Exam 10: Understanding Each Other

When is a spouse least likely to make adaptive attributions about her or his partner's negative behavior?

10.You have just returned from a long business trip and your partner is late coming to meet you at the airport. Define and provide examples of two kinds of attributions that you might make about your partner's behavior: 1) stable/external; 2) temporary/external.

We would expect relationship partners who make ________ comparisons to be happier than those who make ________ comparisons.

9.You and your partner are at a party and your partner says something that embarrasses you. Define and provide examples of two kinds of attributions that you might make about your partner's behavior: 1) stable/internal; 2) temporary/internal.

________ refers to whether the cause of behavior is something about the person or something about circumstances; ________ refers to whether the cause of the behavior is something that is likely to persist over time or is temporary.

________ occurs when existing knowledge structures change to integrate new information. ________ occurs when new information is integrated with existing knowledge without changing the existing knowledge structures.

4.Kia is very unhappy in her relationship with Denny. She describes Denny as being unreliable and mean, and she belittles his intelligence. What is most likely operating in her views of Denny? Why might Kia be processing information about Denny in ways that contribute to her unhappiness in the relationship?

Thao is trying to decide whether to ask Sue out. What information processing bias will be most likely operating when he makes his decision?

When you were in high school, your friend Janise said that a romantic partner with a sense of humor was critical to a lasting relationship. At your 5-year reunion, you meet her husband and he seems to be a nice person but quite deficient in the humor department. Having just taken a course on close relationships, you recognize that this is an example of ________.

Kia is very unhappy in her relationship with Denny. She describes Denny as being unreliable and mean, and she belittles his intelligence. What is most likely operating in her views of Denny?

The explanations an individual makes about a partner's behavior are:

In terms of a relationship knowledge hierarchy, ÒMy partner is attractiveÓ is an example of a ________.

2.Selim believes that his partner, Amira, is warm, generous, and funnyÑAmira does not see herself in such a positive light as Selim does. Considering the confirmation and self-enhancement motives, what prediction would you make about their relationship, and why?

Cesar says his wife is a flighty person, which is her greatest fault, and then he later says he loves her spontaneity. This is an example of:

You are out to dinner with your good friend Desiree. You know she is perfectly happy and committed to her intimate partner, Sophia, but you point out some of the attractive women sitting at the bar. She looks over and says you need to get your eyes checked, because she does not find them at all attractive. How can you explain her response?

In terms of a relationship knowledge hierarchy, ÒI have a great relationshipÓ is an example of a ________.

A ________ is a tendency to process information to protect a particular point of view; a ________ is a drive to reach a specific goal.

Jasmine's partner comes home from work with a bouquet of flowers for her. Jasmine thinks, ÒSarah hardly ever brings me flowers. She's so cheap; they must have been on sale.Ó Because Jasmine is ________, we can conclude that she and Sarah are in a ________ relationship.

7.Is integration of positive and negative perceptions of the partner good or bad for relationships?

In couples' relationships, memory biases: