Question 1

According to uncertainty reduction theory, people are eager to reduce uncertainty under which of the following conditions?

Accepted Answer

Uncertainty reduction theory suggests that people seek to reduce uncertainty in situations where they expect to have future interactions with someone (A) or when someone has resources they desire (B). It does not inherently involve situations where an individual's behavior already conforms to expectations (C), as uncertainty is typically already reduced in such scenarios.

Question 2

Which of the following strategies for coping with uncertainty is the most direct?

Accepted Answer

B

Question 3

Relational uncertainty stems from which of the following sources?

Accepted Answer

Relational uncertainty can stem from all three sources, self uncertainty, partner uncertainty, and relationship uncertainty. Self uncertainty refers to uncertainty about one's own thoughts, feelings, and behaviors in the relationship. Partner uncertainty refers to uncertainty about the partner's thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. Relationship uncertainty refers to uncertainty about the nature and future of the relationship itself.

Question 4

All of the following claims about relational uncertainty are true, EXCEPT:

Accepted Answer

Relational uncertainty often leads to avoidance behaviors rather than confrontations about unexpected events, as individuals may feel unsure about the relationship's boundaries, norms, and future.

Question 5

After meeting Taylor for the first time at a party, Greg decides to reduce his uncertainty about Taylor by looking at her social media sites (e.g., Facebook and Instagram) and by talking to some of the friends that they have in common. According to uncertainty reduction theory, the former is referred to as a(n) ____________ strategy for coping with uncertainty, whereas the latter is referred to as a(n) ___________ strategy.

Accepted Answer

Looking at social media is a passive strategy, while talking to mutual friends is an active strategy.

Question 6

When asking Dr. Garner for extra credit, Myranda uses humor to soften the request: "I bet you're really losing sleep over which extra credit opportunity to provide." According to uncertainty reduction theory, Myranda is using which strategy for coping with uncertainty?

Accepted Answer

Myranda is using humor to "soften the request" for extra credit, which is a form of hedging. Hedging is a strategy for coping with uncertainty by offering a vague or indirect message that can be interpreted in multiple ways, allowing the communicator to maintain some degree of uncertainty in the interaction.

Question 7

We can experience relational uncertainty on a(n) _________ level when we have a general sense of ambiguity about involvement in a relationship, whereas we can experience relational uncertainty on a(n) ___________ level as a result of a specific event that has occurred within a relationship.

Accepted Answer

Relational uncertainty on a global level refers to overall ambiguity about the relationship, while on an episodic level, it pertains to uncertainty stemming from specific events within the relationship.

Question 8

Even though Gatlan feels his relationship is somewhat stagnant, he doesn't see anyone else around that he wants to date and he doesn't like being alone, so Gatlan decides to stay with Denise for now. This decision is based on Gatlan's:

Accepted Answer

Gatlan's decision to stay with Denise is based on his comparison level of alternatives, which refers to the amount of satisfaction he would get from alternative relationships compared to his current one. In this case, he doesn't see anyone else he wants to date, so this factor is not influencing his decision. Therefore, B is the best choice.

Question 9

According to equity theory, inequity in relationships is:

Accepted Answer

Equity theory posits that inequity, whether someone is over-benefited or under-benefited, creates discomfort for both partners in a relationship. This theory suggests that individuals strive for fairness in relationships, and any perceived imbalance can lead to dissatisfaction for all parties involved.

Question 10

Uncertainty reduction theory assumes all of the following, EXCEPT:

Accepted Answer

The uncertainty reduction theory does not assume that getting to know people increases the uneasiness and anxiety associated with uncertainty. In fact, the theory suggests that getting to know someone can reduce uncertainty and increase comfort in a relationship.

Question 11

After spending 6 months getting to know Ethan, Kaylee decided that her relationship with Ethan really wasn't worth all the time and energy she was investing in the relationship. Which theory best explains the decision-making process that Kaylee went through in her relationship with Ethan?

Accepted Answer

Social exchange theory suggests that individuals make decisions about relationships based on a cost-benefit analysis. Kaylee likely weighed the effort and resources she was investing in the relationship (costs) against the rewards and benefits she was receiving (benefits) and ultimately decided that the relationship was not worth it.

Question 12

Which theory best explains the questions people ask, and their motivations for asking them, during the initial stages of making an acquaintance?

Accepted Answer

Uncertainty reduction theory posits that people ask questions and seek information in order to reduce uncertainty about the person they are getting to know. The initial stages of making an acquaintance are characterized by a high level of uncertainty, so this theory would be most applicable.

Question 13

According to interdependence theory:

Accepted Answer

The answer of According to interdependence theory:
...

Question 14

People who are underbenefited in their personal relationships tend to experience all of the following emotions, EXCEPT:

Accepted Answer

People who are underbenefited in their personal relationships tend to experience anger, resentment, depression, and sadness. They may feel like they are not getting as much out of the relationship as they are putting in, leading to feelings of frustration and disappointment. However, guilt typically implies a sense of responsibility for causing harm or wrongdoing, which may not be present in this situation.

Question 15

Greg and his colleague Brian talk about a variety of things related to work, sports, and current events, but they haven't really had any personal discussions about their families or their personal affairs outside of work. According to Altman and Taylor's Social Penetration Model, Greg and Brian have developed ___________ intimacy based on the ____________ dimension of self-disclosure.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Greg and his colleague Brian talk about...

Question 16

Social penetration theory uses which of the following metaphors to describe how people self-disclose?

Accepted Answer

Social penetration theory uses the onion metaphor to describe how people self-disclose. This metaphor suggests that self-disclosure is like peeling back layers of an onion. The outer layers are superficial information and as one continues to disclose, deeper layers of information are revealed.

Question 17

Social penetration theory makes all of the following assumptions, EXCEPT:

Accepted Answer

Social penetration theory does not assume that the process of relationship deterioration is identical to how relationships are formed and develop. Rather, it focuses on the changes in communication and self-disclosure that occur within relationships as they progress from superficial to intimate levels.

Question 18

After hearing her friend Stacee disclose what it was like growing up with divorced parents, Marlee felt a desire to share her experiences growing up with parents who fought all the time. According to social penetration theory, Marlee's decision to disclose her experiences with Stacee best illustrates:

Accepted Answer

The norm of reciprocity explains Marlee's decision to share her personal experiences after Stacee shared hers, as it involves a mutual exchange of disclosures to deepen the relationship.

Question 19

According to social penetration theory, which of the following stages characterizes close friendships and romantic relationships, as partners use increasing amounts of disclosure at the intermediate and core areas of their personalities to unite them to each other?

Accepted Answer

The affective exchange stage is the stage in which close friendships and romantic relationships are characterized by partners using increasing amounts of disclosure at the intermediate and core areas of their personalities to unite them with each other. This stage is characterized by high levels of trust and intimacy, and partners may share their deepest thoughts and feelings with each other. The social penetration theory suggests that as partners share more about themselves, their relationship becomes deeper and more intimate.

Question 20

Social exchange theories advance all of the following claims, EXCEPT:

Accepted Answer

The comparison level of alternatives does not determine how satisfied a person is with the relationship; rather, it determines the perceived desirability of alternatives to the current relationship. Satisfaction is determined by comparing rewards and costs to one's comparison level (expectations based on past relationships), not directly by the comparison level of alternatives.

Quiz 8: Communication in Developing Relationships