Deck 1: Why Study Intimate Relationships?

Question 1

Intimate relationships are implicated in the mechanisms of evolution because the ways in which individuals attract and select each other as mates appear to have direct or indirect consequences on:

A) happiness.
B) pairbonds.
C) natural selection.
D) fitness.

Answer 1

D

Question 2

On his way home from work each day, Abdul buys his favorite bread from NisaÕs bakery. As defined by your textbook, which element of interdependence is likely missing from Abdul and NisaÕs relationship?

A) bidirectionality
B) continuity over time
C) intimacy
D) All of the above are likely present in Abdul and NisaÕs relationship.

Answer 2

C

Question 3

In a study of couples where one spouse had congestive heart failure, researchers evaluated relationship quality and whether it was related to mortality rates (death) in a 4-year period. What did the researchers find?

A) Patients were less likely to die when in more satisfying intimate relationships.
B) Relationship quality was unrelated to patientsÕ mortality rates.
C) Humans are biologically programmed to desire intimate relationships.
D) The partner without heart failure became increasingly unhappy in the relationship following the other partnerÕs diagnosis.

Answer 3

A

Question 4

Mutual influence is to ________ as sexual passion is to ________.

A) interdependence; intimate relationships
B) intimate relationships; interdependence
C) interdependence; closeness
D) closeness; interdependence

Question 5

Which of the following is NOT a defining element of an intimate relationship?

A) mutual influence between partners
B) considering the partner unique
C) positive feelings toward the partner
D) the potential for erotic contact

Question 6

You are taking part in a study on relationships and pain. You are asked to place your hand in freezing-cold water for as long as you can. It becomes quite painful after a few minutes. Given what you know about the neurochemistry of close relationships, under what condition do you think you would subjectively experience the least pain?

A) when there is a stranger in the room with his or her hand on your shoulder
B) when your romantic partner is in the room with you with his or her hand on your shoulder
C) when you are alone in the room
D) when you are alone in the room but know your partner is nearby

Question 7

Sandra regularly stops at a particular coffee shop on her way to work. Although she prefers it when Yasir makes her latte, she doesnÕt mind when Jamila makes it. How would you characterize SandraÕs relationship with Yasir?

A) close relationship
B) distant relationship
C) personal relationship
D) impersonal relationship

Question 8

Impersonal relationships tend to be ________, whereas personal relationships tend to be ________.

A) informal and emotionally connected; formal and task-oriented
B) formal and task-oriented; informal and emotionally connected
C) formal and task-oriented; relatively happy
D) relatively happy; informal and emotionally connected

Question 9

The relationship between a lawyer and her client would be considered a/an ________ relationship, and the relationship between an aunt and niece would be considered a/an ________ relationship.

A) impersonal; personal
B) personal; impersonal
C) distant; close
D) close; distant

Question 10

In a study of couples where one spouse had congestive heart failure, researchers found that patients in happier relationships were less likely to die in the 4 years following the study. What does this study illustrate?

A) Relationship quality can have important consequences for personal outcomes.
B) Relationship quality declines as diseases, such as congestive heart failure, progress.
C) Having an important intimate relationship improves survival rates.
D) The physical proximity of an intimate partner reduces a personÕs assessment of danger and physical threat.

Question 11

Your friend Yayoi recently started dating someone new. Which of the following is NOT one of the features you would look for if you were trying to determine whether she and her new partner have formed an intimate relationship?

A) sexual passion
B) positive feelings toward each other
C) considering each other irreplaceable
D) interdependence

Question 12

According to the textbook, the defining feature of a relationship is:

A) accepting your partnerÕs specific faults.
B) awareness of the other.
C) closeness.
D) interdependence.

Question 13

All of the following are key features of a close relationship EXCEPT:

A) the partners have a strong influence over one another.
B) the partners are happy in the relationship.
C) the partners are emotionally engaged in the relationship.
D) the partners treat each other as unique individuals.

Question 14

In an MRI study, women were told they would either have a 20 percent chance of electric shock after being shown a red X on a video monitor or no chance of electric shock after being shown a blue O while holding hands with an intimate partner, a stranger, or no one. What did the authors of the study find?

