Deck 11: Communication in Relationships, Marriages, and Families

Question 1

The emotional bonding of family members is referred to as

A) family cohesion.
B) strong family.
C) resilient family.
D) consensual family.

Answer 1

A

Question 2

The types of support needed for long-term union satisfaction involve all of the following EXCEPT

A) being understanding when disagreements arise.
B) offering understanding and compassion.
C) asking for validation of feelings.
D) avoiding conflict whenever possible.

Answer 2

D

Question 3

Which of the following is NOT an effective way of communicating with children?

A) help children deal with their feelings
B) teach children to play a specific role in the family
C) encourage autonomy
D) give praise and build self-esteem

Answer 3

B

Question 4

Children who report, "I am unhappy a lot," or "I worry a lot," are evidencing behavioral problems associated with emotional or psychological problems.

A) unresolved
B) internalizing
C) externalizing
D) overt

Question 5

According to classification by researchers Huston and Melz, which type of marriage is low on showing signs of love and affection but also low on antagonism?

A) Bland, or empty shell
B) Warm, or friendly
C) Tempestuous, or stormy
D) Hostile, or distressed

Question 6

Social scientist Nick Stinnett has used the term families, to describe cohesive families.

A) attributive
B) strong
C) consensual
D) dyadic

Question 7

Research shows that distressed marital couples are distinguished by

A) excessive positive affect.
B) open communication.
C) their negative exchanges during conflict.
D) an overemphasis on listening.

Question 8

involves the expression, either verbal or nonverbal, of one's feelings of affection toward another.

A) Impacting
B) Positive affect
C) Partner display
D) Bonding

Question 9

According to classification by researchers Huston and Melz, which type of marriage is high on both affection and antagonism?

A) Bland, or empty shell
B) Warm, or friendly
C) Tempestuous, or stormy
D) Hostile, or distressed

Question 10

Enrique and Nicole were civil yet distant in their relationship. They never had conflict, but also never slept together and rarely spoke to one another in intimate ways. According to Huston and Melz, which type of marriage do they have?

A) Hostile
B) Bland
C) Warm
D) Tempestuous

Question 11

The text points out that couples who communicate mutual affection create a contagious " effect" so that the household atmosphere becomes one of emotional support.

A) communication
B) spiraling
C) spinning
D) conflict

Question 12

In her research on marital communication, Mary Anne Fitzpatrick has found variation among happy couples in their , or ideas about the roles they should play, expectations for closeness and/or distance, and attitudes toward conflict.

A) relationship ideologies
B) religiosity
C) attribution
D) consensual validation

Question 13

Todd and Luther were intentional in telling and showing each other how much they loved and appreciated one another. They were also not afraid to have healthy conflict when necessary, but always treated each other with respect, even when angry. According to Huston and Melz, which type of marriage do they have?

A) Hostile
B) Bland
C) Warm
D) Tempestuous

Question 14

Cheng and Me-lin were constantly using criticism, passive-aggressive behavior, and contempt during their fights, and they hadn't said any words of love or touched each other for months. According to Huston and Melz, which type of marriage do they have?

A) Hostile
B) Bland
C) Warm
D) Tempestuous

Question 15

According to classification by researchers Huston and Melz, which type of marriage is high on antagonism but low on love and affection?

A) Bland, or empty shell
B) Warm, or friendly
C) Tempestuous, or stormy
D) Hostile, or distressed

Question 16

When Nick Stinnett made his observations of family strengths, six qualities stood out. Which of the following is NOT one of these?

A) appreciation for one another
B) arrangement of personal schedules to be together
C) a high degree of commitment
D) a secular orientation

Question 17

Josh and Lizzie were always very physical and lovey-dovey with each other, but they also fought often, sometimes getting loud and physical in their anger. According to Huston and Melz, which type of marriage do they have?

A) Hostile
B) Bland
C) Warm
D) Tempestuous

Question 18

According to classification by researchers Huston and Melz, which type of marriage is high on showing signs of love and affection while low on antagonism?

