Chapter 4 Verbal Messages

The denotative meaning of a word __________. a) is subjective b) is found in a dictionary c) includes the word's emotional meaning d) is different for different people

The statement "Anderson is such an idiot" contains __________. a) a snarl word b) a purr word c) metacommunication d) disconfirmation

Of the following terms, which is the lowest in abstraction? A) cats B) my orange tabby, Murray C) animals D) carnivores

Which of the following statements is the best example of direct speech? a) "I don't feel like cooking tonight. I am ordering pizza to be delivered." b) "Wouldn't you rather have pizza tonight than that leftover spaghetti?" c) "Oh dear! I forgot to go to the grocery store. I hope I can find something decent to cook for dinner." d) "Fred says that new pizza place down the street has great pizza, and they deliver."

Which of the following statements is the best example of an indirect response to the question, "whats for dinner, honey?" a) "I'm not cooking tonight. I ordered Chinese takeout." b) "Why do you always ask me that as soon as I get home from work?" c) "Tommy said the new Mexican place down the street is great, and they deliver." d) "I think you should prepare the meal this evening."

______________ refers to willingness to stand up for your rights but with respect for the rights of others. a) Assertiveness b) Aggressiveness c) Onymous communication d) Abstraction

Albert wants to ensure that he is communicating politely in his e-mail. Which of the following is the best strategy for him to use? a) Write it in all capital letters. b) Compose a lengthy e-mail. c) Generate unsolicited e-mails whenever possible. d) Avoid offensive language.

Which statement is an example of nonsexist language? a) The average student is worried about his grades. b) The competent student knows her limitations. c) The first-year students may require extra attention. d) The unprepared student jeopardizes his chance for a good grade.

Marion says, "Jon is a gay athlete." This is an example of what? a) denotative meaning b) polite communication c) heterosexist speech d) ambiguity

Luann believes that people should tell it like it is when communicating with other because being upfront saves time and energy in the long run. Luann's guiding principle in verbal communication is ___________. a) directness b) face-saving c) peaceful relations d) indirectness

When Jeanne tells Dave, "I'm so stoked! I got an A on my chemistry midterm," and Dave replies, "I'm hungry. Let's get some lunch," Dave is engaging in __________. a) confirmation b) disconfirmation c) rejection d) indiscrimination

The local newspaper allows readers to make comments on stories in its online edition. Readers do not have to give their names, and many of the comments are extreme. This is an example of _____________ messages. a) onymous b) anonymous c) denotative d) connotative

When Ashley tells Jeremy, "I am going to study really hard for that history test," and Jeremy replies, "I know you will. You have a real drive to do well in school. I admire you," Jeremy is engaging in __________. a) confirmation b) disconfirmation c) allness d) denotative communication

When making the company newsletter, Janet includes the anniversaries of all the people of her race, but omits the anniversaries of the offices employees of a different race. Janet's behavior can be described as ____________. a) sexist b) racist c) heterosexist d) ageist

When Lilly interviewed Meisha for a job, she told her, "Meisha, you have been out of college for a very long time, and I don't think you would be comfortable with our young clients." Lilly's statement could be considered __________. a) ageist b) heterosexist c) racist d) confirming

Which of the following is an appropriate way to avoid ageism? a) Assume older people are not interested in the world around them. b) Talk louder and slower to older people, regardless of whether they are hard of hearing. c) Remember to refresh older people's memories every time you see them. d) Do not assume that older people do not understand technology.

Ethan is engaging in __________ when he retains a judgment of a close friend, despite the inevitable changes in the friend. a) static evaluation b) symbolic language c) abstraction d) confirmation

When Don, who is an openly gay man, meets Mehmet, Mehmet automatically assumes that Don must also know Rick, Mehmet's gay residence-hall director. Mehmet's tendency to assume that Don and Rick would know each other can be described as _________? a) sexist b) polarization c) assertiveness d) heterosexist

Intensional orientation refers to the tendency to _______. a) view people, objects, and events in terms of how they are labeled rather than in terms of how they actually exist b) respond to things as they are rather than as they are labeled or talked about c) see the middle ground as well as the extremes d) group unlike things together and to assume that because they have the same label, they are all alike

Adding "et cetera" to their messages helps speakers to avoid __________. a) allness b) fact-inference confusion c) extensional orientation d) indiscrimination

Which of the following is the best example of a factual statement? a) "Shawna is angry." b) "Morgan harbors resentment." c) "Barbara is driving a green jeep." d) "Madison is carrying a grudge."

One of the best ways to guard against static evaluation is to use __________. a) a date subscript b) polarization c) disconfirmation d) intensional orientation

When we focus on classes of individuals or objects and fail to see that each is unique, we have the misevaluation of __________. a) static evaluation b) indiscrimination c) fact-inference confusion d) polarization

Mandatory retirement laws and age restrictions in certain occupations can be referred to as _________. a) heterosexism b) allness c) institutional ageism d) sexism

___________ is often referred to as the "either/or" fallacy. a) Polarization b) Denotation c) Static evaluation d) Allness

Connotations of words are found in dictionaries

"Mankind will soon walk Mars" is an example of sexist language.

Using indirect language allows people to express a desire without insulting or offending others.

Once you have established your own connotations for expressions such as "I love you," they rarely change throughout your lifetime.

"Gay men are so creative" is a heterosexist statement.

The use of a derogatory racist term is an example of institutional heterosexism.

Companies' reluctance to hire members of minority groups is an example of individual racism.

"The governor is either with us or against us" is an example of polarization.

It is best to use cultural identifiers that are recognized and used by cultural groups themselves.

Rejection is the same thing as disconfirmation.