question

_____________ are a fact of life

answer

Misunderstandings

question

T or F: If a listener understands the meaning of every word perfectly, they will interpret a message the exact way the sender intended

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F

question

most people __________ how well their explanations get through and how well they understand others

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overestimate

question

The most basic language problems involve _______

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misunderstandings

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T or F: lack of clarity is never desirable

answer

F

question

A term with two different meanings

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equivocal term

question

Arriving in Portland Oregon instead of Portland Maine is an example of

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equivocal misunderstanding

question

most equivocal misunderstandings arise in ________ when statements seem perfectly clear until you discover that others can interpret them __________

answer

casual conversation, differently

question

In a meeting, a Hollywood producer and a software publisher use the word "in development" but have different specialized meanings. This is an example of:

answer

equivocation

question

The spanish word "ahorita" translates to "right now" but is taken less seriously than the American term "right now" this is an example of:

answer

equivocation

question

When OK means "well done" to you, but "average" to your boss

answer

equivocation

question

any object or idea can be described at various levels: ____, or _____

answer

general (high-level abstractions), specific (low-level abstractions)

question

specific, concrete statements that refer directly to objects or events that can be observed

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low level abstractions

question

statements that cover a broader range of possible objects or events without describing them in much detail

answer

high level abstractions

question

________ abstractions can create problems because they are subject to a wide variety of interpretations

answer

high level

question

One way to achieve maximum clarity is to begin explaining your proposal/problem/request with an ________ statement, which you then qualify with ____

answer

abstract, specifics

question

"soon", "often", "large" and "short" are all ambiguous terms that cause problems and are examples of:

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relative words

question

Words that have meaning only in relation to other terms

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relative words

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replacing relative words with ______ can eliminate problems

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numeric words

question

use slang with ________

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caution

question

use jargon _______

answer

judiciously

question

use _________ abstractions with clarity is essential

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lower level

question

use _______ terms to avoid misunderstandings

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unequivocal

question

that idea was "sick" is considered

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slang

question

specialized vocabulary of a profession

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jargon

question

Pro's to using jargon

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saves time, evaluate peoples expertise

question

acronyms are a special type of _______

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jargon

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Why are some job interview questions peppered with jargon?

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To determine if the job candidate knows the insider languate

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T or F: a certain amount of jargon has value for outsiders

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T; speakers who sprinkle their comments with jargon will appear more credible to some listeners

question

While jargon may _____ outside listeners, it doesn't help them ______ the idea

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impress, understand

question

Use _______ language when it is strategically desirable

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ambiguous

question

In low context cultures like the ________ and _________, speaking _____ is valued

answer

united states, Canada, directly

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Cultures in which the rules of communication are primarily transmitted through the use of contextual elements (i.e., body language, a person's status, and tone of voice) and are not explicitly stated

answer

High-context cultures

question

Culture in which information is communicated primarily through language and rules are explicitly spelled out.

answer

low-context cultures

question

Vague language can be seen as a sign of _____ ______

answer

deliberate deception

question

finding ways to express difficult messages indirectly

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strategic ambiguity

question

three functions of ambiguous speech

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to promote harmony, to soften the bow of difficult messages, to make a point indirectly that cant be expressed overtly

question

Saying "Right now I don't see any projects on the horizon" instead of "I don't want to work with you" is a form of

answer

Strategic ambiguity

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business communicators often use _________ to communicate critical messages without exposing themselves to lawsuits

answer

strategic ambiguity

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Strategic ambiguity works only when both the sender and receiver are willing to tolerate a ______ lack of _______

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deliberate clarity

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________ has the power to stir intense emotions

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language

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Prevent negative outcomes/feelings of language by _______ and ________

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avoiding biased language, beware of trigger words

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Emotional problems arise when speakers intentionally or unintentionally use _______

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biased language

question

terms that seem to be objective but actually conceal an emotional bias

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biased language

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When faced with biased language, it is wise to ____ the term in language that doesn't contain an evaluation

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restate

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specific terms that have strong emotional associations

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trigger words

question

first step to deal with trigger words

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realize you have your own trigger words

