Question 1 (Marks: 20)
Read the scenario below, and answer the question that follows:

Amy and Mark are close friends who have been supporting each other through a difficult time. Amy has been struggling with depression and anxiety, and Mark has been there to listen and provide emotional support.

One day, Amy reaches out to Mark and says, “I’m really struggling today, and I just can’t seem to shake these negative thoughts.” Mark responds by saying, “I’m here for you, Amy. Have you considered talking to a therapist or counsellor? They can provide professional support and give you strategies to help manage your symptoms. I actually know a really good counsellor who helped me through a rough patch last year; I can give you their name and contact details if you
like?”

Identify any three interpersonal communication functions evident in the above scenario and justify your answer by explaining those functions in your own words. Use at least two credible sources to support your answer.

Question 2 (Marks: 20)
Read the scenario below, and answer the questions that follow:
Thandeka decides to message a friend from high school who still lives nearby. They have the following conversation on WhatsApp:

Thandeka: “Hey! Are you free tomorrow? Do you want to go to the beach?” Rosy: “Hey, sounds great! What time?”
Thandeka: “Let’s go at 10 before it gets too hot and crowded?”
Rosy: “Cool! I’ll see you there.”

Q.2.1 Although we seldom think about it, communication always takes place within a given context. In the scenario above, Rosy promises to meet Thandeka at the beach although neither mention which beach.

Identify the communication context that allows the two ladies to know where to meet one another without specifically stating the place. Justify your answer in
your own words.

Q.2.2 Interpersonal communication – as you already know – is a complex process made up of many components that are linked to each other.

Describe any three components of the interpersonal communication process and explain how they manifest in the above scenario.

Question 3 (Marks: 30)
Du Plooy-Cilliers and Louw (2019: 35) highlight that we often judge people’s characters based on
little information. Each of us uniquely do this. We all have what is called a “private theory of personality” through which we form impressions of what people are all about.

Q.3.1 Explain the halo effect in your own words (10 marks) and provide your own example of this effect (5 marks). Use at least two credible sources to support
your answer. (15)

Q.3.2 Explain the horn effect in your own words (10 marks) and provide your own
example of this effect (5 marks). Use at least two credible sources to support your answer. (15)

Question 4 (Marks: 30)
Ineffective verbal communication refers to a situation where the intended message is not properly conveyed or understood due to various factors such as language barriers, lack of clarity, poor tone
or inflection, insufficient context, or misinterpretation of the message by the receiver.

Q.4.1 There are two types of meanings (denotative and connotative) in verbal communication.

In your own words, provide two examples to illustrate the differences between connotative and denotative meanings. (10)

Q.4.2 In your own word and using your own examples, discuss why any four of the following can lead to ineffective verbal communication. Use at least two credible sources to support your answer.

• Vagueness;
• Generalisation;
• Gossip;
• Lying;
• Taboo Language. (20)
Get completed answers on above questions on interpersonal communication

Answer 1: The given case study on Amy and Mark indicates the presence of interpersonal communication functions within them. An analysis of the communication between them indicates that the important interpersonal communication function of information sharing is clearly evident in the given scenario. In addition to information sharing, problem solving is another important interpersonal communication function that is evident in the scenario between Amy and Mark. Finally emotional support is considered as another important interpersonal function evident in the scenario.

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