Question 1

Although she has a desire to tell her mother about her drinking problem and ask for help, Susanne decides to keep it a secret. Susanne's struggle with deciding whether or not to share some personal information with her mother reflects which dialectical tension?

Accepted Answer

Susanne's internal conflict about whether to share her personal issue with her mother illustrates the dialectical tension of openness and closedness. This tension involves the struggle between wanting to share personal information (openness) and wanting to keep it to oneself (closedness).

Question 2

In the past, Paul has insisted on going to a restaurant and to a movie on each of his dates with Danielle. Last night, however, Danielle asked Paul if they could go bowling and to grab coffee instead. In response, Paul conceded to go bowling but asked if they could try a different restaurant in lieu of getting coffee. Which of the following dialectical tensions were Paul and Danielle wrestling with?

Accepted Answer

Paul and Danielle were experiencing the dialectical tension between stability and change because Paul had previously insisted on going to a restaurant and a movie on each of their dates, but Danielle suggested doing something different by going bowling and getting coffee instead. Paul then attempted to maintain some stability by suggesting a different restaurant instead of getting coffee.

Question 3

Dialectics are:

Accepted Answer

Dialectics refer to the push and pull between interconnected yet opposing forces, such as contradiction and conflict, which ultimately lead to a synthesis or resolution of these opposing forces. Consensus and systems of interrelated parts that form a unified whole may be related, but they do not encapsulate the full concept of dialectics.

Question 4

Karyn wants to be with her romantic partner, but she also feels they need time apart. Which of the following dialectical tensions is she experiencing?

Accepted Answer

Karyn is experiencing the dialectical tension of autonomy and connectedness. She wants to be with her partner, indicating a desire for connection, but also wants time apart, indicating a need for individual autonomy.

Question 5

Which of the following concepts from relational dialectical theory best explains the process where new meaning occurs?

Accepted Answer

Dialogic transformation, which involves the negotiation of meaning between communicators, is the most relevant concept to explain the process of new meaning construction in relational dialectical theory.

Question 6

To that meaning comes from multiple perspectives, Bakhtin used the concept of the ______.

Accepted Answer

Bakhtin's concept of multivocality refers to the idea that meaning is not fixed and singular, but rather emerges from the interaction of different perspectives and voices. This concept reflects Bakhtin's belief in the importance of dialogue and diversity in shaping culture and society.

Question 7

Relational dialectics theory assume all of the following, EXCEPT:

Accepted Answer

The theory does not assume that relational partners should strive to fully resolve the tensions in their relationships. Rather, it acknowledges that tensions are a natural and ongoing part of relationships, and suggests that partners need to navigate and manage them over time.

Question 8

The extent to which a system interacts with factors and processes outside of it is referred to as:

Accepted Answer

The concept of openness refers to the degree or extent to which a system interacts with factors and processes outside of it. Systems that are more open have greater interaction with their environment and are more likely to be influenced by external factors.

Question 9

In an effort to keep himself and his family healthy, Sebastian is careful to leave his work at the office and to spend time with his partner and kids in the evenings and on the weekends. According to systems theory, Sebastian is attempting to maintain:

Accepted Answer

Sebastian is attempting to maintain homeostasis, which is the ability of a system to maintain stable internal conditions despite external changes or influences. By leaving work at the office and spending time with his family, he is ensuring that his personal life remains in balance and is not being negatively impacted by work-related stress or issues.

Question 10

The Garner family uses primarily shared activities to communicate love and affection, whereas the Ledbetter family uses physical affection and words of affirmation. The fact that both families create loving environments for their children using different forms of expression best illustrates which concept from systems theory?

Accepted Answer

Equifinality states that different systems can reach the same final goal or outcome using different means. In this case, both families are creating a loving environment for their children but are using different forms of expression to do so.

Question 11

Interactional/systems theory assumes all of the following, EXCEPT:

Accepted Answer

Interactional/systems theory assumes that systems are not independent of each other, but are interconnected and interdependent. This is a key tenet of the theory, so option D is not correct.

Question 12

In order for a system to thrive, it needs a certain degree of diversity. According to systems theory, this is referred to as:

Accepted Answer

According to systems theory, a system needs requisite variety, which refers to the diversity within the system that allows for adaptation and flexibility in response to changes in the environment. This diversity can be in the form of different components, functions, or perspectives within the system. Without requisite variety, the system may become too rigid or unstable, and may not be able to fulfill its purpose effectively.

Question 13

In a university system, the Chancellor is higher on the organizational chart than a Dean, and the Dean is higher on the chart than a Professor. This illustrates which of the following concepts from systems theory?

Accepted Answer

The concept illustrated in this scenario is hierarchy, as it shows a clear ranking of authority and power within the university system.

Question 14

In order to help us understand the separation between public and private information, Petronio uses the metaphor of a(n):

Accepted Answer

Petronio uses the metaphor of a "boundary" to explain the separation between public and private information in her Communication Privacy Management Theory.

Question 15

Petronio's efforts to develop CPM theory were influenced by which of the following theorists?

Accepted Answer

Petronio's efforts to develop CPM theory were influenced by the communication scholars Altman and Taylor, who developed the social penetration theory.

Question 16

Caroline became frustrated and upset with her sister when her sister told the rest of her family that she had broken up with her boyfriend. According to CPM theory, Caroline and her sister experienced:

Accepted Answer

Boundary turbulence refers to a disruption in the established boundaries between individuals, such as when one person reveals private information to others without the other person's consent. In this case, Caroline's sister violated her boundary by disclosing confidential information about her breakup, which caused Caroline to feel frustrated and upset.

Question 17

According to CPM theory, privacy rules are affected by all of the following factors, EXCEPT:

Accepted Answer

Hierarchy is not typically considered a factor affecting privacy rules in Communication Privacy Management (CPM) theory. The theory focuses on cultural values, gender, risk-benefit ratios, and context as influencing factors.

Question 18

CPM theory assumes all of the following, EXCEPT:

Accepted Answer

CPM theory actually suggests that self-disclosure is just as important to personal relationships as privacy. Therefore, the statement that "Privacy is more important to personal relationships than self-disclosure" is the exception to CPM theory's assumptions.

Question 19

Although he was romantically interested in Carmen, Adam decided not to disclose his feelings to her for fear that she did not feel the same way about him. According to CPM theory, Adam's decision was guided primarily by:

Accepted Answer

Adam's decision was guided primarily by a risk-benefit ratio, as he weighed the potential benefit of expressing his feelings against the potential risk of rejection or damaging their friendship.

Question 20

____________ discourses are more dominant and popular in the culture, whereas ____________ discourses are more marginalized.

Accepted Answer

Centripetal discourses are more dominant and popular in culture, while centrifugal discourses are more marginalized. Centripetal discourses refer to mainstream, dominant ideas and values that create a sense of unity and togetherness, while centrifugal discourses refer to divergent or alternative ideas and values that challenge the mainstream and deviate from the norm.

Quiz 9: Communication in Sustaining Relationships