A) Women were less likely to report feeling fear of the shock when holding hands with their partners compared to holding hands with a stranger or with no one.
B) Women were less likely to show activation of threat-related brain structures when holding hands with their partners or with a stranger as compared to not holding hands.
C) Women were less likely to show activation of threat-related brain structures when holding hands with their partners compared to holding hands with a stranger or with no one.
D) Women were less likely to show activation of threat-related brain structures when holding hands with their partners compared to holding hands with a stranger or with no one, but relationship quality was unrelated to the degree of activation.

Question 15

According to your textbook, which of the following distinguishes an intimate relationship from a close relationship?

A) the potential for sexual intimacy
B) the frequency of interaction
C) enduring interdependence
D) positive feelings toward the partner

Question 16

Tremayne and Jose have both been married 30 years. Tremayne has continued to feel satisfied in his relationship with his wife; Jose, on the other hand, has found he has become less satisfied in his relationship over time. Both men suffer from congestive heart failure and are participating in a study of relationships and health. Based on material presented in the textbook, who would you expect to live longer?

A) Jose, because congestive heart failure patients are more likely to die when in less satisfying intimate relationships.
B) Tremayne, because congestive heart failure patients are less likely to die when in more satisfying intimate relationships.
C) Tremayne, because relationship quality is associated with less activation of threat-related brain regions.
D) Neither Tremayne nor Jose, because relationship quality is unrelated to patientsÕ mortality rates.

Question 17

Bradlei buys organic steak from his favorite butcher shop every Saturday. He prefers it when Veronica slices the steak for him, but he doesnÕt mind when Ruth slices it. How would you characterize BradleiÕs relationship with Veronica?

A) personal relationship
B) impersonal relationship
C) close relationship
D) distant relationship

Question 18

Which of the following is NOT a key aspect of interdependence in relationships?

A) Interdependence is bidirectional.
B) Interdependence involves continuity over time.
C) Interdependence must include intimacy.
D) Interdependence exists between two partners.

Question 19

A magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) study showed that threat-related brain structures are deactivated when women hold their husbandsÕ hands, and, in another study, relationship communication predicted how long people may survive after a diagnosis of congestive heart failure. Why were the two different studies contrasted in the text?

A) to show how men and women differ in relationships, with women focusing more on emotion in social relationships and men focusing more on the social hierarchy and stress
B) to show two different research methodsÑone focusing on biological measures and the other focusing on observational methods
C) to show two different research designsÑone focusing on cross-sectional data collection and one focusing on longitudinal methods
D) to show two different kinds of reasons for studying relationshipsÑone focusing on something special about relationships themselves (intrinsic reasons) and one focusing on the effects that relationships have on other important experiences (extrinsic reasons)

Question 20

Dale and Jonathon met a year ago in an introductory chemistry class. Being psychology majors, they were both nervous about taking chemistry as an elective. They ended up sharing notes and studying together, and they did well in the course. Since then, Dale and Jonathon have kept in touch and occasionally go out together on the weekend. Which of the following best characterizes Dale and JonathonÕs relationship?

A) an impersonal relationship
B) a personal relationship
C) a distant relationship
D) a close relationship

Question 21

You participate in a study where researchers scan your brain using MRI technology while you look at a picture of your intimate partner. Researchers should see increased activity in areas of your brain associated with:

A) positive emotions.
B) sympathy.
C) critical social judgments.
D) emotion dysregulation.

Question 22

What conclusions can we draw from the two large cross-sectional studies of arranged versus ÒloveÓ marriages in China presented in the text?

A) Couples in arranged marriages were more maritally satisfied than couples in ÒloveÓ matches.
B) Couples in ÒloveÓ marriages were more maritally satisfied than couples in arranged marriages.
C) There were no differences in marital satisfaction between couples in ÒloveÓ marriages and couples in arranged marriages.
D) Marriages arranged by friends were more satisfying than marriages arranged by family members.

Question 23

Adnan and Kamelya have chosen to marry each other rather than allow their parents to arrange marriages for them. What is one possible consequence of their choice?

A) The couple may spend more time with the husbandÕs family than if they were in an arranged marriage.
B) The couple may spend more time with the wifeÕs family than if they were in an arranged marriage.
C) The couple may spend more time with both the wifeÕs and the husbandÕs families than if they were in an arranged marriage.
D) The couple may spend less time with both the wifeÕs and the husbandÕs families than if they were in an arranged marriage.

