Q&A Hero

Q: Explain and provide a workplace example for each of the following communication situations: oral communication in downward flowing direction; written communication in upward flowing direction; and nonverbal communication in lateral flowing direction.

Q: What are the seven key parts of the communication process?

Q: In high-context cultures, directness is valued more than trust.

Q: Cultural barriers arising from tone differences among different cultures are called word connotation barriers.

Q: Communication apprehension applies to oral and written communication.

Q: Selective perception refers to a sender's purposely manipulating information so the receiver will see it more favorably.

Q: The need for cognition is a personality trait of individuals who are most likely to be persuaded by evidence and facts.

Q: Automatic processing requires a detailed consideration of evidence and information relying on facts, figures, and logic.

Q: A routine message can be delivered by a low richness channel as efficiently as a high richness channel.

Q: Telephone conversations have the highest channel richness.

Q: Facebook is a hybrid social networking service that allows users to post microblog entries or tweets to their subscribers about any topic, including work.

Q: PowerPoint can be used to help explain complex ideas.

Q: Rumors are characterized by clarity and verifiability.

Q: The chain network provides the highest accuracy of communication.

Q: Crossed arms convey a feeling of approachability.

Q: One disadvantage of oral communication is the lack of a built-in feedback mechanism.

Q: The advantages of oral communication are speed and feedback.

Q: Lateral communications are often created to short-circuit the vertical hierarchy within an organization.

Q: Communication that flows from one level of a group or organization to a lower level is called downward communication.

Q: In the communication process, decoding precedes encoding.

Q: The four functions of communication are control, motivation, emotional expression, and information.

Q: Communication includes both the transfer and the understanding of meaning.

Q: Communication in high-context cultures is characterized by an emphasis on ________. A) directness B) explicit and precise documentation C) trust D) legalized contracts over oral ones E) direct modes of conflict resolution

Q: Low-context cultures primarily rely on ________ in communicating with others. A) formal titles B) spoken and written words C) situational cues D) status differences E) nonverbal cues

Q: Rhonda May was transferred to London three months back to oversee the opening of a new branch of the retail chain she worked for. Rhonda, who had never been to London, adjusted well with her British colleagues but received quizzical looks from many of her British colleagues every morning in the initial weeks in London. After asking one of her subordinates to explain what caused her colleagues to look at her in that strange way, she discovered the reason. When her British colleagues greeted her by saying, "How are you today?" every morning, she typically replied by saying "I'm good," while Britishers typically say, "I'm well" in response to this greeting. This is because "I'm good" can have multiple meanings like "I'm not a bad person" or "I'm suitable," while "I'm well" only gives a sense of mental and physical well-being. Rhonda then realized how subtly cultural barriers can operate. From the information provided in the scenario, this is an example of barriers caused by ________. A) tone differences B) semantics and connotations C) intolerance toward other cultures D) situational and physical cues E) power distance

Q: The time attendance system in the production division at MM, an automobile manufacturing company, was malfunctioning. Consequently, Greg Hill, one of the front-level managers, sent it for repair. In the meantime, he placed a register where all workers of the production division had to provide their time of entry and exit from office. At the end of the week, when looking through the time logs, he had certain concerns about a group of employees. In the next week, he personally tracked the time this group of employees spent working and realized that they were reporting a greater number of working hours than they actually worked. This group engaged in a barrier to communication called ________. A) selective perception B) filtering C) silence D) communication apprehension E) lying

Q: Shirley Shands is a hard worker, but Debra, her manager, is irritated with her. While Debra concedes that Shirley's work gives her no cause for complaint, Debra is tired of the interruptions in her work because of Shirley asking for repeated clarifications over what exactly she has to say in e-mails or phone calls. She often requests Debra to proofread her e-mails before sending them, and Debra feels she sends too many e-mails instead of just speaking to the person concerned. From the scenario, we can conclude that ________. A) Shirley processes her e-mails in an automatic and superficial manner B) Shirley and Debra come from a high-context culture C) Debra is engaging in social loafing D) Shirley suffers from communication apprehension E) Shirley uses filtering when communicating with Debra