A) Bland, or empty shell
B) Warm, or friendly
C) Tempestuous, or stormy
D) Hostile, or distressed

Question 19

Research has shown a link between parental conflict and children's behavior problems.

A) unresolved
B) physical
C) occasional
D) resolved

Question 20

Huston and Melz classified relationships into four types. Which of the following is NOT one of those relationship types?

A) tempestuous
B) warm
C) erotic
D) hostile

Question 21

Social psychologist John Gottman has made his reputation in the field of

A) clinical social work.
B) marital communication.
C) sex therapy.
D) listening therapy.

Question 22

Sue Ellen feels that she has an unhappy relationship with her partner, Carole. She has been angry with Carole for a long time, but she won't express it openly. Sue Ellen's behavior reflects

A) displacement.
B) sabotage.
C) anger "instead."
D) a refusal to express anger.

Question 23

Counselors generally advise that an important aspect of learning to disagree involves expressing anger

A) indirectly.
B) directly.
C) passive aggressively.
D) randomly.

Question 24

Huston and Melz called both bland and tempestuous unions because these two marriage types evidenced only one of two desirable attributes.

A) "mixed blessing marriages"
B) halfway marriages
C) incomplete marriages
D) "lacking love marriages"

Question 25

The feeling that one's spouse is inferior or undesirable reflects

A) contempt.
B) criticism.
C) stonewalling.
D) belligerence.

Question 26

Mark is angry because his wife invited friends over when he wanted to relax. He decides to act bored during the entire evening. Mark's behavior reflects

A) displacement.
B) sabotage.
C) healthy anger.
D) an anger "instead."

Question 27

Coping in which each partner attempts to cope with his or her own strain in ways that do not harm the relationship and also attend to the other's emotional needs is called

A) social bonding.
B) relationship-focused coping
C) listener backchanneling.
D) de-escalation coping

Question 28

According to psychologists Nathaniel Branden and Robert Sternberg, in order to nourish a romantically loving relationship, couples should

A) share more about themselves with close friends to avoid complicating the relationship.
B) avoid expressing their love materially.
C) accept their partner's shortcomings.
D) take the relationship for granted.

Question 29

Joe refuses to listen to his wife, Luciana, and is particularly resistant to considering her complaints. Joe's behavior illustrates

A) stonewalling.
B) belligerence.
C) defensiveness.
D) sabotage.

Question 30

According to the text, contempt, criticism, defensiveness, stonewalling, and belligerence

A) can be transformed into positive features of marriage.
B) characterize unhappy marriages and signal impending divorce.
C) are examples of supportive communication.
D) are barrier strengths to divorce.

Question 31

According to Shelly Gable's research the "correct" response by one partner to the other's having something positive happen is characterized by

A) active enthusiasm.
B) measured evaluation.
C) sympathetic understanding.
D) controlled argumentation.

Question 32

Christina is angry with her husband Tyrone for spending too much time and energy on his business endeavors, and she expresses dislike for his very expensive car. This is an illustration of

A) displacement.
B) sabotage.
C) suppression of anger.
D) an anger "instead."

Question 33

Social psychologist John Gottman identified "Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse." Which of the following is NOT one of these?

A) contempt
B) criticism
C) sabotage
D) stonewalling

Question 34

One year into marriage, the average spouse says 'I love you,' hugs and kisses their partner, makes their partner laugh, and has sexual intercourse as often as when they were newly wed.

A) twice
B) equally
C) about half
D) one quarter

Question 35

Psychologists Nathaniel Branden and Robert Sternberg have developed some rules for nourishing a romantically loving relationship. Which of the following is NOT one of these?

A) be bluntly honest
B) express your love verbally
C) be physically affectionate
D) express your appreciation and even admiration

Question 36

Sociologist Judith Wallerstein conducted lengthy interviews with 50 predominantly white, middle-class couples in northern California. In order to participate, both husband and wife had to define their marriage as

A) happy.
B) conflict-free.
C) characterized by conflict.
D) unhappy.

