Question 1

A chapel in Las Vegas frequently marries couples that have not known each other for very long.Based on the research on attachment theory, these individuals may be more likely to have a(n) ________ attachment style.

Accepted Answer

Research on attachment theory suggests that individuals who have not known each other for very long may have an anxious attachment style, characterized by a desire for closeness and intimacy but also a fear of abandonment or rejection. This type of attachment style may lead individuals to rush into marriage without fully getting to know their partner.

Question 2

Researchers who have assessed adult attachment styles have contacted research participants again, months or years later.What percentage of participants have changed from one style to another?

Accepted Answer

Research on adult attachment styles indicates that while there is some stability in attachment styles over time, changes do occur, with studies showing that about 25% to 30% of participants may change their attachment style over a period of months or years. This change can be attributed to significant life events, therapy, or changes in relationship status or quality.

Question 3

________ theory posits that relationship satisfaction is determined by people's perceptions of costs and rewards, their beliefs about what kind of relationship they deserve, and their estimated chances of a better alternative relationship.

Accepted Answer

The description of the theory reflects the principles of social exchange theory, which highlights the importance of cost-benefit analysis, subjective value judgments, and possibilities of alternatives in shaping individuals' relationship satisfaction and behavior. Comparison theory, on the other hand, focuses on people's tendency to compare their situation with others and evaluate their outcomes comparatively. Equity theory emphasizes fairness and justice in the distribution of resources and rewards in relationships. Balance theory, also known as cognitive consistency theory, deals with how people maintain consistency between their attitudes, beliefs, and behaviors.

Question 4

The social exchange theory of interpersonal attraction can be considered to be a(n) ________ model.

Accepted Answer

The social exchange theory posits that people are motivated by self-interest in their relationships and measure the costs and benefits of those relationships, similar to an economic model.

Question 5

Carolyn believes that she is worthy and well liked.According to attachment theorists, what is the most likely reason for this? Carolyn

Accepted Answer

According to attachment theorists, individuals who had a secure attachment with their caregivers in childhood tend to have positive self-esteem, a sense of self-worth, and positive expectations about the responses of others. Therefore, it is likely that Carolyn had a secure attachment with her mother, which contributed to her belief in her own worth and likability.

Question 6

Frank tells his friend that he his madly in love with Marie, and that it feels like he's high.There is some element of truth to that because

Accepted Answer

When someone is in love, the reward and pleasure areas in their brain become active, releasing the neurotransmitter dopamine. This can cause an intense feeling of pleasure or euphoria, similar to the experience of being high. While serotonin and glucose may also play a role in our mood and feelings, they do not directly relate to the experience of being in love. A chemical imbalance like that of a heroin addict is also not an accurate comparison, as being in love is a natural emotion and not a result of drug use.

Question 7

Which of the following is out of place?

Accepted Answer

The other options (A, C, and D) are all terms used to describe attachment styles in interpersonal relationships, while "symmetrical" does not fit this category.

Question 8

According to a survey presented in the text, which attachment style do most people have?

Accepted Answer

The text states that "studies have consistently found that the majority of adults have a secure attachment style."

Question 9

Roger's attachment style is secure and Bob's attachment style is secure.Based on the research presented in your text, what could you infer about their relationship?

Accepted Answer

Couples who both have secure attachment styles tend to have more satisfied and committed relationships.

Question 10

Nelly really likes Brian.They don't go out often, but when they do, they engage in fun activities, but rarely talk or develop any emotional closeness.This is most likely because

Accepted Answer

Brian's lack of emotional closeness despite engaging in fun activities suggests he has an avoidant attachment style, which involves discomfort with intimacy and a tendency to prioritize independence. Nelly's attachment style is not mentioned and cannot be determined solely based on the given information.

Question 11

Because of the release of the neurotransmitter dopamine, people who express that they are madly in love are likely to report that they feel

Accepted Answer

The release of dopamine during the feeling of being madly in love results in a heightened sense of pleasure, leading to feelings of euphoria and a "high."

