Answers to In-Text Questions

 

Chapter 1-An Overview of Everyday Communication
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Is the connection between relationships and communication really significant?  Yes. Relationships would not exist without communication, and communication would not be nearly as important without relationships. Significant parts of every individual's life take place through routine, seemingly mundane everyday communication.
Is communication simply the exchange of messages?  No. While it does include the exchange of messages, that explanation is far too simple. Communication involves the exchange of symbols, so miscommunication can occur if there is not agreement on these symbols. Further, communication as the exchange of messages does not account for feedback, noise, or the two-way nature of communication. 
As close to a moose placed on a pole as we are going to get, this particular traffic sign is actually warning motorists of a moose crossing rather than instructing them to stop. Are traffic signs really signs, or are they symbols?  Traffic signs are symbols because there is no direct connection between that symbol and the particular behavior they are communicating to drivers (or pedestrians). 
What type of communication context involves physical locations?  The physical context, or the actual location in which a symbol is used.
Many conversations between close friends are "framed" by previous experiences and conversations--hence, the phrase "frame of reference." In what ways can you deduce that these women are friends and that they therefore share some history together that frames their interaction?  The women are probably old friends as demonstrated by their physical closeness, close gaze, mirroring of posture (all holding their glasses with both hands at about the same height), and obvious enjoyment of the conversation. The fact that the speaker is looking at the listener while talking from such a close distance is a sign of intimacy. 
Would sending a text message be considered an act, an interaction, or a transaction?  Sending the text message would be an act. 
Chapter 2-Histories and Contexts of Communication 
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When looking at images such as this one, changes in focus will lead to changes in what is observed and how it is seen. How might this be similar to the development of histories?  This image changes depending on what part of it the viewer is focusing on. This is like history in that histories differ depending on the stories or experiences we are examining. 
It is important that students of communication be aware of some of the challenges still facing the discipline and work together to address and overcome these challenges. What are these challenges?  Some of the challenges facing the discipline include varied histories, a variety of sub-disciplines, negative stereotypes, and disagreement within scholars are areas of communication.
Why are college students the participants in most research?  College students are the participants in most research because they are what is referred to as a convenient sample. This means they are nearby and easily accessible to those doing research, often University faculty. 
What advantage might gathering data through interviews have over gathering data through a questionnaire?  Some advantages of interviews over questionnaires include the ability of researchers to ask follow-up questions and the option to probe deeper into the information being provided. 
Chapter 3-Identities, Perceptions, and Communication 
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How do daily interactions with other people form or sustain your identity? What is being communicated here about gender, identity, and culture?  We learn how to perform our identities through our interactions with others, and those identities are reinforced by being around those like us. In this image, the father figure is demonstrating an aspect of masculine identity (shaving ones face) with a son figure
How many people in this photo are performing a social role and its accompanying identity requirements? Be sure to justify your answer.  Both the woman in the car and police officer are performing a social role. Both are "acting in ways that both society
and they perceive to be associated with a certain identity." The police officer is performing the role of law enforcement by pulling the woman over (likely for breaking a traffic law). The woman is performing the social role of a citizen who has been pulled over: keeping her hands on the wheel and communicating with the officer. 
What is meant by a symbolic self, and why do we have to account to other people for who we are?  Your identity represents something symbolic to other people, and arises from your interaction with others. We have to account to other people because we share meanings. 
How do you explain the fact that a person can experience different sides of self and hold different views simultaneously?  We can experience different sides of self and hold different views because we have many aspects of our individual personalities and identities. 
How is your sense of identity represented by connections to the past?  Our sense of identity can be represented by connections to the past through origin stories. These stories, which, have a narrative structure that builds off a sense of origin and a sense of continuity, are often one of the first ways we shape and build our identities. 
Chapter 4-Verbal Communication   
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Why might this pairing of street signs be amusing to a citizen in the United States, and what is taken for granted by those who understand the joke?  The U.S. Constitution stipulates the separation of church and state, but this pair of street signs indicates that this is the point where Church and State intersect. Someone who finds it amusing would have to know about the U.S. Constitution and the fact that Americans do not say the word street when talking about the intersection of two roads.
What factors might be influencing the conversation of these two people?  There are a variety of factors that may be influencing the conversation between these two. First, we must consider their relationship. It appears they are a trainer and client, which likely means they are not close friends. Further, we should consider the context, looking at the specific language that nay be used in the context of athletic training.
