Question 1

In Joe and Paulette's marriage, Paulette does most of the housework and participates very little in major decision making. She perceives the relationship as fair and equitable. Joe makes most of the important decisions and does relatively little housework, but feels the relationship is unfair. This example illustrates which of the following?

Accepted Answer

This example illustrates a subjective measure of fairness, as the perception of fairness differs between the two partners in the relationship.

Question 2

Resource theory explains marital power only when there is no overriding norm or norm of marital power.

Accepted Answer

Resource theory suggests that the spouse with more resources (e.g., income, education) has more power in the relationship, but this dynamic can be overridden by societal norms, such as those favoring egalitarian or patriarchal structures.

Question 3

Victor and Tanya have a fairly "traditional" marriage. Tanya regards Victor as possessing superior judgment in terms of most decisions and always defers to his opinions. This illustrates which source of power?

Accepted Answer

Expert power is based on the perception that one possesses superior skills or knowledge. Tanya deferring to Victor's opinions because she regards him as having superior judgment illustrates expert power.

Question 4

There are several components of relationship power. Which of the following is NOT one of these components?

Accepted Answer

The components of relationship power include decision making, division of labor, and allocation of money. Career importance is not generally considered a component of relationship power.

Question 5

Recent decades have seen a in men's share of housework.

Accepted Answer

There has been a significant increase in men's share of housework in recent decades. Studies show that men are spending more time on household tasks than ever before, although there is still a significant gender gap in terms of overall contribution to domestic work.

Question 6

Adal is a high-school senior and wants very much to go to college. His mother and father promise to pay his tuition, provided he agrees to attend the school of their choice. Adal's parents are exhibiting which type of power?

Accepted Answer

Adal's parents are exhibiting reward power by offering to pay his tuition if he agrees to attend the school of their choice. Reward power is based on the ability to control the allocation of rewards valued by others and to remove negative sanctions.

Question 7

Research on couples' -whether they pool their money and who controls pooled or separate money- is relatively recent.

Accepted Answer

The term "allocation systems" refers to the way that couples divide and manage their money, including whether they pool their funds or keep them separate, as well as who controls the money. This is the most appropriate option given the context of the question. The other answer choices do not accurately reflect the topic being discussed.

Question 8

Husbands are more likely to have power than their wives.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Husbands are more likely to have power...

Question 9

The text points out that it is only in the present situation, in which neither patriarchal nor egalitarian norms are firmly entrenched, that marital power is negotiated by individual couples and the power of husbands and wives may be a consequence of their resources.

Accepted Answer

The text suggests that the current situation is transitional, meaning it is moving towards egalitarian norms but is not firmly entrenched in them yet. This is described as "transitional egalitarian." Therefore, D is the best choice as it reflects this specific description of the current power dynamics in relationships.

Question 10

The silent treatment is a form of power.

Accepted Answer

The silent treatment is a form of coercive power because the person using it is trying to manipulate the other person's behavior by withholding communication and causing emotional distress. It is a negative behavior intended to punish or control the other person.

Question 11

Daniel and Trinidad are married. Daniel makes most of the decisions, Trinidad does most of the housework, and both feel free to raise complaints to each other about their relationship. These observations reflect the different components of

Accepted Answer

Conjugal power refers to decision-making and authority within a marriage or partnership. In this scenario, Daniel primarily makes decisions but both partners feel free to communicate their complaints, indicating shared authority in some capacity. The other options do not fully capture the dynamics of this relationship. Oligarchy implies a ruling by a select few, but there is no indication in the scenario that a select group holds power over the couple. Egalitarianism suggests a balance of power, but the scenario suggests that Daniel holds more decision-making authority. Social power can be broadly applied to any social relationship, but it does not specifically capture the dynamics of a marriage or partnership.

Question 12

Walter and Tabatha have been married for 10 years. Walter has an accounting degree and a high-paying job with a large corporation. Tabatha works as a secretary with the same company. According to the hypothesis, Walter has more power in the marriage.

Accepted Answer

The given scenario suggests that Walter has a higher income and better job position than Tabatha, which gives him more economic resources. This makes him more powerful in the relationship as he can influence decisions and have the final say in conflicts where money is involved. Therefore, the correct choice is B- resource.

Question 13

Research on marital power began

Accepted Answer

Research on marital power began in the 1950s, a period marked by significant interest in family dynamics and roles within the sociological and psychological fields. This predates the second wave of the feminist movement, the development of family therapy as a distinct discipline, and the widespread recognition of family violence as a social problem.

Question 14

When norms of male authority are strong, husbands will likely dominate regardless of the partners' personal resources.

Accepted Answer

The statement suggests that the societal norm of male authority is strong, indicating a traditional patriarchal society, and in such societies, husbands are likely to dominate regardless of their partners' personal resources.

Question 15

Personal power is also referred to as

Accepted Answer

Personal power refers to an individual's ability to control their own thoughts, actions, and decisions, which is synonymous with autonomy. Authority refers to the power an individual holds in a position of control or leadership. Autocracy refers specifically to a form of government in which one person has absolute power. Ascription refers to the process of attributing certain characteristics or traits to individuals based on external factors such as race, gender, or social status.

Question 16

The text suggests six bases or sources of power. Which of the following is NOT one of these?

Accepted Answer

The text suggests that authoritative power is one of the six bases of power. Therefore, D is not the correct choice.

Question 17

In a traditional society, is legitimate power.

Accepted Answer

In a traditional society, male authority is often seen as legitimate power. Gender roles are typically structured in a way that gives men more power and decision-making authority, particularly in matters related to the family and community. This is often reinforced through cultural norms and religious beliefs.

Question 18

Current research measures couple power in all of the following ways EXCEPT

Accepted Answer

While all of the other options are ways that couple power is currently measured in research, the social status of the partners' jobs is not typically considered a direct measure of power within the relationship. It may be a factor that influences power dynamics, but it is not typically used as a direct measure.

Question 19

According to Gillespie, the resource hypothesis (which presents resources as neutral and power as gender-free) is

Accepted Answer

Gillespie critiques the resource hypothesis for rationalizing the preponderance of the male sex and not addressing the ways in which gendered power relations shape access to resources.

Question 20

There are important areas of family life that were NOT included in the Blood and Wolfe study. Which of the following was, in fact, included in their investigation?

Accepted Answer

Decision making was included in the Blood and Wolfe study. They investigated how decisions were made within families, such as who had the final say in important family matters. The other options (sexual life, how many children to have, and freedom for same or opposite-sex friendships) were not explicitly addressed in their research.

Quiz 12: Power and Violence in Families