Question 37

involves making disapproving judgments or evaluations of one's partner.

A) Defensiveness
B) Sabotage
C) Belligerence
D) Criticism

Question 38

Chronic criticism, nagging, nitpicking, and sarcasm are all forms of

A) poor conflict management.
B) negative attribution.
C) passive-aggression.
D) anger "insteads."

Question 39

Mike's wife, Lynne, resents him going drinking with his friend Asher. Whenever this subject comes up, Mike makes comments like "What can you do if I go drinking with Asher?" and "What are you going to do about it?" Mike's behavior illustrates

A) sabotage.
B) defensiveness.
C) belligerence.
D) stonewalling.

Question 40

means preparing to defend oneself against what one presumes is an upcoming attack.

A) Criticism
B) Defensiveness
C) Stonewalling
D) Sabotage

Question 41

According to John Gottman and his colleagues, anger, sadness, whining, disgust, tension and fear, belligerence, contempt, and defensiveness are all examples of

A) negative affect.
B) refusing-to-accept influence.
C) positive affect.
D) sabotage.

Question 42

The text points out that it is impossible to when a person is in the "wanting-revenge, feeling-stung-and- needing-to-sting-back" state of mind.

A) level
B) check-it-out
C) make an "I" statement
D) de-escalate

Question 43

In a recent book on men and communication called I Don't Want to Talk About It, therapist Terrence Real attributes males' withdrawal to

A) a "secret legacy of depression."
B) a sabotage pattern.
C) refusing-to-accept influence.
D) negative affect.

Question 44

When faced with a complaint from their partner, men tend to withdraw emotionally while women do not. This response is so common that therapists have named it the " pattern."

A) refusing-to-accept-influence
B) female-demand/male-withdraw
C) sabotage
D) belligerence

Question 45

In communicating with each other, Naveed asks Tasha if his perception of her feelings is accurate. His behavior reflects

A) listener backchannels.
B) leveling.
C) de-escalation.
D) checking it out.

Question 46

All of the following are examples of social media EXCEPT

A) Facebook.
B) Instagram.
C) Twitter.
D) The Wall Street Journal.

Question 47

Jennifer and Rhonda have agreed upon a time and a place for a fight. However strange this may appear, Jennifer and Rhonda have followed the guideline that the text calls

A) avoiding the silent treatment.
B) checking-it-out.
C) running interference on the silent treatment.
D) arguing "by appointment."

Question 48

According to John Gottman and his colleagues, when one partner's first negative expression is reciprocated with an escalation of the negativity, this reflects

A) refusing-to-accept influence.
B) positive affect.
C) sabotage.
D) stonewalling.

Question 49

What false belief is detrimental to a relationship?

A) You can treat each other with kindness even when you're angry.
B) Not all negative thoughts and feelings need to be addressed.
C) Your partner should automatically know how you think and feel.
D) Conflict can be a healthy part of communication.

Question 50

Research clearly indicates that the tactics associated with winning in a particular conflict are also those associated with

A) higher marital satisfaction.
B) bonding fighting.
C) competition.
D) lower relationship satisfaction.

Question 51

Mike has agreed to go out to eat with his wife Ellen, but at the same time yawns and says that he is tired and had a hard day at work. Mike's behavior illustrates

A) a mixed or double message.
B) checking-it-out.
C) an "I" message.
D) martyring.

Question 52

According to John Gottman and his colleagues, belligerence, contempt, and defensiveness are examples of

A) low-intensity negative affect.
B) refusing-to-accept influence.
C) positive affect.
D) high-intensity negative affect.

Question 53

Deborah Tannen argues that men typically engage in conversation aimed mainly at conveying information, which she refers to as

A) report talk.
B) rapport talk.
C) self-disclosure.
D) ventilation.

