NOTE: Exam questions (on the midterm or final ) are worth a maximum of 30 point each.  You can improve your exam grade by writing on questions from the "second chance" version of a particular test.  These are the "second chance" midterm questions.  Second chance answers MUST be received by the Wednesday of finals week (the last week of the term) in order to be factored into the course grade.

If writing on one question, select from the first three,  If writing on two questions, select from the first four. If writing on three questions, select from the first five.  If writing on four questions, select from the set of six.

1.  Consider three interpersonal communication theories that Griffin presents.  What do social judgment theory (SJT), the elaboration likelihood model (ELM), and interpersonal deception theory have in common, if anything?  As influence theories, do social judgment theory and the elaboration likelihood model account adequately for deception?  Compare the two influence theories (SJT and ELM): If you were a salesperson (you can specify the product or service if you like), which of these theories would you find the most helpful?  Explain why.

2.  Consider Watzlawick's interactional view of communication.  What aspects of this view are the most challenging to understand?  Why?  Is there anything in coordinated management of meaning (CMM) theory and Symbolic Interactionism theory that can help a person understand the interactional view?  Explain.

3.  What research methods would you use to study symbolic convergence in the following two groups: (a) ranchers in Eastern Montana, and (2) elementary school teachers in Washington, D. C.?  Explain.

4.  Imagine that you are traveling abroad to a region of the world where you do not speak any of the native languages and people generally speak little or no English.  What interpersonal message theories, if any, would help you communicate well in your travels?  Why?  Explain.

5.  Imagine that George Herbert Mead appears in Judee Burgoon's University of Arizona office one evening while she is working.  He crosses her threshold and violates her expectations by presenting a critique of her work.  Burgoon violates Mead's expectations by replying.  What would they likely say to each other about the other's ideas?  Explain.

6.  Using a close relationship that you have experienced or witnessed as an example, discuss the key elements of relational dialectics.  Does your example validate or cast doubt upon relational dialectics theory?  Taking all the interpersonal communication theories into account, are there any interpersonal theory lessons learned from your example?  Explain.