Communication: Type, Models, Channel MCQs with Answer

Definition of Communication, Modes, Importance, Elements, Communication Models, & Barriers to Communication

Definition of Communication

Communication is a process of exchanging ideas, views, facts, and feelings to create a common understanding.

Communication is the process through which individuals or groups exchange information, ideas, thoughts, or feelings. It involves both sending and receiving messages and can occur through various channels, including spoken or written language, nonverbal cues (like body language and facial expressions), and visual aids (such as graphs and images).

Definitions provided by various scholars like Harold Koontz, Louis Allen, and Newman & Summer emphasize the systematic process of sharing information for mutual understanding.

Importance of Communication

• Planning: Helps in identifying the weaknesses and strengths of plans.
• Decision Making: Improves decision-making by enabling larger participation.
• Motivation: Feedback in communication aids in understanding subordinates’ feelings and capabilities.
• Public Relations: Minimizes misunderstandings and improves coordination.
• Complexity Management: Makes complex business operations intelligible and manageable.

Elements of Communication

• Sender: The originator of the message.
• Message: The content of the communication.
• Encoding: Converting the message into symbols (words, pictures, gestures).
• Media/Channel: The medium through which the message is transmitted.
• Decoding: Interpreting the symbols back into a message.
• Receiver: The individual who receives the message.
• Feedback: Ensures that the message has been understood as intended.

Communication Models

• Shannon-Weaver Model: Focuses on the technical aspects of communication, emphasizing the role of noise and levels of communication.
• Berlo’s SMCR Model: Stresses the importance of the source’s communication skills, attitudes, and social systems.
• Transactional Process Model: Views communication as a dynamic and reciprocal process, emphasizing feedback.

Barriers to Communication

• Semantic Barriers: Misunderstandings due to different interpretations of words or symbols.
• Psychological Barriers: Emotional states affecting communication effectiveness.
• Organizational Barriers: Structural issues within an organization that hinder communication.
• Personal Barriers: Individual attitudes and lack of confidence that obstruct effective communication.
• Physical Barriers: Environmental factors like poor hearing or distance.

Modes of Communication

• Interpersonal Mode: Face-to-face interactions.
• Interpretive Mode: Understanding meanings in written or spoken forms without active negotiation.
• Presentational Mode: Creating messages for interpretation by others in different cultures.

Communication: Type, Models, Channels MCQs with Answer and Explanation

1. Which Latin word is the origin of the term “communication”?

A) Communicare

B) Communis

C) Communio

D) Commune
Answer: B) Communis
Explanation: The term “communication” is derived from the Latin word “communis,” which means “common,” indicating the creation of common understanding.

2. According to Harold Koontz & Heinz Weihrich, communication is:

A) A systematic and continuous process of telling, listening, and understanding.

B) An exchange of facts, ideas, opinions, or emotions.

C) The transfer of information from the sender to the receiver with the information being understood by the receiver.

D) The sum of all things one person does to create understanding in the mind of another. Answer: C) The transfer of information from the sender to the receiver with the information being understood by the receiver.
Explanation: This definition emphasizes that communication is effective when the information is understood by the receiver.

3. Which of the following is NOT a type of barrier in communication?

A) Semantic

B) Psychological

C) Physical

D) Financial
Answer: D) Financial
Explanation: The main barriers in communication are semantic, psychological, organizational, and physical, not financial.

4. What is the main purpose of communication within an organization?

A) To create common understanding

B) To express personal emotions

C) To reduce costs

D) To enhance personal relationships
Answer: A) To create common understanding
Explanation: Communication aims to establish common understanding among individuals in an organizational context.

5. Which model of communication is specifically designed to develop effective communication between sender and receiver?

A) Shannon-Weaver Model

B) Berlo Model

C) Transactional Process Model

D) None of the above
Answer: A) Shannon-Weaver Model
Explanation: The Shannon-Weaver Model is designed to develop effective communication and addresses factors that may affect it, such as “Noise.”

6. In the Shannon-Weaver model, which term refers to any interference with the message traveling along the channel?

A) Feedback

B) Noise

C) Encoding

D) Decoding
Answer: B) Noise
Explanation: “Noise” refers to any disturbance that affects the message as it travels from the sender to the receiver.

7. Which of the following is an element of Berlo’s SMCR model?

A) Transmission

B) Media

C) Channel

D) Encoding
Answer: C) Channel
Explanation: In Berlo’s SMCR model, “Channel” refers to the medium through which information flows from sender to receiver.

