Deck 3: Understanding Marriage and Family Dynamics

Question 1

Which problem is most likely to hinder family professionals with an eclectic approach?

A) They focus too much on differences and not enough on similarities among families.
B) They cannot adjust their narrow theoretical perspective to deal with unexpected observations.
C) They focus too much on similarities and not enough on differences among families.
D) They may be too open and accepting of contradictory ideas.

Answer 1

D

Question 2

Family therapists have found that when a child has problems,often there are problems in the _____.

Answer 2

family system

Question 3

Researcher Dr.Dre is interested in how parrots learn to talk.He studies one African grey parrot extensively for several years.This is an example of what kind of research?

A) Nomothetic.
B) Idiographic.
C) Meta-analysis.
D) Quasi-experimental.

Answer 3

B

Question 4

Researcher Simon notices that he is more likely to be cut off in traffic by drivers in SUVs than drivers in cars.This idea assumption is:

A) a conceptual framework.
B) nomothetic research.
C) idiographic research.
D) an operational definition.

Question 5

Three major dimensions of cohesion,flexibility,and communication comprise the _____.

Question 6

Research that looks at large groups of people to examine the majority of folks is what kind of research?

A) Nomothetic.
B) Idiographic.
C) Meta-analysis.
D) Quasi-experimental.

Question 7

The two contrasting approaches to understanding how individuals and families operate are called _____ vs._____ approach.

Question 8

_____ is the grease that smoothes friction between partners and family members.

Question 9

Cross cultural studies that focus on kinship and diversity in families would fall under _____,a discipline that contributes to family science.

Question 10

Researcher Kotare believes that children who watch large amounts of TV violence will be more likely to engage in aggressive behavior at school.This prediction about the relationship between two or more variables is a(n):

A) theory.
B) hypothesis.
C) conceptual framework.
D) operational definition.

Question 11

A set of interconnected ideas,concepts,and assumptions is:

A) a conceptual framework.
B) nomothetic research.
C) idiographic research.
D) an operational definition.

Question 12

In an ecological approach to human systems,the _____ is the largest system involved.

Question 13

Specific predictions about the relationship between two or more variables is a(n):

A) theory.
B) hypothesis.
C) conceptual framework.
D) operational definition.

Question 14

The awareness of a system to balance both stability and change is known as _____.

Question 15

_____ is a relatively new multidisciplinary profession that began about 70 years ago.

Question 16

Attempts to control the behavior of one's partner are characteristic of _____ relationships.

Question 17

An open-minded approach to learning and life is often termed as a(n)_____ approach.

Question 18

Research like case studies look at one individual and the difference in that specific person.This is what kind of research?

A) Nomothetic.
B) Idiographic.
C) Meta-analysis.
D) Quasi-experimental.

Question 19

The woman associated with the beginning of the second "wave" of feminism is _____.

Question 20

Researcher Dr.Ales is interested in the effects of divorce on children's school performance.She gathers a sample of 1,000 children whose parents have recently divorced and tracks their academic performance over five years.This is an example of what kind of research?

A) Nomothetic.
B) Idiographic.
C) Meta-analysis.
D) Quasi-experimental.

Question 21

Which conceptual framework studies families as an interconnected group or system?

A) social exchange
B) symbolic interaction
C) feminist
D) family systems

Question 22

Which of the following is NOT an element of family systems theory?

A) open vs.closed family system
B) each member is treated/viewed independently
C) the ability to change
D) when one family member changes,there is also change in other family members

Question 23

Carl Whitaker's comment that "there are no individuals in the world-only fragments of families" suggests that:

A) it is important to focus on family growth and development as well as individual growth and development.
B) the changes in family structure in the United States have left both individuals and families broken.
C) individuals think and act in ways that are best understood by understanding the influences of their family background.
D) there are no more families.

Question 24

Which of the following is not a conceptual framework of marriage and family dynamics?

A) family systems framework
B) symbolic interactions framework
C) social construction framework
D) interaction dynamics framework

Question 25

An example of appreciation and affection is:

A) disciplining children.
B) a pat on the back.
C) avoiding blame.
D) expressing one's ethical values.

Question 26

From a family systems theory perspective,when a child of a single parent constantly gets in trouble at school:

A) the child is the problem.
B) the teacher is the problem.
C) everybody in the family (including the noncustodial parent)is the problem.
D) Family systems theory does not apply,since school problems are outside the family's boundaries.

