Deck 16: The Family and Divorce

Question 1

Since 1975,the statistical likelihood that people from divorced homes will themselves get divorced has:

A)fallen
B)risen
C)stayed about the same

Answer 1

A

Question 2

According to research by Martin and Bumpass,which of the following factors is the strongest predictor of divorce in the first 5 years of marriage?

A)religion
B)socioeconomic status
C)age
D)parental divorce

Answer 2

C

Question 3

Demographically,all of the following correlate with high divorce rates EXCEPT:

A)employment rates
B)rapid economic growth
C)changing population
D)frequency of attendance at religious services

Answer 3

D

Question 4

Since the 1950s,the age at which people first get married has:

A)decreased
B)increased
C)stayed about the same
D)fluctuated

Question 5

National longitudinal research indicates that parental divorce:

A)does not change the probability of divorce among the children
B)is associated with a lower rate of divorce among the children
C)doubles the probability that the children will divorce

Question 6

More divorced people live in:

A)large cities
B)small towns
C)rural areas

Question 7

The current national divorce rate is _____ per 1000 population.

A)10.5
B)5.3
C)3.6
D)1.5

Question 8

The divorce rate tells us:

A)what our individual chances of getting divorced are
B)the probabilities of divorce for certain groups
C)what causes divorce
D)how dysfunctional America has become

Question 9

Statistically,those with the lowest divorce rate:

A)married childhood sweethearts
B)had several children
C)were over 25 and educated
D)had been married before

Question 10

First marriages that end in divorce last how long?

A)a median length of 3 years
B)a median length of 5 years
C)a median length of 8 years
D)a median length of 15 years

Question 11

The text reports research indicating that,compared to those at a lower socioeconomic level,higher socioeconomic couples:

A)divorce more often because they report being less interdependent
B)divorce more often because they say they have more options
C)divorce when they do because of relationship problems
D)divorce primarily only when children are not involved

Question 12

The current national divorce rate as compared to the divorce rate in the 1970's is

A)about the same
B)slightly higher
C)changing unpredictably
D)lower

Question 13

Most adults who have been divorced are:

A)in their 20's
B)between 30 and 40 years old
C)in their 40s
D)in their 50s

Question 14

According to estimates by demographers,about _____ of first marriages will end in divorce.

A)20%
B)30%
C)40%
D)50%

Question 15

Demographic statistics indicate that couples are more likely to get divorced if:

A)both partners were from divorced families
B)the female's parents were divorced
C)the male's parents were divorced
D)they are religious
E)A and B

Question 16

_____ women have the lowest divorce rate.

A)White
B)Hispanic/Latina
C)Black
D)Asian

Question 17

Researchers conclude that children of divorce are more likely to divorce because:

A)they didn't receive quality parenting
B)they are not committed to the idea of an enduring marriage
C)their parents' divorce made them feel emotionally insecure in relationships
D)they are modeling their parents' behavior

Question 18

The chances for divorce are considerably lower than the national average for those who:

A)are reasonably well-educated
B)come from an intact family
C)are religious
D)marry after age 25 without having a baby first
E)all of these

Question 19

Statistically,strong religious beliefs and practice _______ divorce rates.

A)are associated with lower
B)are associated with higher
C)don't affect
D)have various effects on

Question 20

People more likely to divorce are:

A)young when they marry.
B)old when they marry for the first time.
C)extremely religious.
D)from small cities.

Question 21

By 1995,the likelihood of divorce for the children of divorced parents:

A)had increased by 50%.
B)was more than 50%.
C)was less than 50%.
D)was higher for boys.

Question 22

Research indicates that couples who divorce early in their marriages often do so because of:

A)the expression of negative emotions or affect (such as criticism or contempt)during conflict
B)the lack of positive emotional expression
C)the lack of any emotion
D)the presence of children

Question 23

When divorcing,_____ are more likely to complain about the behavior of the spouse.

A)women
B)men
C)neither is more likely

Question 24

Research indicates that couples who divorce later in their marriages often do so because of:

A)the expression of negative emotions or affect
B)the lack of positive emotional expression
C)the presence of children
D)the absence of children

Question 25

In one longitudinal study of people's reasons for divorcing,researchers reported that both husbands and wives claimed that ______ more often initiate divorce.

A)men
B)women
C)men and women initiate divorce equally

Question 26

Spouses considering divorce usually focus on:

A)their ex-partner's negative traits
B)their unmet expectations in the marriage
C)how disappointed they are that the marriage failed
D)what they could have done differently

Question 27

Feelings of _____ characterize the beginning phases of disaffection in a marriage more than later phases.

A)anger
B)hurt
C)disillusionment
D)sadness

Question 28

Divorce rates indicate that couples who have _____ children are more likely to divorce.

A)no
B)two
C)three
D)four

Question 29

A composite picture based on three studies indicates which of the following was the most important cause of marital breakup according to husbands' and wives' perceptions?

