Deck 6: Intervention

Question 1

A "super-charged" complaint that suggests a personality defect or character flaw in the partner is known as _______.

A) hostility
B) contempt
C) criticism
D) defensiveness

Answer 1

C

Question 2

Lydia and Wickham are not very happy with their marriage. When Lydia criticizes Wickham and complains about his lack of motivation, which of the following attributions is he likely to make?

A) "This is so unlike her; she must have had a really bad day at work."
B) "Gosh, I don't deserve to be treated like this. Fortunately, she'll get over it quickly and start behaving better soon."
C) "Well, even though she dislikes my lack of motivation, she loves so many other things about me."
D) "This is so typical! She is a mean person, and she always acts in this hostile way."

Answer 2

D

Question 3

An example of the dysfunctional interaction style called criticism would be this:

A) "It's not my fault that we're late; you were the one who had to check your e-mail."
B) "Whatever. I don't want to talk about it."
C) "You're a real jerk; it's no wonder you have no friends."
D) "You never consider my feelings, you always do what you want, and you don't seem to care about me at all."

Answer 3

D

Question 4

A person who removes himself or herself from an interaction with a partner in a way that communicates cold disapproval, icy distance, and smugness is demonstrating _______.

A) criticism
B) contempt
C) defensiveness
D) withdrawal

Question 5

Actions or statements that are intended to insult and psychologically harm the partner reflect _______.

A) criticism
B) contempt
C) defensiveness
D) withdrawal

Question 6

Couples who are satisfied with their relationships tend to attribute each other's positive behaviors to _______ and _______ causes and to assume the behaviors were _______.

A) internal; stable; intentional
B) external; unstable; blameworthy
C) external; global; unintentional
D) dispositional; specific; involuntary

Question 7

Blaming, character attacks, and "kitchen sinking" are all forms of _______.

A) defensiveness
B) criticism
C) contempt
D) withdrawal

Question 8

A behavior sequence in which one partner expresses negative feelings and the other partner then responds in the same negative way is known as _______.

A) negative reciprocity
B) behavioral responsiveness
C) demand-withdraw
D) defensive sentiment

Question 9

Research generally reveals that couples in stable, satisfying relationships typically engage in a ratio of _______ positive behavior(s) for every _______ negative behavior(s).

A) 1; 0.8
B) 1; 5
C) 5; 1
D) 2; 1

Question 10

The first task of a therapist asked to treat a distressed relationship includes . . .

A) Identifying the dysfunctional thoughts, feelings, and behaviors that are contributing to the couple's distress
B) Figuring out which partner is to blame for the distressing situation
C) Restoring the partners' relationship satisfaction to its initial level
D) Speaking with family members to determine the root of the problem

Question 11

An example of the dysfunctional interaction style called defensiveness would be

A) "It's not my fault that we're late; you were the one who had to check your e-mail."
B) "Whatever. I don't want to talk about it."
C) "You're a real jerk; it's no wonder you have no friends."
D) "You never consider my feelings, you always do what you want, and you don't seem to care about me at all."

Question 12

Which of the following actions would be considered examples of defensiveness?

A) Making fun of the partner
B) Using a whiny or high-pitched tone of voice
C) Sneering and rolling one's eyes
D) Screaming at the partner

Question 13

Couples in unhappy, dysfunctional relationships tend to attribute each other's positive behaviors to _______ and _______ causes and to assume the behaviors were _______.

A) internal; stable; intentional
B) external; unstable; unintentional
C) external; global; deliberate
D) dispositional; specific; praiseworthy

Question 14

Research generally reveals that the frequency with which spouses express criticism and contempt during conflict is _______ their marital satisfaction.

A) unrelated to
B) positively correlated with
C) negatively correlated with
D) not correlated with

Question 15

Claudette and Joanne are having a heated argument. In the middle of their argument, Claudette makes a silly face, which causes Joanne to laugh. Claudette's behavior reflects _______.

A) negative affect reciprocity
B) humor intervention
C) stonewalling
D) a repair attempt

Question 16

An example of the dysfunctional interaction style called withdrawal would be this:

A) "It's not my fault that we're late; you were the one who had to check your e-mail."
B) "Whatever. I don't want to talk about it."
C) "You're a real jerk; it's no wonder you have no friends."
D) "You never consider my feelings, you always do what you want, and you don't seem to care about me at all."

Question 17

Which of the following behaviors would be considered examples of contempt?

A) Sneering and rolling one's eyes
B) Shouting
C) Turning away
D) Leaving the room

Question 18

An example of the dysfunctional interaction style called contempt would be . . .

A) "It's not my fault that we're late; you were the one who had to check your e-mail."
B) "Whatever. I don't want to talk about it."
C) "You're a real jerk; it's no wonder you have no friends."
D) "You never consider my feelings, you always do what you want, and you don't seem to care about me at all."

Question 19

_______ refers to feeling victimized, unfairly treated, or attacked by the partner.

A) Criticism
B) Contempt
C) Defensiveness
D) Withdrawal

Question 20

Forms of defensiveness include _______.

A) blaming and kitchen sinking
B) denying responsibility and making excuses
C) mockery and insults
D) cold disapproval and icy disdain

Question 21

Jack and Ian are in therapy. During their last session, the therapist encouraged Jack to express his deepest fears, hopes, and expectations to Ian. This therapist is probably following a(n) _______ therapeutic approach.

A) integrative behavioral
B) cognitive-behavioral
C) traditional behavioral
D) emotionally focused

Question 22

Behavioral couple therapy (BCT) is strongly influenced by _______.

A) social learning theory
B) cognitive theory
C) attachment theory
D) disengagement theory

Question 23

Studies examining the effectiveness of behavioral couple therapy and emotionally focused couple therapy demonstrate that roughly _______ of couples show significant improvements in satisfaction after treatment.

