Deck 8: Enhancing Relationships

Question 1

While they used to have weekly date nights and make time to be together, lately Sam and Ella take each other for granted and just seem to go through the motions. What stage of relational de-escalation does this example illustrate?

A) Turmoil stage
B) Stagnation stage
C) Individualization stage
D) De-intensification stage

Answer 1

B

Question 2

According to Satir, which of the following is an element of a healthy family?

A) They keep feelings of anger to themselves.
B) They treat people differently according to their age.
C) They are careful not to violate one another's personal space.
D) They establish flexible rules that can be changed.

Answer 2

D

Question 3

José cringed as he thought about going home after work. Lately, he and Cassandra spend every minute together fighting. He used to think the way she played with her food was cute; now he finds it annoying. What stage of relational de-escalation are Jose and Cassandra facing?

A) Individualization stage
B) Stagnation stage
C) Turmoil stage
D) Separation stage

Answer 3

C

Question 4

Kaylee and Raoul are getting to know each other by asking questions, "Where did you go to college?" "Where do you work?" In which stage of relational escalation are they most likely to be?

A) Individualization
B) Intensification
C) Exploration
D) Initiation

Question 5

Samir notices Anna in his public speaking class and asks a mutual friend about her. This example would characterize which stage in relational escalation?

A) Pre-interaction awareness stage
B) Intimacy stage
C) Initiation stage
D) Exploration stage

Question 6

Aristotle is attributed with providing one of the best definitions of a friend when he said it is "a _____ that resides in two bodies."

A) soul
B) heart
C) mind
D) belief

Question 7

Which dialectic focuses on revealing information and maintaining privacy?

A) Autonomy vs. connection
B) Predictability vs. novelty
C) Openness vs. closedness
D) Awareness vs. avoidance

Question 8

A lack of _____ is said to be the primary characteristic of destructive conflict.

A) verbal communication skills
B) similar values
C) flexibility
D) money

Question 9

The most common profile of the American family in the 21st century is the _____ family.

A) extended
B) single-parent
C) step
D) traditional

Question 10

According to your book, at which stage in life do relationships with our peers become the most important social influence in our lives?

A) Childhood
B) Adolescence
C) Adulthood
D) Senior adults

Question 11

A perspective that revolves around how relational partners manage tensions is called _____.

A) Intensification.
B) relational de-escalation.
C) relational de-intensification.
D) relational dialectics.

Question 12

A couple experiences significantly less interaction and begins to no longer depend as much on one another for support. They also begin to question whether their relationship has a future. This illustrates which stage in relational de-escalation?

A) Individualization stage
B) De-intensification stage
C) Separation stage
D) Turmoil stage

Question 13

When partners begin to find fault with each other, they are in the _____ stage of the de-escalation process.

A) turmoil
B) intensification
C) individualization
D) stagnation

Question 14

The tension between personal freedom and shared activities is the _____ dialectic.

A) autonomy vs. connection
B) predictability vs. novelty
C) openness vs. closedness
D) none of these

Question 15

Leslie and Pat have reached a stage in their relationship in which they understand one another to the point that they can almost finish one another's sentences, openly discuss any issue, and are recognized among friends and family members as a committed couple. This would be an example of what stage in relational escalation?

A) Exploration
B) Intensification
C) Initiation
D) Intimacy

Question 16

The dialectical perspective is a way to help us understand the ____ people face in relationships.

A) commonalities
B) tensions
C) indecisiveness
D) desires

Question 17

The relationship stage in which you begin to spend more time together, begin depending upon each other for self-confirmation, and increase the variety of activities you participate in together is the _____ stage.

A) initiation
B) intensification
C) exploration
D) intimacy

Question 18

Research has found that most adults tend to have on average _____ best friends.

A) 10 to 20
B) 4 to 6
C) 1 to 2
D) 3 to 4

Question 19

When a relationship forms between dating partners after their romance terminates, it is called which of the following?

A) Stagnation stage
B) Initiation stage
C) Postdissolution relationship
D) Post-interaction stage

Question 20

Dan and Donna begin self-disclosing information about their dreams for the future, values, and religious beliefs, but they still spend a limited amount of time with one another. They are moving into which stage of relational escalation?