The woman on the left is telling her friend how the chaos around her house prevents her from ever having time to herself. Her friend is assuring her that her concerns sound warranted and that she is a valuable person. Alternative scenario: The friend tells her to stop complaining and get over herself. Which cultural styles of talk does each of these two scenarios demonstrate?  The first scenario is an example of feminine talk that is nurturing, supportive, and harmonious. The second alternative scenario is an example of tough masculine talk.
People tell stories every day whether about the crazy commute that made them late to work or a funny interaction with a checkout clerk. How do you know that one of the people in this photo is telling a story, and what role does storytelling seem to play in their relationship?  The individuals are relaxed, indicating a friendship and shared bond. Everyone is looking at the person in the center, who seems to be mid-comment.  Those listening to the woman seem amused and interested. Amusement and interest about the narration/storytelling serve to bond the friendship.
Talk in friendships or relationships can be described in terms of three functions: instrumental, indexical, and essential. Which function of talk would you use to describe the two students in this photo?  Indexical or essential function; they seem very at ease and familiar in speaking with each other.
Chapter 5-Nonverbal Communication   
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What features of nonverbal communication can you use to form an impression of this person?  There are both static cues and dynamic cues. Static features include his military gear and lack of facial hair. Dynamic cues include his serious facial expression and crossed arms.
How can body art be both cultural and personal?  Body art can be cultural in its representation of culture, but it can also be viewed and interpreted differently depending on culture. It is personal in that an individual tattoo can mean something completely different to different people.
How can nonverbal communication regulate interactions by beginning or ending a conversation?  Nonverbal communication regulates interaction first through recognition (we recognize someone as the individual he or she is by sight, by touch), and then there are various rituals of behavior that begin interactions (catching someone’s eye, handshakes, or poinring,) and behaviors that are used to end interactions, such as a handshake, a bow, or a wave.
Although people do not always have as much space as they would like, what term is used to represent the need for people to establish space as their own?  Territoriality is the establishment and maintenance of space that people claim for their personal use.
Notice the difference between these two photos. The first photo is a scene from a Western city in which people are noticeably uncomfortable with their lack of personal space. The second photo captures Japanese train pushers whose job is to cram as many people onto the subway car as possible. Little consideration is given to personal space in this Eastern city. What imaginary aura that people regard as part of themselves is obviously more restricted in the latter photo?  The body buffer zone is the imaginary aura that people regard as part of themselves that is  more restricted in the second photo. 
What nonverbal communication seems to indicate that these two people like each other?  You can tell they like each other from at least the following: physical closeness, and smiling at an intimate distance. Their similar dress codes and open postures indicate comfort with each other. 
Chapter 6-Culture and Communication   
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The view that one's own cultural styles of communication are the normal ways of communicating and the other ways of communicating are variations of normal communication is known as what type of bias?  This is known as the ethnocentric bias.
The Harajuku area of Tokyo is a popular destination for teenagers, many of whom dress in such cultural styles as Gothic Lolita, visual kei, and decora. Are artifacts such as clothing the primary distinctions between cultural groups?  These artifacts demonstrate the consistency and distinctiveness of behavior that helps distinguish specific cultural groups. 
Continuously looking at clocks, this man seems very concerned about time. Would his perception of time be considered monochronic of polychronic?  It appears that this man views time as a commodity, and is concerned about deadlines and timetables. This means he would view time from a monochronic perspective.
The person on the left did not want to engage in conflict, so he did not say anything when his friend wanted to order a pizza topping he did not like. What cultural orientation to conflict do his actions represent, and what style did he use to manage the conflict?  The person on the left appears to have a conflict-as-destructive view, evident by his choice to avoid it. We can also see he is using the avoiding conflict management style by not even mentioning he did not want the same topping. 
Would someone studying biker culture within the United States be more likely to take a structural approach to culture or a transacted approach to culture?  Someone studying biker culture would be likely using a transacted approach, as any group with a system of shared meaning can be considered a culture through this viewpoint.
How might break time at a factory be an opportunity to learn about and enact cultural membership within this culture?  As cultural groups are groups are recognized and differentiated through their unique communication and meaning systems, hearing how people talk during break time, and what they talk about would be a way to learn and enact cultural membership.  
Chapter 7-Listening   
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Enabling someone to talk about a problem or concern is known as what type of listening?  Enabling someone to talk about a problem or concern is known as therapeutic listening. 
Customer service representatives often appear to be listening actively, but they do not really understand the point of view of the customer. If they attempted to make a personal connection with the customer and actively worked to create shared understanding, what type of listening would they be doing?  If they did attempt to make a personal connection and worked to create shared understanding, they would likely be using engaged listening. 
