UGC NET Questions (Paper – 1)

Status or power differences can create psychological distance between communicators. Students may fear expressing dissenting views, and administrators may communicate in an overly formal style, reducing openness and feedback.

Option A:
Option A incorrectly claims that students have more formal power than administrators, which is usually not true in university hierarchies.

Option B:
Option B is correct because perceived power distance can make both administrators and students hesitate to share information openly, creating a psychological barrier.

Option C:
Option C states that status has no influence, which ignores how power differences affect who speaks, who listens and how freely people share information.

Option D:
Option D suggests that status differences automatically improve clarity, but in practice they often make communication more cautious and less open.

Statements A and B are correct, while C and D are wrong and therefore form the required combination of wrong statements. A is true because downward communication usually refers to messages flowing from higher levels of authority to lower levels, such as administration to teachers. B is true since teachers’ reports, suggestions and grievances sent upward are classic examples of upward communication. C is false because upward communication can also be distorted due to fear, filtering or misrepresentation. D is false because educational institutions need horizontal and diagonal communication as well as upward and downward flows to function effectively.

Option A:
Option A is incorrect because it marks C only as wrong and ignores D. Although C is indeed wrong, D also misrepresents institutional communication needs by privileging only downward flow. As the question demands identification of all wrong statements, this option is incomplete.

Option B:
Option B is incorrect because it selects D only as wrong and leaves out C. While D is a false claim about the sufficiency of downward communication, C also wrongly asserts that upward messages are always distortion-free. Excluding C means this option does not capture the full set of wrong statements.

Option C:
Option C is incorrect because it treats A, C and D as wrong, even though A correctly describes typical downward communication. Including A among wrong statements makes the combination inconsistent with organisational communication theory. Hence it cannot be accepted.

Option D:
Option D is correct because it recognises that C and D both misstate how communication operates in institutions. It acknowledges that both directions of flow can be distorted and that institutions require multiple communication directions. By excluding A and B, which are true, this option exactly matches the pattern of wrong statements in the item.

Statements A, B and C are correct, whereas D is incorrect. A is true because large status gaps can make subordinates hesitant to share honest opinions. B is true since fear of negative judgment may cause teachers to modify or suppress information in upward communication. C is true as a power-centred climate creates risk in voicing disagreement, thereby restricting open dialogue. D is false because participative mechanisms, such as committees and consultations, can help reduce power-related barriers even in hierarchical settings.

Option A:
Option A includes A and B but omits C, ignoring the effect of a power-centred climate on dissent. While A and B are correct, failing to include C means the option does not present the full range of status and power-related barriers discussed. Hence A and B only is incomplete.

Option B:
Option B groups B and C only and leaves out A, neglecting the barrier created by excessive status distance between administrators and teachers. Since A is also a correct statement, this combination does not capture all relevant barriers. Therefore B and C only cannot be accepted.

Option C:
Option C combines A and C only but omits B, overlooking the role of fear of evaluation in distorting upward messages. Without B, the portrayal of power-related barriers is not comprehensive. Consequently A and C only is not the correct answer.

Option D:
Option D brings together A, B and C while excluding D, which wrongly claims that barriers cannot be reduced. This option recognises the main power-related obstacles and rejects the defeatist view that nothing can be improved. As it contains all and only the correct statements, A, B and C only is the right answer.