Deck 7: Communicating Closeness

Question 1

PetulaÕs mother has a terminal illness and she is not expected to live more than a few weeks. Petula just placed her in hospice. Petula told her romantic partner, Sarah, that she felt guilty and that she felt she was abandoning her mother. Sarah responded by saying, ÒWell, everyone has to die sometime.Ó What perspective from your text helps us understand SarahÕs response?

A) intimacy process model
B) attachment theory
C) self-expansion model
D) capitalization

Answer 1

A

Question 2

Julian tells his wife, Danielle, ÒIÕm worried that my brother might be drinking again.Ó She nods and goes back to typing on the computer. Julian tries again, ÒI smelled alcohol on my brother last week, and I really hope he hasnÕt fallen off the wagon.Ó After a few seconds of silence, his wife turns to him and says, ÒHmm, right.Ó What is this an example of?

A) vulnerable disclosure
B) empathy
C) interpretive filters
D) disengagement

Answer 2

D

Question 3

You design an experiment where half the couples go on weekly dates and do activities that they find exciting and novel (e.g., cooking class, skydiving) and the other half go on weekly dates and engage in activities that they typically enjoy (e.g., movies, dinner). What prediction do you make about the effect of this experiment on their relationship satisfaction?

A) The two groups should have the same satisfaction at the end of the study because they are both engaging in pleasant activities.
B) The couples in the novel and exciting group should have higher relationship satisfaction because they are self-expanding together.
C) The couples in the pleasant activities group should have higher relationship satisfaction because they are not imposing certain activities on each other.
D) The couples in the pleasant activities group should have higher relationship satisfaction because they are self-expanding together.

Answer 3

B

Question 4

IvanÕs father had a stroke and is now living with IvanÕs sister. Ivan told his wife, Ann, that he felt guilty that his sister had to bear the burden of caring for their father. Ann responded by saying, ÒWell, maybe we can help pitch in for some of the extra groceries.Ó What perspective from your text helps us understand AnnÕs response?

A) intimacy process model
B) attachment theory
C) self-expansion model
D) capitalization

Question 5

You know your partner has been studying all day for an exam and wonÕt have had time to cook supper, so you pick up some takeout on your way home from work. Your behavior is an example of:

A) empathy.
B) capitalization.
C) relationship maintenance.
D) intimacy process model.

Question 6

Jaswinder has been in a relationship with Sukhdip for about 2 years; they have set up a joint bank account and have bought a house together, and Jaswinder has taught Sukhdip how to ski and has introduced her to his hobby of photography. What model or perspective best explains these behaviors?

A) self-expansion
B) intimacy process model
C) social support
D) capitalization

Question 7

Asians and Asian Americans are ________ likely to disclose their needs for support to a romantic partner because of concern that ________.

A) more; not doing so will cause embarrassment
B) more; the partner will value them less if they do not
C) less; doing so will burden the partner
D) less; it might be interpreted as disengagement

Question 8

Adnan has had a tough day at work and his partner, Georges, listens to him complain, makes sure that Adnan eats a good meal, and gets to bed early. The next day, Adnan tells Georges that he wishes Georges was more supportive about his work problems. What is the most likely explanation for AdnanÕs comment to Georges?

A) Adnan views GeorgesÕ responses through an interpretive filter.
B) Georges views AdnanÕs responses through an interpretive filter.
C) Georges failed to provide good social support to Adnan.
D) Adnan is the kind of person who simply complains a lot.

Question 9

You have been under a great deal of stress at work for the past few months. You tell your partner about your concerns. Your partner responds by saying, ÒIt sounds like this is really difficult for you to handle.Ó What kind of response has your partner made?

A) invalidation
B) empathy
C) invisible support
D) active-constructive

Question 10

Studies conducted to test the self-expansion model proposed by Aron and colleagues suggest that:

A) even conflict, if it is sufficiently arousing and frequent, can improve relationships.
B) engaging in novel and arousing activities can counteract the Òtypical honeymoon then years of blandness patternÓ that tends to happen as relationships develop.
C) self-expansion is more important than other-expansion early in relationships.
D) arousing activities must also be self-expanding for relationships to be maintained.

