Deck 11: Relational Dialectics Theory

Question 1

Research using Relational Dialectics Theory (RDT) has uncovered several new dialectics. Which two were found in research focusing on illness and death in the context of family?

A) ordered-emergent activities and acceptable-unacceptable behavior
B) presence-absence and joy-grief
C) acceptable-unacceptable behavior and joy-grief
D) group-individual and presence-absence

Answer 1

presence-absence and joy-grief

Question 2

All of the following statements about dialectical tensions are true EXCEPT

A) People are not always able to resolve the contradictions that they experience and may become comfortable in believing inconsistent things about relationships.
B) Partners in a relationship experience ongoing tensions between contradictory impulses.
C) Dialectical theorists support a notion that there is typically one point of view that should dominate a relationship.
D) Baxter and Montgomery are the researchers most closely associated with the application of dialectical theory to relationships.

Answer 2

Dialectical theorists support a notion that there is typically one point of view that should dominate a relationship.

Question 3

Which assumption about relational dialectics proposes that relationships typically swing back and forth between conflicting desires held by one or both partners?

A) Accommodation is the fundamental fact of relational life.
B) Relational life is characterized by change.
C) Relationships are not linear.
D) Contradiction is the fundamental fact of relational life.

Answer 3

Contradiction is the fundamental fact of relational life.

Question 4

_________ refers to the changing nature of relationships over time.

A) Praxis
B) Motion
C) Totality
D) Contradiction

Question 5

The authors point out that the choices we make in relationships are often influenced by all of the following EXCEPT

A) previous choices
B) choices of others
C) cultural and social conditions
D) cognitive dissonance

Question 6

Kip has been dating Theresa for less than a month. Kip wants to become closer to Theresa by sharing some very personal information, but he is also nervous about revealing too much, which could have negative relational consequences. Which dialectical tension was Kip experiencing?

A) autonomy and connection
B) openness and protection
C) novelty and predictability
D) real and ideal

Question 7

Yvonne complains to Cedric that the spark has gone out of their relationship. She claims that Cedric used to surprise her with flowers and cards, but he no longer engages in those behaviors. Cedric is confused. After all, didn't Yvonne comment only a week earlier how content and safe she felt knowing that their relationship was stable? Which dialectical tension is present in Yvonne and Cedric's relationship?

A) autonomy and connection
B) openness and protection
C) novelty and predictability
D) real and ideal

Question 8

_________ dialectics refers to the tensions that result from the conflicting nature of how the "public" defines the relationship and the private interactions that take place in the relationship.

A) Spatial
B) Dualistic
C) Interactional
D) Contextual

Question 9

According to the fourth assumption of RDT, __________ is central to organizing and negotiating relational contradictions.

A) communication
B) patience
C) self-disclosure
D) integration

Question 10

Three forms of integration as a strategy for managing tensions are

A) neutralizing, segmenting, disqualifying
B) reframing, disqualifying, selecting
C) reframing, neutralizing, disqualifying
D) segmenting, selecting, disqualifying

Question 11

All of the following are factors that influence the choice of strategies or techniques to be used in managing tensions EXCEPT

A) Techniques are affected by time.
B) Techniques are selected after a couple alters the ongoing nature of the tension.
C) Techniques are improvisational.
D) Techniques are possibly complicated by unintended consequences.

Question 12

Rawlins did not find evidence of the novelty/predictability dialectic in his study of friendship. Instead, a different dialectic emerged, which he called

A) presence-absence
B) subordinate-equal
C) judgment-acceptance
D) informing-constituting identity

Question 13

One of the primary criticisms of Relational Dialectics Theory has been that

A) the dialectical tensions that have been identified may not reflect other possible contradictions
B) it has limited heuristic value
C) it is unable to be tested
D) the view of relationships as being dynamic rather than static

Question 14

Kera and Vic choose to be close to each other at all times and to do everything together. They have chosen to manage the dialectical tension of autonomy and connection by employing

A) cyclic alternation
B) segmentation
C) selection
D) integration

Question 15

_________ is a term developed by Rawlins (1992) to explain the fact that some relationships fulfill both a public and private function.

A) Duality
B) Cyclic alternation
C) Relational functioning
D) Double agency

Question 16

With which communication tradition is RDT most closely associated?

A) socio-cultural
B) socio-rhetorical
C) socio-psychological
D) socio-phenomenological

Question 17

Research on married couples found that couples communicate in a variety of ways to manage the tension between openness and protection. All of the following are strategies the couples used to communicate around this tension EXCEPT

A) topic selection
B) withdrawal
C) deception
D) humor

Question 18

Although Michael and Ken are deeply committed to each other, and have been together for ten years, their relationship may not be recognized or treated as socially legitimate because of the fact that same-sex unions are not legally recognized. The tension they experience due to the inconsistencies between their own perceptions of their relationship and societal perceptions is reflected in which relational dialectic?

A) real/ideal
B) public/private
C) acceptable/unacceptable
D) legitimate/illegitimate

Question 19

Which one of the following is NOT one of Baxter and Montgomery's dialectics?

A) autonomy-connection
B) openness-protection
C) extroversion-introversion
D) novelty-predictability

Question 20

Which approach to knowing is most closely associated with RDT?

A) interpretive
B) critical
C) positivistic/empirical
D) semiotic

Question 21

Segmentation occurs when people choose one of the opposing tensions to feature at a particular point in time and alternate this with the other.

Question 22

The tension that often results in our own relationships as a result of the expectations portrayed in relationships in the media is described as contradictions between the real and the ideal.

Question 23

The monologic view of novelty and predictability would propose that predictability is indicative of a relationship moving forward.

Question 24

New research that studied nurses working in healthcare teams found that, contrary to expectations, they experience no dialectical tensions related to their role, status, or identity.

Question 25

Contextual dialectics derive from the place of the relationship in the larger culture.

Question 26

Baxter and Montgomery predict that we can have fewer ongoing tensions in our relationships if we increase the amount of self-disclosure.

Question 27

Relational Dialectics Theory can be applied to a variety of relationships and contexts, including the workplace, family, and healthcare relationships.

Question 28

When dealing with tensions, partners make communication choices based on what has happened in the past as they communication in the present about the future of the relationship.

Question 29

Compare the monologic, dualistic, and dialectical views of the following dialectics: openness and protection, autonomy and connection, novelty and predictability.

Question 30

Describe the four primary strategies that have been used to manage dialectical tensions. Which do you perceive to be the most effective? Why? Which do you perceive to be the least effective? Why?

Question 31

Provide an example that illustrates each of the three factors that influence the strategies and techniques used to manage dialectical tensions.

Question 32

Identify the two locations from which dialectical tensions result. Provide an example of each.

Question 33

Suppose you could sit with Baxter and Montgomery and discuss the merits and shortcomings of their theory. What sorts of discussions would you undertake with the theorists?

Question 34

Think of additional dialectics that you have experienced in your interpersonal relationships. Are there different dialectics for different types of relationships? Explain with examples.

Question 35

Using the standard criteria for theory evaluation, critique Relational Dialectics Theory.

Question 36

How would you use Relational Dialectics Theory to develop a study investigating dialectical tensions in a particular type of relationship or context? Formulate a hypothesis or research question, and describe how you would go about conducting your study.

Question 37

Do you think there are strategies other than those identified by the theorists as means of managing dialectical tensions? Use examples to illustrate some other ways relational partners may negotiate the contradicting desires described in this theory.