Deck 6: Communication, Conflict, and Power in Our Relationships

Question 1

Which of the following is the best example of the Sapir-Whorf hypothesis?

A)Women more readily disclose personal information than do men.
B)Alaska Native groups have many words in their language for snow.
C)The English language has a lack of precision.
D)There are several distinct types of conflict.
E)Reward power comes from the ability to offer material or nonmaterial benefit to achieve your goal.

Answer 1

B

Question 2

With respect to social class differences in communication:

A)the working class is more likely to use SAE.
B)the middle class uses more words of simple coordination such as "like" or "but" and uses fewer pronouns.
C)President Obama sometimes "breaks code."
D)people with different levels of education communicate differently, but few differences have been noted by income or occupational prestige.
E)the middle class tends to use more AAE than does the working class.

Answer 2

C

Question 3

An awkward silence, a grimace, holding hands, and a smile are all examples of:

A)bypassing.
B)empathy.
C)nonverbal communication.
D)value conflict.
E)the Janson-Glick hypothesis.

Answer 3

C

Question 4

You are at a party and decide this is the perfect place to conduct your sociology experiment for your research paper. You want to know if there are any differences in communication styles by sex. In your observation that night you probably witnessed all of the following EXCEPT:

A)Women tended to smile more often and express a wider range of emotions.
B)Women did the most talking and interrupted more often.
C)Men occupied more personal space.
D)Men initiated topics more often.
E)Men told more jokes.

Question 5

The phrase "actions speak louder than words" refers to:

A)men and women have different speech patterns resulting from the way they have been socialized.
B)verbal communication patterns vary across social classes.
C)actions are more important than active listening.
D)nonverbal communication is harder to fake, and so is often more believable than verbal communication when the two are in conflict.
E)the Sapir-Whorf hypothesis.

Question 6

There are five stages in listening. Which is NOT one of them?

A)eye contact
B)receiving
C)understanding
D)remembering
E)evaluation

Question 7

There are six dimensions of culture that can affect communication styles. Which is NOT one of them?

A)open vs. closed cultures
B)masculine vs. feminine cultures
C)short-term vs. long-term time orientation
D)individualist vs. collectivist cultures
E)centralized vs. decentralized power

Question 8

Electronic communication:

A)offers us fewer relationships with more depth.
B)brings more informality into our written and spoken word.
C)is likely a passing fad.
D)offers us less control over our messages.
E)is optional at most universities.

Question 9

The United States is an example of a __________ culture.

A)centralized power and masculine
B)high-context and low ambiguity
C)individualist and centralized power
D)long-term and high-context
E)low-context and individualist

Question 10

In a high-context culture, emphasis is placed on ___________, whereas in a low-context culture, emphasis is placed on __________.

A)personal achievement; the needs of the group
B)stereotypical male values of assertiveness and material success; stereotypical female virtues of caring for others and modesty
C)the power in the hands of the few; a decentralized power structure
D)short-term time orientation; long-term time orientation
E)indirect and nonverbal communication; direct and explicit communication

Question 11

Listening:

A)is the same as hearing.
B)is a cyclical process that involves receiving messages, understanding, conflict, evaluation, and self-disclosure.
C)is far easier than hearing.
D)is the process of giving thoughtful attention to what we hear.
E)involves the eyes, nose, and feet, according to the Chinese.

Question 12

There are several specific barriers to understanding verbal communication. Which is the best example of "static evaluation"?

A)"It's all your fault."
B)"You're pregnant? I thought you never wanted children."
C)"Why do you always drink too much when we go out?"
D)"I couldn't care less."
E)"I love you."

Question 13

The Sapir-Whorf hypothesis suggests that:

A)language shapes our culture, and at the same time, our culture shapes our language.
B)men and women communicate differently because they have been socialized differently.
C)in an individualist culture like China, emphasis is placed on getting to know one another before engaging in a transaction.
D)conflict can be both positive and negative.
E)bypassing can enhance verbal communication if both partners are willing.

Question 14

Ella and Cristobal are involved in "the spoken exchange of thoughts, feelings, or other messages," which is the definition of:

A)regulating communication.
B)verbal communication.
C)Whorf communication.
D)regulating couples.
E)self-disclosure.

