Midterm Exam Review Guide - as of 2/25/09

I'll be continuing to update this study guide as I also finish writing the exam - here's what I have so far. It should be finalized sometime tomorrow.

Exam will cover Ch. 1-5 as well as all of the lecture material.

From Ch. 1 and related lectures/class discussions
Principles of Interpersonal Communication
What is communication?
Be able to articulate what we mean by creation of meaning, symbolic nature of communication, that communication is a process, that communication is functional, systematic, interactional and transactional.
Definition & Elements of Interpersonal Communication
What needs are met via communication and how?
What is meant by the statement “Meanings are in people, not in words”?
Myths/Misconceptions of Communication
What makes a relationship “personal” as opposed to “impersonal” (what are the criteria)?
Face to face vs. CMC
What are the two criteria for communication competence and what are the characteristics of a competent communicator?
What distinguishes a social relationship from a personal relationship?
Explain the claim that “we all need to communicate”. Explain that claim and give two examples of what needs communication might fulfill.
Discuss the difference between effective communication and appropriate communication as they relate to communication competence.

Attachment and Bonding
What is attachment and how do primate studies inform our understanding of it?
PowerPoint on Harry Harlow’s experiments - Be articulate in the major findings of Harlow’s study and implications those findings have for human relationships.
Based on Harlow’s research (not just your own opinion), be able to articulate in specific terms how you would go about choosing a day care for your child.


Chapter on Self & related lectures/class discussions
PowerPoint presentation on the development of the self through interaction (James, Mead, Cooley, Goffman)
Characteristics of the self-concept
What 4 requirements must be met in order for an appraisal to be regarded as important?
Ways to change/improve self-concept (& exercise I gave you) – How is it possible to change your self-concept?
The self-fulfilling prophecy
Explain the difference between self-concept and self-esteem.
Self Esteem – characteristics of people with high or low SE, Coopersmith SE inventory – what was your score? How does this impact your communication?
Public vs. private selves - how do you navigate the different arenas?
Goffman - identity management, perceived vs. presenting selves & facework
How do we manage impressions online?

According to the things we talked about in class as well as your textbook, what are some steps you could take to improve your self-concept?

Chapter on Perception and related lectures/class discussions
Perception - 3 steps in the process (text & lecture),
Influences on perception
Filters and common tendencies in perception (text & lecture)
Standpoint theory (text) Stereotyping – what it is, steps/stages
Attribution and self-serving bias Empathy (text)

Imagine that you work for a publisher – and they want to remove the chapter on perception from the Interpersonal Communication textbook that they publish, and because you had a class in it, your boss asks your opinion. Of course, you are strongly opposed. Explain, as you would to your boss, why the study of perception is so central to an understanding of interpersonal communication.

Emotions - Ch. 4
Facilitative and debilitative emotions
Fallacies (be able to identify the fallacy in a matching section with
examples)
What kinds of changes, reactions, interpretations, and expressions do emotions involve?
What variables influence our emotional expression? Be able to provide examples for any of the variables your textbook discusses.
Of all the guidelines for expressing emotions – which are you best at? Worst at?
How do these relate to your personal conflict style?
What are facilitative and debilitative emotions? How can self-talk be either one?
Why is it important to identify an activating event when dealing with emotions?
Fallacies - how can they be debilitative? How could determining an activating event help us rid ourselves of these fallacies? How do they impact your relationships?

Language - Ch. 5

Using the Sapir-Whorf hypothesis, explain how the documentary "The N Word: Divided We Stand" illustrates that "lanugage has the power to both affect and reflect culture".

Possible Short Answer Questions:

Understanding the research of Harry Harlow on forming secure bonds and attachments, explain how you would go into potential daycare centers and choose one for your child. What are three specific things you would be looking for (that Harlow's work informed your understanding of)?

What is the difference between self-concept and self-esteem?

What is the difference between sympathy and empathy? How can you experience empathy even if you have never been through or experienced what someone is going through?

Explain how your gender has shaped your self-concept, perception, emotions and expression of them, language, and nonverbal communication via your understanding of research concerning gender differences in these things throughout the chapters you have read.