Deck 8: Communication Climate: the Foundation of Personal Relationships

Question 1

____ in interpersonal relationships involves believing in another person's reliability and emotionally relying on that person.

A) Climate
B) Investment
C) Love
D) Commitment
E) Trust

Answer 1

E

Question 2

"I really know a lot more about this than you do, so you should listen to me." This comment is an example of communication that:

A) describes the situation.
B) claims superiority of the speaker.
C) expresses a tentative conclusion.
D) demonstrates empathy.
E) focuses on problem solving.

Answer 2

B

Question 3

Research indicates that in general the least effective and least satisfying response to the tension generated by relational dialectics is to:

A) honor one need and ignore the contradictory one.
B) compromise to meet both needs somewhat but to meet neither need completely
C) meet each need sequentially, first one and then the other.
D) repress both needs.
E) bring in a third party, such as a therapist, to help address the tension.

Answer 3

A

Question 4

The counterpoint to control is ____.

A) description
B) provisionalism
C) spontaneity
D) problem orientation
E) equality

Question 5

All of the following are supportive communication EXCEPT:

A) description
B) provisionalism
C) spontaneity
D) strategy
E) equality

Question 6

Tabitha and her partner respond to their tension by deciding to spend part of the weekend together and part of it engaged in separate activities. This response to relational dialectics is called:

A) separation.
B) neutralization.
C) voice.
D) neglect.
E) reframing.

Question 7

Closeness in the doing is best illustrated by which of the following interactions between two friends?

A) they tell each other personal details of their lives
B) they talk through problems together
C) they go to ball games together
D) they talk about the relationship and what it means
E) they support each other verbally

Question 8

The counterpoint to evaluation is ____.

A) description
B) provisionalism
C) spontaneity
D) problem orientation
E) equality

Question 9

Ethnocentrism is one form of ____ communication.

A) certainty
B) problem oriented
C) effective
D) strategic
E) neutral

Question 10

Tabitha wants some time alone because she feels a need to get in touch with herself as an individual. However, her partner wants them to spend as much time together as possible. The tension in this example illustrates the ____ relational dialectic.

A) novelty/predictability
B) commitment/love
C) trust/dependence
D) openness/closedness
E) autonomy/connection

Question 11

The counterpoint to strategy is ____.

A) description
B) provisionalism
C) spontaneity
D) problem orientation
E) equality

Question 12

The counterpoint to neutrality is ____.

A) description
B) provisionalism
C) empathy
D) problem orientation
E) equality

Question 13

Chris says he loves Betsy, but he's not sure they have a future together. Chris's feelings toward Betsy indicate he:

A) loves her but isn't committed.
B) loves her and is committed but unsure of himself.
C) loves her but is philosophically opposed to marriage.
D) is just out for a good time.
E) is interested in other women he might date.

Question 14

The counterpoint to superiority is ____.

A) description
B) provisionalism
C) spontaneity
D) problem orientation
E) equality

Question 15

On the continuum of interpersonal climates, the middle between confirming and disconfirming climates is known as ____.

A) open climate
B) free climate
C) coordinated climate
D) mixed climate
E) definite climate

Question 16

The most basic form of confirmation in interpersonal communication is:

A) agreeing with another person.
B) recognizing another person exists.
C) acknowledging what another person feels.
D) accepting what another person feels and thinks as valid.
E) acknowledging what another person thinks.

Question 17

According to relationships counselors, the most central and continuous tension in the majority of close relationships arises from which of the following dialectical tensions?

A) novelty/predictability
B) commitment/love
C) trust/dependence
D) openness/closedness
E) autonomy/connection

Question 18

Co-workers might be very closed about all topics. This is an example of ____ when negotiating with dialectical tensions.

A) neutralization
B) separation
C) selection
D) reciprocal
E) aggression

Question 19

The strongest level of confirmation is ____.

A) endorsement
B) acknowledgment
C) recognition
D) evaluation
E) description

Question 20

When communicating with a person with a disability, all of the following are generally accepted guidelines EXCEPT:

A) speak directly to the person.
B) try to position yourself at eye level if a person uses a wheelchair or crutches.
C) provide assistance without asking.
D) do not lean on a person's wheelchair as this may be an invasion of personal space.
E) don't use childish language with people who have no mental disability.

Question 21

This communicates openness to other points of view. We suggest that our minds aren't sealed.

A) description
B) provisionalism
C) spontaneity
D) problem orientation
E) equality

Question 22

Natalie will always ask her roommate, what she is doing this weekend, because she wants her roommate to help her with her schoolwork. After a while, her roommate realizes that she is using this strategy.

A) description
B) strategy
C) spontaneity
D) problem orientation
E) equality

Question 23

This communication tends to cultivate supportive, confirming communication climates. It focuses on finding a solution that all parties find acceptable.

A) description
B) provisionalism
C) spontaneity
D) problem orientation
E) equality

Question 24

Nora tells Dan that she needs help with a computer problem rather than saying "would you do something for me if I told you it really mattered?" By asking her help and saying "I really need help with the computer glitch", she is using this strategy.