Q: Undue tension and anxiety about oral communication, written communication, or both is called ________. A) information overload B) communication misrepresentation C) selective perception D) communication apprehension E) filtering

Q: What can managers do to make sure that important information is not withheld from them through silence? A) engage in selective perception B) listen to and support diverse opinions C) deal with information overload D) hire employees with high emotional intelligence E) tell employees what they want to hear

Q: ________ is defined as the absence of information. A) Apprehension B) Selective perception C) Cognition D) Misrepresentation E) Silence

Q: Which of the following is desirable to eliminate language functioning as a barrier to communication? A) use of phrases and corporate lingo B) use of acronyms and abbreviations C) use of technical language or jargon D) use of uniform language E) use of silence

Q: When attempting to communicate a written message persuasively, it is desirable that ________. A) the receiver has an information overload B) the sender has a high need for cognition C) the sender has used phrases and jargon to clarify the meaning of the message D) the receiver and the sender can view each other's nonverbal cues E) the receiver is in a positive mood

Q: When receivers of communication process the information based on their needs, motivations, experience, background, and other personal characteristics, they are engaging in ________. A) communication apprehension B) deliberative processing C) selective perception D) controlled processing E) filtering

Q: Jordan is a sales officer who has been underperforming over the last three months. At the last monthly operations cycle meeting, he was given a warning. As the time for the next meeting draws close, Jordan fears his boss reprimanding him. Two days before the meeting, Jordan informs his manager that he has confirmed six deals in the last few days, one of which involves multiple orders for their machines. He, however, skips the detail that these are the only six orders he has been able to obtain in the whole month. Which one of the barriers to effective communication is depicted here? A) silence B) language C) information overload D) grapevine E) filtering

Q: Filtering is a barrier to effective communication that takes place when ________. A) the interpretation of the message is affected by the receiver's emotion B) the information we have to work with exceeds our processing capacity C) a sender purposely manipulates information so the receiver will see it more favorably D) the receivers in the communication process selectively see and hear based on their motivations, experience, and other personal characteristics E) receivers also project their interests and expectations into communications as they decode them

Q: Which of the following is desirable with regard to persuasive communication? A) increasing the degree of noise in the communication process B) manipulating information so the receiver will see it more favorably C) engaging in selective perception D) processing a lot of information even if it exceeds our capacity E) matching the type of message with the type of audience

Q: Whether people use automatic or controlled processing for reacting to a persuasive message is often a function of ________. A) time B) their level of interest in it C) heuristics D) effort E) availability of research

Q: People are likely to use automatic processing when ________. A) their subject knowledge of the issue is high B) their interest level in the issue is high C) their usage of heuristics related to the issue is high D) their need for cognition is high E) their reliance on logics and facts to make a decision is high

Q: Before buying her new phone, Gina listed the various requirements her new phone must meet. As a wedding planner, much of her work revolves around using e-mail to forward pictures of locations, designs, and food arrangements that she could categorize by themes and prices. She requires a phone with high storage capacity, speedy Internet, and easy-to-use methods to organize and save content. After listing these requirements, she fixed a budget and began surveying phones online. She also obtained information from friends. In a week's time, Gina had shortlisted three models that suited her needs and was ready to make the final choice. Gina used ________ to arrive at this decision. A) superficial processing B) heuristic processing C) controlled processing D) selective processing E) automatic processing

Q: ________ involves a detailed consideration of evidence and information relying on facts, figures, and logic. A) Controlled processing B) Serial processing C) Parallel processing D) Selective processing E) Automatic processing

Q: A relatively superficial consideration of evidence and information making use of heuristics is defined as ________. A) serial processing B) depth processing C) parallel processing D) controlled processing E) automatic processing