Question 11

Your friend Mia is in a bad spot in her 5-year relationship with Lee. She finds it boring and complains that she never does anything new, and she doesnÕt feel particularly attracted to Lee anymore. Given this information, which of the following is the most credible explanation for why Mia is dissatisfied?

A) MiaÕs CLalt is higher than her CL, and so she is likely to be unhappy with Lee.
B) Because their relationship is predictable, MiaÕs attachment behavior system doesnÕt get activated, and so Lee never has the opportunity to provide her with a sense of security.
C) LeeÕs outcome is higher than MiaÕs outcome, and so she feels underbenefited and therefore unhappy.
D) Mia and Lee are only engaging in pleasant activities (e.g., going out to dinner together, going to a movie), and so self-expansion opportunities (and the associated pleasure) are limited.

Question 12

The intimacy process model is important because it draws attention to:

A) how support can sometimes be costly because it involves vulnerable disclosures.
B) capitalization and support processes in relationships.
C) how the amount of disclosure in relationships is important.
D) how partner responses to disclosures determine whether the experience is rewarding.

Question 13

Self-expansion theory provides an explanation for:

A) why relationship satisfaction declines over time.
B) why people prefer predictability in their relationship.
C) mate selection.
D) why people stay in a relationship that is not particularly satisfying.

Question 14

Studies by Aron and colleagues suggest that couples who engage in ________ activities together tend to experience increases in relationship satisfaction and communication.

A) cooperative
B) passionate
C) trust-building
D) novel

Question 15

Mohinder offers to help Sally study for her exam. Sally tells Mohinder she does not appreciate his offer and wonders if Mohinder thinks she is not capable of studying on her own. Mohinder, surprised by her response, angrily retorts that she can just go ahead and fail then! An angry and critical argument ensues that lasts for a half hour. Which of the following is most true about this situation?

A) Sally is insecure about her abilities.
B) Sally would have benefited more if Mohinder had washed the dishes to give Sally more time to study.
C) MohinderÕs offer was not motivated by a desire to help Sally.
D) Mohinder was trying to offer emotional support to Sally.

Question 16

Over the course of the semester, your friend Samantha meets someone and falls in love. From the self-expansion perspective, what changes can you expect to observe in Samantha?

A) She will be more likely to share good experiences with her new partner.
B) She will feel less effective in her schoolwork because she will be spending more time with her new partner.
C) She will have a richer sense of her own identity.
D) She will engage in fewer new activities because she will be building intimacy with her new partner.

Question 17

________ refers to the routine behaviors and strategies partners undertake to help ensure that their relationship will continue.

A) Capitalization
B) Relationship maintenance
C) Intimacy process model
D) Support

Question 18

Which of the following is true?

A) Self-expansion only occurs in the context of relationships.
B) Engaging in exciting activities, even unpleasant ones, will always enrich relationships.
C) In the early stages of self-expansion, relationship satisfaction is mostly derived from the shared activities that are novel and exciting to at least one member of the couple.
D) Engaging in shared pleasant activities is not as self-expanding as engaging in shared novel activities.

Question 19

Which types of shared-couple activities have been shown to increase relationship satisfaction and communication?

A) outdoor
B) trust-building
C) novel
D) pleasant

Question 20

According to the intimacy process model:

A) factual disclosures provide greater opportunities for intimacy than emotional disclosures.
B) motives, needs, goals, and fears affect how partners interpret one anotherÕs behaviors.
C) feelings of being understood, validated, and cared for are determined by oneÕs attachment history.
D) responses to disclosures are unrelated to intimacy development.

Question 21

Shelly Gable and colleagues investigated how responses to partnersÕ disclosures of positive life events are related to relationship satisfaction. Which of the following statements best describes the findings from this line of research?

A) Active-constructive responses to partnersÕ disclosures are positively related to relationship satisfaction.
B) Passive responses to partnersÕ disclosures are negatively related to relationship satisfaction.
C) Destructive responses to partnersÕ disclosures are negatively related to relationship satisfaction.
D) All of the above are true.

Question 22

Niall Bolger and his colleagues (2000) conducted a study of law students taking the bar exam and their partners. Which of the following is true?

