Deck 5: Communication in Intimate Relationships

Question 1

Research on the relationship between communication skills and marital satisfaction has found that:

A) poor communication skills tend to cause marital problems, but good communication skills are not related to marital happiness overall.
B) communication skills and marital satisfaction are not related.
C) good communication has only short-term positive effects on marital happiness.
D) good communication skills are positively related to long-term marital happiness.

Answer 1

D

Question 2

Compared to unhappy couples, successful couples spend more time:

A) establishing traditional gender roles.
B) pursuing individual goals.
C) communicating about their relationship.
D) listening to older couples.

Answer 2

C

Question 3

Men are supposed to be strong and silent. Women are supposed to be expressive and sensitive. These statements demonstrate:

A) the influence of society on how we communicate.
B) false stereotypes of how we should communicate.
C) the importance of maintaining gender roles.
D) that men and women will never exist peacefully.

Answer 3

A

Question 4

How does the general society influence intimate relationships?

A) Society tells us who to marry and then leaves little support while in a marriage.
B) Problems people believe are unique to their family often arise out of social pressure. The stress from social problems is blamed on individuals.
C) Society guarantees that individuals will be able to deal with the sacrifice and disappointment that often comes with marriage.
D) Individual explanations make more sense when couched in a social theory. Happiness is easier to attain when there is a lot of intense emotion in a relationship.

Question 5

Silence is:

A) a form of communication.
B) the first square in the Johari window.
C) a subtle type of disqualification.
D) noncoercive behavior.

Question 6

What do happily married couples have that unhappily married couples do not?

A) Greater wealth and income
B) A conflict-free marriage
C) More communication styles
D) Emotional displacement

Question 7

Every human relationship is based on:

A) competition.
B) communication.
C) empathy.
D) commitment.

Question 8

All of the following elements are associated with poor communication EXCEPT:

A) richness.
B) feelings of frustration.
C) silence.
D) the myth of the "right" partner.

Question 9

In an intimate relationship, the traditional male is expected to:

A) openly express his emotions.
B) let the female give him advice.
C) exhibit nonassertive behavior.
D) be less self-disclosing than women.

Question 10

In the past, the "good" wife was a woman who:

A) fulfilled her role.
B) made important family decisions.
C) had a wealthy father.
D) communicated well.

Question 11

Today, the major function of the typical American family is to:

A) satisfy physical needs.
B) organize activities around gender roles.
C) meet emotional needs.
D) promote political stability.

Question 12

Which of the following is positively associated with higher levels of marital satisfaction?

A) Disclosure of negative thoughts
B) Disclosure of positive thoughts
C) Disclosure of both positive and negative thoughts
D) Suppression of positive and negative thoughts

Question 13

A person who ignores his/her own communication inadequacies and changes partners under the assumption that the next one will be the correct choice believes in:

A) self-actualization.
B) the myth of the right partner.
C) conflict management.
D) identification of problem ownership.

Question 14

The primary traits of healthy families are:

A) negotiation and respect.
B) passion and spontaneity.
C) sharing and acceptance.
D) communication and listening.

Question 15

Spouses show a lack of respect and appreciation when they express:

A) disinterest.
B) dissatisfaction.
C) feelings of frustration.
D) different social values.

Question 16

Cox and Demmitt suggest that conflict-free marriages are:

A) worth working for.
B) based on religious values.
C) a myth.
D) task-oriented.

Question 17

"Richness" means that a couple has:

A) the ability to engage in constructive criticism.
B) created a strong extended family.
C) adjusted to the pressures of married life.
D) many ways of communicating with one another.

Question 18

In the past, communication skills were less important because families were largely developed around:

A) religious beliefs.
B) selective retention.
C) gender roles.
D) pseudomutuality.

Question 19

Why does the fair expression of dissatisfaction matter in intimate relationships?

