Question 1

Which of the following should be true for people to stay satisfied in a relationship?

Accepted Answer

For people to stay satisfied in a relationship, it's important that the outcomes they receive from the relationship exceed their comparison levels. The comparison level refers to the standard against which all potential relationships are judged. If the actual outcomes are better than what one expects or believes they deserve (comparison level), then they are likely to be satisfied with the relationship.

Question 2

Maurice receives many rewards and has few costs in his relationship with Karla. He believes he should have many more rewards. According to interdependency theory, this indicates that:

Accepted Answer

Maurice's belief that he should have many more rewards than he currently does, despite receiving many and incurring few costs, suggests dissatisfaction. According to interdependency theory, satisfaction in a relationship is determined by the rewards and costs experienced, as well as comparisons to expectations or alternatives. Maurice's expectation of more rewards indicates his current state does not meet his desired level, leading to dissatisfaction.

Question 3

The comparison level for alternatives describes the outcomes people would receive if:

Accepted Answer

The comparison level for alternatives refers to the outcomes a person believes they could receive if they were to leave their current relationship and move to the best alternative situation. This concept is part of social exchange theory, which suggests that people evaluate their relationships based on perceived benefits and costs, as well as compared to potential alternatives.

Question 4

According to interdependence theory, individuals are dependent on their partners if:

Accepted Answer

Interdependence theory suggests that individuals are dependent on their partners when the outcomes they receive from the relationship exceed their comparison level for alternatives (CL_alt), meaning they perceive the relationship as better than any other available options.

Question 5

Rhonda is not sure if she loves her partner anymore. She gets little satisfaction from their relationship. However, she believes there are few other options for her. According to interdependence theory, what is Rhonda likely to do?

Accepted Answer

Interdependence theory suggests that people stay in relationships based on the rewards and costs, as well as their comparison level for alternatives. If Rhonda believes there are few other options available to her, she is likely to stay with her current partner until she perceives that her alternatives improve, making option C the correct choice.

Question 6

Which of the following statements is true of CL_alt?

Accepted Answer

CL_alt (Comparison Level for Alternatives) refers to the perceived quality of the best available alternative to a current relationship. High investments in a relationship can lower CL_alt because the person perceives fewer viable alternatives.

Question 7

Pauline moved from Minneapolis to Pierre, South Dakota. In Minneapolis, she had a long history of successful close relationships, and several attractive men used to ask her out. In Pierre, she started what she considers a rather poor relationship with Thomas, a man whom she found to be insensitive but better than the other options available in her new, small community. Now that she's been in Pierre for an extended time, she thinks she will continue dating Thomas. Let ">" mean "is greater than."
From the perspective of interdependence theory, Pauline is in a situation in which her:

Accepted Answer

Pauline's comparison level (CL) is high due to her past successful relationships, but her current relationship outcome is poor. However, her comparison level for alternatives (CL_alt) is even lower because she perceives Thomas as better than other available options in her small community.

Question 8

Millie is in a relationship in which her outcomes exceed her CL_al_t, which in turn exceeds her CL. Josephine is in a relationship in which her CL_alt is greater than her outcomes, which in turn are greater than her CL. Which of the following statements is true?

Accepted Answer

The answer of Millie is in a relationship in which...

Question 9

According to interdependency theory, which of the following statements is true of how CL and CL_alt are influenced by various factors?

Accepted Answer

DA) Rewarding relationships may become less satisfying over time as people's comparison levels (CL) increase due to their expectations and standards for what they believe they deserve in a relationship rising. This is a reflection of how satisfaction can diminish if personal or societal standards evolve to expect more from relationships.D) Greater access to the Internet can decrease people's comparison level for alternatives (CLalt), as it provides more options and information about potential alternative relationships or social connections, thereby potentially lowering satisfaction with current relationships due to the perception of better alternatives being available.

Question 10

Your best friend criticizes you and then offers you a compliment. Research suggests that:

Accepted Answer

Research indicates that while a compliment can soften the impact of criticism, the negative effects of criticism are typically stronger and more enduring than the positive effects of compliments. This means that even though the compliment might provide some immediate relief or a positive feeling, the overall emotional state can still be negatively affected by the criticism.

Question 11

Which of the following statements is true of the relationship between approach goals and avoidance goals?

Accepted Answer

Approach goals and avoidance goals operate on different motivational systems; one focuses on achieving positive outcomes, while the other focuses on avoiding negative outcomes. They can coexist and are not necessarily dependent on each other's fulfillment.

Question 12

Samantha and her husband, Greg, are both adventurous and often go on treks that they enjoy. They share a passion for sports and ensure they spend time every weekend playing tennis. They spend a lot of time together over these shared interests. However, they also argue frequently and put each other down during these fights. According to Reis and Gable, theirs is a ________ relationship.

Accepted Answer

According to Reis and Gable, a relationship where partners share interests and spend quality time together but also frequently argue and put each other down is considered precarious. This is because, despite the positive aspects of shared activities and interests, the negative interactions (frequent arguments and criticism) can undermine the relationship's stability and satisfaction.

Question 13

Mark feels dissatisfied in his relationship because he feels that his wife rarely spends time with him. He also feels insecure because she constantly complains about his low income. According to Reis and Gable, Mark has a ________ relationship with his wife.

Accepted Answer

According to Reis and Gable, a distressed relationship is characterized by dissatisfaction and insecurity, which aligns with Mark's feelings about his wife's lack of time and complaints about his income.

Question 14

According to interdependency theory, individuals will be magnanimous and philanthropic toward people they are dependent on because:

Accepted Answer

Interdependency theory suggests that individuals act magnanimously toward those they depend on to increase the likelihood of receiving valuable rewards in return, fostering a mutually beneficial relationship.

Question 15

Exchange relationships are always observed in interactions between:

Accepted Answer

Exchange relationships are typically observed in interactions where there is a transactional element, such as between a shopkeeper and a customer, where goods or services are exchanged for money.

Question 16

Both Aletha and her partner are getting equal amounts of outcome from their relationship. Aletha feels she is putting more into the relationship than her partner. According to equity theorists, Aletha is likely to feel:

Accepted Answer

Equity theory suggests that individuals feel satisfied in a relationship when the ratio of contributions to benefits is equal for both partners. If Aletha perceives she is contributing more but receiving the same benefits as her partner, she is likely to feel dissatisfied according to equity theory, as she may believe she should be receiving more in return for her greater contributions.

Question 17

Research shows that in relationships in which the men adhere to traditional expectations, the women involved are:

Accepted Answer

Research indicates that women in relationships where men hold more egalitarian views about gender roles tend to be happier and healthier. This is likely because such relationships often involve a more equitable distribution of labor and emotional support.

Question 18

In the context of the consequences of commitment, which of the following is true of the "derogation of tempting alternatives"?

Accepted Answer

The "derogation of tempting alternatives" refers to the psychological mechanism where individuals in committed relationships perceive potential alternative partners as less attractive or desirable, thereby helping to maintain their current relationship by reducing the temptation to stray.

Quiz 6: Interdependency