Deck 13: Uncoupling: Relationship Deterioration and Divorce

Question 1

The socialization hypothesis further explains the inter-generational transmission of divorce by putting forward the notion that _____.

A) our culture has too greatly affected the marital expectations of children of divorce
B) because interaction with biological parents is stressed and compounded their lack of parental involvement predisposes them to divorce
C) relational stress is genetically correlated
D) because children of divorce have less experience with successful marital role models their inability to adequately cope with the difficulties of marital living puts them at greater risk for divorce

Answer 1

D

Question 2

When dividing assets and debt, there are a number of types of property to be negotiated. "Marital" property refers to _____.

A) those assets owned by both spouses or acquired jointly during the marriage
B) those assets owned individually, such as a piece of heirloom jewelry owned by one of the spouses
C) homes, cars, furniture, jewelry, and pets
D) property or assets that may not have a market value, but has inherent value, such as retirement benefits, bank certificates, or stocks

Answer 2

A

Question 3

To estranged couples, "separation" means _____.

A) a "cooling off" period
B) a temporary marital hiatus
C) a precursor to divorce papers
D) any of the above

Answer 3

D

Question 4

This is a divorce in which neither spouse blames the other for the breakdown of the marriage.

A) blameless divorce
B) no-fault divorce
C) equal-fault divorce
D) equitable divorce

Question 5

According to Ahrons, the phase in which the spouses begin to openly share with others the problems in their marriage and the possibility that it may come to an end is referred to as _____.

A) family self-disclosure
B) family metacognition
C) couple cognition
D) closure

Question 6

Ahrons states, "These first three turbulent transitions-the decision, the announcement, the separation-form the core of the ________ divorce".

A) emotional
B) legal
C) spiritual
D) physical

Question 7

According to Duck, in this phase of relationship end, the couple must come to terms with the breakdown/breakup of the marriage and piece together a rational, logical explanation that explains why the marriage "died."

A) intrapsychic
B) grave dressing
C) dyadic
D) dyadic breakdown

Question 8

According the Duck, this phase occurs when couples discuss their dissatisfaction with their marriage and attempt either to find a resolution or their intent to end the relationship. Not all couples enter into discussions, however.

A) social phase
B) dyadic breakdown phase
C) dyadic phase
D) intrapsychic phase

Question 9

In the United States, family law _____.

A) helps single mothers procure affordable housing
B) provides nutritional assistance for mothers and children
C) ensures tax breaks for family advocacy groups
D) establishes policies and regulations to ensure that married or divorced couples fulfill their obligations to each other and to their children

Question 10

During this first phase of decline (in Duck's model of intimacy decline), couples cannot identify precisely what is wrong with the relationship, yet they begin to sense that something is wrong.

A) dyadic breakdown phase
B) intrapsychic phase
C) dyadic phase
D) social phase

Question 11

According to Duck, the second phase of relationship deterioration is the ________, which refers to the point at which couples begin to focus on those aspects of the relationship with which they are dissatisfied or disappointed; however, these feelings of distress are rarely mutual.

A) social phase
B) grave dressing
C) dyadic breakdown phase
D) intrapsychic phase

Question 12

When dividing assets and debt, there are a number of types of property to be negotiated. "Intangible" property refers to _____.

A) those assets owned by both spouses or acquired jointly during the marriage
B) those assets owned individually, such as a piece of heirloom jewelry owned by one of the spouses
C) homes, cars, furniture, jewelry, and pets
D) property or assets that may not have a market value, but has inherent value, such as retirement benefits, bank certificates, or stocks

Question 13

Marriage has undergone a shift from a ________ union to a union of individual choice.

A) legal
B) covenant
C) societal
D) family

Question 14

When dividing assets and debt, there are a number of types of property to be negotiated. "Tangible" property refers to _____.

A) those assets owned by both spouses or acquired jointly during the marriage
B) those assets owned individually, such as a piece of heirloom jewelry owned by one of the spouses
C) homes, cars, furniture, jewelry, and pets
D) property or assets that may not have a market value, but has inherent value, such as retirement benefits, bank certificates, or stocks

Question 15

This term refers to socially sanctioned methods that legally terminate the marriage.

A) marriage-death
B) covenant
C) separation
D) divorce

Question 16

Research suggests that those who experience the end of their parents' marriage are more likely to divorce than those whose parents do not divorce. Many social scientists refer to this phenomenon as _____.

A) family transmission of divorce
B) inter-generational transmission of divorce
C) social elementals
D) historical repetition

Question 17

Today, this is more commonly referred to as "spousal support."

A) child support
B) alimony
C) garnishment
D) marital grant

Question 18

Once a couple decides that the relationship will be terminated, they then decide, either individually or jointly, how they will disclose the news of their breakup to family and friends. According to Duck, this public announcement constitutes the ________ phase of relationship deterioration.

A) social
B) intrapsychic
C) dyadic
D) grave dressing

Question 19

When dividing assets and debt, there are a number of types of property to be negotiated. "Separate" property refers to _____.

A) those assets owned by both spouses or acquired jointly during the marriage
B) those assets owned individually, such as a piece of heirloom jewelry owned by one of the spouses
C) homes, cars, furniture, jewelry, and pets
D) property or assets that may not have a market value, but has inherent value, such as retirement benefits, bank certificates, or stocks

Question 20

This term refers to certain social and socioeconomic characteristics that affect the longevity of a marriage and the probability that a marriage will end in divorce.