A) description
B) provisionalism
C) spontaneity
D) problem orientation
E) equality

Question 25

Men and women, as groups, self-disclose with equal frequency and depth.

Question 26

The strategy doesn't evaluate others or what they think and feel.

A) description
B) provisionalism
C) spontaneity
D) problem orientation
E) equality

Question 27

Americans rely more on friends than do Russians, Koreans, or Turks.

Question 28

Coworkers who say something like "it seems like we have really different ideas about how to tackle this new project. Let's talk through what each of us has in mind and how we can connect our goals." This is a great example of ____.

A) description
B) provisionalism
C) spontaneity
D) problem orientation
E) equality

Question 29

In interpersonal relationships it is as important to affirm and accept yourself as to affirm and accept others.

Question 30

This type of communication does not evaluate others of what they think or feel.

A) defensive
B) provisionalism
C) spontaneity
D) problem orientation
E) equality

Question 31

This communication confirms the worth of others and our concern for them. An examples is "I can understand why you feel that way."

A) description
B) provisionalism
C) spontaneity
D) problem orientation
E) equality

Question 32

Most people feel defensive when others communicate in neutral ways that suggest the others are distanced and uninvolved with them.

Question 33

When we disagree with someone, we disconfirm her or him.

Question 34

The tensions of relational dialectics keep relationships stagnant because they increase interpersonal friction and stress.

Question 35

Reciprocity of self-disclosures is especially important after a relationship has become established.

Question 36

This kind of communication feels open, honest, and unpremeditated.

A) description
B) provisionalism
C) spontaneity
D) problem orientation
E) equality

Question 37

Marge says to Homer, "I don't want to hear it, you can no change my mind". These statements illustrate:

A) description
B) provisionalism
C) spontaneity
D) problem orientation
E) certainty

Question 38

Assertiveness and affirming oneself involves the same kinds of communication across all cultures.

Question 39

The happiest dating and married partners feel that they do not invest equally in their relationship compared to their partner.

Question 40

Men generally talk more about personal feelings, especially their shortcoming or self-doubts.

Question 41

Identify the following:
Trust

Question 42

Identify the following:
Commitment

Question 43

Commitment is a decision to remain in a relationship. Notice that commitment is defined as a decision, not a feeling.

Question 44

When you talk with people who use a wheelchair or crutches, try to position yourself at their eye level and in front of them to allow good eye contact.

Question 45

Identify the following:
Relational dialectics

Question 46

Investments are what we put into relationships that we could not retrieve if the relationship were to end.

Question 47

Unlike passion or attraction, which arise in the present, commitment links partners together in the future.

Question 48

Identify the following:
Assertion

Question 49

Investments cannot be recovered, so the only way to reap the benefits of your investments is to stick with a relationship.

Question 50

Identify the following:
Ethnocentrism

Question 51

Communication climate is the overall feeling or emotional mood between people-warm or cold, safe or anxious, comfortable or awkward, accepting or rejecting, open or guarded-that is shaped by verbal and nonverbal interaction between people.

Question 52

All of our relationships are very complex and are shaped by numerous factors.

Question 53

When we perceive ourselves as investing more than our partner, we tend to be dissatisfied and resentful. When we perceive our partner as investing more than we are, we may feel guilty. Thus, perceived inequity erodes satisfaction and communication.

Question 54

Identify the following:
Investments

Question 55

Understanding communication climates will give you insight into why you feel relaxed and comfortable in some of your relationships and uneasy and defensive in others.

Question 56

Few of us feel what Gibb called "psychologically sage" when we are the targets of judgments.

Question 57

Communication researchers report that evaluative communication evokes defensiveness.

Question 58

Of the many influences, four are particularly critical for building and sustaining satisfying personal relationships: investment, commitment, trust, and comfort with relational dialectics.

Question 59

When talking with people with disabilities, you may offer assistance, but don't provide it unless your offer is accepted.

Question 60

Westerners often disclose personal information to casual friends and acquaintances, whereas Japanese tend to disclose only to very close friends.

Question 61

Distinguish between love and commitment. Then explain how each is communicated and how it affects relationships between people.

Question 62

Identify the following:
Self-disclosure

Question 63

Discuss the four features that research indicates are characteristic of satisfying close relationships. After identifying each feature, explain and illustrate how it is communicated between people.

Question 64

Identify the following:
Endorsement

Question 65

Using Gibb's categories of communication behaviors, describe the climate of this class. Be sure to include specific examples of each type of communication you perceive as affecting the classroom climate.

Question 66

Baxter (1990) has identified four ways partners handle the tension generated by opposing needs. Name and give an example of each way partners negotiate dialectical tensions.

Question 67

Building on the research of Buber and Laing, communication scholars have identified three levels of communication that (dis)confirm others. Distinguish among the three levels by providing a definition and an example of a disconfirming and confirming statement for each level. For extra credit, explain why Buber felt confirmation is so important to our interpersonal lives.

Question 68

Identify the following:
Reframing