A) To maintain a conflict-free relationship, dissatisfaction should remain unexpressed and dealt with privately.
B) Unexpressed dissatisfaction can create hostility, but fair expression can lead to greater understanding from the partner.
C) The airing of grievances contributes to marital bliss.
D) Dissatisfaction placed on the shoulders of a partner can create unnecessary burden. Dealing with dissatisfaction on one's own can improve communication.

Question 20

The myth of the "right" partner ignores the fact that a couple's problems are caused by:

A) their relational skills.
B) meddling in-laws.
C) fairly expressed dissatisfaction.
D) the day-to-day routines of married life.

Question 21

Which of the principles of human behavior can lead to aversive communication?

A) The need to please
B) Avoiding pain and seeking pleasure
C) Controlling the situation to your advantage
D) Listening with deliberation

Question 22

Cox and Demmitt believe that negative thoughts should be communicated:

A) with sarcasm.
B) silently.
C) in positive ways.
D) forcefully.

Question 23

Which of the following statements illustrates the content dimension of communication?

A) "My son is very tall."
B) "I am the oldest son."
C) "Wash the dishes."
D) "The remote control is broken."

Question 24

Propaganda is used to:

A) identify problem ownership.
B) decode complex messages.
C) hide or distort reality.
D) praise and reassure others.

Question 25

The three foundation blocks of successful communication are:

A) pseudomutuality, negotiation, and richness.
B) content, decoding, and nonaversive communication.
C) commitment, growth orientation, and noncoercive atmosphere.
D) self-assertion, problem solving, and empathic listening.

Question 26

Antonio gets so angry that he becomes speechless. He is having difficulty with:

A) decoding.
B) intrapersonal communication.
C) pseudomutuality.
D) the Johari window.

Question 27

The content dimension of communication focuses on:

A) actions.
B) feelings.
C) words.
D) beliefs.

Question 28

Based on the principle of _______, the individual who cares the least controls the relationship.

A) trust
B) affirmation
C) least interest
D) intimacy

Question 29

The winner in "vicious circle" communication is the person who:

A) uses reason and logic.
B) generates the most aversion.
C) apologizes first.
D) refrains from sarcasm.

Question 30

The term used to describe a situation where a threatened partner responds with a higher level of threat is known as a/an:

A) instrumental communication.
B) vicious circle.
C) conflict management.
D) positive reassurance.

Question 31

Nontalking is:

A) a lack of communication.
B) an aversive message.
C) filtered communication.
D) positive reassurance.

Question 32

A husband threatens to return his Christmas gift. His wife tells him that if he returns the present, she will never buy him another gift as long as she lives. Her husband retaliates by telling her that he is not going to buy her anything for their anniversary or for her birthday. This is an example of:

A) a vicious circle.
B) the principle of least interest.
C) autocratic authority.
D) problem ownership.

Question 33

Good communication can be used:

A) only for positive effects.
B) as a tool for the oppressed.
C) in common cultural comparisons.
D) to manipulate and mislead people.

Question 34

Communication will be most urgent when the intention is to:

A) avoid pain.
B) deliver good news.
C) express love.
D) present an aversive message.

Question 35

Peter let his son borrow the family car. Although he told him, "Don't be home late," the car didn't pull into the driveway until 3 in the morning. This is an example of:

A) richness.
B) communication failure.
C) empathic listening.
D) pseudomutuality.

Question 36

The expressive dimension of communication focuses on:

A) facts.
B) skills.
C) feelings.
D) values.

Question 37

The statement "I am your parent and I have authority over you" illustrates the:

A) relational dimension of communication.
B) principle of positive reassurance.
C) content dimension of communication.
D) instrumental component of communication.

Question 38

The quickest way to change the behavior of the partner who is giving us pain is to:

A) reason with him or her.
B) remain silent.
C) use body language.
D) threaten him or her.

Question 39

Which of the following statements illustrates the expressive dimension of communication?

A) "Most Americans marry for love."
B) "Bob knows how to bake cakes."
C) "My wife makes me feel like a million dollars."
D) "Adultery is grounds for divorce."

