Question 1

Mary is deciding whether or not to ask Ping out on a date.She considers the pros and cons of dating Ping, and realizes that the pros outweigh the cons much more with Ping than they did with her previous relationship partners.She decides to ask Ping out.What standard did Mary use to make this decision?
A)Comparison level for alternatives
B)Comparison level
C)Romantic love ideal
D)Norm of homogamy

Accepted Answer

Mary used the comparison level standard to make her decision. She weighed the pros and cons of dating Ping against her past relationship experiences and found that the potential benefits of dating Ping outweighed any drawbacks, indicating that the relationship would meet or exceed her expectations for a satisfactory relationship.

Question 2

Sarah and Rae are in a long-term committed relationship.They spent the weekends together at Rae's house and go back and forth to each other's residence during the week.Their relationship form can best be described as _______________.
A)Living-alone-together
B)Cohabitation
C)Marriage
D)None of the above

Accepted Answer

Living-alone-together (LAT) relationships are characterized by partners who are in a committed relationship but choose to maintain separate residences. Sarah and Rae's arrangement of spending weekends together and visiting each other's homes during the week without sharing a single residence fits this description.

Question 3

Self-disclosure is higher in couples with egalitarian gender role orientations than in couples with traditional gender role orientations.

Accepted Answer

This is because individuals with egalitarian gender role orientations are more likely to value open and honest communication, which includes self-disclosure, in their relationships. On the other hand, individuals with traditional gender role orientations may view self-disclosure as a sign of weakness or vulnerability, and therefore may be less likely to engage in it.

Question 4

A study showed that people who are more attractive than their romantic partners tend to have fewer opposite-sex friends:

Accepted Answer

The study actually found that people who are more attractive than their partners tend to have more opposite-sex friends, not fewer. This is often because attractive individuals receive more social attention in general.

Question 5

Paul and Kwan have been dating for three months, and are showing dyadic withdrawal.Which of the following best describes their behavior?
A)After the initial excitement of the relationship, they have started to pull away from each other
B)They have begun to withhold certain rewards from each other, in order to regulate their level of closeness
C)They mainly depend on each other for rewards and are becoming less involved in their other relationships
D)None of the above

Accepted Answer

Dyadic withdrawal refers to the phenomenon where individuals in a close relationship, such as Paul and Kwan, become more reliant on each other for social rewards and consequently reduce their involvement in other relationships outside of their partnership.

Question 6

Anthony is attracted to a much older co-worker, however, he is reluctant to pursue the co-worker because he feels it would be considered inappropriate.What explains his behavior?
A)Proximity violation
B)Norm of ageism
C)Norm of homogamy
D)Matching hypothesis

Accepted Answer

The norm of homogamy explains Anthony's behavior, as it refers to the social expectation that individuals form relationships with others who are similar to them in various attributes, including age. Anthony's reluctance stems from the deviation from this norm due to the age difference between him and his co-worker.

Question 7

Cohabitation as a long-term relationship model provides couples with all of the following benefits in comparison to living-alone-together couples, EXCEPT:
A)Eliminates travel
B)Tax breaks
C)More disposable income
D)Shared housework

Accepted Answer

Tax breaks are typically associated with marriage rather than cohabitation. While cohabiting couples may experience financial benefits like shared expenses and potentially more disposable income, tax breaks specifically are not a benefit universally extended to couples who are not legally married.

Question 8

What is one reason why people prefer physically attractive partners?
A)Because beauty is an evolutionary signal that a person has more resources
B)Because we stereotype attractive people as having more integrity
C)Because we stereotype attractive people as more sensitive, kind, and interesting
D)They don't-people prefer partners who match their level of attractiveness

Accepted Answer

The "halo effect" is a psychological phenomenon where we tend to assume that people who are physically attractive possess other positive traits, such as being more sensitive, kind, and interesting. This stereotype can influence people's preferences for attractive partners.

Question 9

Sydney has a "garden story" view of relationships; he expects his relationships to involve the continual cultivation of love.

Accepted Answer

The statement accurately describes Sydney's view of relationships as a "garden story," indicating his belief in the need for ongoing nurturing and growth in romantic connections.

