Interpersonal Communications Exam 2

What are barriers to listening?

Barriers to listening are obstacles that prevent us from fully focusing on, understanding, or
responding to messages effectively. These can include distractions, biases, emotional
reactions, and lack of interest.

What is hearing?

Hearing is the physiological process of sound entering the ear — information goes in one
ear and out the other without processing or caring about it.

What is listening?

Listening is the psychological process of understanding and mentally processing
information at a deeper level.

What is discrimination listening?

The ability to determine differences between sounds or messages.

What is appreciative listening?

Listening for enjoyment or pleasure.

What is comprehensive listening?

Listening to understand the entire message or overall meaning (hearing all the lines).

What is therapeutic listening?

Listening for deeper or hidden meanings — reading between the lines.

What are the five attitudes of mindfulness?

Non-judging, Gratitude, Patience (delayed gratification), A Beginner’s Mind (staying
open-minded and curious), and Trust.

What are patterns of information reception?

The ways we organize, interpret, and make sense of information as we receive it.

What is the function of nonverbal communication?

To express emotions, reinforce or contradict verbal messages, manage interactions, and
convey relationships or social meaning.

What are the components of nonverbal communication?

Facial expressions, gestures, posture, eye contact, tone of voice, appearance, and
physical space (proxemics).

What are verbal intensifiers?

Words that emphasize or strengthen a point (e.g., 'very, really, extremely'). Example: 'That
was very, very bad.'

What is the Sapir-Whorf Hypothesis?

The idea that language shapes reality. When you change language, you change perception
and understanding of reality. Example: Growing up poor shapes your worldview until your
language or experience changes. Key Idea: Our understandings of reality depend on the
language we use.

What does language intensity refer to?

The degree to which language reflects emotional force, conviction, or strength of feeling.
Sex, Gender, and Power Language

What is 'male speech' characterized by?

Men often assert power by putting others down or being more dominant in conversation.

What is 'female speech' characterized by?

Women typically do not need to put others down to feel power and may use more
cooperative or supportive language.

What is the overall difference between male and female speech?

General tendencies exist — men’s speech often reflects power dynamics, while women’s
speech emphasizes connection.

What is Communication Accommodation Theory?

The idea that people adjust their communication styles to match or differ from others.

What is convergence in communication?

When individuals match their communication styles to others to build rapport or show
similarity

What are the five love languages?

1. Words of Affirmation 2. Gifts 3. Acts of Service 4. Quality Time 5. Physical Touch

What is Words of Affirmation?

Expressing love through compliments and encouragement.

What is Gift Giving?

Showing thoughtfulness through giving.

What is Act of Service?

Demonstrating care through helpful actions.

What is Quality Time?

Giving undivided attention and meaningful interaction.

What is Physical Touch?

Expressing love through physical closeness and contact