Question 27

Interactions that push family members apart and increase separateness are called:

A) centrifugal.
B) centripetal.
C) disequilibria.
D) chaotic.

Question 28

Flexibility is defined as:

A) the ability to balance stability and change.
B) the ability to accept interdependency.
C) the ability to accept changes to the family structure.
D) none of these

Question 29

After her father loses everything in a bad financial deal Ramona finds that this adversity has brought her family closer together.This is an example of a _____ interaction.

A) centrifugal
B) centripetal
C) disequilibria
D) chaotic

Question 30

According to family systems theorists,an open family system is one in which:

A) there is the capacity to maintain the status quo.
B) family members are open to change and growth.
C) family is highly resistant to change.
D) None of these

Question 31

Interactions that pull family members together and increase closeness are called:

A) centrifugal.
B) centripetal.
C) disequilibria.
D) chaotic.

Question 32

Family therapists agree that there should be a healthy balance of separateness and _____ to best work through a crisis.

A) flexibility
B) togetherness
C) cohesion
D) chaos

Question 33

Which of the following is an example of a family strength?

A) appreciation and affection
B) positive communication
C) effective coping with stress
D) all of these

Question 34

Ramon recently lost his younger brother in a tragic accident.The loss of his sibling has pushed family members apart and made them feel very separate from each other.This is an example of a _____ interaction.

A) centrifugal
B) centripetal
C) disequilibria
D) chaotic

Question 35

Which of the following would best aid an individual in building a strong family?

A) growing up in a family that was cohesive
B) enjoying time together
C) experiencing a flexible family
D) taking courses in marriage and family relationships

Question 36

George and Ellen Rottweiler encourage their adult daughter Guinevere to break her engagement and continue living in their home,saying,"You're so bright and attractive; you can find a better guy than this." A family systems theorist would term this:

A) positive feedback.
B) negative feedback.
C) instrumental feedback.
D) expressive feedback.

Question 37

Which of the following is an example of commitment from the family strengths model?

A) sexual fidelity
B) camping,canoeing,or hiking as a family
C) faith in God
D) being task oriented

Question 38

The family strengths framework (2006)was proposed by:

A) David Olson.
B) Herbert Otto.
C) Abbott and Meredith.
D) DeFrain et al.

Question 39

Which of the following is a model of couples and families?

A) family systems theory
B) flexibility
C) cohesion
D) violence

Question 40

A family's flexibility relates to its ability to:

A) share power.
B) adjust rules.
C) switch roles.
D) all of these

Question 41

Central to feminist framework is the notion that:

A) men are less important than women.
B) differences between men and women are clear.
C) women are exploited,devalued,and oppressed.
D) women are the same as men.

Question 42

Sarcasm is often used to:

A) mask anger.
B) express love.
C) help put others at ease.
D) point out incongruous aspects of life.

Question 43

People are constantly telling Jessica that she is pretty and so she believes she is pretty.Cooley would argue that this is due to _____.

A) the looking glass self.
B) her social self.
C) her self-perception.
D) her self-esteem.

Question 44

The most controversial finding of family strengths researchers is the importance of:

A) economic security.
B) the ability to cope with stress.
C) religion or a sense of spiritual well-being.
D) humor.

Question 45

Disengaged relationships are characterized by all of the following EXCEPT:

A) lack of loyalty.
B) high independence.
C) covert conflict.
D) high separateness.

Question 46

Understanding a family's reaction to the death of one of its members might best be done from a/an __________ perspective.

A) exchange
B) symbolic interaction
C) feminist
D) family development

Question 47

Once a couple finds a healthy balance between separateness and togetherness:

A) they must begin to work at the flexibility dimension of their relationship.
B) they are likely to find the balance difficult to maintain for very long.
C) they will have learned how to avoid the extremes of enmeshment and disengagement.
D) all of these

Question 48

Humor that reduces daily tension,facilitates conversation,or entertains is an example of:

A) appreciation and affection.
B) time together.
C) family flexibility.
D) positive communication.

Question 49

Research on family time together indicates that pleasurable family time:

A) is usually related to the amount of money spent.
B) often centers on simple,inexpensive activities.
C) often involves outdoor recreation.
D) often centers on simple,inexpensive activities and involves outdoor recreation.