A) correlates of divorce
B) separation factors
C) correlates of separation
D) societal divorce norms

Question 21

This term refers to which parent has the right to make decisions about how the child is reared, such as decisions concerning education or religion.

A) physical custody
B) shared legal custody
C) joint custody
D) legal custody

Question 22

When a parent is granted ________ custody, he or she is granted the legal right to have the child live primarily with him or her, making this parent the custodial parent.

A) joint
B) physical
C) legal
D) bird's nest

Question 23

Substantial bodies of empirical evidence suggest that the risk of divorce is much lower among those from lower socio-economic backgrounds and among those with lower levels of educational attainment.

Question 24

In some states, child support awards are based on the parent's ________, or the income before federal, state, and local income taxes are deducted.

A) net income
B) net adjusted income
C) gross income
D) profits

Question 25

The divorce rate saw a decline in the 1990's and has leveled off since the beginning of the 21^st Century.

Question 26

Since the desacralization of marriage, divorce rates have increased and remain relatively high.

Question 27

"Custody" refers to

A) the biological claim to parenthood.
B) who is responsible for child support payments.
C) who is responsible for the children's financial, physical, and emotional well-being.
D) who is responsible for the divorce.

Question 28

The National Center for Health Statistics (2005) reports that the likelihood for divorce is highest for men under age 45.

Question 29

Western cultures have developed higher levels of tolerance when marriages do not meet individual expectations for fulfillment, contentment, happiness, and companionship.

Question 30

Military divorce numbers have been climbing at unprecedented rates.

Question 31

According to sociologist Anne-Marie Ambert (2005), reasons for marital discontentment that may eventually result in marital dissolution are universal.

Question 32

In the United States, over 50 percent of cohabiting relationships dissolve within 5 years.

Question 33

The age of the partners when they marry has been found to be a strong predictor of divorce.

Question 34

________ means that one parent is the primary parent -legally, physically, or both legally and physically.

A) Bird's nest
B) Joint custody
C) Sole custody
D) Joint legal

Question 35

________ is typically paid out as fixed, monthly payments and may be paid by one or the other spouse, or ex-spouses may split these costs until the children reach their early 20s.

A) Child support
B) Alimony
C) Attorney fees
D) Marital grant

Question 36

In some cases Mother and Father are granted this so that they may share in the decision-making on behalf of their children.

A) joint custody
B) amicable divorce
C) sole custody
D) congenial custody

Question 37

It is common today for parents to be awarded ________ custody, which means that both parents have an equal say in the child's upbringing.

A) physical
B) arminial
C) shared legal
D) congenial

Question 38

________ is a process that helps ex-spouses resolve child support, child custody, and property settlements for themselves and for their children, rather than having a judge determine these issues for them.

A) Legal representation
B) Divorce representation
C) Divorce advocacy
D) Divorce mediation

Question 39

_______ are mental health professionals who are trained and licensed to diagnose and treat a number of issues, including marital problems.

A) Marriage and family therapists
B) General practitioners
C) Clergy
D) Health advocates

Question 40

African American couples are 1.5 to 2 times more likely to end their marriages than are Whites and Hispanics.

Question 41

Family laws guiding property division take current and future earnings into account when dividing up marital assets. Briefly explain.

Question 42

The longer couples are married, the less difficult it is to determine separate property.

Question 43

What is meant by the "desacralization of marriage"? What affect does this concept have on marriage and divorce?

Question 44

What differentiates "orderly separation" and "disorderly separation."

Question 45

How does age correlate with divorce?

Question 46

Today, 3 out of every 4 mothers have physical custody of the children following divorce.

Question 47

Despite being more educationally and economically disadvantaged than African Americans, Hispanics tend to have relatively high levels of marital satisfaction and marital quality.

Question 48

What is the role of a divorce mediator?

Question 49

Family laws guiding property division take current standard of living into account when dividing up marital assets. Briefly explain.

Question 50

Explain how one's devotion to religion (or lack of it) correlates with divorce.

Question 51

What are "rehabilitative" alimony payments?

Question 52

In most cases, divorce involves a series of gradual transitions to marital end.

Question 53

Researchers have found that an individual's socio-demographic characteristics and lifecourse circumstances at the time of marriage formation are significant predictors of divorce. Your text lists some of these predictors, what are they?

Question 54

How has individualism, particularly in the West, affected marriage and divorce?

Question 55

What is a "bird's nest" custody arrangement?

Question 56

Name three cultural forces affecting and shaping divorce trends.

Question 57

Explain the three types of joint custody.

Question 58

How does premarital pregnancy correlate with divorce?

Question 59

What is meant by the term "crude divorce rate"?

Question 60

Spouses who are older or who are in poorer mental or physical health are usually awarded a larger share of marital property than healthier spouses.

Question 61

What is Marriage and Family Therapy, and how is it used in divorce situations?

Question 62

Explain family law as it exists and works in the United States. What provision does it make for married couples?

Question 63

What are the costs of divorce?

Question 64

Describe and briefly explain Duck's model of relationship deterioration.

Question 65

Discuss the affect of premarital cohabitation on marriage success.