COMM 311 Midterm Exam 1 | Questions and
Answers with Explanations | 2026/27
Updated | 100% Correct - Queens University.
Practice Question Bank & Answer Rationale
THIS PACK CONTAINS
150 exam-style multiple-choice questions. Each question includes the correct answer and a complete
rationale for focused revision.
COVERAGE
COMM 311 Midterm Exam 1 assesses foundational and applied knowledge in communication theory,
research methods, and professional practice. The exam covers key domains including communication
models, verbal and nonverbal communication, interpersonal and group dynamics, organizational
communication, mass media effects, persuasion, intercultural communication, ethics, and research design.
Questions require application-level reasoning and integration of course concepts to real-world scenarios.
STUDY GUIDE
Recommended duration: 3 hours. Passing target: 70%.
HIGHP - Page 1 of 50
,1. Which communication model emphasizes that both parties simultaneously encode and
decode messages, challenging the linear view of communication?
[ ] A. Shannon-Weaver model
[ ] B. Transactional model
[ ] C. Interactive model
[ ] D. Linear model
CORRECT: B. Transactional model
The transactional model posits that communication is simultaneous and mutual, with both parties encoding
and decoding at the same time. The Shannon-Weaver and linear models are one-way, while the interactive
model adds feedback but still treats sender and receiver as alternating roles.
2. A team leader notices that members are hesitant to disagree during meetings. To
encourage diverse viewpoints, which strategy best addresses this communication
climate?
[ ] A. Assign a devil's advocate role to a different member each meeting.
[ ] B. Limit discussion time to avoid conflict.
[ ] C. Praise members who agree with the majority.
[ ] D. Discourage emotional expression.
CORRECT: A. Assign a devil's advocate role to a different member each meeting.
Assigning a rotating devil's advocate role institutionalizes dissent and reduces conformity pressure, fostering
a supportive climate. Limiting discussion, praising agreement, or discouraging emotion would suppress
diverse perspectives and reinforce groupthink.
3. Which of the following best illustrates the concept of 'cultivation theory' in media
effects?
[ ] A. A viewer immediately changes their vote after seeing a political ad.
[ ] B. Heavy television viewers develop a worldview that mirrors television's most repeated messages.
[ ] C. A person learns a new skill by watching a tutorial.
[ ] D. Media consumers actively select content that matches their existing beliefs.
CORRECT: B. Heavy television viewers develop a worldview that mirrors television's most repeated
messages.
Cultivation theory argues that long-term exposure to television shapes viewers' perceptions of reality to align
with televised messages. Immediate behavior change (A) is more consistent with direct effects or persuasion;
C is social learning; D is selective exposure.
HIGHP - Page 2 of 50
,4. In a study examining the relationship between social media use and loneliness, a
researcher finds a correlation of +0.65. Which interpretation is most accurate?
[ ] A. Increased social media use causes increased loneliness.
[ ] B. There is a strong positive association, but causation cannot be inferred.
[ ] C. Social media use explains 65% of the variance in loneliness.
[ ] D. The relationship is weak and not meaningful.
CORRECT: B. There is a strong positive association, but causation cannot be inferred.
A correlation of +0.65 indicates a strong positive association, but correlation does not imply causation. Option
C confuses the correlation coefficient with the coefficient of determination (r² = 0.42); A assumes causality; D
misjudges the strength.
5. Which of the following is a key ethical principle in communication research involving
human participants?
[ ] A. Deception is always prohibited.
[ ] B. Informed consent must be obtained unless waived by an IRB.
[ ] C. Participants must be paid for their time.
[ ] D. Confidentiality is optional if data are anonymized.
CORRECT: B. Informed consent must be obtained unless waived by an IRB.
Informed consent is a core ethical requirement, though IRBs may waive it under specific conditions (e.g.,
minimal risk). Deception is not always prohibited but must be justified and debriefed; payment is not
mandatory; confidentiality remains essential even with anonymization.
6. A speaker adjusts their language, tone, and examples to match the cultural norms of a
Japanese audience. This demonstrates which communication competence component?
[ ] A. Cognitive complexity
[ ] B. Intercultural communication competence
[ ] C. Self-monitoring
[ ] D. Empathy
CORRECT: B. Intercultural communication competence
Intercultural communication competence involves adapting messages appropriately to different cultural
contexts. While self-monitoring and empathy may facilitate this, the scenario specifically illustrates cultural
adaptation, which is the hallmark of intercultural competence.
