Interpersonal Communication Flashcards
7 cards from real Soft Skills - Communication practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 7 Interpersonal Communication flashcards as text
Which scenario BEST illustrates the difference between sympathy and empathy?
Answer: Sympathy: 'That must be hard for you.' Empathy: 'I understand your perspective even if I haven't experienced it.'
Sympathy acknowledges another's pain from your own viewpoint, while empathy involves perspective-taking and understanding their experience.
In cross-cultural communication, 'high-context' cultures tend to:
Answer: Communicate meaning through context, relationships, and nonverbal cues
High-context cultures (e.g., Japan, China) embed meaning in relationships, tone, and situation rather than purely in words.
What is 'gunnysacking' in interpersonal conflicts?
Answer: Storing up grievances and unloading them all at once during an argument
Gunnysacking means stockpiling complaints and then dumping them all on the other person during one conflict, overwhelming the discussion.
A team member sends a strongly worded email that could be misread as rude. Before responding, you should FIRST:
Answer: Assume the most charitable interpretation and clarify in person if needed
Assuming positive or neutral intent and seeking clarification prevents unnecessary escalation of misunderstandings.
Which of the following BEST describes 'dialogic communication'?
Answer: A mutual, open exchange where all parties genuinely listen and may change their views
Dialogic communication is a reciprocal, open-minded exchange where participants are genuinely willing to be influenced by each other.
When delivering constructive criticism, the 'sandwich' method refers to:
Answer: Framing criticism between two pieces of positive feedback
The feedback sandwich wraps constructive criticism between positive observations to soften the message and keep the receiver receptive.
Which behavior is MOST likely to break psychological safety in a team conversation?
Answer: Publicly ridiculing a team member's idea in a meeting
Public ridicule creates fear of judgment, which silences future contributions and destroys the trust needed for open communication.