Question 40

____ occurs when communication doesn't accomplish what it is supposed to accomplish.

A) Channeling
B) Communication failure
C) Feedback
D) Instrumental communication

Question 41

Which of the following examples best demonstrates growth-orientation?

A) Art likes to hunt. Gina believes it is cruel. Art told Gina he did not care how she felt, he will continue to hunt.
B) Gina likes to go to social gatherings. Art does not feel comfortable in large groups, but attends because Gina asked him to. Now Art feels more comfortable in large groups.
C) Gina enjoys outdoor activities, like camping and hiking. Art detests nature and would rather be in a hotel than a tent. Gina and Art decide they can each have their own activities on the weekends.
D) Gina feels it is important to change and grow. Art does not want to discuss feelings. Art pretends to open up, but the feelings he is revealing are made up.

Question 42

After they agreed that they needed a new car, Arthur and Mary reviewed the back issues of Consumer Report magazine and made a joint decision to purchase a mid-size car. The way that they handled this decision suggests that their marriage is:

A) laissez-faire.
B) autocratic.
C) democratic.
D) totalitarian.

Question 43

Most American marriages are:

A) autocratic.
B) laissez-faire.
C) democratic.
D) a mixture of autocratic, laissez-faire, and democratic.

Question 44

The term used to describe the movement of messages between sender and receiver is:

A) channeling.
B) instrumental communication.
C) empathy.
D) communication flow.

Question 45

A husband who allows his wife to plan activities, anticipate problems, and make all of the marital adjustments is:

A) autocratic.
B) aversive.
C) uncommitted.
D) encoding.

Question 46

When a person puts communication into a sendable form, they are ____________ the message.

A) channeling.
B) negotiation.
C) decoding.
D) encoding.

Question 47

The type of marriage that allocates responsibilities to both spouses but assigns authority to a single leader is known as a/an:

A) autocratic marriage.
B) laissez-faire marriage.
C) expressive marriage.
D) democratic marriage.

Question 48

The most satisfying type of marriage is the:

A) open marriage.
B) laissez-faire marriage.
C) democratic marriage.
D) autocratic marriage.

Question 49

When power is invested in a single authority in a relationship, the result is a/an ________relationship.

A) open
B) reassuring
C) noncoercive
D) coercive

Question 50

In ____ marriages, both partners have total freedom of choice and action.

A) democratic
B) autocratic
C) instrumental
D) laissez-faire

Question 51

Responsibility and authority are delegated by equitable agreement in:

A) laissez-faire marriages.
B) autocratic marriages.
C) democratic marriages.
D) instrumental marriages.

Question 52

The concept of growth orientation suggests that marriage is:

A) dynamic.
B) idealistic.
C) totalitarian.
D) degrading.

Question 53

Good communication includes communication behavior that refers to the verbal and nonverbal actions a person takes to:

A) accomplish communication goals.
B) accomplish motivations.
C) destroy relationships.
D) develop communication skills.

Question 54

A sender can resend a message through all of the following mechanisms EXCEPT:

A) correction.
B) negotiation.
C) problem solving.
D) encoding.

Question 55

The first step in problem-solving communication is:

A) identifying problem ownership.
B) recognizing and expressing feelings.
C) listening with empathy.
D) entering the Johari window.

Question 56

Immediately after a person has decoded a message, he/she must:

A) encode it.
B) verify it.
C) feed it back to the sender.
D) modify the relational content.

Question 57

The receiver decodes a message to make sure that:

A) the sender is listening.
B) it has been properly received.
C) he identifies problem ownership.
D) I-statements outnumber you-statements.

Question 58

Which of the following sayings is consistent with the definition of a laissez-faire marriage?

A) "Marriage is a partnership."
B) "Do your own thing."
C) "Two can live as one."
D) "A family that prays together stays together."

Question 59

Most Americans want to establish a/an:

A) autocratic marriage.
B) democratic marriage
C) laissez-faire marriage.
D) open marriage.