Question 24

In an e-mail to his girlfriend, Ulrich writes, ÒI feel as though my heart withers when I am away from you. Every moment IÕm apart from you seems an eternity and I only feel alive when we are together.Ó What type of love does this exemplify?

A) companionate love
B) passionate love
C) idealistic love
D) consummate love

Question 25

Huang, an 18-year-old Chinese student, and Jim, a 19-year-old American student, participate in a cross-cultural study about love. HuangÕs description of love is more likely to mention ________ than is JimÕs description of love.

A) disappointment
B) personal happiness
C) intense longing
D) continuing beyond death

Question 26

Pei-Pei just met Samuel, and when they are together she feels a surge of excitement and sexual desire. What is the likely biological cause of these feelings?

A) Pei-Pei took a drug, such as cocaine, that has activated certain brain regions that produce feelings of arousal.
B) Pei-Pei is experiencing a decrease in oxytocin, a neuropeptide linked to bonding.
C) Pei-Pei is experiencing a release of hormones from the pituitary and hypothalamus.
D) Pei-Pei is experiencing physiological and psychological interdependence with Samuel.

Question 27

Cross-cultural studies show that:

A) young Americans are more likely to believe their love is destined by fate, whereas young Chinese are more likely to view love as a personal test they must pass.
B) young Chinese are more likely to believe their love is destined by fate, whereas young Americans are more likely to view love as a personal test they must pass.
C) young Americans are more likely to view love as intensely positive, whereas young Chinese are more likely to view love as negatively tinged.
D) young Chinese are more likely to view love as intensely positive, whereas young Americans are more likely to view love as negatively tinged.

Question 28

Comparing China and the United States, the experience of romantic love is ________, and the expression of romantic love is ________.

A) the same; also the same
B) the same; different
C) different; the same
D) different; also different

Question 29

The nature of marriage and family has changed over the past few hundred years. Which of the following is NOT one of those changes?

A) Cohabiting relationships are increasing.
B) The number of children born to unmarried parents is increasing.
C) Couples are becoming less likely to value and desire marriage.
D) The number of couples living together (cohabiting) that marry within 3 years has declined.

Question 30

Considering the concept of love, which of the following statements is true?

A) There is a clear and universally accepted definition of love among researchers.
B) There are only two types of loveÑpassionate and companionate.
C) Love is nothing more than an experience of hormones and neuropeptides.
D) Love is generally accepted to be universal but experienced differently in different cultures.

Question 31

In one study of how love is experienced and perceived in the United States and China, researchers compared the lyrics of popular love songs from each country. In another study of how love is experienced and perceived in the United States and China, researchers interviewed young adults about their views on love. What can be concluded from these two results?

A) There are sufficient differences in how love is viewed to support the notion that love is not a universal emotion.
B) In the United States, love is viewed as a more passionate experience but one that has the potential to lead to great sorrow in comparison to how it is viewed in China.
C) In China, love is viewed as perhaps a more enduring emotion but one that is associated with unrequited feelings (unfulfilled love) in comparison to how it is viewed in the United States.
D) In China, collective societal goals and obligations take precedence over individual goals, and thus love is viewed as irrelevant.

Question 32

There are many different classification systems for love, but the most robust classification distinguishes between:

A) companionate love and passionate love.
B) companionate love and idealistic love.
C) companionate love and preoccupied love.
D) passionate love and idealistic love.

Question 33

Regarding the research on links between relationship status and mental and physical health, what can we conclude?

A) There is no link between being married and feeling greater general well-being.
B) People who are single and people who live with a relationship partner have similar levels of personal well-being.
C) Even if the relationship is of poor quality, married people have greater well-being than single people.
D) People who live with a relationship partner are slightly happier than people who live alone.

Question 34

What is the importance of the neuropeptide oxytocin in human bonding?

A) Oxytocin is released during intimate physical contact and results in feelings of calmness, sociability, and trust.
B) Oxytocin enhances sexual desire and thus increases inclusive fitness.
C) A lack of oxytocin results in depression and anxiety, which impede the formation of close relationships.
D) Oxytocin is responsible for the development of monogamous relationships in humans.