A) Law students had the best adjustment (i.e., more positive mood) when they perceived support from their partners.
B) Law students were most satisfied in their relationships when their distress level (anxiety, depression, etc.) was the lowest.
C) Law students had the best adjustment when their partners provided more support than the law students reported receiving.
D) Law students had the best adjustment when they perceived more support, but their partners said they had not provided it.

Question 23

Lisa is in the middle of studying for four final exams and feels a great deal of stress. Her partner, Alex, decides to help more around the house by doing the dishes and cooking dinner more often and mowing the lawn; however, Lisa does not notice that Alex has stepped up because she is too busy studying for finals. According to the textbook, Alex is providing:

A) emotional support.
B) visible support.
C) accepted support.
D) invisible support.

Question 24

Passive-constructive capitalization responses are negatively associated with relationship satisfaction. Why might this be?

A) They are invisible, so there is no benefit of this type of response.
B) There is a problem with the reliability of the measure of passive-constructive responses.
C) The passive aspect of these responses overwhelms the constructive nature of the comments.
D) These responses focus only on the positive emotion that the discloser experienced and not enough on the positive nature of the good news.

Question 25

What is social integration?

A) when people acquire resources, enrich their identities, and elaborate on what they know via their close relationships
B) when people respond positively to their partnersÕ disclosures of positive news
C) when people have a high number of social ties and connections
D) when people take on aspects of their partnersÕ identities as their own

Question 26

Visible support is to ________ as invisible support is to ________.

A) not helpful; helpful
B) known; unknown
C) practical; emotional
D) satisfied; dissatisfied

Question 27

Your partner is dealing with an upcoming important deadline at work. What is the best way for you to support him during this stressful time, and why?

A) You should provide emotional support to bolster his self-esteem.
B) You should provide practical support to allow him to focus on his work.
C) You should provide visible support so that he knows you care for and value him.
D) You should provide invisible support so as not to undermine his self-esteem.

Question 28

Following a transgression, becoming less angry and blaming is to ________ as acting warmly toward your partner is to ________.

A) intrapersonal; interpersonal
B) interpersonal; intrapersonal
C) silent forgiveness; hollow forgiveness
D) hollow forgiveness; silent forgiveness

Question 29

Selena is proud of herself for getting an article published in her school newspaper and has called her boyfriend, Nick, to tell him the good news. Which of the following factors will most likely determine whether Selena benefits from her attempt at capitalization?

A) the response she receives from Nick
B) how much time passes between the event and telling Nick about it
C) the level of intimacy in their relationship
D) whether Nick also shares his own good news with Selena at the same time

Question 30

Gertrude just got a new job. Her boyfriend, Andre, responded by saying, ÒI really hope I can find a summer job. It is going to be hard this late in the semester.Ó What would you conclude about their relationship from this exchange?

A) They are probably satisfied with their relationship.
B) They are probably dissatisfied with their relationship.
C) Andre is probably satisfied, and Gertrude is dissatisfied in the relationship.
D) Gertrude is probably satisfied, and Andre is dissatisfied in the relationship.

Question 31

Lisa is in the middle of studying for four final exams and feels a great deal of stress. Her partner, Alex, is trying to decide how best to help: he could do more around the house by doing the dishes and cooking dinner more often and mowing the lawn, or he could offer to help quiz her on some of the material. What should Alex do, and why?

A) Alex should offer to help quiz Lisa on the material so that she knows it really well in time for her exam.
B) Alex should offer to help quiz Lisa on the material because it is clear she cannot handle the situation on her own.
C) Alex should do more around the house because Lisa is likely to notice and appreciate everything he is doing for her.
D) Alex should do more around the house in a way that Lisa wonÕt notice so that she wonÕt feel like she cannot handle the situation on her own.

Question 32

Carl learns that Meena got a promotion. Carl said congratulations, but he then expressed his concern that this promotion might actually increase her workload. What kind of capitalization response is this?

A) active-constructive
B) active-destructive
C) passive-destructive
D) passive-constructive

Question 33

Your roommate is studying for a big final exam. You notice that she is anxious, so to help out you decide to wash all the dinner dishes, even though it is her turn. What kind of support is this?