Question 60

Louis openly discusses things with his wife but always has the final say about major family decisions. Louis' marriage is probably:

A) democratic.
B) autocratic.
C) laissez-faire.
D) totalitarian.

Question 61

____ occurs when the listener understands the speaker and feels his nonverbal communication.

A) Brainstorming
B) Negotiation
C) Empathy
D) Problem solving

Question 62

The most ineffective statements in intimate relationships are:

A) they-statements.
B) we-statements.
C) I-statements.
D) you-statements.

Question 63

Nonassertive behavior has been attributed to all of the following factors EXCEPT:

A) lack of confidence.
B) feelings of superiority.
C) fear.
D) embarrassment.

Question 64

When people remember what they want to remember, they are practicing:

A) aversive listening.
B) selective retention.
C) nonassertive behavior.
D) the principle of least interest.

Question 65

A person can reduce defensiveness and resistance in a conversation by using:

A) you-statements.
B) they-statements.
C) I-statements.
D) we-statements.

Question 66

The communication skill that enables a person to express his/her feelings while remaining aware of the feelings of others is called:

A) empathic listening.
B) reassurance.
C) self-assertion.
D) feedback.

Question 67

The term Cox and Demmitt use to describe an individual who expresses his feelings without recognizing the needs of other people is:

A) assertive.
B) self-actualized.
C) noncommunicative.
D) aggressive.

Question 68

____ people demand attention and support and insist on having whatever they want at the moment.

A) Aggressive
B) Self-assertive
C) Confident
D) Nonassertive

Question 69

Paul tells Megan about a problem at work. Megan listens to what Paul says. When she gives feedback, she focuses on a minor statement about a pay cut and not the problem. Megan is using:

A) empathic listening.
B) paraphrasing.
C) selective attention.
D) decoding.

Question 70

The Johari Window contains all of the following squares EXCEPT:

A) "my secrets."
B) "direct feedback."
C) "my blind spot."
D) "common knowledge."

Question 71

Erroneously blaming someone else for a problem is called:

A) brainstorming.
B) scapegoating.
C) nonassertiveness.
D) channeling.

Question 72

Empathic listeners use paraphrasing to:

A) check their perceptions with the speaker.
B) help the speaker identify blind spots.
C) encourage selective retention.
D) lead the speaker through the Johari window.

Question 73

Why won't forcing problem ownership on a person (blaming) help solve your problems?

A) Blaming someone only shifts the problem; it does not solve it.
B) Blaming someone does not change the problem for you and can be destructive.
C) If a problem is owned, there is no one to blame.
D) Understanding the problem removes blame.

Question 74

Body language communicates:

A) the content of a message.
B) emotional information.
C) useless information.
D) they-statements.

Question 75

The Johari window allows people to:

A) measure the extent to which they use I-messages.
B) be more assertive in intimate relationships.
C) diagram the unknown dimensions of their relationships.
D) identify problem ownership.

Question 76

The key question in determining problem ownership is:

A) "Who feels tangibly affected?"
B) "What is the solution to the problem?"
C) "Why be self-assertive?"
D) "How do you give feedback?"

Question 77

Why would an individual not assert their own feelings, opinions, or attitudes?

A) This avoids feeling afraid, inferior, or embarrassed.
B) Nonassertive behavior is more beneficial to a relationship than self-assertion.
C) A conflict-free relationship is attainable if individuals do not express their opinions.
D) Self-assertion was more critical when gender roles were more traditional.

Question 78

Cox and Demmitt believe that ____ is the most important skill to possess when it comes to successful communication.

A) a calm speaking voice
B) a sense of humor
C) empathetic listening
D) a passive vocabulary

Question 79

____ emphasize mutuality and connectedness.

A) You-statements
B) I-statements
C) They-statements
D) We-statements

Question 80

____ often start and expand conflicts and controversies.

A) You-statements
B) I-statements
C) They-statements
D) We-statements