Q: Treesa Mayering recently began her first job at a PR firm called Pro as a copywriter. Her job involves creating scripts for press releases, advertisements, and other media events. She has been working under the guidance of Will Preston, the senior copywriter. Treesa, who has no prior experience in this job, had worked on scripts for advertisements and online brochures alone when she was asked to work on a press release for the first time. Will reviewed Treesa's script and sent her an e-mail full of detailed corrections, which she promptly implemented. However, when Will looked at the script later, he felt that it did not represent a significant improvement of her first draft. Which of the following, if true, would best explain this outcome? A) The feedback provided by Will was not elaborate and comprehensive enough. B) Treesa took a lot of time to implement Will's corrections and revise her script. C) Treesa was hired because she demonstrated considerable analytical and creative thinking skills in her pre-employment tests. D) Will routinely e-mailed feedback on scripts for advertisements, online brochures, and press releases to his team members. E) Will believed that Treesa's understanding of his e-mailed feedback would be accurate.

Q: When the middle-level manager of the production department at Wilson Works was laid off, many employees who worked under him became apprehensive about their job security. They were aware of the current trend toward laying off employees in the economy. The termination of their manager combined with the fact that their division had performed only moderately well in the last two quarters led the employees to believe that they were at a high risk of losing their jobs as well. Which of the following, if true, would weaken the argument that the production manager should hold face-to-face meetings to assure the employees in the production division? A) The employees have serious concerns over job security. B) Rumors had spread about impending layoffs at Wilson Works. C) The middle-level manager supervised over five hundred employees. D) Wilson Works has a strong formal communication network in place. E) The company has no fixed policy with regard to rightsizing employees.

Q: Which of the following communication channels provides the lowest information richness? A) online group discussions B) face-to-face conversations C) telephone conversations D) voice mail E) reports and bulletins

Q: Which of the following communication channels provides the highest information richness? A) e-mail B) face-to-face conversations C) online group discussions D) voice mail E) memos and letters

Q: ________ is a condition in which information inflow exceeds an individual's processing capacity. A) Information scarcity B) Information richness C) Information architecture D) Information inequity E) Information overload

Q: A(n) ________ is a website about a single person or company. A) e-mail account B) social networking site C) blog D) instant messaging portal E) file transfer protocol

Q: E-Way is an electronics company that is developing a new cellphone that will be released in the market soon. Which of the following, if true, would strengthen the argument that the company should use social media to promote the new cellphone? A) E-Way's last two releases received a lot of criticism from consumers. B) One of E-Way's rival companies had used social media unsuccessfully to advertise its new product. C) The production team overshot the budget and the marketing team has low funds. D) The target consumers for the cellphone are not restricted to any demographic category. E) The company has a tightly integrated production and distribution mechanism.

Q: Which of following is true regarding social networking? A) Individuals between ten and eighteen years of age are the fastest growing group of users of Facebook. B) Many organizations have developed their own in-house social networking applications. C) The use of social networking sites eliminates cyber loafing at work. D) Social networking sites are primarily for interpersonal communication and have no business-related uses. E) Social networking is a protected activity that cannot be intercepted.

Q: Which of following is true regarding text messaging? A) They represent the best means to communicate long messages that must be archived. B) The guidelines for business use of texting are still evolving. C) They represent a secure mode of communication that cannot be intercepted. D) Instant messaging is not dependent on the availability of Internet or computers. E) Text messaging is transmitted primarily via computers.

Q: Which of the following types of electronic communications is preferable for one- or two-line messages? A) blogs B) video conferencing C) instant messaging D) grapevine E) e-mails

Q: When you need to gauge the receptivity of a recipient, which type of communication is best? A) Twitter B) e-mail C) traditional letters D) social media E) oral communication

Q: Which of the following is a recommendation to effectively manage e-mail? A) check e-mail every morning B) do not declare e-mail bankruptcy C) check e-mails in batches D) reserve e-mail for communicating negative messages E) merge the use of the company and personal e-mail accounts

Q: Communicating through e-mail provides ________. A) a host of nonverbal cues to understand the message better B) the best means to convey negative information C) a cheaper alternative to the conventional communication through letters D) a secure communication link that nobody else can access E) an option to hold real-time meetings with people in different locations

