University of Phoenix Material

 

Introduction to Communication Worksheet

  Paragraph Questions

 

Answer the following questions in your own words. Each response must be written as an academic paragraph of at least 150 words. Be clear and concise and provide explanations for your answers. Format your sources consistent with APA guidelines.

 

1.       According to Introducing Communication Theory (2010), what is the definition of communication ? What does communication mean to you personally? Provide an example.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2.       Describe the differences between linear, interactional, and transactional communication.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

3.     Why is communication critical to developing self-concept? Provide an example of how communication has helped you to develop your self-concept.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  Myth or Reality?

 

Identify whether each of the following sentences is a myth or a reality. Explain your answers.

 

  1.    You communicate only when you consciously and deliberately choose to communicate.

Myth or Reality

 

 

 

 

 

  2.    Words do not mean the same things to the listener as they do to the speaker.

Myth or Reality

 

 

 

 

 

  3.    You communicate primarily with words.

Myth or Reality

 

 

 

 

 

  4.    Nonverbal communication is not perceived solely through sight.

Myth or Reality

 

 

 

 

 

  5.    Communication is not a one-way activity.

Myth or Reality

 

 

 

 

 

  6.    The message you send is identical to the message received by the listener.

Mythor Reality

 

 

 

 

 

  7.    You can never give someone too much information.

Myth or Reality

 

 

 

 

  Matching

 

Match the seven contexts of communication with the appropriate definition by placing the letter of the definition in the blank.

 

1.     ___ Interpersonal   a.       Communication within and among large, extended environments

 

2.     ___ Intrapersonal b.       Communication between and among members of different cultural backgrounds

  3.       ___ Group

 

c.     Communication with a group of people 4.       ___ Public/Rhetorical

  d.       Communication to a large group of listeners

 

5.     ___ Organizational e.        Communication with oneself

 

6.       ___ Intercultural f.        Communication to a very large audience through mediated forms

 

7.       ___ Mass

g.    Face-to-face communication between people

 

Communication Theories

Match the communication theories with their descriptions by placing the letter of the description in the blank.

 

1.              ____        Social penetration theory

 

2.              ____          Communication accommodation theory

 

3.              ____           Spiral of silence theory

 

4.              ____           Relational dialectics theory

       

5.              ____           Rhetoric/dramatism/narrative paradigm

 

6.              ____           Muted group theory           

 

7.              _____         Communication privacy management theory

 

8.              _____         Organizational culture theory          

 

9.              _____         Agenda-setting theory       

       

10.          _____         Face-negotiation theory 

 

11.          _____         Organizational information theory

 

12.       _____      Symbolic interaction theory

 

13.       _____       Cognitive dissonance theory

 

14.       _____       Expectancy violations theory

 

15.       _____       Groupthink

 

A.    Explains why parties to communication experience conflicting pulls that cause relationships to be in a constant state of flux. The closer individuals become to one another, the more conflict arises to pull them apart.

 

B.    Explains why certain groups in society are muted, which means they are either silent or not heard

 

C.    Explains why,as relationships develop, communication moves from less intimate levels to more intimate, more personal levels

 

D.    Explains why people tend to remain silent when they think their views are in the minority

 

E.    Explains how organizations make sense of the information that is essential for their existence

 

F.       Explains some of the reasons for changes to speech as individuals attempt to emphasize or minimize the social differences between themselves and their interlocutors

 

G.    Explains that people are essentially storytellers who make decisions on the basis of good reasons. History, biography, culture, and character determine what people consider good reasons.

 

H.      Explains the process that people use to manage the relationship between concealing and revealing private information

 

I.      Explains meanings for routine organizational events, thereby reducing the amount of cognitive processing and energy members need to expend throughout the day

 

J.     Explains that mass media has a major influence on audiences by choosing what stories are newsworthy and how much prominence and space to give them

 

K.    Explains how different cultures manage conflict and communication. The theory explains that the root of conflict is based on identity management on individual and cultural levels. 

 

L.     Explains how individuals act toward things on the basis of the meanings they assign to them. The meaning comes from the social interaction individuals have with others and with society.

 

M.   Explains the tendency for individuals to seek consistency among their cognitions, such as beliefs and opinions. When there is an inconsistency between attitudes or behaviors (dissonance), something must change to eliminate the dissonance. In the case of a discrepancy between attitudes and behavior, it is most likely that the attitude will change to accommodate the behavior.

 

N.    Explains how people have expectations about the nonverbal behaviors of others. Violations of these expectations may trigger a change in the perception of exchange—either positively or negatively, depending on the relationship.    

 

O.    Explains how individuals may withhold their opposing opinions to promote cohesiveness. Individuals may also withhold their opposing opinions because they fear rejection by the group.

  Communication Theories and Contexts

 

Match the communication theories to their contexts by placing the letter of the context in the blank. Note. Letters may be used more than once.

 

A.    Intrapersonal

B.    Interpersonal

C. Group

D.    Organizational

E.    Public

F.    Intercultural

G.    Mass

 

1.       ____                Social penetration theory

 

2.       ____                Communication accommodation theory

 

3.       ____                Spiral of silence theory

 

4.       ____                Relational dialectics theory

 

5.       ____                Rhetoric/dramatism/narrative paradigm

 

6.       ____                Muted group theory

 

7.       ____                Communication privacy management theory

 

8.       ____                Organizational culture theory

 

9.       ____                Agenda-setting theory

 

10.    ____                Face-negotiation theory 

 

11.    ____                Organizational information theory

 

12.    ____                Symbolic interaction theory

 

13.    ____               Cognitive dissonance theory

 

14.    ____               Expectancy violation theory