7. In the elaboration likelihood model (ELM), which route to persuasion is most likely
when a receiver is highly motivated and able to process a message?
[ ] A. Peripheral route
[ ] B. Central route
HIGHP - Page 3 of 50
, [ ] C. Heuristic route
[ ] D. Systematic route
CORRECT: B. Central route
The central route involves careful scrutiny of message arguments and occurs when motivation and ability are
high. The peripheral route relies on cues; heuristic and systematic routes are from a different dual-process
model (HSM), though systematic processing overlaps with central route.
8. A manager sends an email to all staff about a new policy. Several employees
misinterpret the tone as harsh. This is primarily an example of which communication
challenge?
[ ] A. Semantic noise
[ ] B. Lack of nonverbal cues in computer-mediated communication
[ ] C. Information overload
[ ] D. Physical noise
CORRECT: B. Lack of nonverbal cues in computer-mediated communication
Computer-mediated communication often lacks nonverbal cues (tone, facial expression), leading to
misinterpretation of affect. Semantic noise refers to meaning of words; information overload is too much info;
physical noise is environmental interference.
9. Which of the following best describes the concept of 'groupthink' in small group
communication?
[ ] A. Group members openly debate all alternatives before deciding.
[ ] B. The group seeks unanimous agreement at the expense of critical evaluation.
[ ] C. The group leader makes all decisions without input.
[ ] D. The group uses a consensus-building technique to avoid conflict.
CORRECT: B. The group seeks unanimous agreement at the expense of critical evaluation.
Groupthink occurs when the desire for harmony suppresses critical thinking and dissent, leading to poor
decisions. Open debate (A) is the opposite; C is authoritarian; D may be a technique to manage conflict, not
groupthink itself.
10. In an experiment, participants are randomly assigned to watch either a violent or
nonviolent film, then their aggressive behavior is measured. Which type of validity is most
threatened if the aggressive behavior measure is not realistic?
[ ] A. Internal validity
[ ] B. External validity
[ ] C. Construct validity
[ ] D. Statistical validity
HIGHP - Page 4 of 50
Answers with Explanations | 2026/27
Updated | 100% Correct - Queens University.
Practice Question Bank & Answer Rationale
THIS PACK CONTAINS
150 exam-style multiple-choice questions. Each question includes the correct answer and a complete
rationale for focused revision.
COVERAGE
COMM 311 Midterm Exam 1 assesses foundational and applied knowledge in communication theory,
research methods, and professional practice. The exam covers key domains including communication
models, verbal and nonverbal communication, interpersonal and group dynamics, organizational
communication, mass media effects, persuasion, intercultural communication, ethics, and research design.
Questions require application-level reasoning and integration of course concepts to real-world scenarios.
STUDY GUIDE
Recommended duration: 3 hours. Passing target: 70%.
HIGHP - Page 1 of 50
,1. Which communication model emphasizes that both parties simultaneously encode and
decode messages, challenging the linear view of communication?
[ ] A. Shannon-Weaver model
[ ] B. Transactional model
[ ] C. Interactive model
[ ] D. Linear model
CORRECT: B. Transactional model
The transactional model posits that communication is simultaneous and mutual, with both parties encoding
and decoding at the same time. The Shannon-Weaver and linear models are one-way, while the interactive
model adds feedback but still treats sender and receiver as alternating roles.
2. A team leader notices that members are hesitant to disagree during meetings. To
encourage diverse viewpoints, which strategy best addresses this communication
climate?
[ ] A. Assign a devil's advocate role to a different member each meeting.
[ ] B. Limit discussion time to avoid conflict.
[ ] C. Praise members who agree with the majority.
[ ] D. Discourage emotional expression.
CORRECT: A. Assign a devil's advocate role to a different member each meeting.
Assigning a rotating devil's advocate role institutionalizes dissent and reduces conformity pressure, fostering
a supportive climate. Limiting discussion, praising agreement, or discouraging emotion would suppress
diverse perspectives and reinforce groupthink.
3. Which of the following best illustrates the concept of 'cultivation theory' in media
effects?
[ ] A. A viewer immediately changes their vote after seeing a political ad.
[ ] B. Heavy television viewers develop a worldview that mirrors television's most repeated messages.