Q: Which of the following is a desirable strategy for managers aiming to reduce the negative consequences of rumors? A) initiating disciplinary action against the employee who started the rumor B) refusing to comment on issues that appear to be controversial and unfair C) creating a more informal communication environment at the workplace D) encouraging employees to communicate their concerns and suggestions E) ignoring the rumor as rumors grow because of the attention given to them

Q: As a consequence of the information circulated by the grapevine in an organization, employees experience ________. A) increased clarity B) increased power C) increased member satisfaction D) increased certainty E) increased anxiety

Q: The informal communication network in an organization is ________. A) determined by organization B) based on clear and factual information C) rooted in issues of minimal importance to employees D) characterized by ambiguity E) controlled by the management

Q: Which of the following represents the informal communication network in an organization? A) feedback loop B) grapevine C) chain network D) all-channel network E) wheel network

Q: The criteria of member satisfaction is best met by the ________ type of formal small-group network. A) hierarchical B) wheel C) chain D) traditional E) all-channel

Q: Ideally, a chain network should be used when ________. A) high speed of information transfer is desired B) accuracy of information is most important C) the network is expected to facilitate emergence of a leader D) high member satisfaction is desired E) the teams using the chain network are self-managed teams

Q: The all-channel network is practiced most commonly in ________. A) traditional teams B) self-managed teams C) cross-functional teams D) problem-solving groups E) work groups

Q: The ________ network is a type of formal small-group network that permits the entire group to actively communicate with each other. A) matrix B) virtual C) wheel D) chain E) all-channel

Q: Carol Zelner, the manager of a small event management company, is known for her efficiency. She provides the team with clearly defined tasks, guidelines, and directives. Further, she is always available to provide feedback or resolve troubles. Recently, with Carol on leave for about three weeks, the team had a lot of problems. The team members lacked the requisite information on client details, locations, and budgets and had to repeatedly cross-check with each other or the clients. Which of the following, if true, would best explain the problems faced by Carol's team currently? A) Members of Carol's team have a high degree of satisfaction with their role in the team's communication. B) Carol selects employees for her company by evaluating their personality traits to ensure that they fit well into the team-based environment of the company. C) Carol encourages all group members to actively communicate with each other. D) Carol's team primarily consists of individuals from low-context cultures. E) The communication in Carol's team follows the approach represented by a wheel network.

Q: The ________ network is a type of formal small-group network that relies on a central figure to act as the conduit for all the group's communication. A) matrix B) chain C) wheel D) all channel E) cross-functional

Q: Peter is working on a project. He feels that the parameters need to be changed to meet client specifications. First, he must talk to his immediate supervisor, who will then discuss the issue with her department director before any change can be implemented. Peter is most likely to be a part of the ________ type of small-group communication networks. A) star network B) mesh network C) chain network D) all-channel network E) ring network

Q: The ________ network is a type of formal small-group network that rigidly follows the formal and hierarchical levels of command. A) matrix B) chain C) wheel D) all channel E) cross-functional

Q: Which of the following statements is true with regard to nonverbal communication? A) Nonverbal communication has a high degree of potential distortion. B) E-mails and memos are examples of nonverbal communication. C) The importance of nonverbal cues is low as they have no fixed meanings. D) E) Messages received through oral and nonverbal communication cannot be contradictory to each other.