A) emotional support
B) invisible support
C) active-constructive support
D) passive-constructive support

Question 34

Sharing positive emotions will enhance our relationships and thus build resources (e.g., strong relationships) on which we can draw in times of need. With what theory of relationships is this most consistent?

A) self-expansion theory
B) Òbroaden and buildÓ theory
C) attachment theory
D) self-verification theory

Question 35

Your partner just got a promotion at work and shares the news with you. Which of the following responses would be most likely to enhance your partnerÕs relationship satisfaction?

A) ÒThatÕs nice.Ó
B) ÒDoes this mean youÕre going to be working even longer hours?Ó
C) ÒThatÕs good to know; now we can go on that vacation next summer.Ó
D) ÒWow, thatÕs fantastic! LetÕs go out to dinner tonight to celebrate.Ó

Question 36

Carl told his wife, Meena, that he got a raise at work. Meena (although happy for Carl) did not say much. What type of capitalization response is this?

A) active-constructive
B) active-destructive
C) passive-destructive
D) passive-constructive

Question 37

Lisa discovered that her wife lied about a bad investment that has cost them a good portion of their life savings. Still unhappy about the situation, Lisa is asking many questions about what happened. What stage of forgiveness do you think Lisa is experiencing?

A) impact
B) meaning
C) moving on
D) silent

Question 38

Danny and Stella were in therapy following the revelation of StellaÕs relationship with another man. Danny felt hurt, angry, and confused about his relationship and feelings for Stella, and Stella was defensive about the affair and tried to hide the full extent of her relationship with the other man. What stage of forgiveness do you think this couple is experiencing?

A) impact
B) meaning
C) moving on
D) reconciliation

Question 39

According to Gable and her colleagues, passive-constructive responses to capitalization attempts are associated with:

A) greater relationship trust.
B) greater relationship satisfaction.
C) lower relationship intimacy.
D) lower relationship trust.

Question 40

Lisa is in the middle of studying for four final exams and feels a great deal of stress. Her partner, Alex, offers to help quiz her on some of the material. According to the textbook, Alex is providing:

A) emotional support.
B) visible support.
C) accepted support.
D) invisible support.

Question 41

5.Your partner is dealing with an upcoming important deadline at work. What is the best way for you to support him during this stressful time, and why?

Question 42

Considering the research on sex and relationships discussed in your text, who is most likely to end their relationship over a 12-month period?

A) men with high sexual satisfaction
B) women with low sexual satisfaction but high sexual frequency
C) men with low sexual satisfaction
D) men with low frequency of sexual activity but high sexual satisfaction

Question 43

2.How are sexual and relationship satisfaction related?

Question 44

6.Meg and Jian have been married 10 years and both feel generally dissatisfied with their marriage. Although they still get along fine and spend lots of time together, both feel that their relationship and their lives in general are rather flat. From a self-expansion perspective, give two potential interpretations of what the problem might be.

Question 45

Suzy and Wei-chin report a great sex life but poor communication with each other. What would we expect about Suzy and Wei-chinÕs relationship satisfaction?

A) Although the sex is good, their poor communication likely means they are dissatisfied in their relationship.
B) Because sex is more important for men, Wei-chin is probably satisfied, but because communication is more important for women, Suzy is likely dissatisfied.
C) Because they have a good sex life, they likely have a satisfying relationship.
D) Their good sex life would only contribute to their satisfaction if they also had good communication, so neither would be associated with their relationship satisfaction.

Question 46

9.Anthony has been struggling with the decision to return to school to become an architect or to continue in his high-paying but very dissatisfying job. He decides to talk to his wife, Mei, about the problem. He tells her, ÒMei, I know it would be tough financially, but IÕm thinking about going back to school to become an architect. What do you think?Ó Define Òempathy,Ó and provide an example of what Mei could say in response that would reflect empathy.

Question 47

According to the text, ________ describes the transformation that occurs when peopleÕs motivation to seek revenge for hurtful actions diminishes and their motivation to pursue conciliatory courses of action increases.

A) invisible support
B) intimacy
C) forgiveness
D) capitalization

Question 48

1.Describe the intimacy process model.

Question 49

Which of the following about sex and relationship functioning is true?