Are there some types of relationships or areas of life that do not require critical evaluation?  No. All relationships and even the most mundane parts of life require critical evaluation.
Why are wandering thoughts so common?  Listeners are able to process information at a faster rate than people generally speak.Wandering thoughts are so common because we can process words much faster than they can be spoken, making it easy for us to lose focus. 
Chapter 8-Personal Relationships  
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How does your end-of-day communication with other people transact your relationships? How are the relationships between people here conveyed and transacted in talk?  The end of day communication represented here shows a woman communicating with someone (perhaps a long distance relationship) before bed. This could show the act of catching one another up on the activities of the day, or simply saying goodnight. 
How do relationships grow or change, and how does this show up in talk?  People self-disclose their inner thoughts, secrets, worries, and concerns as they become closer. This conversation between friends (look at the distance between them, the place where the talk is happening, and their postures) seems intense and deep, not shallow and uninvolving.
The man in this photo just said, "We'll see you this weekend." Which type of relational continuity constructional unit is being displayed here?  This is an example of a prospective units because it provides recognition that an interaction is about to end but the relationship continues (in this case, this weekend). 
As relationships come apart, people, especially couples, find it harder to interact and tend to become more hostile and unsympathetic in their behaviors toward each other. What are the signs that these partners are in distress about their relationship?  The expressions on the two people’s faces are clear, with the man scowling and the woman in the middle of an agressive comment. The hand placement indicates disagreement, with the man in a more defensive pose, and the women acting as if she is trying to make a point to him. 
Do relationships develop and break down in linear fashion?  No, relationships do not break down linearly, though people often report as if they do.
Chapter 9-Groups and Leaders   
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What exactly is a group, and what makes it different from an assembly, a collective, or a team? How many of each of these can you see in this picture?  A group has a common purpose, and members are aware of each other, have organization, and communicate with one another. All the baseball players and the umpire are members of a “baseball group.” A collective may have a common purpose but lacks organization, so the audience is a collective. Each side in the game is a team as well as a group, since the members (presumably) care for one another’s welfare and play together more effectively by creating chances for each other or not trying to do it all on their own.
Sidelining a player for an offense during a soccer game is a good example of a particular group behavior. What is that?  Sidelining a player is a good example of a group sanction, or a punishment for violating norms.
What (usually undesirable) characteristic of groups is depicted in this photograph?  This image shows a cohesive group, which can be positive, but can also fall victim to groupthink.
Three Scotsmen in 1877 judge a prize canary, their equivalent of a beauty pageant. Which of Fisher's stages do they portray?  This could be an example of conflict or emergence, as it is clear they are discussing the canary, but it is not clear if consensus has been reached (or is even emerging). 
Which communicative and relational skills make a leader a good leader?  The ability to identify with the audience shows understanding of their concerns, a sharing of their feelings, and having answers that will work. A good leader focuses people on issues, motivates them to address solutions, and helps achieve their goals. Leadership is not in a person but is transacted between people, as the leader acts as steward of their interests, for the moment.
Chapter 10-Communication in the Workplace  
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What is this picture telling us about the nature of work and the glossy expectations of professional success? How is it sending messages of what professionals look like and what they do?  This picture tells us that real professionals are young and good looking and well dressed. She is sitting in a causual but professional way. It also demonstrates the increasing diversity of the workplace, showing a non-white woman. 
In what ways might personal relationships at work have a negative effect on productivity?  Relationships at work can be engrossing to the extent that they take people away from their main tasks; when one of the people feels bad, the other may also feel bad, so the effect is doubled; the people in a relationship may become suspects to their coworkers who may know about an affair but be unsure whether to tell the management. Finally, if the relationship breaks up, then both people may lose their ability to concentrate on their work or get on collegially, especially if they have to stay working in the same workplace.
Chapter 11-Technology and Media in Everyday Life 
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What social influence may be influencing the use of technology in this picture?  The generations in which these gentlemen were born will likely influence their perceptions and use of technology. Their current work or school status will likely also play a role. 
Do you think using the Internet as a family will become a shared media experience like watching television as a family?  While using the internet as a family may be more difficult than watching television together, this is slowly changing. For example, many people use streaming internet services to watch films and programs instead of television.
In what ways could the use of a smartphone create share experiences?  Smartphones can create shared experiences though the ability to communicate and connect with them (IM, text, video chat, etc). Further, individuals can send one another links, videos, memes, etc. in order to share these experiences even if they are not in the same physical location.
What activities are related to identity construction on social networking sites such as Facebook?  Social networking sites are used to establish and maintain relationships, as well as create identities.
