COM220 Exam 1

Content Meaning

The literal meaning of what is said in communication.

Dual Perspective

The ability to understand both your own and another person’s point of view.

Ethics

Principles that guide what is right or wrong in communication.

Feedback

Verbal or nonverbal responses to a message.

I–It Communication

Treating others as objects rather than individuals.

Interactive Models

Communication models that include feedback from both sender and receiver.

Interpersonal Communication

The exchange of messages between people to build relationships.

Interpersonal Communication Competence

The ability to communicate effectively and appropriately.

I–Thou Communication

Deep, meaningful interactions where people are valued as unique individuals.

I–You Communication

Treating people based on their social roles rather than as unique individuals.

Linear Models

A one-way communication model where a sender transmits a message to a receiver.

Metacommunication

Communication about communication (e.g., discussing how we communicate).

Model

A representation of how communication works.

Monitoring

The ability to observe and regulate your own communication.

Noise

Anything that disrupts or distorts communication.

Person-Centeredness

Tailoring communication to the unique needs of an individual.

Process

The idea that communication is continuous and ever-changing.

Relationship Meaning

The deeper message about the nature of a relationship conveyed through communication.

Symbols

Words, gestures, or images that represent something else.

Systemic

The concept that communication happens within a larger system that affects meaning.

Transactional Model

A communication model where people send and receive messages simultaneously.

Anxious/Ambivalent Attachment Style

Insecurity in relationships due to inconsistent caregiving in childhood.

Attachment Styles

Patterns of how people form emotional bonds based on early experiences.

Cyberbullying

Online harassment or bullying through digital communication.

Direct Definition

How others explicitly label us and shape our identity.

Dismissive Attachment Style

Avoiding close relationships due to early neglect or rejection.

Face

The public image we present to others.

Fearful Attachment Style

A style where individuals fear rejection and avoid relationships.

Generalized Other

Society’s overall beliefs and values that shape self-perception.

Identity Scripts

Rules we learn from others about who we are and how we should behave.

Impression Management

Efforts to control how others perceive us.

Johari Window

A model for understanding self-awareness and disclosure.

Particular Others

Important people in our lives who shape our self-concept.

Reflected Appraisal

How we see ourselves based on how we think others see us.

Secure Attachment Style

A healthy attachment style developed from consistent and loving caregiving.

Self

The perception of who we are.

Self-Disclosure

Sharing personal information with others.

Self-Fulfilling Prophecies

Expectations that influence behaviors to make the expectation come true.

Self-Sabotage

Negative self-talk or behaviors that undermine personal success.

Social Comparison

Evaluating ourselves by comparing to others.

Attribution

Explaining why things happen or why people behave in certain ways.

Cognitive Complexity

The ability to understand multiple perspectives and layers of meaning.

Constructivism

A theory that we interpret experiences using mental structures called schemata.

Culture

Shared beliefs, values, and practices of a group.

Empathy

Understanding and sharing another person’s feelings.

Fundamental Attribution Error

Overestimating personality traits and underestimating situations when explaining others' behavior.

Implicit Personality Theory

Assumptions about what traits go together in a person.

Inattention Blindness

Failing to notice something because attention is elsewhere.

Interpretation

Assigning meaning to what we perceive.

Mind Reading

Assuming we know what someone else is thinking.

Müller-Lyer Illusion

A visual illusion that demonstrates perceptual biases.

Perception

The process of selecting, organizing, and interpreting information.

Personal Construct

A category we use to classify people and situations.

Prototype

An ideal example of a category (e.g., 'perfect boss').

Script

A learned sequence of behaviors for particular situations.

Self-Serving Bias

Attributing successes to ourselves and failures to external factors.

Standpoint

A perspective shaped by social position and experiences.

Stereotype

A generalized belief about a group of people.

Hyperpersonal Model

The idea that online communication can create deeper relationships due to selective self-presentation.

Face Theory

The idea that people work to maintain a positive public image.

Self-Selection

Choosing what information to share or engage with.

Social Media Self-Concept

How people present themselves on social media.

Self-Presentation

Controlling how others perceive us.

Masspersonal Communication

Blending personal and mass communication (e.g., a personal message posted publicly).

Parasocial Relationships

One-sided relationships with media figures or influencers.

Deception

Misleading or false communication online.