[ ] C. A person learns a new skill by watching a tutorial.
[ ] D. Media consumers actively select content that matches their existing beliefs.
CORRECT: B. Heavy television viewers develop a worldview that mirrors television's most repeated
messages.
Cultivation theory argues that long-term exposure to television shapes viewers' perceptions of reality to align
with televised messages. Immediate behavior change (A) is more consistent with direct effects or persuasion;
C is social learning; D is selective exposure.
HIGHP - Page 2 of 50
,4. In a study examining the relationship between social media use and loneliness, a
researcher finds a correlation of +0.65. Which interpretation is most accurate?
[ ] A. Increased social media use causes increased loneliness.
[ ] B. There is a strong positive association, but causation cannot be inferred.
[ ] C. Social media use explains 65% of the variance in loneliness.
[ ] D. The relationship is weak and not meaningful.
CORRECT: B. There is a strong positive association, but causation cannot be inferred.
A correlation of +0.65 indicates a strong positive association, but correlation does not imply causation. Option
C confuses the correlation coefficient with the coefficient of determination (r² = 0.42); A assumes causality; D
misjudges the strength.
5. Which of the following is a key ethical principle in communication research involving
human participants?
[ ] A. Deception is always prohibited.
[ ] B. Informed consent must be obtained unless waived by an IRB.
[ ] C. Participants must be paid for their time.
[ ] D. Confidentiality is optional if data are anonymized.
CORRECT: B. Informed consent must be obtained unless waived by an IRB.
Informed consent is a core ethical requirement, though IRBs may waive it under specific conditions (e.g.,
minimal risk). Deception is not always prohibited but must be justified and debriefed; payment is not
mandatory; confidentiality remains essential even with anonymization.
6. A speaker adjusts their language, tone, and examples to match the cultural norms of a
Japanese audience. This demonstrates which communication competence component?
[ ] A. Cognitive complexity
[ ] B. Intercultural communication competence
[ ] C. Self-monitoring
[ ] D. Empathy
CORRECT: B. Intercultural communication competence
Intercultural communication competence involves adapting messages appropriately to different cultural
contexts. While self-monitoring and empathy may facilitate this, the scenario specifically illustrates cultural
adaptation, which is the hallmark of intercultural competence.
7. In the elaboration likelihood model (ELM), which route to persuasion is most likely
when a receiver is highly motivated and able to process a message?
[ ] A. Peripheral route
[ ] B. Central route
HIGHP - Page 3 of 50
, [ ] C. Heuristic route
[ ] D. Systematic route
CORRECT: B. Central route
The central route involves careful scrutiny of message arguments and occurs when motivation and ability are
high. The peripheral route relies on cues; heuristic and systematic routes are from a different dual-process
model (HSM), though systematic processing overlaps with central route.
8. A manager sends an email to all staff about a new policy. Several employees
misinterpret the tone as harsh. This is primarily an example of which communication
challenge?
[ ] A. Semantic noise
[ ] B. Lack of nonverbal cues in computer-mediated communication
[ ] C. Information overload
[ ] D. Physical noise
CORRECT: B. Lack of nonverbal cues in computer-mediated communication
Computer-mediated communication often lacks nonverbal cues (tone, facial expression), leading to
misinterpretation of affect. Semantic noise refers to meaning of words; information overload is too much info;
physical noise is environmental interference.
9. Which of the following best describes the concept of 'groupthink' in small group
communication?
[ ] A. Group members openly debate all alternatives before deciding.
[ ] B. The group seeks unanimous agreement at the expense of critical evaluation.
[ ] C. The group leader makes all decisions without input.
[ ] D. The group uses a consensus-building technique to avoid conflict.
CORRECT: B. The group seeks unanimous agreement at the expense of critical evaluation.
Groupthink occurs when the desire for harmony suppresses critical thinking and dissent, leading to poor
decisions. Open debate (A) is the opposite; C is authoritarian; D may be a technique to manage conflict, not
groupthink itself.
10. In an experiment, participants are randomly assigned to watch either a violent or
nonviolent film, then their aggressive behavior is measured. Which type of validity is most
threatened if the aggressive behavior measure is not realistic?
[ ] A. Internal validity
[ ] B. External validity
[ ] C. Construct validity
[ ] D. Statistical validity
HIGHP - Page 4 of 50