8. What is the primary focus of the Transactional Process Model?

A) The technical aspects of communication

B) The semantic precision of communication

C) The social approach of organizational behavior

D) The effectiveness of message transmission
Answer: C) The social approach of organizational behavior
Explanation: The Transactional Process Model is based on the social approach of organizational behavior, focusing on reciprocal communication.

9. Which type of communication involves the flow of information between persons of the same hierarchical level?

A) Vertical Communication

B) Upward Communication

C) Downward Communication

D) Horizontal Communication
Answer: D) Horizontal Communication
Explanation: Horizontal communication occurs between individuals of the same hierarchical level in an organization.

10. What does “grapevine communication” typically refer to in an organizational context?

A) Formal communication

B) Rumor-based informal communication

C) Official announcements

D) Strictly structured communication channels
Answer: B) Rumor-based informal communication
Explanation: Grapevine communication is an informal communication channel in organizations, often associated with the spread of rumors.

11. Which of the following is NOT an advantage of formal communication?

A) It locates responsibility

B) It strengthens authority-responsibility relationships

C) It leads to quick decision-making

D) It helps in maintaining secrecy
Answer: C) It leads to quick decision-making
Explanation: Formal communication can often lead to delays in decision-making, unlike informal communication.

12. Which of the following is a barrier to communication caused by language differences?

A) Psychological barrier

B) Semantic barrier

C) Organizational barrier

D) Physical barrier
Answer: B) Semantic barrier
Explanation: Semantic barriers arise when there are misunderstandings due to different interpretations of language or symbols.

13. Which of the following is a psychological barrier in communication?

A) Premature evaluation

B) Noise

C) Encoding

D) Channel overload
Answer: A) Premature evaluation
Explanation: Premature evaluation is a psychological barrier where the receiver forms an opinion before the message is fully delivered.

14. What is the primary function of feedback in communication?

A) To distort the message

B) To ensure the message was understood as intended

C) To delay the communication process

D) To encode the message
Answer: B) To ensure the message was understood as intended
Explanation: Feedback allows the sender to know if the receiver has correctly understood the message.

15. Which element in the communication process is responsible for converting a message into symbols?

A) Sender

B) Encoding

C) Decoding

D) Feedback
Answer: B) Encoding
Explanation: Encoding is the process of converting a message into symbols, such as words or gestures, that can be transmitted.

16. In Berlo’s SMCR model, which of the following is NOT a factor in the source?

A) Communication skills

B) Attitude

C) Social system

D) Channel
Answer: D) Channel
Explanation: Channel is the medium of communication, not a factor in the source.

17. Which of the following modes of communication is associated with the use of senses?

A) Written communication

B) Verbal communication

C) Channel communication

D) Gestural communication
Answer: D) Gestural communication
Explanation: Gestural communication involves non-verbal cues like gestures and postures that use the senses.

18. What is one of the disadvantages of oral communication?

A) It is time-consuming

B) It can lead to misunderstandings if the message is not expressed clearly

C) It is costly

D) It cannot be preserved as a record
Answer: B) It can lead to misunderstandings if the message is not expressed clearly
Explanation: Oral communication can result in misunderstandings if the message is not articulated properly.

19. Which of the following is an example of downward communication?

A) Employees sharing feedback with management

B) Managers issuing orders to subordinates

C) Peers discussing a project

D) A suggestion box
Answer: B) Managers issuing orders to subordinates
Explanation: Downward communication typically involves directives from higher management to lower-level employees.

20. Which of the following is a physical barrier to communication?

A) Lack of attention

B) Poor hearing

C) Premature evaluation

D) Semantic differences
Answer: B) Poor hearing
Explanation: Physical barriers include external factors like poor hearing, which can affect communication.

21. Which of the following communication models emphasizes the concept of “Noise”?

A) Berlo’s SMCR Model

B) Transactional Process Model

C) Shannon-Weaver Model

D) Social Exchange Model
Answer: C) Shannon-Weaver Model
Explanation: The Shannon-Weaver Model emphasizes the concept of “Noise,” which can interfere with message transmission.

22. In communication, what does “decoding” refer to?

A) Sending a message

B) Converting a message into symbols

C) Converting symbols back into a message

D) Providing feedback
Answer: C) Converting symbols back into a message
Explanation: Decoding is the process by which the receiver interprets the symbols sent by the sender.

23. Which of the following is an example of horizontal communication?

A) A manager giving instructions to an employee

B) An employee reporting to a supervisor

C) A group of team members discussing a project

D) An announcement made by the CEO
Answer: C) A group of team members discussing a project
Explanation: Horizontal communication occurs between individuals of the same organizational level.

24. Which model is also known as the dynamic process model?

A) Shannon-Weaver Model

B) Berlo Model

C) Transactional Process Model

D) Linear Model
Answer: C) Transactional Process Model
Explanation: The Transactional Process Model is also referred to as the dynamic process model because it views communication as a dynamic and continuous process.