In what ways does a webcam affect the nature of online communication?  Webcams increase the richness of online interaction by increasing the number of nonverbal cues available. They also enable online communication to become more synchronous.
Chapter 12-Interviewing  
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What is the difference between information-gathering interviews such as the one pictured her and persuasive interviews? Is the difference always obvious to the person being interviewed?  Information-gathering interviews are intended to simply gain information from the other person. Persuasive interviews have influence as the final goal. It is not always obvious to the interviewee if the interviewer is gathering information or attempting to persuade them.
The person in this picture is reviewing application material before interviewing a job candidate. What are the other responsibilities of an interviewer before the interview?  In addition to reviewing application materials, the interviewer should also prepare questions and an interview outline, gather materials and begin the interview on time. 
If an interviewee arrives early for an interview, is it a good idea for him or her to catch up on rest while waiting?  No, this could backfire if you do not wake in time, or if you are seen sleeping it could communicate a lack of professionalism. Instead, use that time to use the restroom, have a drink of water, make sure your phone is off, or run through practice questions in your head.
Would keeping his hands clasped throughout the interview improve or diminish the interviewee's chances of being offered the position?  While he could be using worse body language such as slouching or tapping his leg, the man should be incorporating meaningful gestures and supporting interviewer comments with positive nonverbal feedback such as nodding and smiling. 
Is it the responsibility of the interviewer or the interviewee to bring a formal end to the interview?  It is the responsibility of the interviewer to bring the formal end to the interview. 
Chapter 13-Preparing for a Presentation  
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If you know an audience will disagree with your position, should you change your position to match that of the audience?  No, you should not. You can still present the facts and information based in evidence, or even try and persuade them trough a persuasive speech. 
If an audience listening to this speaker had been required to attend, what type of audience would it be?  An audience that is required to attend is a captive audience.
What type of speech is most likely to occur at a wedding or another celebratory event?  A speech to evoke is most likely to occur at a wedding or another celebratory event. 
Using statistics to support her presentation, this speaker is using the number that occurs most often. What is this number called?  The number that occurs most often is called the mode.
As you do research and select sources for your presentation, should you limit the types of sources that you use, such as only gathering evidence and support material from the Internet or from books?  You will have more luck in satisfying your audience if you have strong, quality evidence from a variety of sources.
Chapter 14-Developing a Presentation  
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This speaker wants to convince her audience that a particular solution should be enacted to address a problem the audience does no know exists. Which organizational pattern would be most appropriate in this situation?  A problem-solution pattern would be most effective. First addressing a problem and then offering the most effective solution to that problem.
What is the first component that must be included in the introduction of a presentation?  The first component of your introduction should be an attention getter, which is a device used to draw the audience to you and hence to your presentation. 
Why might this speaker include an orientation phase as part of her introduction?  This graduation speaker would use an orientation phase as a way to help her audience better understand and appreciate the information she will be sharing.
Why should audience members clapping at the very end of a presentation not be the primary focus of a speaker when developing a conclusion?  The speaker's focus should be on developing a strong and impactful conclusion and delivering an effective final clincher statement.
Chapter 15-Giving Informative and Persuasive Talks 
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If the chef in this picture intends the audience to be able to perform the procedures being demonstrated, is he giving a process talk or a how-to demonstration?  This is a how-to demonstration because it includes the expectation that the audience will be able to perform the procedures themselves. 
Why would this speaker discuss the significance and relational influence of the topic in the lives of audience members?  This allows the speaker to make a connection to the audience and show them why it matters to them, making it more impactful in their own lives. 
Why would a positive relational connection with an audience be especially important when attempting to persuade?  People will be far more likely to be persuaded (or even be open to the possibility) when they have a positive relationship with the speaker. 
The speaker in this photo is attempting to convince her audience that her university should provide each incoming student with a laptop computer. What type of claim is she making?  This is an example of a claim of policy, or an action that should be taken. 
Evoking feelings of sadness from an audience when attempting to persuade would entail which artistic proof?  This is an example of pathos, or appealing to emotions. 
Chapter 16-Delivering a Presentation   
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This speaker admires the speaking style of his instructor, who happens to be a very effective public speaker. Should he imitate his instructor's style?  The student can look to the reasons why the instructor is a public speaker and try to learn from him, but he shouldn't simply copy his style. It is important that he be natural and develop his own person style. 
What will this speaker's minimal use of notes and careful preparation enable her to achieve?  This allows her to achieve an extemporaneous delivery. This will allow her to have a natural conversational delivery but will still allow her to accurately share her ideas and connect with her audience.