine the challenges of interacting with others through social media - Answer: It does not
replace face-to-face interaction. Others can not interpret non-verbal cues and it can be easier to
share information since you aren't talking to a person directly (could be a benefit, but is
dangerous)
Define disinhibition - Answer: The tendency to transmit messages without considering their
consequences. People often post on social media without thinking through first
,What are the 2 dimensions that a message is communicated by - Answer: Content dimension
(what you say/mean) + Relational Dimension (the way you say it, tone)
What are the 5 characteristics of qualitative interpersonal relationships? - Answer: uniqueness,
irreplaceability, interdependence, disclosure and intrinsic rewards
Contrast quantitative and qualitative perspectives of communication - Answer: A quantitative
definition involves two individuals (a dyad) in impersonal communication, like that between a
clerk and a customer. A qualitative view entails much more (see previous question).
Communication is more personal, with the people involved treating one another as unique and
irreplaceable.
Assess physical needs that communication/contact attempts to satisfy in a relationship -
Answer: - skin-to-skin directly after birth lowers rates of some illnesses/diseases (SIDS)
- socially isolated people are more likely to get sick or die prematurely
Assess identity needs that communication attempts to satisfy in a relationship - Answer: -
learning if we are intelligent, creative, caring, skilled or inept comes by seeing how others react
to us
- "Wild Boy of Aveyron"
Assess social needs that communication attempts to satisfy in a relationship - Answer: - satisfies
a whole range of social needs including pleasure, affection, companionship, escape, relaxation
and control
- there is a strong link of interpersonal communication and happiness
Assess practical needs/needs that communication attempts to satisfy in a relationship - Answer:
- communication is most often used to satisfy our instrumental goals (goals aimed at getting
things done) such as telling your hair stylist what you want
,Describe Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs and explain each layer - Answer:
What is the main source of a sense of identity?
a. self-reflection
b. genetic inheritance
c. cultural background
d. interaction with others - Answer: d. interaction with others
Which of the following are social needs that people strive to fulfill by communicating?
a. identity and physical
b. control and affection
c. talking and listening
d. self-esteem and self-actualization - Answer: b. control and affection
Why is Maslow's hierarchy of needs important to the study of interpersonal communication?
a. Communication can help people meet each of these needs
b. Communication is one of the needs in the hierarchy.
c. People can't understand their needs without communication.
d. Maslow considered the need for communication as the sixth "hidden" need - Answer: a.
communication can help people meet each of these needs
Jessica sends an email to her Member of Parliament to communicate her concerns about an
issue. What is Jessica's action an example of?
a. linear communication
b. interactive communication
c. interpersonal communication
d. transactional communication - Answer: a. linear communication
, What are examples of communication misconceptions?
a. meanings are in words
b. a single person or event causes another's reaction
c. more communication is always better
d. all of the above - Answer: d. all of the above
True or False: The absence of communication can affect physical health in extremely negative
ways. - Answer: True
True or False: A conceptual model of communication is like a dynamic "motion picture."
Interpersonal communication, however, more closely resembles a static "snapshot" of reality. -
Answer: False
True or False: When people communicate, they are often both senders and receivers of
messages at the same time. - Answer: True
True or False: Your text promises that if you communicate skillfully enough, you should be able
to solve every problem you encounter. - Answer: False
True or False: It is impossible to repeat the same communication event. - Answer: True
What view of communication suggests that communicators simultaneously send and receive
messages?
a. linear
b. transactional
c. qualitative
d. quantitative - Answer: b. transactional
Complete Solutions Graded A+
(1) What are the two processes of communication? - Answer: Linear communication: one-way
(as in an email, where a message flows from sender to receiver)
Transactional communication: human interaction, communication as the simultaneous
sending/receiving of messages in an irreversible process
What makes an effective communicator? (11) - Answer: A wide range of behaviours, ability to
choose most appropriate behaviour, skill at performing behaviours, cognitive complexity,
empathy, self-monitoring, commitment, motivation, tolerance for ambiguity, open-mindedness,
knowledge + skill.