A) A good sexual relationship cannot offset the effects of poor communication on relationship satisfaction.
B) Sexual functioning in relationships tends to predict better relationship satisfaction.
C) Relationship quality has little or no effect on later sexual functioning.
D) Sexual frequency is more strongly linked than sexual satisfaction to relationship quality.

Question 50

Which of the following about sex and relationship functioning is true?

A) If one partner perceives that his or her mate is engaging in sex to avoid adverse outcomes (e.g., to prevent the partner from losing interest in the relationship), this tends to be detrimental to relationships.
B) Sexual frequency is more strongly linked than sexual satisfaction to relationship quality.
C) Relationship quality has little or no effect on later sexual functioning.
D) The association between sexual satisfaction and global relationship satisfaction is reciprocal.

Question 51

10.Compare and contrast the processes of social support and capitalization and how they are related to relationship quality.

Question 52

In response to a blunder John made, JohnÕs wife, Carineh, said, ÒYou are so dumb, John.Ó John got angry, and Carineh quickly apologized. John told Carineh he forgave her even though he didnÕt mean it, as he was still angry with her. What type of forgiveness is John displaying?

A) hollow
B) partial
C) silent
D) intrapersonal

Question 53

Regarding relationship maintenance processes in relationships, which of the following is true?

A) Invisible support is typically detrimental to relationships because it goes unnoticed.
B) Social scientists have not established sound procedures for observing social support.
C) Forgiveness does not require an apology.
D) Capitalization has more to do with the perception of behavior than with the actual behavior.

Question 54

3.What is invisible support, and why might it be more beneficial than visible support?

Question 55

In response to a blunder John made, JohnÕs wife, Carineh, said, ÒYou are so dumb, John.Ó John got angry, and Carineh quickly apologized. John forgave Carineh even though he didnÕt tell her so. What type of forgiveness is John displaying?

A) hollow
B) partial
C) silent
D) interpersonal

Question 56

Brad and Jing-Mei have been married for several years. Recently Brad discovered that Jing-Mei had a brief affair. Which of the following will NOT increase the likelihood that Brad will forgive Jing-Mei?

A) Brad believes Jing-Mei is fully in control of her actions.
B) Jing-Mei apologized and promised never to do it again.
C) Brad is generally an amiable, easygoing person.
D) Brad is extremely committed to Jing-Mei and their relationship.

Question 57

4.You go on a local television show to promote your new research study on social support. The interviewer asks, ÒWhy do you need to study social support? IsnÕt it simple: Being supportive is better?Ó How do you respond to her comment, referring to specific research findings on support presented in the text?

Question 58

8.How does the self-expansion model help us explain the deterioration of relationship satisfaction?

Question 59

According to definitions of forgiveness given in the text, which of the following is required for a couple to experience forgiveness?

A) reconciliation with the transgressor
B) a promise from the offender not to re-offend
C) a decline in the partnerÕs motivation for revenge against the transgressor
D) an increase in emotional distance from the offending partner

Question 60

7.Your friend Humpreet asks you what she can do to put the ÒspiceÓ back into her 2-year relationship with Tasha. She says the two of them get along fine, but the relationship seems to be routine compared to when they first started dating. From a self-expansion perspective, what suggestion(s) would you give Humpreet, and why?

Question 61

14.Brad and Jing-Mei have been married several years. Recently Brad discovered that Jing-Mei had a brief affair. The text describes four factors that increase the likelihood of forgiveness following a relationship transgression. Which of these factors might apply in Brad and Jing-MeiÕs relationship?

Question 62

11.Explain how the four capitalization responses to a positive partner disclosure are related to relationship intimacy.

Question 63

13.Describe the stage model of forgiveness developed by Gordon and Baucom (1998).

Question 64

12.CassandraÕs co-workers celebrate her birthday by taking her to a spa for a manicure and pedicure instead of working in the afternoon. She tells her wife, Patricia, all about the outing. What might Patricia say or do that would represent the 1) active-constructive; 2) active-destructive; and 3) passive-destructive capitalization responses to CassandraÕs disclosure?

Question 65

15.The textbook authors discuss five specific strategies a couple can use to keep their relationship healthy and strong. Describe how interpretive filters (part of the intimacy process model) can influence social support provision, capitalization, forgiveness, and sexual satisfaction.