Question 15

There are several ways that we can improve our verbal communication. Which is NOT one of these?

A)Describe your own feelings rather than evaluate the behavior of others.
B)Solve problems rather than try to control others.
C)Be genuine rather than manipulative.
D)Present yourself as an equal rather than a superior.
E)Remain detached rather than getting emotionally involved.

Question 16

There are several specific barriers to understanding verbal communication. Which is the best example of "polarization"?

A)"It's all your fault."
B)"You ordered the fish? But you hate fish-you always have!"
C)"Why do you always drink too much when we go out?"
D)"I couldn't care less."
E)"I love you."

Question 17

Communication:

A)includes solo construction of meaning.
B)does not rely upon symbols.
C)is a transactional process.
D)is similar across cultures.
E)is a micro-level rather than macro-level issue.

Question 18

Which of the following might explain sex differences in communication?

A)Men have been socialized to be more protective and therefore they let women talk more and ask more questions.
B)Certain regions of the prefrontal brain area are activated differently; both hemispheres are activated in women when they perform language tasks,
Whereas only the left hemisphere is activated in men.
C)Different hormones in males and females help men articulate words more carefully.
D)Peer pressure from group sports encourages men to build consensus and be more accommodating, and these traits carry over into conversation.
E)The spinal cord shape differs for men and women, and the top of the spinal cord affects language development.

Question 19

SAE refers to:

A)Safe American Experience.
B)Standard American English.
C)Solitary Action Escape.
D)Sapir-Allison Experiment.
E)Saving Active listening Experience.

Question 20

A study that asked Black- and White-sounding telephone callers to inquire about an advertised apartment for rent found:

A)Black-sounding callers were more likely to be told the apartment was already rented.
B)the landlords could not identify the race of the caller.
C)the landlords quoted a higher rent price for White-sounding callers.
D)several of the landlords cursed the Black-sounding callers.
E)the landlords were more likely to ask the Black-sounding callers to apply in person.

Question 21

Which of the following statements about conflict is FALSE?

A)Conflict occurs when members of the group disagree over two or more options to make a decision, solve a problem, or achieve a goal.
B)Individuals who are involved in conflict have some degree of dependence on the other person.
C)Culture influences the issues that people fight about and how they experience conflict.
D)In a collectivist culture, conflict is likely to involve breaking the group rules or norms in some way.
E)Conflict is unhealthy in a relationship.

Question 22

With respect to self-disclosure:
a)for self-disclosure to benefit a relationship there must be reciprocity and
support.
b)engaging in self-disclosure virtually guarantees the success of a relationship.
c)it often causes ego conflict.
d)men are more likely to disclose personal information than are women.
e)noverbal communication is more powerful than verbal communication.
Answer A
TB_06_22_Identify communication to keep your relationship strong, LO5, Identify communication to keep your relationship strong,

Question 23

Linguists have documented substantial differences between Standard American English (SAE)and African American English (AAE), but few differences between speech patterns of members of different social classes.

Question 24

The United States is an individualist, high-context country.

Question 25

Pseudoconflict is a type of conflict where individuals disagree about information.

Question 26

When Serge and Sasha argue, Sasha usually just says, "Whatever you say." This is an example of a collaborating conflict style.

Question 27

With respect to theories of power:

A)resource theory's predictions have been supported by research.
B)"doing gender" suggests that we reproduce power differentials among men and women simply because they are so ingrained in us.
C)the theories of power are largely irrelevant in gay male relationships, although they do operate in lesbian relationships.
D)relative love and need theory focuses on micro-level factors associated with power.
E)the principle of least interest is more applicable to same-sex relationships, compared to heterosexual relationships.

Question 28

Which is the most difficult type of conflict to resolve?

A)regulated conflict
B)unregulated conflict
C)ego conflict
D)value conflict
E)violent conflict

Question 29

Electronic communication provides a modern-day example of the Sapir-Whorf hypothesis.

Question 30

Xuan and Suong have different opinions about how to discipline their children, ages 6 and 8. Xuan believes that you should never spank children, but Suong sees spanking as an appropriate punishment when their children misbehave. This difference is causing conflict in their marriage. What type of conflict are they experiencing?

