Question 1

You participate in a study where researchers scan your brain using MRI technology while you look at a picture of your intimate partner. Researchers should see increased activity in areas of your brain associated with:
A) positive emotions.
B) sympathy.
C) critical social judgments.
D) emotion dysregulation.

Accepted Answer

Looking at a picture of an intimate partner typically elicits positive emotions, such as feelings of love, comfort, and happiness. Therefore, researchers should expect to see increased activity in areas of the brain associated with positive emotions, such as the prefrontal cortex, orbitofrontal cortex, and anterior cingulate cortex.  Sympathy, critical social judgments, and emotion dysregulation are not necessarily associated with viewing a picture of an intimate partner.

Question 2

What conclusions can we draw from the two large cross-sectional studies of arranged versus ÒloveÓ marriages in China presented in the text?
A) Couples in arranged marriages were more maritally satisfied than couples in ÒloveÓ matches.
B) Couples in ÒloveÓ marriages were more maritally satisfied than couples in arranged marriages.
C) There were no differences in marital satisfaction between couples in ÒloveÓ marriages and couples in arranged marriages.
D) Marriages arranged by friends were more satisfying than marriages arranged by family members.

Accepted Answer

Both large cross-sectional studies in China presented in the text found that couples in "love" marriages (i.e. self-selected) reported higher levels of marital satisfaction than couples in arranged marriages.

Question 3

Adnan and Kamelya have chosen to marry each other rather than allow their parents to arrange marriages for them. What is one possible consequence of their choice?
A) The couple may spend more time with the husband's family than if they were in an arranged marriage.
B) The couple may spend more time with the wife's family than if they were in an arranged marriage.
C) The couple may spend more time with both the wife's and the husband's families than if they were in an arranged marriage.
D) The couple may spend less time with both the wife's and the husband's families than if they were in an arranged marriage.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Adnan and Kamelya have chosen to marry...

Question 4

In an e-mail to his girlfriend, Ulrich writes, ÒI feel as though my heart withers when I am away from you. Every moment I'm apart from you seems an eternity and I only feel alive when we are together.Ó What type of love does this exemplify?
A) companionate love
B) passionate love
C) idealistic love
D) consummate love

Accepted Answer

The language used in the email suggests Ulrich is describing an intense, all-consuming love, which is characteristic of passionate love.

Question 5

Huang, an 18-year-old Chinese student, and Jim, a 19-year-old American student, participate in a cross-cultural study about love. Huang's description of love is more likely to mention ________ than is Jim's description of love.
A) disappointment
B) personal happiness
C) intense longing
D) continuing beyond death

Accepted Answer

Cultural differences often influence how emotions and concepts like love are perceived and expressed. In many Asian cultures, including Chinese, there is a greater emphasis on the collective and sometimes on the hardships or challenges faced in relationships, which might lead to a greater acknowledgment of aspects like disappointment in discussions of love compared to Western (e.g., American) narratives, which might focus more on personal happiness or fulfillment.

Question 6

Pei-Pei just met Samuel, and when they are together she feels a surge of excitement and sexual desire. What is the likely biological cause of these feelings?
A) Pei-Pei took a drug, such as cocaine, that has activated certain brain regions that produce feelings of arousal.
B) Pei-Pei is experiencing a decrease in oxytocin, a neuropeptide linked to bonding.
C) Pei-Pei is experiencing a release of hormones from the pituitary and hypothalamus.
D) Pei-Pei is experiencing physiological and psychological interdependence with Samuel.

Accepted Answer

The pituitary gland and hypothalamus are responsible for releasing hormones that can create feelings of sexual desire and arousal in response to stimuli. This is a common biological response and does not necessarily indicate drug use or decreased levels of oxytocin. Psychological factors, such as interdependence, may also play a role in sexual desire, but the immediate biological cause is likely the release of hormones.

Question 7

Cross-cultural studies show that:
A) young Americans are more likely to believe their love is destined by fate, whereas young Chinese are more likely to view love as a personal test they must pass.
B) young Chinese are more likely to believe their love is destined by fate, whereas young Americans are more likely to view love as a personal test they must pass.
C) young Americans are more likely to view love as intensely positive, whereas young Chinese are more likely to view love as negatively tinged.
D) young Chinese are more likely to view love as intensely positive, whereas young Americans are more likely to view love as negatively tinged.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Cross-cultural studies show that:
A) young Americans are...

Question 8

Comparing China and the United States, the experience of romantic love is ________, and the expression of romantic love is ________.
A) the same; also the same
B) the same; different
C) different; the same
D) different; also different

Accepted Answer

Romantic love is experienced differently in China and the United States due to cultural differences. In China, romantic love is often seen as a private matter, while in the United States it is more openly expressed.

