Communication Process
Name the five basic components of the communication process.
Sender, message, channel, receiver, and feedback
What is verbal communication?
Communication that uses words, whether spoken or written.
What is a communication barrier?
Anything that prevents a message from being sent, received, or understood correctly.
What is active listening?
Hearing with purpose and attentively seeking to understand the speaker’s message.
Name the five cultural dimensions studied in class.
Context, individualism/collectivism, time orientation, power distance, and communication style.
The method used to deliver a message—such as email, phone, or face-to-face—is called what?
What is a channel?
Give TWO examples of nonverbal communication.
facial expressions, gestures, posture, eye contact, body language, tone of voice.
A video meeting repeatedly freezes and disconnects. What barrier is this?
Technological barrier.
Which type of listening is used when you listen to learn directions, facts, or important information?
Informative listening.
Which culture type tends to value direct words, explicit details, and “saying what you mean”?
Low-context culture.
A manager emails, “Meeting moved to 2:00.” The employee replies, “Got it.” What component is the reply?
What is feedback?
A coworker says “I’m fine” while avoiding eye contact and crossing their arms. Which type of communication may reveal more about how they feel?
Nonverbal communication.
A new employee does not understand the technical jargon used by a manager. What barrier is this?
Language barrier.
Which type of listening involves judging whether a message is accurate, important, or trustworthy?
Evaluative listening
An employee believes team success is more important than individual recognition. Which dimension does this illustrate
Collectivism (within individualism vs. collectivism).
Why is feedback important in the communication process?
It helps confirm whether the receiver received and understood the intended message.
How can tone of voice change the meaning of the same spoken words?
Tone can communicate attitude or emotion and cause the listener to interpret the words differently.
Two employees read the same email but interpret its meaning differently because of their experiences. What barrier is this?
Perceptual barrier.
A supervisor explains a new workplace policy. An employee listens carefully, asks clarifying questions, and restates the main points to make sure they understood correctly. What listening skill is the employee demonstrating, and how does it improve communication?
Active Listening
An employee expects the manager to make final decisions and feels uncomfortable openly disagreeing. Which dimension is most connected?
Higher power distance.
A supervisor gives safety instructions over a noisy intercom. Identify the sender, message, channel, receiver, and one possible problem.
Sender: supervisor; message: safety instructions; channel: intercom; receiver: employee(s); problem: noise may interfere with receiving/understanding the message.
A presenter says she is confident but speaks quietly, looks at the floor, and slouches. Explain the mixed message.
Her verbal message says confidence, but her nonverbal cues suggest uncertainty or discomfort.
An employee is angry and stops listening during feedback. Identify a likely barrier AND one strategy to overcome it.
Psychological or attitudinal barrier; strategies include calming down, keeping an open mind, asking clarifying questions, and focusing on the message.
A coworker explains a frustrating problem. You listen for feelings, avoid interrupting, and try to understand their point of view. Which listening type best fits, and why?
Empathetic listening, because the listener is trying to understand the speaker’s feelings and viewpoint.
Two coworkers clash because one prioritizes exact schedules and one adjusts time around relationships and circumstances. Which dimension is involved?
Time orientation—monochronic versus polychronic tendencies.