Question 1

Jorge believes he and his partner Suzie will be together forever.He invests a great deal of time in their relationship.Which of the six characteristics of intimate relationships is illustrated here?

Accepted Answer

The characteristic illustrated here is commitment, as Jorge invests a great deal of time in his relationship and believes it will last forever, showing a strong commitment to his partner.

Question 2

Which of the following was NOT characteristic of Americans in the 1960s?

Accepted Answer

In the 1960s, it was not common for one third of men and women to cohabitate before marriage. This practice became more common in later decades. The other options (A, B, D) accurately reflect characteristics of American life during the 1960s.

Question 3

Our drive to establish and maintain close relationships with others is central to the need:

Accepted Answer

The need to establish and maintain close relationships with others is primarily driven by the need to belong. This need for social connection is a fundamental human motivation and is essential for our physical and psychological well-being. People who have strong social connections tend to be happier, healthier, and more resilient in the face of stress and adversity. The need for secure attachment and the desire to please others are also relevant factors, but they are ultimately subsumed under the broader need to belong. The need for success is not directly related to social connection, although it may be influenced by social factors such as social norms and expectations.

Question 4

One primary reason why solitary confinement may be so difficult is that it interferes with the satisfaction of our:

Accepted Answer

Solitary confinement removes individuals from social interaction and may lead to feeling isolated and disconnected from others, which interferes with our need to belong. This need is a fundamental human motivation to form and maintain lasting, positive relationships and social connections with others.

Question 5

Which of the following factors has influenced the nature of close relationships in the United States during the period 1960 to today?

Accepted Answer

All of the factors listed have influenced the nature of close relationships in the United States during the period 1960 to today. Increasing individualism has led to more emphasis on personal autonomy and choice in relationships, while socioeconomic development has had an impact on gender roles and cultural norms. Technological developments, such as social media and online dating, have provided new avenues for meeting and connecting with others.

Question 6

We generally expect intimate relationships to be characterized by all of the following expectations EXCEPT:

Accepted Answer

It's unrealistic to expect your partner to stay exactly the same over time, as people naturally change and grow throughout their lives. Therefore, expecting your partner to remain unchanged is not a reasonable expectation in a relationship.

Question 7

Which of the following situations is currently normative within the United States?

Accepted Answer

According to recent studies, most young adults in the United States will live with a lover before marriage, making this the normative situation. A is incorrect because the percentage of Americans married by age 30 has decreased in recent years. B is also incorrect because the majority of preschool children now have working mothers. D is partially incorrect; while the divorce rate is relatively high, studies suggest that most Americans rate their marriages as at least moderately happy.

Question 8

After encountering a single 45-year-old woman at her new job,your friend says,"It's not normal that she's 45 and single.And I've heard it's unhealthy,too." Your friend may be showing evidence of:

Accepted Answer

The statement made by the friend reflects singlism, which is a belief that being single is inferior to being in a relationship. It is a form of discrimination and stereotype against single individuals. The idea that being single is unhealthy is also a myth that has been debunked by research. This attitude suggests that being in a relationship is the norm, and being single is abnormal, which is not true or fair to single individuals.

Question 9

The fact that people form relationships easily and resist dissolving existing social ties and that the loss or absence of relationships is associated with poor physical and mental health is evidence of the need:

Accepted Answer

The fact that people resist dissolving existing social ties and that the loss or absence of relationships is associated with poor physical and mental health illustrates the fundamental need to belong. This need is not necessarily limited to intimate relationships or relationships that provide security. It encompasses a broad range of social connections that allow individuals to feel part of a larger community and to have a sense of social identity.

Question 10

As a participant in a research study,you are asked to describe your relationship.The researchers ask you to choose which of various pairs of overlapping circles,one representing you,one representing your partner,best describes the closeness you feel.What are the researchers assessing?

Accepted Answer

Mutuality refers to the quality or condition of being mutual, such as mutual respect or mutual understanding within a relationship. By asking participants to choose from pairs of overlapping circles to describe the closeness they feel with their partner, researchers are assessing the degree of mutuality or shared closeness and interconnectedness in the relationship. This method is a visual and symbolic way to measure how individuals perceive their bond and the extent to which they see themselves as intertwined with their partner.

Question 11

Some researchers believe that our need to belong:

Accepted Answer

The belief that our need to belong is evolutionarily adaptive is supported by research in various social and behavioral sciences, such as psychology, anthropology, and evolutionary biology. These studies suggest that human beings have an innate drive to form social connections and affiliations with others, which helped our ancestors survive and reproduce in social groups.

Option B is not entirely accurate, as the need to belong can lead to negative emotions and behaviors, but it is not the sole cause of destructive behaviors such as substance abuse.

Option C is also not entirely accurate because the quality of our relationships can affect the fulfillment of our need to belong significantly.

Option D is partially accurate as certain solitary pursuits can alleviate some of the negative emotions associated with loneliness, but they cannot fully replace the need for social connections and meaningful relationships.

Question 12

Sarah reveals to her boyfriend that she and her father are estranged.Which of the six characteristics of intimate relationships is illustrated here?

Accepted Answer

Knowledge refers to the understanding and awareness one has of their partner's thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. Sarah's revelation to her boyfriend about her strained relationship with her father demonstrates that she is sharing personal information with him, which increases his knowledge of her life.

Question 13

What percentage of babies in the United States are born to unmarried mothers?

Accepted Answer

As of the latest data, about 41% of babies in the United States are born to unmarried mothers. This percentage has been increasing over the past few decades, reflecting changing social norms and family structures.

Question 14

Which of the following needs must be met by a close relationship?

Accepted Answer

The need to belong is a fundamental human need, and a close relationship helps fulfill that need by providing a sense of connection, acceptance, and support. While family values, entertainment, and societal acceptance may also be important factors in relationships, they do not necessarily meet the basic need for belonging.

Question 15

Between 1960 and today,which aspect of marriage declined in the United States?

Accepted Answer

The proportion of the population that gets married has declined in the United States between 1960 and today, reflecting broader social and economic changes.

Question 16

Pauline and Hugh begin to refer to themselves as "we" rather than I and he/she.This change reflects the development of:

Accepted Answer

The change in language from "I" and "he/she" to "we" reflects the development of mutuality, which is a sense of interdependence and shared experience in a relationship. This can be a positive and healthy aspect of a relationship, as both partners are recognizing their bond and partnership. Dependency and self-esteem are not necessarily related to this specific change in language, and singlism is not a relevant concept in this situation.

Question 17

Which of the following is NOT one of the ways in which casual relationships differ from intimate relationships?

Accepted Answer

Honesty is a key component of both casual and intimate relationships.

Question 18

In contrast to those who do not cohabitate,individuals who cohabitate are more likely to:

Accepted Answer

Cohabitation is associated with higher rates of infidelity compared to those who do not cohabitate before marriage. This is likely due to differing commitment levels and attitudes towards relationships among those who choose to cohabitate.

Question 19

Divorce rates among people with college degrees are:

Accepted Answer

According to research, divorce rates among people with college degrees have been slowly decreasing over the past few decades. This trend has been attributed to various factors such as delayed marriage, better communication skills, and higher levels of education and income leading to more stable relationships.

Question 20

According to the text,intimate relationships are:

Accepted Answer

Intimate relationships are diverse and cannot be categorized into a single or a limited number of types, indicating they are of no one kind.

Quiz 1: The Building Blocks of Relationships