Question 35

You participate in a study where researchers scan your brain using MRI technology while you look at a picture of your intimate partner. Researchers should see decreased activity in areas of your brain associated with:

A) positive emotions.
B) sympathy.
C) critical social judgments.
D) emotion regulation.

Question 36

Xiao Xu and Ming Ho are a young Chinese couple who married after falling in love while studying at university. They are friends with another young couple, On Ki and Seung Won, whose marriage was arranged by their parents. Based on research presented in the text, what would you predict about these couplesÕ marital satisfaction?

A) Xiao Xu and Ming Ho will be more maritally satisfied than On Ki and Seung Won.
B) On Ki and Seung Won will be more maritally satisfied than Xiao Xu and Ming Ho.
C) There will be no differences in marital satisfaction between the two couples.
D) We cannot make predictions about the marital satisfaction of these couples, because the research about marital satisfaction in arranged versus love marriages is inconclusive.

Question 37

MRI research investigating brain activation when individuals gaze at their intimate partners supports the distinction between:

A) interdependent and personal relationships.
B) personal and impersonal relationships.
C) personal and close relationships.
D) close and intimate relationships.

Question 38

In close relationships, who is having the most sex?

A) single men and women
B) married men and women
C) single men
D) dating couples

Question 39

What is the significance of the findings linking oxytocin and human bonding?

A) Romantic love, like sexual desire, is at least in part biologically based.
B) Injections of oxytocin may decrease chances of infidelity.
C) Romantic love is a socially constructed concept.
D) The release of oxytocin is unrelated to human bonding.

Question 40

What is the most desired feature in a potential intimate relationship?

A) Men and women desire money and financial stability.
B) Men and women desire mutual attraction.
C) Men desire money, and women desire love.
D) North Americans desire love, and Europeans desire independence.

Question 41

Diana, who is 4 years old, has been biting and scratching her playmates in preschool. What might you suspect as a possible cause of this behavior?

A) Her parents may be experiencing a lot of conflict in their marital relationship.
B) Her parentsÕ relationship is probably not related to her behavior.
C) Her parents probably also had such behavior problems when they were children.
D) DianaÕs parents probably arenÕt getting enough sleep, and thus they are not giving her enough attention at home.

Question 42

Under what circumstances would something have a Òprotective effectÓ?

A) Something about a specific experience (e.g., being married) confers advantages or benefits.
B) Random changes in genes from one generation to the next result in increased fitness.
C) Love leads to a strong desire to protect the object of affection.
D) The family circumstances of children influence the way children will manage their own intimate relationships as adults.

Question 43

3.Although your textbook focuses on intimate relationships, the authors argue that we cannot understand intimate relationships without also discussing close relationships more broadly. Explain why this is the case.

Question 44

Evidence for the idea that relationships act as a form of social control was found in a study of cocaine use among men. In this study the only group of men that showed an increase in cocaine use was men who were __________ at baseline and were __________ two years later.

A) single; engaged
B) engaged; married
C) married; divorced
D) divorced; married

Question 45

10.After dating for two years, Yayoi and her partner, Tom, recently became engaged. Yayoi is participating in a study where she is asked to describe what she believes are the defining features of love. Based on material presented in the text, what essential attributes would you expect Yayoi to describe?

Question 46

In a study of 4,800 U.S. households (Rank & Hirschl, 1999), children with unmarried parents were more likely to experience severe poverty compared to black children or children with heads of household who completed less than 12 years of school. What can we conclude from this study?

A) Being unmarried causes financial distress.
B) A majority of children in the United States live in poverty.
C) Being black and having less educated parents will protect children from poverty.
D) Race and education are less important in determining childrenÕs well-being than relationship status.

Question 47

ParentsÕ relationships are associated with their childrenÕs behavior. Children of happily married parents seem to differ from children of parents who experience a lot of marital conflict. Which of the following is NOT a difference between children of happy versus unhappy marriages?

A) Children of parents with troubled marriages tend to complete fewer years of education.
B) Children of parents experiencing high levels of marital conflict tend to display more aggression toward peers.
C) Children of parents experiencing high levels of marital conflict tend to enter puberty later.
D) Children of parents with troubled marriages tend to have more marital problems.

Question 48

7.Contrast how love is experienced and perceived in individualistic societies such as the United States and collectivist societies such as China.