There is no "ideal" way to communicate, competence is situational.
What can communication NOT accomplish? - Answer: can not solve all problems such as
financial issues
Examine the benefits of interacting with others through social media - Answer: Can be an
effective way to keep in touch with people you can't see often (Chris Hadfield used in space), or
friends in different time zones/countries
Examine the challenges of interacting with others through social media - Answer: It does not
replace face-to-face interaction. Others can not interpret non-verbal cues and it can be easier to
share information since you aren't talking to a person directly (could be a benefit, but is
dangerous)
Define disinhibition - Answer: The tendency to transmit messages without considering their
consequences. People often post on social media without thinking through first
,What are the 2 dimensions that a message is communicated by - Answer: Content dimension
(what you say/mean) + Relational Dimension (the way you say it, tone)
What are the 5 characteristics of qualitative interpersonal relationships? - Answer: uniqueness,
irreplaceability, interdependence, disclosure and intrinsic rewards
Contrast quantitative and qualitative perspectives of communication - Answer: A quantitative
definition involves two individuals (a dyad) in impersonal communication, like that between a
clerk and a customer. A qualitative view entails much more (see previous question).
Communication is more personal, with the people involved treating one another as unique and
irreplaceable.
Assess physical needs that communication/contact attempts to satisfy in a relationship -
Answer: - skin-to-skin directly after birth lowers rates of some illnesses/diseases (SIDS)
- socially isolated people are more likely to get sick or die prematurely
Assess identity needs that communication attempts to satisfy in a relationship - Answer: -
learning if we are intelligent, creative, caring, skilled or inept comes by seeing how others react
to us
- "Wild Boy of Aveyron"
Assess social needs that communication attempts to satisfy in a relationship - Answer: - satisfies
a whole range of social needs including pleasure, affection, companionship, escape, relaxation
and control
- there is a strong link of interpersonal communication and happiness
Assess practical needs/needs that communication attempts to satisfy in a relationship - Answer:
- communication is most often used to satisfy our instrumental goals (goals aimed at getting
things done) such as telling your hair stylist what you want
,Describe Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs and explain each layer - Answer:
What is the main source of a sense of identity?
a. self-reflection
b. genetic inheritance
c. cultural background
d. interaction with others - Answer: d. interaction with others
Which of the following are social needs that people strive to fulfill by communicating?
a. identity and physical
b. control and affection
c. talking and listening
d. self-esteem and self-actualization - Answer: b. control and affection
Why is Maslow's hierarchy of needs important to the study of interpersonal communication?
a. Communication can help people meet each of these needs
b. Communication is one of the needs in the hierarchy.
c. People can't understand their needs without communication.
d. Maslow considered the need for communication as the sixth "hidden" need - Answer: a.
communication can help people meet each of these needs
Jessica sends an email to her Member of Parliament to communicate her concerns about an
issue. What is Jessica's action an example of?
a. linear communication
b. interactive communication
c. interpersonal communication
d. transactional communication - Answer: a. linear communication
, What are examples of communication misconceptions?
a. meanings are in words
b. a single person or event causes another's reaction
c. more communication is always better
d. all of the above - Answer: d. all of the above
True or False: The absence of communication can affect physical health in extremely negative
ways. - Answer: True
True or False: A conceptual model of communication is like a dynamic "motion picture."
Interpersonal communication, however, more closely resembles a static "snapshot" of reality. -
Answer: False
True or False: When people communicate, they are often both senders and receivers of
messages at the same time. - Answer: True
True or False: Your text promises that if you communicate skillfully enough, you should be able
to solve every problem you encounter. - Answer: False
True or False: It is impossible to repeat the same communication event. - Answer: True
What view of communication suggests that communicators simultaneously send and receive
messages?
a. linear
b. transactional
c. qualitative
d. quantitative - Answer: b. transactional