A) Initiation
B) Exploration
C) Intensification
D) Interaction awareness

Question 21

Argumentative episodes focused on a given issue that occur at least twice are called _____.

A) serial arguments
B) irresolvable conflict
C) pseudoconflict
D) ego conflict

Question 22

Rather than get mad at her roommate for spending too much time in the bathroom, Anita decided to come up with some ideas she could talk with her about, so each of them could get into the bathroom when they needed to. Anita's conflict management style would be described as _____.

A) nonconfrontational
B) parallel
C) cooperative
D) confrontational

Question 23

The ability to influence another in the direction we desire is _____.

A) interpersonal conflict
B) emotional expression
C) self-disclosure
D) interpersonal power

Question 24

Karl wants to make sure he knows exactly why Rob is upset with him. During their discussion, Kevin gave his full attention to Rob and then he responded after he heard everything Rob had to say. What aspect of managing information is Karl demonstrating?

A) Use effective listening skills
B) Use self-talk
C) Identify everyone's goals
D) Define the problem

Question 25

Jenna felt bad that she hadn't shown up for the meeting, but she thought Harris had said it was next week and now Harris has taken her off the project. Which category of conflict does this demonstrate?

A) Nonconfrontational conflict
B) Irresolvable conflict
C) Serial conflict
D) Pseudoconflict

Question 26

Lara has just started a new job and is feeling somewhat anxious. She can reduce her uncertainty by which passive method?

A) Perception checking with her colleagues
B) Observing her surroundings and how people interact on the job
C) Asking her coworkers for information
D) Asking her supervisor for information

Question 27

What type of conflict stems from differences in ideas, definitions, perceptions, or goals?

A) Nonconfrontational conflict
B) Simple conflict
C) Serial argument
D) Pseudoconflict

Question 28

Renata knows it is important to remember that everyone has feelings and rights and they should always be taken into account. Renata uses _____ communication.

A) assertive
B) retracted
C) aggressive
D) unilateral

Question 29

Karla and David are having a conflict over who should wash the dishes. Karla says to David, "You're just like your brother. You're lazy and don't care about anyone except for yourself. Your entire family is worthless!" This is an example of which of the following?

A) Assertive communication
B) Aggressive communication
C) Passive communication
D) Argumentative communication

Question 30

This type of conflict occurs when conflict gets personal such that people attack each other's self-esteem.

A) Ego conflict
B) Pseudoconflict
C) Simple conflict
D) Serial conflict

Question 31

When neither person feels like the issue has been addressed but merely postponed, it demonstrates the _____ conflict style.

A) nonconfrontational
B) confrontational
C) cooperative
D) constructive

Question 32

Kevin had a problem with his roommate's late night habit of watching TV when Kevin was trying to sleep. In discussing the problem, Kevin told his roommate that he could either stop watching TV late at night or he could move out. How would you describe Justin's conflict management style?

A) Nonconfrontational
B) Confrontational
C) Passive
D) Cooperative

Question 33

Which style of managing conflict is associated with a lose-lose mindset?

A) Cooperative
B) Nonconfrontational
C) Relational
D) Confrontational

Question 34

Which of the following is an appropriate example of "owning" your feelings by using an "I" message?

A) "You make me so angry when you assume I don't understand anything!"
B) "I feel unappreciated when you do not respond to my questions."
C) "You're a jerk! Everyone says so."
D) "This discussion is giving me a headache!"

Question 35

The first step a person should take when managing the problem is to _____.

A) discuss the pros and cons of each possible solution
B) identify where goals overlap
C) define the problem before trying to solve it
D) clearly describe the conflict-producing events

Question 36

Olga is discussing her work schedule with her supervisor. She is not happy with her assignment and tells her supervisor, "You assign the best training dates to the people in your work group." Based on Olga's comment, what does your book recommend so she could be more effective at managing this conflict?

A) Check her understanding of the supervisor's message
B) Own her statements by using descriptive language
C) Use self-talk
D) Discuss the pros and cons of the solution.

Question 37

In order to manage your emotions in a conflict situation, it would be helpful to do which of the following?

A) Immediately confront the other person so the anger doesn't fester.
B) Don't prepare what you will say so your message will be genuine.
C) Use self-talk to calm your emotions.
D) Stand over the other person to communicate that you're in control.