A)wife's lack of interest in the marriage
B)financial problems
C)sexual problems
D)a gradual growing apart and loss of closeness

Question 30

During the middle phase of disaffection in a marriage,spouses ______.

A)realize their marriage was a mistake
B)question whether to leave the relationship
C)blame themselves
D)try harder to please their spouse

Question 31

The best statistical predictor of marital stability and happiness is:

A)socioeconomic status
B)parental divorce
C)premarital happiness
D)age at first marriage

Question 32

_____ was the predictor of divorce that was prevalent in the divorces that occurred later in the marriage.

A)Positive affect
B)Lack of positive affect
C)Negative affect
D)Lack of negative affect

Question 33

Research presented in the text indicates that higher rates of divorce are associated with:

A)marrying when very young
B)low socioeconomic status
C)living in an urban area
D)being religious
E)A,B,and C

Question 34

Divorce rates indicate that couples who have children ______ are more likely to divorce.

A)under age 3
B)between 4 and 12
C)in their mid-teens
D)over age 17

Question 35

What appear to be the two most critical times in a marriage when divorce is most likely?

A)the first 8 years of marriage and at midlife
B)just after the honeymoon and just prior to retirement
C)the first 8 years of marriage and after the last child has left home
D)shortly after the birth of the first child and shortly after the birth of the 6th child.

Question 36

Spouses seek divorce when:

A)they no longer feel ambivalent
B)the costs of staying outweigh the benefits
C)apathy finally sets in
D)the partner refuses to make necessary changes

Question 37

In one large study,the most common reason given by couples for divorcing was:

A)frequent quarrelling
B)severe and intense fighting
C)financial problems
D)lack of closeness

Question 38

According to your text,one of the most important aspects of a successful marriage is

A)showing positive affect.
B)showing contrary affect.
C)showing negative affect.
D)having no affect at all.

Question 39

During the final phase of disaffection in a marriage,the most prominent feeling is:

A)sadness
B)apathy
C)disappointment
D)anger

Question 40

During which period do half of all the divorces occur?

A)first 8 years of marriage
B)midlife
C)postretirement
D)preretirement

Question 41

For what reason is marriage counseling not successful?

A)lack of commitment to the counseling process
B)one spouse does not want the counseling to succeed
C)one spouse is mentally ill
D)couple does not come to counseling long enough to achieve success
E)all of these

Question 42

The strongest predictor of divorce adjustment seems to be

A)Involvement in an intimate relationship
B)relations with stepchildren
C)adjustments of the noncustodial spouse
D)a favorable financial settlement

Question 43

One summary of the efficacy of marriage counseling found that:

A)therapy helped in about one-third of the cases.
B)therapy was more helpful when spouses were treated together rather than individually
C)positive results occurred only with long-term treatment.
D)most therapy did not help.

Question 44

Structured separations work best if couples:

A)do not communicate at all during their separation
B)continue marriage counseling while separated
C)date other people during the separation
D)use separate marriage therapists

Question 45

High divorce rates have resulted in legal requirements for:

A)mediation and dispute resolution sessions
B)marriage counseling
C)divorce counseling for children
D)both parties to be represented by attorneys

Question 46

Divorced men and women,in comparison to married people:

A)have poorer physical health
B)have higher alcohol consumption
C)have a higher suicide rate
D)all of these
E)B and C

Question 47

Right after a divorce,most women feel:

A)a sense of relief and freedom
B)depressed
C)conflicting feelings of betrayal and anger
D)devastated and unable to cope

Question 48

Which of the following is NOT one of the results of the no-fault divorce process?

A)better relationships with their children
B)women are more likely to get full custody
C)ex-spouses have a better relationship
D)lower legal costs

Question 49

Structured separation is a good alternative for couples who:

A)cannot live together but don't want a divorce
B)prefer to live alone but want to stay married
C)need a time out to make a decision
D)want to explore another relationship

Question 50

What is the objective of separation?

A)marital reconciliation
B)divorce
C)change
D)reduction of stress

Question 51

Some states are trying to discourage divorce by requiring:

A)higher age requirements
B)premarital counseling
C)conciliation counseling before a divorce may be granted
D)licenses for divorce
E)B and C

Question 52

Programs that combine education with group discussion to improve marriage relationships are called:

A)marriage-enrichment programs.
B)harmony-in-marriage education.
C)marital-sensitivity groups.
D)marital checkups.

Question 53

Research indicates that spouses have lower levels of marital happiness when they:

A)are moody
B)are emotionally unstable
C)have high levels of negativity
D)all of these
E)B and C

Question 54

One result of no-fault divorce laws is that:

A)women usually get more child support
B)legal expenses are reduced
C)the requirement of litigation is less extensive
D)the process has become less adversarial
E)B,C,and D

Question 55

The first state to pass a no-fault divorce law was:

A)California
B)Florida.
C)New York.
D)Washington.

