Question 1

"It's over between us. End of discussion. Goodbye." This statement reflects the self-oriented and direct disengagement strategy of _______.
A) withdrawal
B) pseudo de-escalation
C) cost escalation
D) fait accompli

Accepted Answer

The statement "It's over between us. End of discussion. Goodbye" reflects the self-oriented and direct disengagement strategy of fait accompli, which means presenting the decision as a done deal and not open for further discussion or negotiation.

Question 2

"If I pick a fight, wreck the car, deliberately forget to pay the rent, and have an affair with the next-door neighbor, maybe my partner will finally realize that this marriage isn't working and ask me for a divorce." This statement reflects the self-oriented and indirect disengagement strategy of _______.
A) withdrawal
B) cost escalation
C) pseudo de-escalation
D) fait accompli

Accepted Answer

Cost escalation involves deliberately engaging in negative behavior to make a relationship so costly for the other person that they choose to end it. The statement describes actions that intentionally make the relationship worse, fitting the definition of cost escalation.

Question 3

Milo and his partner have been dating for six months. Recently, Milo has begun to wonder whether he is happy with the relationship and whether he should break up with his partner. According to Duck's model, Milo is in the _______ phase of relationship dissolution.
A) intrapsychic
B) dyadic
C) social
D) grave-dressing

Accepted Answer

According to Duck's model, the intrapsychic phase is characterized by one partner questioning the relationship and considering the possibility of ending it. Milo's doubts about his happiness in the relationship and whether to break up indicate that he is in the intrapsychic phase.

Question 4

Research suggests that the processes of disillusionment and disengagement play a role in relationship dissolution. Which of the following statements illustrates the emotional indifference component of these processes?
A) "We're so different; it's like we've become strangers."
B) "I feel nothing for her anymore."
C) "I know he wants to talk, but I'm too busy."
D) "She can go to the party by herself; I'm not interested."

Accepted Answer

The statement "I feel nothing for her anymore" best represents emotional indifference, which is a key component of disengagement in relationship dissolution.

Question 5

Which of the following statements about the demand-withdraw interaction pattern is accurate?
A) Husbands demand when the issue is important to them.
B) Wives always demand, and husbands always withdraw.
C) The demand-withdraw pattern occurs only among heterosexual married couples.
D) Same-sex couples do not show evidence of demand-withdraw.

Accepted Answer

The statement that husbands demand when the issue is important to them is accurate. While it is commonly assumed that wives always demand and husbands always withdraw, this is not always the case. Additionally, the demand-withdraw pattern can occur in any type of romantic relationship, not just among heterosexual married couples. Same-sex couples may also show evidence of demand-withdraw. Therefore, options B, C, and D are incorrect.

Question 6

Which couple is least likely to end their relationship?
A) Mera and Arthur, a heterosexual married couple
B) Diana and Helena, a cohabiting lesbian couple
C) Billy and Ted, a cohabiting gay male couple
D) T'Challa and Ororo, a cohabiting heterosexual couple

Accepted Answer

Research indicates that heterosexual married couples tend to have lower dissolution rates compared to cohabiting couples, regardless of sexual orientation. This is often attributed to the legal and social supports that marriage provides.

Question 7

In general, researchers have found that the demand-withdraw pattern of communication is strongly and negatively correlated with which of the following?
A) Marital satisfaction
B) Interpersonal repulsion
C) Feelings of inequity
D) Personal well-being

Accepted Answer

The demand-withdraw pattern of communication, in which one partner becomes demanding and the other partner withdraws, has been linked to lower levels of marital satisfaction. Couples who engage in this pattern tend to feel frustrated, unheard, and invalidated by their partner, which can negatively impact the overall health of their relationship.

Question 8

Research suggests that the processes of disillusionment and disengagement play a role in relationship dissolution. Which of the following statements illustrates the cognitive disconnection component of these processes?
A) "We're so different; it's like we've become strangers."
B) "I feel nothing for her anymore."
C) "All my feelings of love have disappeared."
D) "She can go to the party by herself; I'm not interested"

Accepted Answer

The statement "We're so different; it's like we've become strangers" illustrates cognitive disconnection because it highlights the perceived lack of commonality and familiarity between partners, ultimately leading to disillusionment and disengagement. Options B, C, and D illustrate emotional disconnection or behavioral disconnection, rather than cognitive disconnection.