25. Which of the following is a key feature of non-verbal communication?

A) Use of written symbols

B) Use of spoken words

C) Use of body language

D) Use of digital media
Answer: C) Use of body language
Explanation: Non-verbal communication includes body language, facial expressions, and gestures.

26. What is the role of the “receiver” in the communication process?

A) To encode the message

B) To decode the message

C) To send feedback

D) Both B and C
Answer: D) Both B and C
Explanation: The receiver decodes the message and sends feedback to the sender.

27. In the communication process, what is the purpose of “feedback”?

A) To ensure clarity in the communication

B) To initiate the communication process

C) To decode the message

D) To encode the message
Answer: A) To ensure clarity in the communication
Explanation: Feedback ensures that the message has been understood correctly and allows for clarification if necessary.

28. Which of the following is an example of upward communication?

A) A supervisor giving tasks to an employee

B) An employee sharing concerns with management

C) A memo circulated among peers

D) An announcement made by the CEO
Answer: B) An employee sharing concerns with management
Explanation: Upward communication involves messages from lower levels of the hierarchy to higher levels.

29. Which element in the communication process is responsible for converting thoughts into a communicable message?

A) Sender

B) Encoding

C) Decoding

D) Channel
Answer: B) Encoding
Explanation: Encoding is the process where the sender converts their thoughts into a communicable message.

30. What type of communication involves the exchange of information between the manager and his subordinates?

A) Horizontal communication

B) Downward communication

C) Upward communication

D) Grapevine communication
Answer: B) Downward communication
Explanation: Downward communication involves the flow of information from higher levels of the organizational hierarchy to lower levels.

31. Which of the following types of communication is typically used in situations requiring high levels of accuracy and clarity?

A) Verbal communication

B) Written communication

C) Non-verbal communication

D) Informal communication
Answer: B) Written communication
Explanation: Written communication is preferred when accuracy and clarity are crucial because it provides a permanent record.

32. In the context of organizational communication, what does the term “channel” refer to?

A) The content of the message

B) The medium used to transmit the message

C) The feedback received

D) The person who decodes the message
Answer: B) The medium used to transmit the message
Explanation: The channel is the medium through which the message is transmitted from sender to receiver.

33. Which of the following is a disadvantage of written communication?

A) It is time-consuming

B) It is less formal

C) It cannot be used as a record

D) It is less accurate
Answer: A) It is time-consuming
Explanation: Written communication can be time-consuming, especially when detailed messages are required.

34. Which type of communication is most likely to be influenced by cultural factors?

A) Non-verbal communication

B) Written communication

C) Formal communication

D) Digital communication
Answer: A) Non-verbal communication
Explanation: Non-verbal communication is greatly influenced by cultural factors, as gestures and expressions can have different meanings in different cultures.

35. Which of the following is an advantage of informal communication?

A) It is time-consuming

B) It is cost-effective

C) It can be unreliable

D) It does not follow official channels
Answer: B) It is cost-effective
Explanation: Informal communication is generally cost-effective as it does not require formal systems or channels.

36. In communication, what is “encoding”?

A) Receiving the message

B) Sending feedback

C) Converting a message into symbols

D) Understanding the message
Answer: C) Converting a message into symbols
Explanation: Encoding is the process of converting thoughts or ideas into symbols that can be communicated.

37. Which of the following is considered a psychological barrier to communication?

A) Language differences

B) Physical distance

C) Prejudices

D) Noise
Answer: C) Prejudices
Explanation: Psychological barriers like prejudices can hinder effective communication as they affect the interpretation of messages.

38. What is the primary focus of the Shannon-Weaver model of communication?

A) Interpersonal communication

B) Technical communication and the impact of noise

C) Non-verbal communication

D) The role of feedback
Answer: B) Technical communication and the impact of noise
Explanation: The Shannon-Weaver model focuses on the technical aspects of communication, particularly the impact of noise.

39. Which of the following best describes the role of the sender in the communication process?

A) To receive and interpret messages

B) To encode and transmit messages

C) To decode and provide feedback

D) To block noise
Answer: B) To encode and transmit messages
Explanation: The sender’s role is to encode the message and transmit it through a channel to the receiver.

40. In which communication model does the concept of “two-way communication” play a significant role?

A) Linear Model

B) Shannon-Weaver Model

C) Transactional Process Model

D) Berlo’s SMCR Model
Answer: C) Transactional Process Model
Explanation: The Transactional Process Model emphasizes two-way communication, where both parties are simultaneously senders and receivers.