Question 54

LaToya and Christian have been having a bad day. LaToya asks Christian what is wrong. Christian replies, "Oh, nothing," but the look on his face and his body language suggest otherwise. Christian's behavior reflects

A) an "I" message.
B) the silent treatment.
C) checking-it-out.
D) martyring.

Question 55

Helping partners accept their spouses as they are instead of demanding change is called therapy.

A) acceptance
B) primal scream
C) restitution
D) status quo

Question 56

Which of the following is the most helpful "I-statement"?

A) "I felt really hurt when you said that."
B) "I think you're being extremely selfish!"
C) "I know exactly why you did that!"
D) "I hate when you do that! It makes me so mad!"

Question 57

Joline and Noah have been married for several years. They respond to each other warmly, with interest, affection, and shared humor. Joline and Noah's behavior reflects

A) low-intensity negative affect.
B) positive affect.
C) refusing-to-accept influence.
D) high-intensity negative affect.

Question 58

Counselors encourage making time for play and new activities in a relationship, partly because new experiences release a neurochemical called that acts on the pleasure center in the brain.

A) dopamine
B) testosterone
C) estrogen
D) adrenaline

Question 59

According to John Gottman and his colleagues, anger, sadness, and whining are examples of

A) refusing-to-accept influence.
B) high-intensity negative affect.
C) low-intensity negative affect.
D) positive affect.

Question 60

In John Gottman's investigations, was the only variable that predicted both marital stability and marital happiness among stable couples.

A) refusing-to-accept influence
B) low-intensity negative affect
C) the amount of positive affect in the conflict
D) anger

Question 61

Regardless of family structure, a family characterized by warmth, cohesion, and generally supportive communication is better for children.

Question 62

The text concludes that when both partners develop constructive habits, all of their problems will be solved.

Question 63

In displacement, a person directs anger at people or things that the other cherishes.

Question 64

Many couples may feel uncomfortable about expressing anger directly.

Question 65

In their assessments of marital communication, Gottman and his colleagues argue that the husband's escalation of negativity is part of the problem.

Question 66

Keeping love involves -a task largely accomplished by little gestures of appreciation, such as a touch or hug, and also simply by listening with genuine interest.

A) nonverbal communication
B) physical love
C) attending
D) letting our loved ones know how much we care and appreciate them

Question 67

John Gottman and his colleagues made suggestions for better couple communication, and their advice for wives and husbands is the same.

Question 68

Experts advise a balanced level of cohesion for couples and families.

Question 69

Marriage Encounter is one of many workshops designed for couples who

A) are on the verge of divorce.
B) are separated.
C) want to improve their relationship.
D) are newlyweds.

Question 70

ENRICH and PREP are training programs for married couples that emphasize

A) divorce preparation.
B) couple communication.
C) conflict.
D) martyring.

Question 71

Emotional intelligence includes all EXCEPT which of the following?

A) an awareness of what we're feeling
B) the ability to analyze the situation intelligently
C) the willingness to repair our hurt feelings
D) sensitivity to the needs and feelings of others

Question 72

Wallerstein concluded that the happily married couples in her investigations were frank in acknowledging their serious differences over the years.

Question 73

Social psychologist John Gottman's research has shown that conflict and anger themselves predict divorce.

Question 74

A review of research on couple communication in the 1990s strongly suggests that men and women respond almost identically to negative affect in close relationships.

Question 75

Anger and conflict in a relationship are necessary forces and a challenge to be met rather than avoided.

Question 76

All couple conflicts in the home are detrimental to children.

Question 77

Avoiding or evading a fight is an example of stonewalling.

Question 78

Supportive couple relationships have to do with the couple's , perhaps more than any other social indicator emphasized by social scientists in earlier studies.

A) gentleness and humor in relating to each other
B) social similarity
C) financial stress
D) age at marriage

Question 79

Contempt, criticism, defensiveness, stonewalling, and belligerence characterize unhappy marriages and signal impending divorce.

Question 80

Sabotage is a helpful way of pointing out an area of conflict to a partner.