Question 38

Which of the following is one of Wilmot and Hocker's hallmarks of a constructive conflict?

A) Hold your position on an issue firmly.
B) Try to protect yourself against conflict.
C) Be willing to lose if it means making the other person happy.
D) Focus on the relationship rather than the individual.

Question 39

People who use blame as a strategy for winning a conflict are using which conflict style?

A) Nonconfrontational
B) Constructive
C) Cooperative
D) Confrontational

Question 40

Haylie felt she would never be able to resolve her issue with Michael but rather than attempting to resolve the problem, she agreed to just get along with him since he would be joining Haylie and a few of her friends at the anniversary dinner. This demonstrates _____ conflict.

A) ego
B) intractable
C) simple
D) serial

Question 41

A dialectical perspective suggests that relationship issues are better understood in terms of push-pull dynamics.

Question 42

When partners define their lives less as a couple and more as individuals, they are in the stagnation stage of relational de-escalation.

Question 43

In a destructive conflict, each combatant views his or her differences from a lose-lose perspective.

Question 44

The predictability vs. novelty dialectic refers to the tension of giving up and alternately, maintaining our privacy.

Question 45

Friendships are extremely important in old age.

Question 46

Simple conflict occurs when conflict gets personal, such that people attack each other's self-esteem.

Question 47

One of the six hallmarks of constructive conflict identified by Wilmot and Hocker is that people change.

Question 48

A basic lack of understanding can lead to pseudoconflict.

Question 49

The common family today is composed of two parents with the father as the breadwinner and the mother as the stay-at-home homemaker.

Question 50

According to Virginia Satir, one of the characteristics of a healthy family is that the family's links to society are open.

Question 51

People who have a win-win approach to conflict, and always seek to win, have a confrontational style of conflict management.

Question 52

"Grave dressing" describes the story we offer to others as to why a relationship ended.

Question 53

The importance of the post-interaction stage is in the lasting impact the relationship has on one's self.

Question 54

Dialectics help us to understand the messy, oftentimes illogical nature of interpersonal relationships.

Question 55

According to your book, aggressive messages frequently accomplish what the speaker intended.

Question 56

The individualization stage is a part of relational escalation.

Question 57

People who exhibit a nonconfrontational style in responding to conflict during problem-solving discussions are perceived to be incompetent.

Question 58

Emma and Aaron argued about money a few weeks ago and then they began arguing about Aaron drinking too much on weekdays. This is an example of a serial argument.

Question 59

An assertive message takes your listener's feelings and rights into account as well as your own.

Question 60

Separating the people from the problem is one type of nonconfrontational strategy.

Question 61

_____ conflict is characterized by a lack of flexibility and may do damage to a relationship.

Question 62

People start depending on each other for self-confirmation in the ____ stage of relational escalation.

Question 63

The relationship formed between dating partners after their romance ends is called the _____ relationship.

Question 64

What techniques are involved in the cooperative style of managing conflict?

Question 65

Distinguish between nonconfrontational, confrontational, and cooperative styles of conflict management.

Question 66

Briefly explain the predictability vs. novelty relational dialectic.

Question 67

The term given to romantic relationships that just fade away is _____.

Question 68

Using "I" statements tends to result in defensiveness on the part of other people.

Question 69

According to Knapp and Vangelisti, relational escalation occurs in _____ stages.

Question 70

A conflict management style that involves backing off, avoiding conflict, or giving in to the other person is called a(n) _____ style.

Question 71

What is interpersonal power?

Question 72

Define pseudoconflict.

Question 73

Briefly explain relational dialectics.

Question 74

Managing conflict means preventing it from occurring.

Question 75

Briefly explain the openness vs. closedness relational dialectic.

Question 76

During a recent conflict between Bill and Bob, Bill tried to blame Bert, using Bert as a scapegoat so that Bill could avoid taking responsibility for the conflict. Bill was using a _____ style.

Question 77

The dialectic that focuses on stability and change is called predictability versus _____.

Question 78

Heather often insults others and uses profanity in order to get what she wants. She uses _____ communication.

Question 79

Identify and briefly describe each of the stages of relational escalation.

Question 80

Intractable conflict is also called ___ conflict.