Communication Exam Questions With
Answers
Staying out later than you say you will could be an example of which stage of relational development?
circumscribing
Although she has a boyfriend, Kim realizes she may be happier if she is single when she goes away to
college. Kim is rating her relationship according to her:
comparison level of alternatives
Dialectical tensions occur when two opposing forces exist simultaneously.
True
Saying, "I feel like we aren't talking very much lately" is an example of metacommunication.
True
A wedding or moving in together occurs in which stage of relational development?
Bonding
___________ is the relational step that occurs right before termination
Avoidance
When a couple tells others that they will be getting a divorce and others react with surprise, they are
experiencing what dialectical tension?
conventionality-uniqueness
It is understood that every year Bob will plan a surprise evening for Cathy's birthday. Cathy just
doesn't know where the surprise will take place. Bob and Cathy are using the ________ strategy for
managing the stability-change dialectic.
Alternation
You are not good with finances, so you appreciate a partner who manages their money well. This is an
example of:
complementarity
Which of the following is not an example of metacommunication?
We need to go to the grocery store
Metacommunication is communication about communication.
True
Differentiation is healthy because
people need to be individuals as well as part of a relationship
, When partners begin to say, "Yes, we'll definitely come to the party," they have moved into which
relational stage?
Integrating
A co-worker tells you that he or she knows the only one way to fix something. This is an example of:
certainty
Clearly explaining what you witnessed in another person's behavior, that can be changed, is
associated with which Gibb category?
description
Gottman claims that _____________ is not the sign of a troubled relationship.
complaining
When people feel attacked, they typically respond with ___________.
defensiveness
"You never go to the store when I need you to" is an example of which type of disagreeing message?
complaining
Messages that communicate indifference are associated with which Gibb category?
neutrality
An irrelevant response occurs when one person begins to speak before the other is through making a
point.
False
Hugging a good friend while saying, "I think that you did well!" is an example of what level of
confirming response?
endorsement
You listen closely while your friend describes some major problems he's having at home. You then ask
some follow-up questions. This represents which level of confirming response?
acknowledgment
Disconfirming communication signals a lack of regard and value.
True
Speaker: I'm really worried about trying to meet all of my obligations this semester. There's just SO
much to do!
Listener: Yeah, I guess we're all overwhelmed. I had to work every day last weekend.
The listener's response is an example of:
an impersonal response
Answers
Staying out later than you say you will could be an example of which stage of relational development?
circumscribing
Although she has a boyfriend, Kim realizes she may be happier if she is single when she goes away to
college. Kim is rating her relationship according to her:
comparison level of alternatives
Dialectical tensions occur when two opposing forces exist simultaneously.
True
Saying, "I feel like we aren't talking very much lately" is an example of metacommunication.
True
A wedding or moving in together occurs in which stage of relational development?
Bonding
___________ is the relational step that occurs right before termination
Avoidance
When a couple tells others that they will be getting a divorce and others react with surprise, they are
experiencing what dialectical tension?
conventionality-uniqueness
It is understood that every year Bob will plan a surprise evening for Cathy's birthday. Cathy just
doesn't know where the surprise will take place. Bob and Cathy are using the ________ strategy for
managing the stability-change dialectic.
Alternation
You are not good with finances, so you appreciate a partner who manages their money well. This is an
example of:
complementarity
Which of the following is not an example of metacommunication?
We need to go to the grocery store
Metacommunication is communication about communication.
True
Differentiation is healthy because
people need to be individuals as well as part of a relationship
, When partners begin to say, "Yes, we'll definitely come to the party," they have moved into which
relational stage?
Integrating
A co-worker tells you that he or she knows the only one way to fix something. This is an example of:
certainty
Clearly explaining what you witnessed in another person's behavior, that can be changed, is
associated with which Gibb category?
description
Gottman claims that _____________ is not the sign of a troubled relationship.
complaining
When people feel attacked, they typically respond with ___________.
defensiveness
"You never go to the store when I need you to" is an example of which type of disagreeing message?
complaining
Messages that communicate indifference are associated with which Gibb category?
neutrality
An irrelevant response occurs when one person begins to speak before the other is through making a
point.
False
Hugging a good friend while saying, "I think that you did well!" is an example of what level of
confirming response?
endorsement
You listen closely while your friend describes some major problems he's having at home. You then ask
some follow-up questions. This represents which level of confirming response?
acknowledgment
Disconfirming communication signals a lack of regard and value.
True
Speaker: I'm really worried about trying to meet all of my obligations this semester. There's just SO
much to do!
Listener: Yeah, I guess we're all overwhelmed. I had to work every day last weekend.
The listener's response is an example of:
an impersonal response