Question 12

Sara is very popular and has several suitors.She doesn't really care much for any of them.Which one is most likely to be angry that Sara does not return her feelings?

Accepted Answer

Individuals who are anxiously attached tend to rely heavily on others for their own self-worth and often fear rejection. Therefore, Shannon is most likely to be angry that Sara does not return her feelings.

Question 13

Melanie doesn't find it easy to trust other people and says that she doesn't "need anybody." In all likelihood, Melanie's ________ attachment style can be traced to a caregiver who ________.

Accepted Answer

Melanie's avoidance of intimacy and difficulty trusting others suggests an avoidant attachment style. This attachment style often develops when a caregiver is emotionally distant or unavailable.

Question 14

Erich Fromm (1955) wrote, "Love is often nothing but a favorable exchange between two people who get the most of what they can expect, considering their value on the personality market." Although a bit cynical, this description of friendship is most compatible with the ________ theory of attraction.

Accepted Answer

Erich Fromm's quote refers to a favorable exchange, indicating an exchange of resources or benefits, which aligns with the social exchange theory. The social exchange theory suggests that people are motivated by self-interest and seek relationships that provide them with the greatest rewards with the least cost.

Question 15

"I find that others are reluctant to get as close to me as I would like.I often have dreams that my husband doesn't love me like he used to, and that he leaves me unexpectedly.I guess I have this need to lose myself in the person I love, and this sometimes scares them away." A person who is ________ attached most likely wrote those words.

Accepted Answer

The person describes having a need to lose themselves in the person they love and feeling that others are reluctant to get as close as they would like. These are both signs of anxious attachment, where the individual fears abandonment and seeks closeness but may also inadvertently push people away with their intense neediness.

Question 16

Brian has had many girlfriends in his life, mostly because he feels unable to comfortably commit to any one person.As soon as a relationship begins to get serious, he feels trapped and puts up barriers to his partner.His girlfriends always want him to make a bigger commitment than he is comfortable making.Brian's attachment style is best described as

Accepted Answer

Brian's behavior of putting up barriers and feeling trapped in serious relationships suggests an avoidant attachment style. This attachment style is characterized by a fear of closeness and a tendency to push people away.

Question 17

A good way to summarize cross-cultural research on love is to say that

Accepted Answer

Cross-cultural research has shown that while the emotional experience of love (such as the feelings of passion, intimacy, and commitment) may be similar across cultures, different cultures have different concepts and beliefs about love. For example, some cultures may value romantic love more than others, while others may place more emphasis on familial love or love for the community. These cultural differences can lead to variations in how love is expressed and experienced within different societies.

Question 18

Ellen is not concerned about the possibility of Alex abandoning her and believes that she is worthy and well liked.Alex, however, is anxious, and is concerned that Ellen will not reciprocate his desires for intimacy.According to this scenario, Ellen has a(n) ________ attachment style and Alex has a(n) ________ attachment style.

Accepted Answer

Ellen's belief that she is worthy and well liked suggests a secure attachment style, which is characterized by a positive view of oneself and relationships with others. Alex's anxiety and concern about Ellen's reciprocation of his desires for intimacy suggest an anxious/ambivalent attachment style, which is characterized by a preoccupation with relationships and a fear of rejection.

Question 19

When researchers performed an fMRI on participants looking at pictures of someone they were in love with, they found that the ventral tegmental area (VTA) and caudate nucleus were activated, and that they were more strongly activated the more intensely participants indicated that they loved the person in the photo.These particular areas of the brain are associated with the

Accepted Answer

The activation of the ventral tegmental area (VTA) and caudate nucleus is associated with the release of dopamine, a neurotransmitter associated with rewards and pleasure. This suggests that feeling intense love for someone activates the brain's reward system, similar to how it reacts to drugs or other pleasurable experiences.

Question 20

Ainsworth and her colleagues (1978) identified three basic attachment styles, which they termed

Accepted Answer

Ainsworth and her colleagues identified three basic attachment styles: secure, avoidant, and anxious/ambivalent.

Quiz 10: Interpersonal Attraction: From First Impressions to Close Relationships