University of Central Florida (UCF) COM4120 Organizational Communication Practice Exam

The correct choice is workplace bullying, which involves a pattern of persistent verbal and nonverbal aggression directed towards an individual in a work environment. This may manifest through actions such as derogatory comments, intimidation, exclusion, or hostile behaviors that create a hostile workplace atmosphere. Workplace bullying typically disrupts not only the targeted individual’s work experience but can also impact overall team dynamics and organizational culture.

Workplace bullying is characterized by the consistency and repetition of aggressive behavior, which distinguishes it from isolated incidents of conflict or criticism. This ongoing nature can lead to significant psychological and emotional effects on the victim, highlighting the importance of recognizing and addressing such behavior in organizational communication contexts.

In contrast, stressors refer to specific events or conditions that cause stress but do not inherently include the aggressive patterns that define workplace bullying. Burnout describes the state of physical and emotional exhaustion resulting from prolonged stress but does not specifically target aggressive interactions. Emotional exhaustion is a component of burnout, focusing specifically on feeling drained and unable to cope, rather than the aggressive dynamics present in workplace bullying.