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If you use someone's trigger word, after the person vents, you can acknowledge the _____, ______, _______, and _____ with the discussion

answer

misunderstanding, apologize, choose a more agreeable term, proceed

question

T or F: swearing serves a variety of communication functions

answer

T

question

the way you speak can shape how others _____ you

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perceive

question

Three speech habits that can help you create a professional image

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choose the optimal degree of powerful language, use positive language, limit disfluencies

question

"uh", "isn't is?", and "I don't know if you'll like this idea, but" are examples of

answer

less powerful speech

question

Speakers who use _____ are seen as more competent, dynamic, and attractive

answer

powerful speech

question

T or F: sometimes less powerful forms of speech can enhance a speaker's effectiveness

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T; a boss asking if his assistant if she "wouldn't mind making a few copies" is less powerful, but more polite, and is better for their relationship

question

Saying that a coworker is "wishy-washy" is using:

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biased language

question

leading cause of employee termination

answer

swearing

question

A mixture of ____ and _____ speech is usually most effective

answer

powerful, polite

question

Unintentional negative language habits can subtly damage a _____ image

answer

positive

question

Responding "I'm great" vs "not bad" or "yes, I can" vs "no problem" is an example of:

answer

positive language

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utterances that add no meaning to a statement

answer

disfluencies

question

"umm" "you know" and "like"

answer

disfluencies

question

________ can make a smart idea sound less persuasive

answer

disfluencies

question

"_____" is one of the top filler words that can get in your way of getting hired

answer

like

question

T or F: some utterances are necessary to sound natural

answer

T; a perfect speech would sound artificial and strange

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distinct and different styles of speaking that characterize masculine and feminine speech

answer

genderlects

question

Different approaches by women and men in communication are very ____ but usually _______

answer

powerful, unnoticed

question

T or F: the gender descriptions of communication describe all men and women

answer

F

question

Genders isn't the only factor influencing conversation style. ______, _______, _______ influences play a role as well

answer

cultural, geographical, occupational

question

From childhood, females often use _______

answer

rapport talk

question

talk used to create connections, establish goodwill, show support and build community

answer

rapport talk

question

many women use language as an __________

answer

expressive tool

question

communicating to articulate emotions "I'm glad everybody had a chance to speak"

answer

rapport talk - expressive tool

question

communicating to clarify relationships "we don't seem to be working well together"

answer

rapport talk - expressive tool

question

Feminine speech often goes beyond just expressing emotions, it is also ________

answer

supportive

question

the response "I know what that's like.. last year I had so much to do too" is most likely one of a _____

answer

female - supportive talk to let the speaker know that they are not alone

question

"im sorry" is often a ritual said by women meaning "_______" not "______"

answer

im sorry that happened, i apologize

question

Speech forms such as ______ can create the impression of less authority, status, or accuracy

answer

apologizing

question

T or F: tentative speech is always regarded as weak

answer

F; to some, it builds rapport by avoiding dogmatism and supporting equality

question

Conversational ______ and ______ are characteristics of feminine speech

answer

initiation maintenance

question

If women interrupt, it is often to ____ the speaker not _____ them

answer

support challenge

question

women use talk to _____ ______

answer

build rapport

question

Men are more comfortable with using ______ talk

answer

report

question

speech that focuses less on feeling and relationships and more on information, facts, knowledge, and competence

answer

report talk

question

Men are more incline to use language to claim ______, assert a ______, establish _____ and show ________

answer

attention, position, statues, independence

question

T or F: women are the only sensitive communicators

answer

F; research shows that men need to be just as sensitive as women, but they use that awareness differently

question

________ speech uses language instrumentally to get things done

answer

masculine

question

When dealing with personal problems, a ____ approach is to offer advice that will lead to a solution

answer

masculine

question

_____ speech is more assertive, certain, direct and authoritative

answer

masculine

question

_____ speech often has a tentative nature

answer

feminine

question

____ speech includes conversational dominance or control

answer

masculine

question

in public conversations between men and women, _____ talk more

answer

men

question

3 tips to meeting gender-related language challenges

answer

be aware of different styles, switch styles when appropriate, combine styles

Chapter 4 – Verbal Messages – Flashcards

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