Question 56

Which of the following is NOT mentioned in the text as a situation justifying marital separation as a treatment method?

A)extreme conflict
B)absence of spousal reinforcement
C)feeling constricted or smothered
D)freedom to pursue other sexual relationships

Question 57

Marriage enrichment programs are designed for couples who:

A)are considering divorce
B)are separated but do not want to divorce
C)want to improve their communication and conflict resolution skills
D)have divorced but want to reconcile

Question 58

Which of the following is NOT one of the barriers to getting divorced?

A)religious beliefs
B)threat of losing a child
C)threat of children suffering
D)lack of education

Question 59

Conciliation counseling is often required by courts in order to:

A)help couples decide whether to divorce or work out their problems
B)provide counseling to help couples solve their most serious problems
C)determine whether a couple should be allowed to divorce
D)decide whether marriage counseling or divorce is a couple's best solution

Question 60

More men than women think that ______ is a significant barrier to divorce.

A)religious beliefs
B)threat of losing a child
C)dependence on their spouse
D)sexual need

Question 61

Many clinicians agree that most children of divorce stabilize:

A)when final visitation orders have been set
B)within a few years
C)never
D)when their parents clearly communicate that they are not going to get back together

Question 62

The approach of the legal system to promoting compliance with child-support orders that uses a system of withholding funds from earnings is the

A)deterrence-based approach.
B)compliance-based approach.
C)consensus-based approach.
D)obedience-based approach.

Question 63

Compared to families with married parents,_______ families headed by a custodial parent live in poverty.

A)almost as many
B)twice as many
C)three times as many
D)four times as many

Question 64

Research shows that fathers comply with court-ordered child support most often when:

A)automatic punishment occurs when payments are not made
B)mothers bring contempt of court charges when payments are late
C)they have not remarried
D)they believe the amount ordered is fair

Question 65

Research suggests that children of divorce:

A)don't seem to develop behavioral problems but their grades drop.
B)develop a closer relationship with siblings during adulthood.
C)never blame themselves.
D)may go through a period of mourning and grief.

Question 66

In ______ custody,both parents share the responsibility for childrearing and for making decisions about the child.

A)joint legal
B)joint physical
C)sole legal

Question 67

Courts determine the amount of child support to be awarded based on:

A)the amount that both parents earn
B)how much children need to stay out of poverty
C)how much non-custodial parents earn only
D)the national average of salaries
E)A and C

Question 68

Research by King and Howard shows that the most important factor in how well children do after divorce is:

A)how involved the father is in their lives
B)how satisfied the mother is
C)their custodial parent's remarriage
D)the degree of conflict between their parents

Question 69

Compared to married women,______ divorced women live in poverty.

A)fewer
B)about the same number of
C)over twice as many

Question 70

_____ are more likely to rely on their families for practical support right after a divorce,whereas ______ are more likely to need support over a longer period of time.

A)Women; men
B)Men; women
C)Older women; older men
D)Older men; older women

Question 71

Mothers receive custody in ______ of divorces.

A)50%
B)65%
C)84%
D)96%

Question 72

_____ have a harder time adjusting to divorce than do _____.

A)Older people; younger people
B)Younger people; older people
C)Males; females
D)Females; males

Question 73

Research shows that the most important variable in how well non-custodial fathers adjust to divorce is the level of support they receive from their:

A)former in-laws
B)workplace
C)friends
D)new partner

Question 74

What effect does divorce have on the relationship between noncustodial fathers and their children?

A)They are closer after divorce.
B)They are not as close after divorce.
C)There are more contacts between fathers and children.
D)There is usually strain between them after divorce.

Question 75

Research shows that,after divorce,fathers _______ than when they were married.

A)are more depressed and unhappy
B)are more involved with their children
C)try harder to build relationships with their children
D)with custody are happier

Question 76

Ex-spouses who have the most difficulty maintaining any kind of productive contact after divorce are those who:

A)still love their ex-partner
B)do not remarry
C)remain angry about the divorce
D)share physical custody of children

Question 77

According to the Census Bureau,______ of children under 21 are living in households with only one parent present.

A)10.2%
B)27.6%
C)41.2%
D)50.3%

Question 78

Most contact with former in-laws is maintained by:

A)custodial mothers
B)custodial fathers
C)non-custodial mothers
D)non-custodial fathers

Question 79

Overall,research shows that divorce affects parent-child relationships by:

A)increasing closeness between custodial parents and children
B)increasing closeness as long as there is not conflict
C)decreasing closeness between non-custodial parents and children
D)decreasing closeness from what it was when parents were married

Question 80

Those who have most contact with parents and receive more help from parents are divorced:

A)sons who are noncustodial parents.
B)sons who are custodial parents.
C)daughters who are noncustodial parents.
D)daughters who are custodial parents.