Question 1

The major cause of the dissolution of intimate partner relationships today is:

Accepted Answer

Separation is often the immediate cause of the dissolution of intimate partner relationships, as it involves partners deciding to live apart and end their relationship.

Question 2

Weiss found the social emotional lives of couples was disrupted more by separation than divorce.

Accepted Answer

Weiss's research found that the social and emotional lives of couples were indeed more disrupted by separation than by divorce, as separation often involves a period of uncertainty and adjustment without the legal and psychological closure that divorce can provide.

Question 3

Which of the figures listed below most accurately describes the number of cohabiting relationships disrupted by
Separation in the United States?

Accepted Answer

The most accurate figure describing the number of cohabiting relationships disrupted by separation in the United States is approximately 55%. This reflects the high instability often associated with cohabiting relationships compared to marriages.

Question 4

Intimate partner separation is defined as a process characterized by the intentional withdrawal of physical and
Emotional accessibility that one or both partners perceive as: (check two)

Accepted Answer

Intimate partner separation is often seen as contingent and temporary, meaning it is dependent on certain conditions and not intended to be permanent.

Question 5

According to authors of this text, the meaning/experience of separation varies with gender and:

Accepted Answer

The experience of separation can vary significantly depending on who initiates the separation, as this factor influences the emotional and psychological responses of both parties involved.

Question 6

Okun found the average number of separations for separated women who sought safety in a women's shelter was:

Accepted Answer

Okun's research found that the average number of separations for separated women who sought safety in a women's shelter was 5.07. This statistic highlights the complexity and challenges faced by women attempting to leave abusive relationships, often involving multiple attempts before successfully finding safety.

Question 7

Unmarried couples can separate, but only married couples can divorce.

Accepted Answer

Separation refers to the process where a couple decides to live apart without legally ending their marriage, which applies to both married and unmarried couples. Divorce, however, is the legal dissolution of a marriage, so it only applies to married couples.

Question 8

Intimate partner violence is a function of:

Accepted Answer

Intimate partner violence is often understood as a function of both opportunity and motivation, where opportunity refers to the circumstances that make it possible for violence to occur, and motivation refers to the personal or situational factors that drive an individual to commit acts of violence.

Question 9

Physical abuse by male partners is strongly associated with separations initiated by:

Accepted Answer

Physical abuse by male partners is a significant factor leading to separations initiated by female partners. Women often leave or seek separation due to safety concerns and the desire to escape abusive relationships.

Question 10

Compared with research on separation as an outcome descriptions of the process of separating are:

Accepted Answer

Research on the process of separating is relatively rare compared to studies that focus on separation as an outcome. Most research tends to focus on the outcomes or effects of separation rather than detailing the process itself.

Quiz 1: Marital Separation: Definition and Process