Question 9

The nature of marriage and family has changed over the past few hundred years. Which of the following is NOT one of those changes?
A) Cohabiting relationships are increasing.
B) The number of children born to unmarried parents is increasing.
C) Couples are becoming less likely to value and desire marriage.
D) The number of couples living together (cohabiting) that marry within 3 years has declined.

Accepted Answer

The statement "Couples are becoming less likely to value and desire marriage" is incorrect. In fact, studies have shown that marriage is still highly valued by many individuals and couples. However, people may be delaying marriage or choosing not to get married for a variety of reasons, such as financial stability, career goals, or personal beliefs.

Question 10

Considering the concept of love, which of the following statements is true?
A) There is a clear and universally accepted definition of love among researchers.
B) There are only two types of loveÑpassionate and companionate.
C) Love is nothing more than an experience of hormones and neuropeptides.
D) Love is generally accepted to be universal but experienced differently in different cultures.

Accepted Answer

While there is no universally accepted definition of love among researchers, it is generally accepted to be a universal emotion experienced differently in different cultures. The idea of only two types of love (passionate and companionate) is an oversimplification. While love does involve hormones and neuropeptides, reducing it to just a biochemical process negates the complexity of the emotion.

Question 11

In one study of how love is experienced and perceived in the United States and China, researchers compared the lyrics of popular love songs from each country. In another study of how love is experienced and perceived in the United States and China, researchers interviewed young adults about their views on love. What can be concluded from these two results?
A) There are sufficient differences in how love is viewed to support the notion that love is not a universal emotion.
B) In the United States, love is viewed as a more passionate experience but one that has the potential to lead to great sorrow in comparison to how it is viewed in China.
C) In China, love is viewed as perhaps a more enduring emotion but one that is associated with unrequited feelings (unfulfilled love) in comparison to how it is viewed in the United States.
D) In China, collective societal goals and obligations take precedence over individual goals, and thus love is viewed as irrelevant.

Accepted Answer

The study findings suggest that in China, love may be seen as a more enduring emotion but often associated with unrequited feelings, contrasting with the perception in the United States.

Question 12

There are many different classification systems for love, but the most robust classification distinguishes between:
A) companionate love and passionate love.
B) companionate love and idealistic love.
C) companionate love and preoccupied love.
D) passionate love and idealistic love.

Accepted Answer

Companionate love and passionate love are two distinct categories of love that have been extensively researched and validated by social psychologists. Companionate love is characterized by feelings of mutual respect, trust, affection, and commitment, whereas passionate love is characterized by intense emotional arousal, sexual attraction, and obsessive thoughts about the beloved. These two types of love are not mutually exclusive and can coexist in different degrees in a romantic relationship. Therefore, choice A is the best answer.

Question 13

Regarding the research on links between relationship status and mental and physical health, what can we conclude?
A) There is no link between being married and feeling greater general well-being.
B) People who are single and people who live with a relationship partner have similar levels of personal well-being.
C) Even if the relationship is of poor quality, married people have greater well-being than single people.
D) People who live with a relationship partner are slightly happier than people who live alone.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Regarding the research on links between relationship...

Question 14

What is the importance of the neuropeptide oxytocin in human bonding?
A) Oxytocin is released during intimate physical contact and results in feelings of calmness, sociability, and trust.
B) Oxytocin enhances sexual desire and thus increases inclusive fitness.
C) A lack of oxytocin results in depression and anxiety, which impede the formation of close relationships.
D) Oxytocin is responsible for the development of monogamous relationships in humans.

Accepted Answer

Oxytocin is known as the "bonding hormone" because it is released during intimate physical contact such as cuddling, hugging, and sex. This release of oxytocin promotes feelings of calmness, sociability, and trust, which are all important in human bonding and forming close relationships. Research has shown that this hormone plays a crucial role in maintaining and strengthening social bonds between humans, and that it can even help to reduce social anxiety and promote positive interactions.

Question 15

You participate in a study where researchers scan your brain using MRI technology while you look at a picture of your intimate partner. Researchers should see decreased activity in areas of your brain associated with:
A) positive emotions.
B) sympathy.
C) critical social judgments.
D) emotion regulation.

Accepted Answer

When you look at a picture of your intimate partner, areas of your brain associated with critical social judgments typically show decreased activity. This is because viewing a loved one often activates feelings of affection and attachment, reducing the tendency to critically evaluate them.

