Question 1

Most romantic couples have ______disagreements per week, with _____ disagreements per month being particularly unpleasant
A) 1 to 3, 1 or 2
B) 2, 6
C) 2 to 4, 3 or 4
D) few, 1 or 2

Accepted Answer

Most romantic couples have 1 to 3 disagreements per week, with 1 or 2 disagreements per month being particularly unpleasant. This range is considered normal and manageable within healthy relationships.

Question 2

Alex and Erika have been in a relationship for 15 years. Both of them describe their relationship as being happy and satisfying. One day while trying to make plans for the weekend, Erika snaps at Alex, saying that Alex's ideas sound uninteresting and uncreative and that they might as well just stay home. Based on the quality of their relationship, how is Alex most likely to explain Erika's insulting behavior?
A) Erika is a scrooge who is always critical of my ideas.
B) Erika is a good person and is always honest. That's why we get along so great.
C) Here we go again. Erika must be saying that to make me feel guilty.
D) Erika isn't usually so critical. She is probably having a bad day because of all the stress at work.

Accepted Answer

Given the context of a long-term, happy, and satisfying relationship, Alex is likely to attribute Erika's uncharacteristic behavior to external factors, such as stress at work, rather than to negative aspects of Erika's personality. This aligns with the principle of the fundamental attribution error, where people tend to attribute their own actions to external circumstances and others' actions to their character, but in close relationships, this can be reversed to maintain a positive view of the partner.

Question 3

If people make _________ attributions, they believe that the cause of another person's behavior is based on their personality. When they make __________ attributions, they believe that another person's behavior is caused by situational factors.
A) specific, global
B) stable, unstable
C) internal, external
D) relationship enhancing, distress maintaining

Accepted Answer

Internal attributions refer to the belief that a person's behavior is due to their personality or character, while external attributions refer to the belief that a person's behavior is due to situational factors outside their control.

Question 4

Studies have shown that there is a positive correlation between relational closeness and conflict. According to the text, this makes sense because:
A) people in close relationships feel freer to express disagreement.
B) people who spend a lot of time together have more opportunity to have conflict.
C) people who have been together for a long time have more problems to fight about.
D) both a and b are True.

Accepted Answer

A and B are correct because people in close relationships are more likely to express disagreements due to feeling more comfortable and secure, and spending more time together naturally increases the opportunities for conflict to arise.

Question 5

Take another look at Question #4. If Nikolai and Teresa searched the Internet for new restaurants and then decided to take Thomas to a very modern restaurant that serves Vietnamese food in a French style, their conflict style would best be described as:
A) avoiding.
B) compromising.
C) collaborating.
D) yielding.

Accepted Answer

Nikolai and Teresa's decision to search the Internet for new restaurants and choose a modern restaurant that serves Vietnamese food in a French style indicates a collaborative effort. They worked together to find a solution that incorporates both of their interests, which is a hallmark of the collaborating conflict style.

Question 6

In one of your classes, you are assigned to work in a small group with a person who consistently refutes certain positions. Without directly teasing or insulting others, he attacks other people's ideas by explaining flaws in their reasoning. Which of the following types of social ability is this person displaying?
A) verbal aggressiveness
B) argumentativeness
C) interpersonal violence
D) collaborative conflict tactics

Accepted Answer

Argumentativeness is characterized by a willingness to engage in discussions and debate, focusing on attacking positions or arguments rather than the person. This contrasts with verbal aggressiveness, which involves attacking the individual's self-concept.

Question 7

Which indirect conflict style can be either cooperative or uncooperative depending on the situation?
A) avoiding
B) indirect fighting
C) yielding
D) compromising

Accepted Answer

Avoiding can be either cooperative or uncooperative depending on whether the avoidance is used strategically to allow for cooling off and perspective-taking, or used to simply escape dealing with the conflict altogether.

Question 8

Which of the following best represents the definition of conflict provided in the text?
A) verbal aggressiveness
B) the four horsemen of the apocalypse
C) a disagreement over incompatible goals
D) relationship termination

Accepted Answer

Conflict is typically defined as a disagreement or argument in which the parties involved perceive a threat to their needs, interests, or concerns. It often arises from incompatible goals or objectives, making choice C the best representation of the definition of conflict.

Question 9

If people engage in gunnysacking, it means that they:
A) try to accommodate the other person's needs over their own to resolve the issue.
B) insult the other person in ways that they know will be especially hurtful.
C) store up many small issues over time, ultimately bringing them all up during one conflict.
D) try to resolve a conflict by giving up part of their needs so that both parties win something.

Accepted Answer

Gunnysacking refers to the practice of storing up grievances or issues over time and then bringing them all up at once during a conflict, rather than addressing them as they occur.

Question 10

According to spill-over effect, children who witness their parents engaging in frequent, aggressive conflict are more likely to have trouble interacting with their peers and performing at their full potential in school because:
A) they model their parents' aggressive behavior.
B) parents who engage in dysfunctional conflict are also likely to have dysfunctional parenting styles.
C) they are preoccupied with problems at home.
D) their parents tend to communicate differently with each than with the children, leading to role confusion.

Accepted Answer

Parents who engage in dysfunctional conflict are also likely to have dysfunctional parenting styles, which can negatively impact children's development and well-being.

Question 11

In terms of the effects of conflict on relationships, which of the following is true about conflict?
A) The frequency with which conflict occurs determines whether a relationship will end.
B) The way conflict is managed can determine how satisfying a relationship is.
C) All conflicts involve aggression, which are inherently detrimental to a relationship.
D) A couple's "first big fight" has a more powerful influence on relational satisfaction than do any subsequent arguments.

Accepted Answer

The way conflict is managed plays a crucial role in the satisfaction and health of a relationship. Effective conflict resolution can actually strengthen bonds by improving understanding and problem-solving skills among partners.

