Deck 8: Communication in Developing Relationships

Question 1

According to uncertainty reduction theory, people are eager to reduce uncertainty under which of the following conditions?

A) When we anticipate future interactions with other people.
B) When an individual possesses resources that we desire.
C) When an individual's behavior conforms to our expectations.
D) All of the above.
E) A and B only.

Answer 1

E

Question 2

Which of the following strategies for coping with uncertainty is the most direct?

A) Active strategies
B) Interactive strategies
C) Passive strategies
D) Hedging
E) Planning

Answer 2

B

Question 3

Relational uncertainty stems from which of the following sources?

A) Self uncertainty
B) Partner uncertainty
C) Relationship uncertainty
D) All of the above
E) A and B only

Answer 3

D

Question 4

All of the following claims about relational uncertainty are true, EXCEPT:

A) When experiencing relational uncertainty, romantic partners are more likely to confront each other about unexpected events.
B) When experiencing relational uncertainty, romantic partners are less likely to discuss controversial topics such as religion.
C) Relational uncertainty increases the difficulty of planning messages.
D) People who are experiencing relational uncertainty are less likely to express feelings of jealousy.
E) People experiencing relational uncertainty may lack confidence in their understanding of social situations.

Question 5

After meeting Taylor for the first time at a party, Greg decides to reduce his uncertainty about Taylor by looking at her social media sites (e.g., Facebook and Instagram) and by talking to some of the friends that they have in common. According to uncertainty reduction theory, the former is referred to as a(n) ____________ strategy for coping with uncertainty, whereas the latter is referred to as a(n) ___________ strategy.

A) Active; interactive
B) Passive; interactive
C) Passive; active
D) Interactive; passive
E) Active; passive

Question 6

When asking Dr. Garner for extra credit, Myranda uses humor to soften the request: "I bet you're really losing sleep over which extra credit opportunity to provide." According to uncertainty reduction theory, Myranda is using which strategy for coping with uncertainty?

A) Hedging
B) Planning
C) An active strategy
D) Seeking information
E) A passive strategy

Question 7

We can experience relational uncertainty on a(n) _________ level when we have a general sense of ambiguity about involvement in a relationship, whereas we can experience relational uncertainty on a(n) ___________ level as a result of a specific event that has occurred within a relationship.

A) Relationship; episodic
B) Episodic; global
C) Global; relationship
D) Global; episodic
E) Relationship; contextual

Question 8

Even though Gatlan feels his relationship is somewhat stagnant, he doesn't see anyone else around that he wants to date and he doesn't like being alone, so Gatlan decides to stay with Denise for now. This decision is based on Gatlan's:

A) Comparison level
B) Comparison level of alternatives
C) Net outcome
D) Costs-rewards
E) Relational uncertainty

Question 9

According to equity theory, inequity in relationships is:

A) Uncomfortable for the person who is over-benefited.
B) Uncomfortable for the person who is under-benefited.
C) Uncomfortable for both partners.
D) Uncomfortable only if rewards are low.
E) Uncomfortable only if costs are high.

Question 10

Uncertainty reduction theory assumes all of the following, EXCEPT:

A) People try to gain certainty so they can understand the world around them.
B) We are motivated to reduce uncertainty about people when we anticipate future interaction with them.
C) We are motivated to reduce uncertainty when an individual's behavior violates our expectations.
D) We typically feel motivated to alleviate uncertainty when an individual possesses resources we desire.
E) Getting to know people increases the uneasiness and anxiety associated with uncertainty.

Question 11

After spending 6 months getting to know Ethan, Kaylee decided that her relationship with Ethan really wasn't worth all the time and energy she was investing in the relationship. Which theory best explains the decision-making process that Kaylee went through in her relationship with Ethan?

A) Uncertainty reduction theory
B) Relational uncertainty theory
C) Social penetration theory
D) Social exchange theory
E) Attribution theory

Question 12

Which theory best explains the questions people ask, and their motivations for asking them, during the initial stages of making an acquaintance?

