Deck 9: Communicating in Close Relationships

Question 1

Knapp's stage model conceptualizes relationship development as a _____.

A) straight line
B) pyramid
C) ladder
D) staircase

Answer 1

D

Question 2

Suzanne is a single mom who has overcome a lot of obstacles. She is proud of her success and loves to share it with as many people as possible. Her best friend, however, thinks she should only share this information with people who ask about Suzanne's experience. Which of these dialectical tension is her friend experiencing?

A) autonomy/connection
B) expressiveness/privacy
C) change/predictability
D) fluid/solidified

Answer 2

B

Question 3

When Connor wanted to break up with Jillian, he told her "we can still be friends." Which type of termination strategy was Connor using?

A) de-escalation
B) negative identity management
C) justification
D) positive tone strategies

Answer 3

A

Question 4

Conrad and Celeste have been dating for a short time. They spend a great deal of time talking in order to learn about each other. They want to know how many shared interest they have. Which of Knapp's stages of romantic relational development are they experiencing?

A) experimenting
B) intensifying
C) integrating
D) bonding

Question 5

Natalie wants her boyfriend to respond consistently to her affectionate behavior, but she also wants him to surprise her occasionally with different signs of his affection. Natalie is feeling which dialectical tension?

A) autonomy/connection
B) expressiveness/privacy
C) change/predictability
D) newness/oldness

Question 6

The idea that one develops relationships with people who are approximately as attractive as they are is called the ________ hypothesis.

A) looking-glass
B) matching
C) equivalent attractiveness
D) mirror image

Question 7

Bri is jealous of her husband's relationship with his coworker; she is unsure of his fidelity. Her jealousy is a result of _____.

A) proximity.
B) gender differences.
C) insecurities.
D) social class.

Question 8

The ________ theory emphasizes that our guesses about future interactions as positive or negative determine our likelihood of talking with someone and forming a relationship.

A) uncertainty reduction
B) relational dialectic
C) predicted outcome
D) social penetration

Question 9

The ________ model of relationship development describes people's relationship as changing based on important positive and negative events in their relationship.

A) dialectical
B) turning point
C) whirlwind vs. friendship
D) stage

Question 10

Brad and Carla are getting married this weekend. Which of Knapp's stages of romantic relational development are they experiencing?

A) experimenting
B) intensifying
C) integrating
D) bonding

Question 11

Travis and Jennifer are growing apart. They only discuss "safe" topics such as the weather. Which of Knapp's stages of romantic relational development are they experiencing?

A) differentiating
B) circumscribing
C) stagnating
D) avoiding

Question 12

Julie discovered that her boyfriend has been having lunch and talking on the telephone with his ex-girlfriend. Which turning point in developing relationships are they experiencing?

A) physical separation
B) external competition
C) disengagement
D) negative psychic change

Question 13

The change/predictability dialectical tension is most prevalent in which relational stage?

A) initiation
B) development
C) maintenance
D) termination

Question 14

When Chris and Gene first met, Gene was really attracted to Chris because of her spontaneous and carefree nature. However, later Gene broke up with Chris because he perceived that Chris was irresponsible and unpredictable. This is an example of _____.

A) de-escalation
B) a fatal attraction
C) sudden death
D) social penetration theory

Question 15

Research has shown that people with satisfying relationships experience the same level of health as people with stressful relationships.

Question 16

We get to know people along three dimensions: breadth, depth, and frequency. The theory that explains this process is known as ________ theory.

A) dialectical
B) self-disclosure
C) social acquaintanceship
D) social penetration

Question 17

Chris appreciates Kim's frequent contributions to class discussion and thinks she is very smart. When the time comes to work on the group project, he plans to ask her to work with him. This is an example of a ________ type of attraction.

A) physical
B) social
C) task
D) similar

Question 18

Joe tends to prefer spending his Friday nights unwinding alone with a movie. His partner, Ted, likes to spend Fridays cooking dinner together and playing games. Joe wants his quiet time but also wants to spend time with Ted. Which dialectical tension is he primarily experiencing?

A) autonomy/connection
B) expressiveness/privacy
C) change/predictability
D) fluid/solidified

Question 19

Nagging, criticizing, complaining, and teasing are all examples of _____.

A) friendship "no-nos."
B) aversive communication behavior.
C) relational aggression.
D) relationship maintenance strategies.

Question 20

Cassie's mom asked her if she thought her boyfriend was cheating on her. Cassie replied that Nathan would never cheat on her and her mother should mind her own business. Cassie's inability to suspect Nathan of cheating demonstrates the concept of _____.

A) truth bias
B) proximity
C) circumscribing
D) equity theory

Question 21

Discuss why it is important to be authentic in communication within close relationships.

Question 22

The ________ dialectical tension involves the desire for events that are new and spontaneous while simultaneously needing some aspects of life to be stable and predictable.

Question 23

One factor that influences attraction is ________, which refers to how close you are to others.

Question 24

Frequency refers to how often self-disclosure occurs in a relationship.

Question 25

The ________ stage of Knapp's stages of romantic relational development involves appearing pleasant and likeable during a first encounter.

Question 26

The notion that we tend to develop relationships with people who are approximately as attractive as we are applies to both romantic and friendship relationships.

Question 27

Claire and Amy are good friends that have been upset with each other recently. Claire decides that she does not want to interact with Amy anymore, so she asks Amy's roommate Alice to tell Amy gently. Claire is using a ________ disengagement strategy.

Question 28

Describe social exchange theory and how it applies to later stages in a relationship.

Question 29

Consider the issues of sexual coercion and the tips provided in your text. What advice would you give to an incoming college student to help them avoid this?

Question 30

Hurtful messages are attacks on the recipient's identity.

Question 31

The conversational behavior strategy that attempts to make interactions pleasant is called ________.

Question 32

According to uncertainty reduction theory, if we find someone desirable after initial attempts to reduce uncertainty, we are likely to back off and let them pursue us to determine reciprocal interest.

Question 33

Identify three ways to express dissatisfaction in your relationship competently. Give an example of each and state why it would be better than a more negative approach.

Question 34

People in casual relationships generally view each other as interchangeable.

Question 35

The ________ stage of Knapp's stages of romantic relational development involves ending the relationship.

Question 36

Equity theory argues that people are more interested in rewards and costs of a relationship than achieving fairness.

Question 37

When Luke decides that he wants to end his relationship with his girlfriend, he starts to show the irritation that he feels and ignores her, which he knows she hates. Luke is practicing ________.

Question 38

How close you are to others is considered your similarity to them.

Question 39

Societal factors only hinder positive aspects of romantic relationships such as public affection or office romances.

Question 40

Attraction theory suggests that proximity, interpersonal attractiveness, and similarity are the main components that draw people together.