A)regulated conflict
B)unregulated conflict
C)ego conflict
D)value conflict
E)violent conflict

Question 31

Telling your partner something private about yourself that he or she would not otherwise know is called:

A)regulation.
B)nonregulated couples.
C)information gathering (IG).
D)self-disclosure.
E)an open relationship.

Question 32

Anusha told her partner, "You always forget to unload the dishwasher." This is an example of a static evaluation.

Question 33

Electronic communication has led to more relationships with less depth.

Question 34

Content conflict occurs when:

A)we falsely perceive that our partner is interfering with our goal or has incompatible goals.
B)partners have differing opinions on subjects that reflect personal values or issues of right and wrong.
C)individuals believe that they must win at all costs to save face.
D)there are disagreements about information.
E)partners do not understand the point that their partner is trying to make.

Question 35

Which of the following represents a sex difference in communication?

A)Compared to women, men tend to express more nonverbal communication such as smiling and other facial expressions.
B)Men maintain more eye contact than do women.
C)Women are more polite in tone and are more likely to show interest and concern.
D)Men use more qualifying, tentative statements, which add an element of uncertainty.
E)Men ask a greater number of questions than do women.

Question 36

Feminine cultures are more likely to see compromise and negotiation as useful communication tools, whereas masculine cultures may see these tools as signs of weakness.

Question 37

There are at least six sources of power. Which is NOT one of them?

A)informational power
B)expert power
C)legitimate power
D)reward power
E)safeguard power

Question 38

Scarlett and Jake are having a conversation. If they represent an average heterosexual couple, Scarlett is more likely to interrupt Jake, ask more questions, and successfully initiate more topics than is Jake.

Question 39

Verbal communication is generally more believable than nonverbal communication when the two are in conflict.

Question 40

Alain and Lili are a couple who use communication to promote closeness and intimacy, and who try to use constructive comments, even during arguments. They are an example of a/an:

A)nonregulated couple.
B)overtly misregulated couple.
C)regulated couple.
D)deregulated couple.
E)subregulated couple.

Question 41

Provide two examples of the Sapir-Whorf hypothesis.

Question 42

Resource theory is a theory of power that suggests that the spouse with the most prestigious or highest-paying job can use that advantage to generate more power in the relationship, and thereby influence decision making.

Question 43

Why do men and women communicate differently?

Question 44

What type of conflict resolution is considered win-win as we attempt to satisfy both our own needs and those of our partner?

Question 45

SAE and AAE stand for __________.

Question 46

List two cultural orientations identified with the United States.

Question 47

How is electronic communication changing the nature of communication more generally?

Question 48

List and define the three types of power.

Question 49

Lucas has decided to go to graduate school next year. He has the autonomy to make that decision for himself. This is an example of social power.

Question 50

The process of giving thoughtful attention to what we hear is called:

Question 51

Doing gender is a theory of power that suggests that we take power differentials among men and women for granted and continue to reproduce them.

Question 52

Evan and Julie are a cohabiting couple who have many negative communication exchanges. They are an example of a regulating couple.

Question 53

In the Johari window, an "open window pane" refers to:

Question 54

List the four general concepts of communication.

Question 55

What does it mean to "break code"?

Question 56

List four ways that we can improve our verbal communication.

Question 57

What are the five stages of the listening process?

Question 58

Communication experts have discovered at least six macro-level cultural orientations toward communication. List four of these.

Question 59

List the barriers to understanding verbal communication.

Question 60

Power operates in same-sex relationships as well as in heterosexual ones, although there are a few differences.

Question 61

Discuss the difference between regulating and nonregulated couples. What techniques do nonregulated couples use?

Question 62

How does communication vary across racial and ethnic groups, and across social classes? How does your background influence your communication?

Question 63

Do men and women communicate differently? Compare and contrast sex differences in communication. Give at least one example from your own life.

Question 64

How are electronic means of communication changing the face of communication?

Question 65

Compare and contrast two theories of power. Which type(s)and source(s)of power is central to this theory? Which makes the most sense to you and why?