Question 49

6.Discuss and contrast how intimate relationships influence biological, psychological, and social well-being.

Question 50

Married versus unmarried couples differ in terms of their well-being. Although it could be that being married provides benefits that lead to increases in well-being, it is also possible that this is a Òselection effect.Ó A selection effect occurs when:

A) groups of people differ not because of something special about their group but because they have chosen the group.
B) researchers do not randomly select the groups of people they are comparing, which results in group differences.
C) couples selected mates based on compatible personalities and ÒloveÓ versus arranged marriages.
D) couples in one group are more satisfied because they are part of a select group of high-functioning couples.

Question 51

5.Discuss the importance and significance of oxytocin in human bonding.

Question 52

9.Distinguish passionate love from companionate love.

Question 53

As an adolescent, Sandy hung out with a rough crowd, used drugs, and skipped school. In her last year of high school, she began a relationship. Sandy is now less likely to use drugs and has maintained a full-time job without a problem. What theory explains this change in her behavior?

A) social control theory
B) social exchange theory
C) interdependence theory
D) passionate love theory

Question 54

4.Imagine you play matchmaker and introduce your good friends, Pat and Chris, to each other. You know they both enjoy creative writing as well as share a general love of the outdoors. Assume that Pat and Chris have begun to spend more and more time together. What features would you look for if you were trying to determine whether Pat and Chris have formed an intimate relationship?

Question 55

1.Describe the four defining features of an intimate relationship.

Question 56

In a study of identical twins, where one twin was divorced and the other was not, the children of the divorced twin experienced more emotional difficulties compared to their cousins from the intact family of the other twin. Given the results of this study, we can conclude that the effects of divorce on children are:

A) largely attributable to genetic risk.
B) not exclusively attributable to genetic risk.
C) largely attributable to the age of the child.
D) largely offset by the presence of close relationships with the intact twinÕs family.

Question 57

Hari, Adam, and Neela went snowboarding and neglected to apply sunscreen. Now they all have blisters on their faces. Hari lives with his romantic partner and they have a good relationship, Adam is in a difficult relationship, and Neela has just broken up with her romantic partner. Given what you know about health and relationships, what can we say about their recovery?

A) Neela will recover the quickest because she doesnÕt have to worry about taking care of another person.
B) Both Hari and Adam will recover more quickly than Neela because they are in relationships.
C) Hari will recover the quickest because AdamÕs relationship is difficult and Neela just broke off a relationship.
D) All of them are likely to recover equally as fast.

Question 58

2.Explain why interdependence, although a necessary condition for intimacy, is not a sufficient condition for intimacy.

Question 59

8.Discuss how the capacity for human love and intimacy is both a biological and a social-cultural phenomenon.

Question 60

According to your textbook, relationship quality:

A) is influenced by a wide range of factors.
B) is the central focus in research on intimate relationships.
C) determines why some relationships last and some do not.
D) all of the above

Question 61

11.You are asked to appear on a radio talk show to discuss arranged marriages. Given the research discussed in the text, what would you say about the nature of arranged marriages, how rates of arranged marriages are changing, what the consequences are of those changes, and what differences you might expect between arranged marriages and ÒloveÓ marriages, and why?

Question 62

14.Adam has been in trouble with the law since he was a young adolescent. He started with petty crimes, such as vandalism and theft, and eventually he engaged in more serious criminal activity, until his most recent conviction for robbery. While on parole, Adam met Janeane, and the two are now married. Although they both have steady part-time work, Adam and Janeane often argue about finances and are generally dissatisfied with their relationship. Based on material discussed in the text, explain the influence AdamÕs relationship with Janeane is likely to have on his offending behavior.

Question 63

15.According to your textbook authors, by examining relationship quality, researchers can hope to answer the critical question: Why do relationships sometimes thrive and sometimes falter? Define what is meant by relationship quality, and briefly discuss why it is important to try to answer this question.

Question 64

13.On a long flight to a conference, you get into a debate with your seatmate about whether it is better to be in an intimate relationship or not. What would you argue and why?

Question 65

12.The nature of marriage in Western culture has been changing over the past few hundred years. Briefly describe some of the changes as well as the consequencesÑpositive and negativeÑfor the individual, the family, and society.