Question 10

Shane and Jenny dated for several months, broke up, and are now back together.Compared to their first time as a couple, they are likely to report which of the following in their current relationship?
A)More conflict
B)More self-disclosure
C)Less commitment
D)Both A and C

Accepted Answer

When couples reunite after a breakup, they often experience more conflict due to unresolved issues and less commitment as they may be uncertain about the relationship's future.

Question 11

Judy is a college student taking a class in Organic Chemistry.She sits next to David every day in class.Lars is on the other side of the room.Roy only came to class twice.According to research on determinants of interpersonal attraction, who is Judy most likely to start dating after class is over?
A)David, because they sat next to each other all semester and got to know each other
B)Lars, because she didn't spend much time with him and so she didn't learn about his flaws ("the grass is always greener on the other side")
C)Roy, because she doesn't associate him with the non-romantic classroom setting
D)Judy is equally likely to date David or Lars

Accepted Answer

Research on interpersonal attraction suggests that proximity (sitting next to each other in class) is a strong determinant of attraction. Additionally, the fact that Judy has been able to get to know David over the course of the semester (compared to Lars, whom she hasn't spent much time with) would make her more likely to start dating David after class is over. The fact that Roy only came to class twice also suggests that he is not as likely to be a potential romantic partner for Judy.

Question 12

Julie and Jennifer have the same political attitudes.Based on relationship research, which is most likely to occur?
A)They will not like each other because they won't feel they express unique identities
B)They will like each other because their views will feel validated
C)They will only like each other if their other attitudes are very different
D)None of the above

Accepted Answer

Research suggests that individuals tend to like others who share similar attitudes and beliefs as them. In the case of Julie and Jennifer having the same political attitudes, they are likely to feel validated by each other's views and therefore, like each other. Therefore, option B is the most likely to occur. Option A is unlikely because similarity in attitudes does not necessarily mean lack of uniqueness in identities. Option C is also unlikely because shared attitudes are generally considered a positive factor in liking someone, and not a negative one. Option D is not the correct answer because as explained above, option B is the most likely scenario.

Question 13

Cohabitation rather than marriage is on the rise in the U.S.as a result of which social trend?
A)Rapid increase in advanced educational and occupational opportunities for women
B)High unemployment rates for men, especially minorities, increasing the numbers of young men without financial resources to support a family
C)Low pay associated with entry and service industry jobs increasing the numbers of young men without financial resources to support a family
D)All of the above

Accepted Answer

All of the above options can contribute to the trend of cohabitation over marriage. With more opportunities for women, many may prioritize their careers and independence over marriage. High unemployment rates and low pay for certain groups of men can also make it difficult for couples to afford a traditional wedding and set up a household together. These economic factors can lead to an increase in cohabitation as a viable alternative to marriage.

Question 14

Which of the following is part of the relationship maintenance process that helps keep partners together.
A)Devaluing alternative partners
B)Desiring alternative partners
C)Avoiding alternative partners
D)Over-valuing alternative partners

Accepted Answer

Devaluing alternative partners is a cognitive strategy used to maintain commitment by perceiving potential alternative partners as less attractive, thus reducing the temptation to stray from the current relationship.

Question 15

In a study of the role of physical attractiveness on liking, researchers randomly paired people into dates at a student dance.What was the main finding of that study?
A)People liked their dates best if their date's level of attractiveness was similar to their own
B)People liked more attractive dates better than less attractive dates
C)Physically attractive people were more likely to believe that their dates liked them
D)When level of attractiveness was similar between the two people on a date, both people were more likely to believe that their dates liked them

Accepted Answer

The main finding of the study was that people liked more attractive dates better than less attractive dates, indicating a strong influence of physical attractiveness on the process of liking.

Question 16

Tamara is in a waiting room and attracted to the man sitting across from her.Like other women, she is most likely to cue her interest by initiating conversation with the man.

Accepted Answer

Women are more likely to signal their interest through nonverbal cues, such as eye contact, smiling, and body orientation, rather than initiating conversation.

Question 17

When Ricardo tries to pick a fight, his partner responds in a constructive manner by listening and remaining calm, cool, and collected.Ricardo's partner is engaging in:
A)The diffusion strategy
B)Accommodation
C)The devaluation of alternatives
D)Dyadic withdrawal

Accepted Answer

Accommodation is a conflict resolution strategy where one person agrees to the demands or desires of the other person. In this scenario, Ricardo is trying to pick a fight, but his partner responds in a calm and collected manner, which indicates that they are choosing to accommodate Ricardo and diffuse the situation.

