The Practice of Public Relations, 13e (Seitel)
Chapter 1 Defining Public Relations
1) The opening scenario in Chapter 1, which details the activities of ISIS or ISIL, proves
that ________.
A) public relations is a strategic communication process that builds mutually beneficial
relationships between organizations and their publics
B) public relations has become one of society's most potent forces across the globe
C) public relations can be used for the advancement of a global society
D) not all organizations know how to use public relations effectively
Answer: B
Difficulty: 3: Challenging
Skill: Synthesis
Learning Obj.: 1.1: To define the practice of public relations and underscore its
importance as a valuable and powerful societal force in the 21st century.
2) Which societal force has joined public relations to revolutionize the way organizations
and individuals communicate with key publics around the world?
A) The advertising industry
B) International nonprofits
C) ISIS
D) Social media
Answer: D
Difficulty: 1: Easy
Skill: Concept
Learning Obj.: 1.1: To define the practice of public relations and underscore its
importance as a valuable and powerful societal force in the 21st century.
,AACSB: Information technology
3) In 2012, the Public Relations Society of America reached a common definition for
public relations. Which of the following represents the winning definition?
A) "Like beauty, the definition of 'public relations' is in the eye of the beholder."
B) "Public relations is a planned process to influence public opinion, through sound
character and proper performance, based on mutually satisfactory two-way
communication."
C) "Public relations revolutionizes the way organizations and individuals communicate to
their key constituent publics around the world."
D) "Public relations is a strategic communication process that builds mutually beneficial
relationships between organizations and their publics."
Answer: D
Difficulty: 2: Moderate
Skill: Concept
Learning Obj.: 1.1: To define the practice of public relations and underscore its
importance as a valuable and powerful societal force in the 21st century.
,4) The strength of the public relations field stems from ________.
A) its roots in democracy
B) its significance in altering democracy
C) its significance in building the ranks of management
D) its significance in protecting management from encroachment by unqualified leaders
Answer: A
Difficulty: 2: Moderate
Skill: Concept
Learning Obj.: 1.1: To define the practice of public relations and underscore its
importance as a valuable and powerful societal force in the 21st century.
5) In a society overwhelmed by communications, what is the communicator's main
challenge?
A) to bombard the target audience with messages of every variety (traditional and
nontraditional) at the same time
B) to make millions of dollars for public relations professionals
C) to convince people that public relations is important
D) to cut through communications that come from many sources to deliver an argument
that is persuasive, believable, and actionable
Answer: D
Difficulty: 1: Easy
Skill: Concept
Learning Obj.: 1.1: To define the practice of public relations and underscore its
importance as a valuable and powerful societal force in the 21st century.
AACSB: Written and oral communication
6) The fundamental mandate of public relations is ________, and its focus is ________.
, A) strategy; media relations
B) communications; building relationships
C) relationships; publicity
D) character; performance
Answer: B
Difficulty: 3: Challenging
Skill: Concept
Learning Obj.: 1.1: To define the practice of public relations and underscore its
importance as a valuable and powerful societal force in the 21st century.
7) In John Marston's R-A-C-E process, the key step is ________.
A) solid strategy
B) reasoned research
C) action
D) careful evaluation
Answer: C
Difficulty: 2: Moderate
Skill: Concept
Learning Obj.: 1.1: To define the practice of public relations and underscore its
importance as a valuable and powerful societal force in the 21st century.
8) Which of the following distinguishes the R-O-S-I-E formula from other formulae that
summarize the PR process?
A) encompasses more clear objectives
B) encompasses a more managerial approach
C) encompasses more implementation of a predetermined plan
D) encompasses more scientific evaluation
Chapter 1 Defining Public Relations
1) The opening scenario in Chapter 1, which details the activities of ISIS or ISIL, proves
that ________.
A) public relations is a strategic communication process that builds mutually beneficial
relationships between organizations and their publics
B) public relations has become one of society's most potent forces across the globe
C) public relations can be used for the advancement of a global society
D) not all organizations know how to use public relations effectively
Answer: B
Difficulty: 3: Challenging
Skill: Synthesis
Learning Obj.: 1.1: To define the practice of public relations and underscore its
importance as a valuable and powerful societal force in the 21st century.
2) Which societal force has joined public relations to revolutionize the way organizations
and individuals communicate with key publics around the world?
A) The advertising industry
B) International nonprofits
C) ISIS
D) Social media
Answer: D
Difficulty: 1: Easy
Skill: Concept
Learning Obj.: 1.1: To define the practice of public relations and underscore its
importance as a valuable and powerful societal force in the 21st century.
,AACSB: Information technology
3) In 2012, the Public Relations Society of America reached a common definition for
public relations. Which of the following represents the winning definition?
A) "Like beauty, the definition of 'public relations' is in the eye of the beholder."
B) "Public relations is a planned process to influence public opinion, through sound
character and proper performance, based on mutually satisfactory two-way
communication."
C) "Public relations revolutionizes the way organizations and individuals communicate to
their key constituent publics around the world."
D) "Public relations is a strategic communication process that builds mutually beneficial
relationships between organizations and their publics."
Answer: D
Difficulty: 2: Moderate
Skill: Concept
Learning Obj.: 1.1: To define the practice of public relations and underscore its
importance as a valuable and powerful societal force in the 21st century.
,4) The strength of the public relations field stems from ________.
A) its roots in democracy
B) its significance in altering democracy
C) its significance in building the ranks of management
D) its significance in protecting management from encroachment by unqualified leaders
Answer: A
Difficulty: 2: Moderate
Skill: Concept
Learning Obj.: 1.1: To define the practice of public relations and underscore its
importance as a valuable and powerful societal force in the 21st century.
5) In a society overwhelmed by communications, what is the communicator's main
challenge?
A) to bombard the target audience with messages of every variety (traditional and
nontraditional) at the same time
B) to make millions of dollars for public relations professionals
C) to convince people that public relations is important
D) to cut through communications that come from many sources to deliver an argument
that is persuasive, believable, and actionable
Answer: D
Difficulty: 1: Easy
Skill: Concept
Learning Obj.: 1.1: To define the practice of public relations and underscore its
importance as a valuable and powerful societal force in the 21st century.
AACSB: Written and oral communication
6) The fundamental mandate of public relations is ________, and its focus is ________.
, A) strategy; media relations
B) communications; building relationships
C) relationships; publicity
D) character; performance
Answer: B
Difficulty: 3: Challenging
Skill: Concept
Learning Obj.: 1.1: To define the practice of public relations and underscore its
importance as a valuable and powerful societal force in the 21st century.
7) In John Marston's R-A-C-E process, the key step is ________.
A) solid strategy
B) reasoned research
C) action
D) careful evaluation
Answer: C
Difficulty: 2: Moderate
Skill: Concept
Learning Obj.: 1.1: To define the practice of public relations and underscore its
importance as a valuable and powerful societal force in the 21st century.
8) Which of the following distinguishes the R-O-S-I-E formula from other formulae that
summarize the PR process?
A) encompasses more clear objectives
B) encompasses a more managerial approach
C) encompasses more implementation of a predetermined plan
D) encompasses more scientific evaluation