Question 12

Behaviors such as sighing, rolling one's eyes, and giving the silent treatment fall under the conflict style called:
A) avoiding.
B) indirect fighting.
C) competitive fighting.
D) yielding.

Accepted Answer

These behaviors are examples of indirect fighting, a conflict style where individuals express their dissatisfaction or disagreement in a passive-aggressive manner rather than addressing issues directly.

Question 13

Conflict generally:
A) includes yelling and screaming
B) is synonymous with disagreement
C) is a function of goal compatibility but incompatible methods
D) all of the above

Accepted Answer

The answer of Conflict generally:
A) includes yelling and screaming
B) is...

Question 14

Which two conflict styles are considered to be the most cooperative?
A) compromising and collaborating
B) collaborating and yielding
C) avoiding and yielding
D) compromising and indirect fighting.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Which two conflict styles are considered to...

Question 15

The cascade of the four horsemen of the apocalypse begins when:
A) one or both partners stonewall.
B) contempt or disgust arise in an interaction.
C) one person complains or criticizes the other.
D) one or both partners become defensive and deny responsibility for problems, make accusations, whine, or mindread the other person's intentions.

Accepted Answer

The cascade of the four horsemen of the apocalypse, as identified by relationship expert John Gottman, begins with criticism, where one person complains or criticizes the other. This can set off a chain reaction leading to the other "horsemen": defensiveness, contempt, and stonewalling.

Question 16

When parties in conflict begin to stonewall, it means that they
A) begin to fight back instead of accommodating the other person's needs.
B) withdraw from the interaction.
C) accommodate the problematic behavior.
D) collaborate and try to reach an agreement, even if it means giving up part of their needs.

Accepted Answer

Stonewalling refers to when individuals withdraw from an interaction, conversation, or conflict, rather than confronting or resolving the issue. It is a form of avoidance rather than engagement.

Question 17

According to research by Gottman , satisfied couples provide about positive statement(s) for every negative statement.
A) 1
B) 5
C) 10
D) 15

Accepted Answer

According to research by John Gottman, satisfied couples typically provide about 5 positive statements for every negative statement during conflicts. This ratio is part of what Gottman calls the "magic ratio" in successful relationships.

Question 18

In contrast to the spill-over effect mentioned in Question #10, the socialization effect suggests that children:
A) model their parents' conflict behavior.
B) are most likely to have an aggressive conflict style when their parents use dysfunctional parenting styles with them and aggressive conflict styles with each other.
C) of aggressive parents become so preoccupied with family problems that they find it difficult to make new friends.
D) are likely to develop aggressive conflict styles when their parents communicate differently with each than with the them, leading to role confusion.

Accepted Answer

Children who witness their parents engaging in conflictual behavior are more likely to model that behavior themselves.

Question 19

The negative spiral sequence characterized by one partner wanting to talk about an issue, while the other continually avoids the issue is
A) reciprocal negative behavior.
B) double withdrawal.
C) demand-withdrawal.
D) accommodation.

Accepted Answer

The demand-withdrawal pattern is a common negative communication cycle where one partner seeks to address an issue (demand) and the other partner avoids discussing it or withdraws from the conversation, leading to frustration and unresolved conflicts.

Question 20

Nikolai and Teresa are trying to decide which restaurant they should take their friend Thomas to for his birthday. Nikolai wants to take Thomas to a Vietnamese restaurant (which serves generous portions of inexpensive but delicious food), and Teresa wants to take Thomas to a French restaurant (which serves expensive and beautifully presented food). To resolve the issue, they decide to flip a coin. If Nikolai wins the coin toss they will take Thomas to the Vietnamese restaurant and the next time a friend of theirs has a birthday they will take her or him to the French restaurant Teresa likes. If Teresa wins the coin toss, they will go to the French restaurant first and the Vietnamese restaurant later. The conflict style they used is best described as:
A) avoidant.
B) compromising.
C) collaborating.
D) yielding.

Accepted Answer

Nikolai and Teresa's decision to flip a coin to decide which restaurant to choose represents a compromising conflict style. They both give up something to reach a mutually acceptable solution, ensuring each option will be chosen eventually.

Quiz 11: Coping With Conflict

Most romantic couples have __disagreements per week, with _ disagreements per month being particularly unpleasant

If people make _ attributions, they believe that the cause of another person's behavior is based on their personality. When they make __ attributions, they believe that another person's behavior is caused by situational factors.

Studies have shown that there is a positive correlation between relational closeness and conflict. According to the text, this makes sense because:

Take another look at Question #4. If Nikolai and Teresa searched the Internet for new restaurants and then decided to take Thomas to a very modern restaurant that serves Vietnamese food in a French style, their conflict style would best be described as:

Which indirect conflict style can be either cooperative or uncooperative depending on the situation?

Which of the following best represents the definition of conflict provided in the text?

If people engage in gunnysacking, it means that they:

According to spill-over effect, children who witness their parents engaging in frequent, aggressive conflict are more likely to have trouble interacting with their peers and performing at their full potential in school because:

In terms of the effects of conflict on relationships, which of the following is true about conflict?

Behaviors such as sighing, rolling one's eyes, and giving the silent treatment fall under the conflict style called:

Conflict generally:

Which two conflict styles are considered to be the most cooperative?

The cascade of the four horsemen of the apocalypse begins when:

When parties in conflict begin to stonewall, it means that they

According to research by Gottman , satisfied couples provide about positive statement(s) for every negative statement.

In contrast to the spill-over effect mentioned in Question #10, the socialization effect suggests that children:

The negative spiral sequence characterized by one partner wanting to talk about an issue, while the other continually avoids the issue is