A) 10%
B) 25%
C) 66%
D) 90%

Question 24

Another label that has become popular for integrative behavioral couple therapy, reflecting the principal aim of the therapeutic intervention, is _______.

A) status quo therapy
B) acceptance therapy
C) attachment injury therapy
D) resignation therapy

Question 25

Studies of therapeutic effectiveness generally reveal that . . .

A) Distressed couples who receive therapy score higher on measures of adjustment than distressed couples who do not receive therapy
B) The majority of distressed couples who do not receive therapy spontaneously improve and score in the "normal" range on measures of adjustment
C) Close to 100% of distressed couples who receive therapy score in the "normal" range following treatment
D) Most distressed couples fail to show any noticeable improvement after therapy

Question 26

Which one of the following types of relationship therapies emphasizes how the partners interpret the meaning of each other's behavior?

A) Behavioral couple therapy
B) Integrative behavioral couple therapy
C) Emotionally focused couple therapy
D) Cognitive-behavioral couple therapy

Question 27

Which of the following techniques and strategies would most likely be used by an emotionally focused couple therapist?
(1) behavior exchange
(2) cognitive restructuring
(3) expression of underlying, attachment-based expectations and needs
(4) changing of maladaptive standards and expectations
(5) communication skills
(6) problem-solving training

A) 1, 5, and 6
B) 2 and 4
C) 3
D) 2

Question 28

Partners often demand emotional involvement from each other in a variety of nonverbal and verbal ways. These demands are known as _______.

A) bids for emotional connection
B) demands for affection
C) repair attempts
D) requests for emotional support

Question 29

Communication training in relationship therapy usually consists of teaching the partners _______.

A) reinforcement and punishment skills
B) interpretative and attributional skills
C) expressive and listening skills
D) elocution and public speaking skills

Question 30

Which of the following techniques and strategies would most likely be used by a cognitive-behavioral couple therapist?
(1) behavior exchange
(2) cognitive restructuring
(3) expression of underlying, attachment-based expectations and needs
(4) changing of maladaptive standards and expectations
(5) communication skills training
(6) problem-solving training

A) 1, 5, and 6
B) 2, 3, and 5
C) 1, 3, and 6
D) 2, 4, and 5

Question 31

Dr. X. is a cognitive-behavioral relationship therapist. Which one of the following couples would he be most likely to admit for treatment?

A) Chris and Leslie, who are both suffering from a serious sexual dysfunction
B) Hugh and Holly, who are drug addicts
C) Kim and Alec, who are in a physically abusive relationship
D) Diana and Chuck, who are unhappy and have difficulty communicating with each other

Question 32

Rita and Dexter are in a long-term cohabiting relationship. Early one morning, while they are sitting outside having their morning coffee, Dexter turns to Rita and says, "Hey, check out the sparrow over there! Isn't she beautiful?" Which of the following statements from Rita represents a turning-toward response?

A) "Shhh. I'm trying to meditate."
B) "Oh, she's gorgeous! Do you think we should put in a bird feeder?"
C) "I'm reading."
C) "Please don't talk to me. You know how I am before I've had my coffee."

Question 33

Liev and Naomi are in couple therapy. As part of the therapeutic process, each has created a list of specific behaviors that the other partner finds desirable. Each day, Liev and Naomi are responsible for engaging in two of those specific, positive behaviors. This aspect of their therapy reflects _______.

A) problem solving
B) communication training
C) behavior exchange
D) tolerance strategies

Question 34

According to Gottman's research, volatile couples . . .

A) Display a great deal of positive and negative emotion in their interactions
B) Generally suppress emotion in their interactions but "explode" periodically
C) Display twice as many negative emotions as positive emotions in interaction
D) Experience a great deal of calm interaction

Question 35

The theoretical base of emotionally focused couple therapy is _______.

A) interdependence theory
B) social learning theory
C) attribution theory
D) attachment theory

Question 36

Dave and Renee are in therapy. During their last session, the therapist began to desensitize them to each other's negative behavior and increase their awareness of their own negative behaviors by having them engage in a pretend argument during which they deliberately exaggerated their most unpleasant interaction behaviors. This therapist is utilizing _______ and is probably following a(n) _______ therapeutic approach.

A) tolerance strategies; integrative behavioral
B) cognitive restructuring; cognitive-behavioral
C) behavior exchange; acceptance
D) acceptance techniques; emotionally focused

Question 37

Which of the following techniques and strategies would most likely be used by a therapist who practices traditional behavioral couple therapy?
(1) behavior exchange
(2) cognitive restructuring
(3) expression of underlying, attachment-based expectations and needs
(4) changing of maladaptive standards and expectations
(5) communication skills training
(6) problem-solving training

A) 1, 2, and 5
B) 1, 5, and 6
C) 2, 4, and 5
D) 3 and 4

Question 38

The primary similarity shared by volatile, validating, and avoider couples in Gottman and Levenson's (1992) typology is _______.

A) negative affect reciprocity
B) demand-withdraw
C) a 5:1 positive-to-negative affective behavior ratio
D) a commitment to marriage as an institution

Question 39

What can we conclude from investigations of the effectiveness of couple therapy?

A) Fewer than half of distressed couples who receive behavioral couple therapy show improved adjustment.
B) For distressed couples, therapy is generally better than no therapy.
C) Fewer than half of distressed couples who receive emotionally focused couple therapy show improved adjustment.
D) Only about 10% of distressed couples who receive therapy show improvements.

Question 40

According to Gottman's research, avoider couples . . .

A) Display a great deal of positive and negative emotion in their interactions
B) Generally suppress emotion in their interactions but "explode" periodically
C) Display twice as many negative emotions as positive emotions in interaction
D) Experience a great deal of calm interaction