Question 1

Knapp's stage model conceptualizes relationship development as a _____.

Accepted Answer

Knapp's stage model conceptualizes relationship development as a staircase, indicating a series of steps that relationships go through, from initiation to potential termination.

Question 2

Suzanne is a single mom who has overcome a lot of obstacles. She is proud of her success and loves to share it with as many people as possible. Her best friend, however, thinks she should only share this information with people who ask about Suzanne's experience. Which of these dialectical tension is her friend experiencing?

Accepted Answer

Suzanne's friend is experiencing the expressiveness/privacy dialectical tension. This is because Suzanne wants to express her success to many people, while her friend feels that it should only be shared when asked about. This tension exists between the desire to share personal information and the desire to maintain privacy.

Question 3

When Connor wanted to break up with Jillian, he told her "we can still be friends." Which type of termination strategy was Connor using?

Accepted Answer

De-escalation is a strategy where one person tries to lessen the intensity of the relationship by suggesting they remain friends or take a break, rather than ending things abruptly.

Question 4

Conrad and Celeste have been dating for a short time. They spend a great deal of time talking in order to learn about each other. They want to know how many shared interest they have. Which of Knapp's stages of romantic relational development are they experiencing?

Accepted Answer

Conrad and Celeste are experiencing the experimenting stage, which involves uncertainty reduction and gathering information about each other to determine if there is potential for a relationship.

Question 5

Natalie wants her boyfriend to respond consistently to her affectionate behavior, but she also wants him to surprise her occasionally with different signs of his affection. Natalie is feeling which dialectical tension?

Accepted Answer

Natalie's desire for consistency in her boyfriend's response to her affectionate behavior represents a need for predictability in their relationship, while her desire for occasional surprises represents a need for change. These two needs create the dialectical tension of change/predictability.

Question 6

The idea that one develops relationships with people who are approximately as attractive as they are is called the ________ hypothesis.

Accepted Answer

The idea that one develops relationships with people who are approximately as attractive as they are is known as the matching hypothesis. This hypothesis suggests that people tend to choose partners who are similar in physical attractiveness to themselves. This may be because individuals believe they will have the greatest chance of forming a successful relationship with someone who is equally desirable.

Question 7

Bri is jealous of her husband's relationship with his coworker; she is unsure of his fidelity. Her jealousy is a result of _____.

Accepted Answer

Bri's jealousy is a result of her own insecurities, which may be caused by past experiences or personal beliefs. It is not related to proximity, gender differences, or social class.

Question 8

The ________ theory emphasizes that our guesses about future interactions as positive or negative determine our likelihood of talking with someone and forming a relationship.

Accepted Answer

The predicted outcome theory suggests that we make predictions about the potential for positive or negative outcomes in future interactions with others, and then use those predictions to determine how likely we are to continue interacting with them and forming a relationship. This theory is particularly relevant for initial interactions between strangers, where we rely on minimal information to make predictions about how the relationship will unfold.

Question 9

The ________ model of relationship development describes people's relationship as changing based on important positive and negative events in their relationship.

Accepted Answer

The statement "describes people's relationship as changing based on important positive and negative events in their relationship" is characteristic of the turning point model of relationship development. The dialectical model emphasizes the contradictions and tensions within a relationship, the whirlwind vs. friendship model compares the pace and intensity of romantic versus platonic relationships, and the stage model outlines specific phases of relationship development.

Question 10

Brad and Carla are getting married this weekend. Which of Knapp's stages of romantic relational development are they experiencing?

Accepted Answer

Brad and Carla are getting married, which means they have already gone through the stages of experimenting, intensifying, and integrating. The final stage in Knapp's model is bonding, which is characterized by a public commitment to the relationship.

Question 11

Travis and Jennifer are growing apart. They only discuss "safe" topics such as the weather. Which of Knapp's stages of romantic relational development are they experiencing?

Accepted Answer

Circumscribing is a stage in which communication between partners decreases and they only discuss safe topics. Differentiating involves contrasting one's own beliefs and values with those of the partner, stagnating involves a sense of boredom and limited communication, and avoiding involves physically and emotionally distancing oneself from the partner.

Question 12

Julie discovered that her boyfriend has been having lunch and talking on the telephone with his ex-girlfriend. Which turning point in developing relationships are they experiencing?

Accepted Answer

The situation described fits the definition of external competition, which is when a person or group outside of the relationship threatens its stability. The ex-girlfriend is an external competitor for the boyfriend's attention and emotional energy.

Question 13

The change/predictability dialectical tension is most prevalent in which relational stage?

Accepted Answer

The change/predictability dialectical tension is most prevalent in the maintenance stage of a relationship. This is where partners are trying to balance the desire for stability and predictability with the need for novelty and change in the relationship. In the initiation and termination stages, the tension is not as prevalent because partners are either just getting to know each other or are already on their way out of the relationship. In the development stage, the focus is on building a deeper connection and understanding, rather than managing tensions.

Question 14

When Chris and Gene first met, Gene was really attracted to Chris because of her spontaneous and carefree nature. However, later Gene broke up with Chris because he perceived that Chris was irresponsible and unpredictable. This is an example of _____.

Accepted Answer

This is an example of a fatal attraction, where the very qualities that initially attracted one partner to another ultimately lead to the downfall of the relationship. Gene was initially attracted to Chris's spontaneous and carefree nature, but later saw this as irresponsibility and unpredictability, which ultimately led to the breakup.

Question 15

Research has shown that people with satisfying relationships experience the same level of health as people with stressful relationships.

Accepted Answer

Research has actually shown that people with satisfying relationships experience better health and longer lives compared to those with stressful relationships. Studies have linked stress in relationships to increased risk of chronic diseases, depression, and other health issues.

Question 16

We get to know people along three dimensions: breadth, depth, and frequency. The theory that explains this process is known as ________ theory.

Accepted Answer

The theory that explains the process of getting to know people along three dimensions of breadth, depth, and frequency is social penetration theory. Options A, B, and C do not fully capture the multidimensional nature of this process. Dialectical theory emphasizes contradictions and conflicts within relationships. Self-disclosure theory focuses on the act of sharing personal information. Social acquaintanceship is a term used to describe casual or superficial relationships.

Question 17

Chris appreciates Kim's frequent contributions to class discussion and thinks she is very smart. When the time comes to work on the group project, he plans to ask her to work with him. This is an example of a ________ type of attraction.

Accepted Answer

Chris is attracted to Kim for her abilities and contributions to the task at hand, indicating a task attraction.

Question 18

Joe tends to prefer spending his Friday nights unwinding alone with a movie. His partner, Ted, likes to spend Fridays cooking dinner together and playing games. Joe wants his quiet time but also wants to spend time with Ted. Which dialectical tension is he primarily experiencing?

Accepted Answer

Joe is experiencing a tension between his desire for autonomy, or solo relaxation time, and his desire for connection with his partner, Ted.

Question 19

Nagging, criticizing, complaining, and teasing are all examples of _____.

Accepted Answer

Nagging, criticizing, complaining, and teasing are all forms of aversive communication behavior, which can be harmful to relationships.

Question 20

Cassie's mom asked her if she thought her boyfriend was cheating on her. Cassie replied that Nathan would never cheat on her and her mother should mind her own business. Cassie's inability to suspect Nathan of cheating demonstrates the concept of _____.

Accepted Answer

The concept of truth bias refers to our tendency to believe that other people are telling the truth, particularly those we are close to or have a positive relationship with. Cassie's response suggests that she has a truth bias towards Nathan and is therefore unable to consider the possibility of him cheating on her.

Quiz 9: Communicating in Close Relationships