A) Uncertainty reduction theory
B) Relational uncertainty theory
C) Social exchange theory
D) Social penetration theory
E) Equity theory

Question 13

According to interdependence theory:

A) When perceived rewards overshadow costs, a positive outcome value results.
B) We compare our relational outcomes with our comparison levels to determine relational satisfaction.
C) Our comparison levels (CLs) predict relational stability.
D) All of the above are true.
E) A and C only.

Question 14

People who are underbenefited in their personal relationships tend to experience all of the following emotions, EXCEPT:

A) Anger
B) Resentment
C) Guilt
D) Depression
E) Sadness

Question 15

Greg and his colleague Brian talk about a variety of things related to work, sports, and current events, but they haven't really had any personal discussions about their families or their personal affairs outside of work. According to Altman and Taylor's Social Penetration Model, Greg and Brian have developed ___________ intimacy based on the ____________ dimension of self-disclosure.

A) High; depth
B) High; breadth
C) Low; breadth
D) Moderate; breadth
E) Moderate; depth

Question 16

Social penetration theory uses which of the following metaphors to describe how people self-disclose?

A) A boundary metaphor
B) An onion metaphor
C) A popcorn metaphor
D) The metaphor of balancing scales
E) A bicycle metaphor

Question 17

Social penetration theory makes all of the following assumptions, EXCEPT:

A) Relationships generally develop in a linear way as partners move through stages of relationship development.
B) Relational development is characterized by changes in interpersonal communication.
C) Relationships deteriorate in a process that is identical to how they formed and developed in the first place.
D) Relationships change over time as interpersonal communication shifts from superficial forms of talk to more intimate forms of talk.
E) Self-disclosure enhances intimacy in relationships.

Question 18

After hearing her friend Stacee disclose what it was like growing up with divorced parents, Marlee felt a desire to share her experiences growing up with parents who fought all the time. According to social penetration theory, Marlee's decision to disclose her experiences with Stacee best illustrates:

A) Breadth of disclosure
B) Depth of disclosure
C) Being equitable in a friendship
D) The norm of reciprocity
E) The stable exchange stage

Question 19

According to social penetration theory, which of the following stages characterizes close friendships and romantic relationships, as partners use increasing amounts of disclosure at the intermediate and core areas of their personalities to unite them to each other?

A) The affective exchange stage
B) The stable exchange stage
C) The exploratory affective exchange stage
D) The equitable exchange stage
E) The orientation stage

Question 20

Social exchange theories advance all of the following claims, EXCEPT:

A) When the perceived costs of a relationship exceed the rewards, people are motivated to change or end the relationship.
B) People who are over-benefited in relationships tend to experience guilt.
C) Relational partners will seek to restore equity rather than remain in an inequitable relationship.
D) Some individuals may have partners who exceed their expectations, but because they perceive a greater alternative in someone else, they may choose to end an otherwise satisfying relationship.
E) The comparison level of alternatives determines how satisfied a person is with the relationship.

Question 21

Uncertainty is low when several outcomes are equally likely to occur.

Question 22

Active strategies for reducing uncertainty include any actions you take to gather information about someone without directly talking to the person.

Question 23

When we experience relational uncertainty as a result of a specific event, we are experiencing relational uncertainty on a global level.

Question 24

When applied to self-disclosure, the norm of reciprocity provides one example of a universal law.

Question 25

According to interdependence theory, your comparison level predicts your satisfaction with a relationship.

Question 26

Uncertainty reduction theory is grounded in the ______ paradigm.

Question 27

The degree of confidence people have in their perceptions of involvement within interpersonal relationships is referred to as ________.

Question 28

_____ describes the range of topics you talk about, whereas ______ measures how personal or intimate your disclosures are.

Question 29

Social exchange theories assume that humans are motivated by _______.

Question 30

According to interdependence theory, we use our ______ to assess how good or bad our current relationship is compared to our other options.