Question 16

Xiao Xu and Ming Ho are a young Chinese couple who married after falling in love while studying at university. They are friends with another young couple, On Ki and Seung Won, whose marriage was arranged by their parents. Based on research presented in the text, what would you predict about these couples' marital satisfaction?
A) Xiao Xu and Ming Ho will be more maritally satisfied than On Ki and Seung Won.
B) On Ki and Seung Won will be more maritally satisfied than Xiao Xu and Ming Ho.
C) There will be no differences in marital satisfaction between the two couples.
D) We cannot make predictions about the marital satisfaction of these couples, because the research about marital satisfaction in arranged versus love marriages is inconclusive.

Accepted Answer

Based on research presented in the text, individuals in love marriages tend to exhibit higher levels of marital satisfaction than those in arranged marriages. As Xiao Xu and Ming Ho are in a love marriage, it is likely they will be more maritally satisfied than On Ki and Seung Won, who are in an arranged marriage.

Question 17

MRI research investigating brain activation when individuals gaze at their intimate partners supports the distinction between:
A) interdependent and personal relationships.
B) personal and impersonal relationships.
C) personal and close relationships.
D) close and intimate relationships.

Accepted Answer

The MRI research investigates brain activation when individuals gaze at their intimate partners, which implies that the study is focusing on close and intimate relationships. Therefore, the distinction being made is between close and intimate relationships. Options A and C are too similar and do not fully capture the idea of intimacy, whereas option B does not provide enough nuance in the relationships being examined.

Question 18

In close relationships, who is having the most sex?
A) single men and women
B) married men and women
C) single men
D) dating couples

Accepted Answer

Research consistently shows that married couples have more sex than any other group, followed by couples in committed long-term relationships. Single individuals tend to have less sex overall, although some studies have found that single men may have more casual sex than single women.

Question 19

What is the significance of the findings linking oxytocin and human bonding?
A) Romantic love, like sexual desire, is at least in part biologically based.
B) Injections of oxytocin may decrease chances of infidelity.
C) Romantic love is a socially constructed concept.
D) The release of oxytocin is unrelated to human bonding.

Accepted Answer

The findings linking oxytocin and human bonding suggest that romantic love is at least in part biologically based, which is a significant insight into the nature of human relationships. While the other answer choices are not necessarily false, they do not accurately reflect the primary significance of these findings.

Question 20

What is the most desired feature in a potential intimate relationship?
A) Men and women desire money and financial stability.
B) Men and women desire mutual attraction.
C) Men desire money, and women desire love.
D) North Americans desire love, and Europeans desire independence.

Accepted Answer

Research consistently shows that mutual attraction is the most desired feature in a potential intimate relationship for both men and women. While financial stability may be a factor for some individuals, it is not universally prioritized over attraction. The suggestion that women desire love more than men desire financial stability is also a stereotype that does not align with empirical evidence. Lastly, there is no evidence to support the claim that North Americans universally prioritize love over independence, nor that Europeans prioritize independence over love.

Quiz 1: Why Study Intimate Relationships?

You participate in a study where researchers scan your brain using MRI technology while you look at a picture of your intimate partner. Researchers should see increased activity in areas of your brain associated with:

What conclusions can we draw from the two large cross-sectional studies of arranged versus ÒloveÓ marriages in China presented in the text?

Adnan and Kamelya have chosen to marry each other rather than allow their parents to arrange marriages for them. What is one possible consequence of their choice?

In an e-mail to his girlfriend, Ulrich writes, ÒI feel as though my heart withers when I am away from you. Every moment I'm apart from you seems an eternity and I only feel alive when we are together.Ó What type of love does this exemplify?

Huang, an 18-year-old Chinese student, and Jim, a 19-year-old American student, participate in a cross-cultural study about love. Huang's description of love is more likely to mention ________ than is Jim's description of love.

Pei-Pei just met Samuel, and when they are together she feels a surge of excitement and sexual desire. What is the likely biological cause of these feelings?

Cross-cultural studies show that:

Comparing China and the United States, the experience of romantic love is , and the expression of romantic love is .

The nature of marriage and family has changed over the past few hundred years. Which of the following is NOT one of those changes?

Considering the concept of love, which of the following statements is true?

There are many different classification systems for love, but the most robust classification distinguishes between:

Regarding the research on links between relationship status and mental and physical health, what can we conclude?

What is the importance of the neuropeptide oxytocin in human bonding?

You participate in a study where researchers scan your brain using MRI technology while you look at a picture of your intimate partner. Researchers should see decreased activity in areas of your brain associated with:

MRI research investigating brain activation when individuals gaze at their intimate partners supports the distinction between:

In close relationships, who is having the most sex?

What is the significance of the findings linking oxytocin and human bonding?

What is the most desired feature in a potential intimate relationship?