Quiz1

Section 1. Multiple Choice. Select the most appropriate answer.


1. Which of the following statements about definitions of communication is true?
a. One of the major weaknesses of the field is that there is no consensus on a single definition of communication.
b. It is impossible to have a single definition of communication because the term can legitimately be viewed in many different ways.
c. The student of communication should learn those definitions of communication that are concrete and discard those that are abstract.
d. None of the above.

2. Which of the following are valid examples of a mechanistic study?
a. “The effect of listener level of self-esteem on resistance to a persuasive speech?”
b. “The effect of listener level of Intelligence on ability to recall main points of a speech.”
c. “The effect of levels of message threat on listener compliance.”
d. a and b
e. All of the above.
f. None of the above.

3. Which of the following are valid examples of a psychological study?
a. “The effect of level of credibility of the speaker on attitude change of the listener.”
b. “The effect of humor on listener acceptance of a message.”
c. “The effect of a listener’s level of intelligence on listener message comprehension.”
d. All of the above.
e. None of the above.

4. Extraneous variables in a mechanistic study are controlled by:
a. keeping source variables constant.
b. keeping message variables constant.
c. keeping channel variables constant.
d. a and b
e. a, b, and c
f. None of the above.




Section 11. Short Answer. (6 points each)

1. Name and briefly characterize the four reasons for having theory.

a. Description: Identifying important variables in a communication situation.
b. Explanation: Accounting for why effects occur.
c. Prediction: Anticipating future effects.
d. Control: Using predictive ability to achieve communication goals/solve problems.









2. Illustrate models of communication.
Present a communication situation which is best characterized by the transactional model. Justify your example.

Interpersonal communication situation in which two communicators are aware of one another, have access to both verbal and nonverbal cues, and recognize one another’s intent to communicate.

Both communicators are simultaneously sending and receiving. They are transceivers.



Present a communication situation which is best characterized by the interaction
model. Justify your example.

Two communicators are sending email messages back and forth.

A communicator is either a sender or a receiver at any point in time. A communicator cannot simultaneously send and receive.