Question 9

Research suggests that the processes of disillusionment and disengagement play a role in relationship dissolution. Which of the following statements illustrates the behavioral distancing component of these processes?
A) "We're so different; it's like we've become strangers."
B) "I feel nothing for her anymore."
C) "All my feelings of love have disappeared."
D) "She can go to the party by herself; I'm not interested."

Accepted Answer

The statement "She can go to the party by herself; I'm not interested" illustrates behavioral distancing because it demonstrates a clear withdrawal from engaging in activities with the partner. This distancing behavior is a common sign of disengagement in relationships. The other statements illustrate emotional distancing (A and C) and a lack of feelings altogether (B).

Question 10

The _______ pattern is more common among couples in distressed marriages.
A) husband-demand/wife-withdraw
B) wife-demand/husband-withdraw
C) husband-withdraw/wife-withdraw
D) wife-demand/husband-demand

Accepted Answer

The wife-demand/husband-withdraw pattern is more common in distressed marriages, where the wife often seeks change or resolution, and the husband tends to withdraw or avoid the conflict.

Question 11

"I'm so glad we decided to sit down and talk about this. And I agree with you-this has been a wonderful relationship, but it's time for both of us to move on. I know that you and I will find the right partner." This statement reflects the other-oriented and direct disengagement strategy of _______.
A) a state-of-the-relationship talk
B) pseudo de-escalation
C) fading away
D) attributional conflict

Accepted Answer

The statement refers to a state-of-the-relationship talk where the individuals are openly discussing the state of their relationship and agreeing that it is time for both of them to move on. This is a direct and other-oriented approach to ending the relationship.

Question 12

The accounts that people give for why their relationship ended may allow them to . . .
A) Safely bottle up their emotions
B) Hide the breakup from their social network
C) Exact revenge on their partners
D) Protect their self-esteem

Accepted Answer

Giving reasons for a breakup can help individuals protect their self-esteem by providing a sense of closure and control over the situation. It allows them to make sense of what happened and move on with their lives, rather than feeling like a victim of circumstance.

Question 13

"I was sad when it ended, but the truth is that I learned a lot from being in that relationship. I now know how to be a better partner, and I think I'm ready to start dating again." This person is in the _______ phase of relationship dissolution.
A) intrapsychic
B) dyadic
C) social
D) resurrection

Accepted Answer

The statement reflects the resurrection phase of relationship dissolution, where individuals recover from the breakup, learn from the past relationship, and prepare themselves for future relationships.

Question 14

Couple A displays a higher frequency of demand-withdraw in their interactions than does Couple B. What other differences would you expect to find between the two couples?
A) Couple A will be more well adjusted than Couple B.
B) Couple B will demonstrate less marital well-being than Couple A.
C) Couple A will be less satisfied with their relationship than Couple B.
D) None, the two couples should be relatively similar.

Accepted Answer

Research has shown that higher levels of demand-withdraw communication are associated with lower relationship satisfaction and less marital well-being, therefore Couple A would be less satisfied with their relationship than Couple B. It is not necessarily true that Couple A would be more well adjusted than Couple B, and there is no information to indicate that Couple B would demonstrate less marital well-being than Couple A. Option D is incorrect as there should be some differences between the two couples due to the difference in their communication patterns.

Question 15

In the _______ phase of relationship dissolution, the partners explain their situation to friends, family, and other people.
A) intrapsychic
B) dyadic
C) social
D) grave-dressing

Accepted Answer

In the social phase, the partners explain their situation to others, as they begin to make public their decision to end the relationship. Option A refers to the phase where one partner starts to think about ending the relationship, option B refers to the phase where the partners talk directly to each other about ending the relationship, and option D refers to the phase where partners create stories about why the relationship ended to help themselves, and others, come to terms with the breakup.

Question 16

Milo and his partner have been dating for six months. He's very happy and considering asking his partner to move in with him. To his surprise, on their next date, his partner suddenly turns to him and says, "You know, this isn't really working out for me. I think we should break up and see other people." Milo is in the _______ phase of relationship dissolution.
A) intrapsychic
B) dyadic
C) social
D) grave-dressing

Accepted Answer

The dyadic phase involves direct discussion between the partners about the dissatisfaction and potential breakup, which is what happens when Milo's partner talks to him about the relationship not working out.

Question 17

Tom and Tania are unhappily married. What demand-withdraw pattern would you expect to find if you were to examine their interactions?
A) Tom generally demands, and Tania generally withdraws.
B) Tania demands more than Tom does, and Tom withdraws more than Tania does.
C) Tom demands more than Tania demands, and Tania withdraws more than Tom does.
D) Tania demands about as much as Tom does, and Tom withdraws about as much as Tania does.

