Which Basic Assumption About Nonverbal Communication Addresses Mixed Messages

question 50

Multiple Choice

Which basic assumption about nonverbal communication addresses mixed messages?

• A) It is often ambiguous.
• B) It may conflict with verbal communication.
• C) It regulates conversation.
• D) It is more believable than verbal communication.

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Definitions:

Fundamental Attribution Error

The tendency for people to over-emphasize personality-based explanations for behaviors observed in others while underestimating the influence of external factors.

Schematic Processing

A cognitive process that uses social schemata to organize and interpret information about the social world.

Schemas

Cognitive frameworks or concepts that help individuals organize and interpret information, based on past experiences and knowledge.

Subtractive Rule

When making attributions about the influence of personal dispositions on a behavior, the observer subtracts the perceived impact of situational forces from the personal disposition implied by the behavior itself.