Interpersonal Communication Flashcards

Which nonverbal cue is generally the MOST reliable indicator of a person's true emotional state?

Answer: Microexpressions

Microexpressions are brief, involuntary facial movements that flash in under a second and are difficult to mask or fake.

What is the primary purpose of 'minimal encouragers' such as 'uh-huh,' 'I see,' and 'go on'?

Answer: To signal attentiveness and encourage the speaker to continue

Minimal encouragers signal active engagement without interrupting the speaker's flow or implying agreement.

During a performance review, your supervisor only focuses on your most recent mistake and ignores months of strong work. This is called:

Answer: Recency bias

Recency bias causes evaluators to overweight the most recent events, overshadowing a longer track record of performance.

Which of the following is an example of a 'closed' question in interpersonal communication?

Answer: Did you finish the report?

Closed questions invite only a yes/no or short factual answer, limiting the depth of the conversation.

The concept of 'face-saving' in interpersonal communication refers to:

Answer: Preserving a person's sense of dignity and self-image

Face-saving strategies protect the self-esteem and social image of yourself or others during difficult interactions.

If two people in a meeting keep talking over each other, the MOST effective immediate intervention is to:

Answer: Establish a structured turn-taking protocol

Establishing clear turn-taking rules reduces interruptions and ensures each person feels heard without power struggles.

What is 'stonewalling' in the context of interpersonal conflict?

Answer: Withdrawing from interaction and refusing to engage

Stonewalling is when one party shuts down, gives the silent treatment, or disengages entirely, preventing resolution.