Q: Which of the following modes of communication does not come under the purview of nonverbal communication? A) physical distance B) personal e-mails C) intonations D) facial expressions E) body movement

Q: Which of the following forms of communication is characterized by the use of only body movements, intonations, facial expressions, and physical distance to communicate? A) written communication B) downward communication C) nonverbal communication D) lateral communication E) upward communication

Q: Genepa Corporation manufactures home appliances and other electronic products. Genepa is planning to introduce a new refrigerator model. The marketing manager at Genepa has developed a marketing plan for this new product and wants to communicate this plan to all the employees in the marketing department. Which of the following is most likely to be the best form of communication for communicating this plan? A) nonverbal communication B) oral communication C) written communication D) grapevine communication E) lateral communication

Q: Written communication is characterized by ________. A) a high degree of potential distortion B) the speed of transmission and feedback C) the availability of nonverbal cues D) a high degree of tangibility and verifiability E) minimal time required for transmission and feedback

Q: Which of the following statements is true regarding oral communication? A) It is tangible and verifiable. B) It can be stored for an indefinite period. C) The sender can quickly obtain feedback from the receiver. D) As compared to written communication, it is more likely to be well thought out, logical, and clear. E) In the case of oral communication, the possibility of distortion of the message decreases.

Q: Which of the following is a unique advantage of lateral communication? A) Lateral communication helps in the transmission of ideas and information. B) Lateral communication occurring with management's knowledge and support can be beneficial even if it does not follow the formal vertical structure. C) Lateral communication facilitates emotional expression, enhances motivation, and helps the organization control its employees effectively. D) Lateral communication facilitates coordination at the intradepartmental level. E) Lateral communication works quickly as it does not follow the stages of the communication process.

Q: Gehring Services is a company organized around a strong management which values experience, knowledge, and structure. The company has a detailed framework of rules, procedures, and guidelines in place to help employees respond to problems in an orderly manner. Mails, memos, and notifications are used to communicate between managers, employees, and the management. Despite such provisions to help in structuring and executing work, the company incurs losses for delays and quality issues. One of their key clients had asked for two similar projects to be delivered by the teams headed by Briony and Benedict. While Benedict's team completed the project successfully on time, Briony's team had to implement numerous last-minute changes to meet client specifications, and she ended up delivering the project over a week late. Which of the following, if true, would explain this delay in Briony's submission? A) Briony's team was comprised of members who generated a lot of positive synergy while working together. B) Briony and Benedict had teams comprising equal members and were allocated company resources in equitable manner. C) The company stipulated that all communication be in the upward or downward mode only to ensure clarity and control. D) Briony had a good track record with clients who trusted her to do a good job. E) The management allowed Briony's team an extension to complete the project.

Q: Reuben Williams, the marketing manager for F&B Industries, is frustrated. He feels that the production division repeatedly lets his division down. Although the latest marketing strategy announced that a new product would be available in the market by July, the production division was unable to complete the production of the first batch till August. The production manager claims that manpower is short and the targets placed on the production division are unreasonably high. To resolve this deadlock, they will be meeting soon. This meeting is an example of ________ communication. A) lateral B) grapevine C) diagonal D) upward E) downward

Q: Communication that takes place among members of work groups at the same level is known as ________ communication. A) diagonal B) grapevine C) upward D) lateral E) downward

Q: Which of the following is an example of upward communication? A) Jennifer has just received an outstanding performance rating as a part of the yearly appraisals. B) Sherry is holding a project initiation meeting with her team to familiarize them with the guidelines and requirements. C) The assembly line workers have conducted a signature campaign asking for the revision of the old pay scales. D) The management has recently given a copy of the new safety policies that the employees must abide by in their daily work. E) The heads of the different departments of Carver Inc. have met to discuss their plans for the coming year.

Q: Communication that flows to a higher level in the group or organization is called ________. A) intrapersonal communication B) downward communication C) upward communication D) lateral communication E) horizontal communication

Q: Which of the following is a disadvantage of downward communication? A) communication apprehension B) inferiority complex C) inability to convey feedback D) one-way nature E) fear of authority chain

Q: Which of the following is an example of downward communication? A) Harry is reporting the work he has done for the day to his supervisor. B) Ben, an assembly line worker, is communicating some safety concerns he has to his manager. C) Silas has just sent a request for leave to his supervisor and is hoping that it will be accepted. D) John and Jack, the production and the marketing managers, have met to discuss the budget constraints they are facing. E) Ray is holding his monthly meeting with his team in which he informs them of their monthly targets.