Question 50

Theories developed in this vein propose that individuals are profoundly immersed in the social world,and that our understanding of this world and beliefs about this world are social products:

A) symbolic interactionist framework.
B) family systems framework.
C) family strengths framework.
D) social construction framework.

Question 51

An article titled "One Mother,One Father,Two Children = Four Families" would most likely have been written from which theoretical perspective?

A) social construction
B) feminist
C) exchange
D) family systems

Question 52

Which of the following is an example of positive communication from the family strengths framework?

A) avoiding an argument in order to maintain peace
B) knowing one another so well that one understands what the other thinks without talking
C) talking and listening just to stay connected
D) all these

Question 53

Which of the following is an example of the ability to manage with stress from the family strengths model?

A) being task oriented
B) keeping problems to oneself
C) seeking help if they cannot solve the problem themselves
D) strong families do not experience stress and so do not need coping strategies

Question 54

Persons in enmeshed relationships tend to:

A) be vulnerable to jealousy.
B) find their own personal growth stifled.
C) expect the impossible from their partners.
D) all of these

Question 55

Which of the following was the most frequent response of schoolchildren to the question: "What do you think makes a happy family?"

A) having a nice house
B) doing things together
C) buying things you want
D) none of these

Question 56

Families need to balance the cohesive dimensions of their relationships between the extremes of:

A) autonomy and rigidity.
B) disengagement and enmeshment.
C) rigidity and stability.
D) intimacy and enmeshment.

Question 57

Humor can have negative effects when it:

A) is used to place someone in a superior position.
B) is used sarcastically.
C) is used to help cope with a difficult situation.
D) is used to place someone in a superior position and used sarcastically.

Question 58

Which of the following is an example of spiritual well-being from the family strengths framework?

A) faith in God
B) a feeling of oneness with the world
C) having strong ethical beliefs
D) all these

Question 59

Cooley developed the idea that you learn about yourself from the feedback you receive from others who react to you.So if others tell you that you are funny,you believe you are funny.This construct is called the:

A) looking glass self.
B) social self.
C) self-perception.
D) self-esteem.

Question 60

Which of the following is NOT an example of positive communication?

A) compromise
B) sharing blame
C) avoiding verbal conflict
D) sarcasm and avoiding verbal conflict

Question 61

The family strengths framework was proposed by DeFrain et al and DeFrain and Asay.

Question 62

When discussing spiritual well-being,the terms spiritual and religious are interchangeable.

Question 63

The Couple and Family Map is built on three major dimensions of cohesion,flexibility,and communication.

Question 64

If you are a member of a strong family,expressions of appreciation and affection are not necessary.

Question 65

The second wave of the feminist framework,which grew out of the feminist movement,is more collective whereas the third wave is more an individualistic approach.

Question 66

Commitment does not apply to sexual fidelity.

Question 67

According to Becvar and Becvar,no matter how hard one tries,one simply cannot not communicate.

Question 68

One way to improve an enmeshed relationship is for each person to develop individual interests and abilities.

Question 69

Enmeshed relationships are often typical of couples in love.

Question 70

Nomothetic research involves looking at case studies.

Question 71

A healthy balance of separateness and connectedness works best for families in crisis.

Question 72

On the Couple and Family Map,a mid-range type of family:

A) is likely to have more conflict than a balanced family.
B) functions best when it is dealing with a stressor.
C) has difficulty feeling close to one another.
D) is extreme on one of the family dimensions.

Question 73

Strong families cope with stress by looking for opportunities for growth in the process.

Question 74

A chaotic family might be most likely to live by which of the following axioms?

A) "We have nothing to fear but fear itself."
B) "There is nothing new under the sun."
C) "The only thing you can count on is that you can't count on anything."
D) "The more things change,the more they stay the same."

Question 75

A typical characteristic in disengaged families is that friendships outside the family can sometimes be more important than relationships among family members.

Question 76

Interdependence of parts is the ability of a system to balance stability and change.

Question 77

Mealtimes together ranked high on a list of popular ways that families spend time together.

Question 78

Families need to balance the flexibility dimensions of their relationships between the extremes of:

A) structure and connectedness.
B) adaptability and rigidity.
C) chaos and rigidity.
D) disengagement and chaos.

Question 79

Communication is considered a facilitating dimension on the Couple and Family Map because:

A) it helps a family resolve conflict and work out problems.
B) it fosters closeness and togetherness.
C) it enables families to adapt to changes that are required.
D) all of these