Question 18

Tyler voted for a certain candidate because he saw the candidate's poster all over town whereas Jamie voted for the candidate because he read all of the candidate's policies.Jamie is a better example of the mere exposure effect.

Accepted Answer

The mere exposure effect is the tendency to develop a preference for things simply because they are familiar. Tyler's decision to vote based on seeing the candidate's poster all over town is a better example of the mere exposure effect, not Jamie's decision to vote based on reading the candidate's policies.

Question 19

As she waits for freshman orientation to begin, Emmaline spots an attractive peer standing across the room.In comparison to a man, Emmaline in more likely to use all of the following to communicate her attraction, EXCEPT:
A)Short glances
B)Primping
C)Conversation
D)Coy smiles

Accepted Answer

Studies have shown that women are more likely to use conversation as a method of communicating attraction, while men tend to use nonverbal cues more frequently. Therefore, options A, B, and D are more commonly used by men to convey interest.

Question 20

Roxanne and Victoria are strangers who encounter each other in the waiting room of a veterinary office.The vet is taking a long time so they decide to chat.They engage in self-disclosure; what is this and what is likely to happen?
A)They share intimate details about themselves and feel closer as a result
B)They share intimate details about themselves and dislike each other as a result
C)They only share positive information about themselves to each other and feel closer as a result
D)They only share positive information about themselves to each other and dislike each other as a result

Accepted Answer

Self-disclosure refers to sharing personal information with others. In this scenario, Roxanne and Victoria engage in self-disclosure by sharing personal details about themselves. When individuals engage in this type of communication, it often leads to a sense of closeness and a deeper understanding of the other person. Therefore, the most likely outcome is that they feel closer as a result of their conversation, especially since they have been waiting together for an extended period of time.

Quiz 14: Interpersonal Attraction and Relationships

Sarah and Rae are in a long-term committed relationship.They spent the weekends together at Rae's house and go back and forth to each other's residence during the week.Their relationship form can best be described as _______________.

Self-disclosure is higher in couples with egalitarian gender role orientations than in couples with traditional gender role orientations.

A study showed that people who are more attractive than their romantic partners tend to have fewer opposite-sex friends:

Paul and Kwan have been dating for three months, and are showing dyadic withdrawal.Which of the following best describes their behavior?

Anthony is attracted to a much older co-worker, however, he is reluctant to pursue the co-worker because he feels it would be considered inappropriate.What explains his behavior?

Cohabitation as a long-term relationship model provides couples with all of the following benefits in comparison to living-alone-together couples, EXCEPT:

What is one reason why people prefer physically attractive partners?

Sydney has a "garden story" view of relationships; he expects his relationships to involve the continual cultivation of love.

Shane and Jenny dated for several months, broke up, and are now back together.Compared to their first time as a couple, they are likely to report which of the following in their current relationship?

Judy is a college student taking a class in Organic Chemistry.She sits next to David every day in class.Lars is on the other side of the room.Roy only came to class twice.According to research on determinants of interpersonal attraction, who is Judy most likely to start dating after class is over?

Julie and Jennifer have the same political attitudes.Based on relationship research, which is most likely to occur?

Cohabitation rather than marriage is on the rise in the U.S.as a result of which social trend?

Which of the following is part of the relationship maintenance process that helps keep partners together.

In a study of the role of physical attractiveness on liking, researchers randomly paired people into dates at a student dance.What was the main finding of that study?

Tamara is in a waiting room and attracted to the man sitting across from her.Like other women, she is most likely to cue her interest by initiating conversation with the man.

When Ricardo tries to pick a fight, his partner responds in a constructive manner by listening and remaining calm, cool, and collected.Ricardo's partner is engaging in:

Tyler voted for a certain candidate because he saw the candidate's poster all over town whereas Jamie voted for the candidate because he read all of the candidate's policies.Jamie is a better example of the mere exposure effect.

As she waits for freshman orientation to begin, Emmaline spots an attractive peer standing across the room.In comparison to a man, Emmaline in more likely to use all of the following to communicate her attraction, EXCEPT:

Roxanne and Victoria are strangers who encounter each other in the waiting room of a veterinary office.The vet is taking a long time so they decide to chat.They engage in self-disclosure; what is this and what is likely to happen?