Accepted Answer

The demand-withdraw pattern often involves one partner (the demander) seeking change, discussion, or resolution of an issue, while the other partner (the withdrawer) avoids discussion, change, or engagement in the topic. In many relationships, especially those marked by dissatisfaction, it's common for the roles to be gendered, with women more often in the demand role and men more often in the withdraw role. This pattern aligns with choice B, where Tania demands more and Tom withdraws more.

Question 18

Survey data reveal that about _______ of all first marriages in the U.S. end in divorce or permanent separation.
A) 10%
B) 30%
C) 40%
D) 75%

Accepted Answer

According to survey data, about 40% of all first marriages in the U.S. end in divorce or permanent separation. This indicates a significant percentage of marriages that do not last.

Question 19

Based on your knowledge of the factors associated with relationship dissolution, which couple is at the highest risk for divorce?
A) Ron and Hermione, who self-disclose frequently to each other
B) Harry and Ginny, who have few alternative partners
C) Draco and Astoria, who have both had extramarital affairs
D) Bill and Fleur, who are in a monogamous and faithful union

Accepted Answer

Extramarital affairs are a significant risk factor for relationship dissolution, and as such, Draco and Astoria, who have both had extramarital affairs, are at the highest risk for divorce. The other options, Ron and Hermione (who self-disclose frequently to each other), Harry and Ginny (who have few alternative partners), and Bill and Fleur (who are in a monogamous and faithful union), do not have significant risk factors associated with relationship dissolution.

Question 20

Sam and Sara are happily married. What demand-withdraw pattern would you expect to find if you were to examine their interactions?
A) Sam generally demands, and Sara generally withdraws.
B) Sara demands more than Sam does, and Sam withdraws more than Sara does.
C) Sam demands more than Sara does, and Sara withdraws more than Sam does.
D) Sara demands about as much as Sam does, and Sam withdraws about as much as Sara does.

Accepted Answer

The demand-withdraw pattern is not specific to one gender or partner in a happy marriage; both partners are likely to demand and withdraw about equally, reflecting a balanced dynamic.

Quiz 5: Conflict and Dissolution

"It's over between us. End of discussion. Goodbye." This statement reflects the self-oriented and direct disengagement strategy of _______.

Milo and his partner have been dating for six months. Recently, Milo has begun to wonder whether he is happy with the relationship and whether he should break up with his partner. According to Duck's model, Milo is in the _______ phase of relationship dissolution.

Research suggests that the processes of disillusionment and disengagement play a role in relationship dissolution. Which of the following statements illustrates the emotional indifference component of these processes?

Which of the following statements about the demand-withdraw interaction pattern is accurate?

Which couple is least likely to end their relationship?

In general, researchers have found that the demand-withdraw pattern of communication is strongly and negatively correlated with which of the following?

Research suggests that the processes of disillusionment and disengagement play a role in relationship dissolution. Which of the following statements illustrates the cognitive disconnection component of these processes?

Research suggests that the processes of disillusionment and disengagement play a role in relationship dissolution. Which of the following statements illustrates the behavioral distancing component of these processes?

The _______ pattern is more common among couples in distressed marriages.

"I'm so glad we decided to sit down and talk about this. And I agree with you-this has been a wonderful relationship, but it's time for both of us to move on. I know that you and I will find the right partner." This statement reflects the other-oriented and direct disengagement strategy of _______.

The accounts that people give for why their relationship ended may allow them to . . .

"I was sad when it ended, but the truth is that I learned a lot from being in that relationship. I now know how to be a better partner, and I think I'm ready to start dating again." This person is in the _______ phase of relationship dissolution.

Couple A displays a higher frequency of demand-withdraw in their interactions than does Couple B. What other differences would you expect to find between the two couples?

In the _______ phase of relationship dissolution, the partners explain their situation to friends, family, and other people.

Tom and Tania are unhappily married. What demand-withdraw pattern would you expect to find if you were to examine their interactions?

Survey data reveal that about _______ of all first marriages in the U.S. end in divorce or permanent separation.

Based on your knowledge of the factors associated with relationship dissolution, which couple is at the highest risk for divorce?

Sam and Sara are happily married. What demand-withdraw pattern would you expect to find if you were to examine their interactions?