Question 1

It has been shown that adolescents who _______ typically have more cohesive friendships than other teens.
A) never use online communication
B) use online communication in moderation
C) use online communication continuously
D) use online and face-to-face communication in equal proportions

Accepted Answer

Adolescents who use online communication in moderation tend to have more cohesive friendships because this balance allows for the development of strong interpersonal skills and meaningful connections, without the potential negative impacts of excessive online communication.

Question 2

The term _______ refers to the emotional tone of a relationship.
A) communication climate
B) recognition
C) hidden area
D) spiral

Accepted Answer

The term "communication climate" refers to the emotional tone of a relationship, indicating how communication is perceived and felt within that context.

Question 3

Messages that show you are valued are called
A) spirals.
B) disconfirming.
C) confirming.
D) positive communication climates.

Accepted Answer

Confirming messages communicate to the individual that they are valued and understood within the conversation or interaction, fostering a positive communication climate.

Question 4

Messages that deny the value of others have been labeled
A) spirals.
B) disconfirming.
C) confirming.
D) positive communication climates.

Accepted Answer

Messages that deny the value of others are labeled as disconfirming. These types of messages show a lack of regard or invalidate the feelings, opinions, or contributions of the other person, creating a negative communication climate.

Question 5

"When you don't let me say what's on my mind, I get frustrated." This is an example of
A) a confirming response.
B) a disconfirming response.
C) "you" language.
D) "I" language.

Accepted Answer

This statement is an example of "I" language because it expresses the speaker's feelings and experiences directly from their perspective, focusing on the speaker's own reactions and feelings without blaming or accusing the other person.

Question 6

"You don't have enough experience to make a good decision. I have had much more experience than you have, and so I know better." This is an example of
A) superior communication.
B) a confirming response.
C) manipulative communication.
D) a positive spiral.

Accepted Answer

The answer of "You don't have enough experience to make...

Question 7

Aaron is telling Nadia about a problem he's having with his parents. Nadia believes that Aaron isn't handling the situation correctly. She responds by saying, "You are too disrespectful and thoughtless. I'd say that's why your parents are upset with you." Aaron is upset by this. Why?
A) Because she is using "you" language.
B) Because she is using confirming messages.
C) Because she is using a manipulative message.
D) Because she is "I" language.

Accepted Answer

Nadia's response uses "you" language, which can come across as accusatory and blameful, likely causing Aaron to feel defensive or upset.

Question 8

Beatrice is a talented softball player. She has won many awards for her abilities. She often helps teens that play for the city league. They appreciate her because she helps without making them feel bad about playing poorly. What best explains why the city league players don't feel defensive about Beatrice's help?
A) Because she wasn't manipulative.
B) Because she wasn't acting superior.
C) Because she wasn't in an avoidance spiral.
D) Because she wasn't using metacommunication.

Accepted Answer

Beatrice's approach of helping without making the teens feel bad about their performance suggests she interacts in a way that doesn't come across as superior or condescending. This fosters a positive and open environment for learning and improvement, rather than defensiveness.

Question 9

Ashley told her subordinate, "Yes, I know I said I wouldn't ask you to work late again this week, but you would really be doing me a favor, and after all, you are a friend as well as an employee, and I know how much you value your loyalty to me and to this company." This demonstrates
A) "you" language.
B) a relational spiral.
C) manipulative language.
D) superior communication.

Accepted Answer

Ashley's statement is an example of manipulative language because she is using the subordinate's loyalty and their personal relationship to pressure them into working late, despite previously stating they would not have to. This manipulates the subordinate's feelings and sense of obligation to comply with the request.

Question 10

Marie was very unhappy that her food came out cold at the restaurant and was rude to the server. She said, "Only an incompetent idiot would bring out food that wasn't hot." This is an example of a
A) manipulative message.
B) negative spiral.
C) disconfirming message.
D) conflict spiral.

Accepted Answer

Marie's statement is a disconfirming message because it invalidates the server's competence and effort, directly attacking their self-esteem and work performance without addressing the problem constructively.

Question 11

Marie was very unhappy that her food came out cold at the restaurant and was rude to the server. John was not happy that Marie yelled at the waiter. She had done this a few times before, and they had started to have arguments about it. Wishing to avoid escalating things with her further, he said, "Calm down. Outbursts like that don't help the situation." He was using _______ to avoid a negative relational spiral.
A) "I" language
B) "you" language
C) manipulative language
D) metacommunication

Accepted Answer

John was using metacommunication, which refers to communication about communication. By addressing the manner in which Marie communicates her dissatisfaction, rather than the content of her complaint, he's attempting to discuss their communication patterns and how they affect their relationship, aiming to avoid further negative interactions.

Question 12

Jake was upset because his close friend Dana had been ignoring him and not answering his calls recently. In frustration, Jake decided to break off all contact for a week. This situation is best accounted for in terms of
A) an avoidance spiral.
B) a relational spiral.
C) "you" language.
D) "I" language.

Accepted Answer

An avoidance spiral occurs when both parties in a relationship start to avoid each other more and more, leading to a breakdown in communication. Jake's decision to break off all contact in response to Dana's ignoring him is a classic example of how avoidance can escalate, fitting the definition of an avoidance spiral.

Question 13

A relational spiral describes a communication pattern in which messages exchanged between relational partners
A) become either increasingly positive or negative.
B) tend to become more positive.
C) tend to become more negative.
D) get out of control.

Accepted Answer

A relational spiral is a pattern where communication between partners can either become increasingly positive or increasingly negative, depending on the direction of the interactions.

Question 14

A pattern in which disconfirming messages reinforce one another, often leading to a full-blown argument is called
A) evaluative communication.
B) "you" language.
C) "I" language.
D) a conflict spiral.

Accepted Answer

A conflict spiral is a pattern where disconfirming messages reinforce one another, often escalating into a full-blown argument.

Question 15

A communication pattern characterized not by outright fighting but gradually reducing mutual investment in a relationship is called
A) evaluative communication.
B) a disconfirming response.
C) a conflict spiral.
D) an avoidance spiral.

Accepted Answer

An avoidance spiral is a pattern where both parties gradually reduce their investment and engagement in the relationship, avoiding direct confrontation or conflict, leading to a slow deterioration of the relationship.

Question 16

Seena and Jack disagree with each other's plan for the future. Instead of talking about it, they simply have not discussed it, and now, whenever Seena raises the subject, Jack rolls his eyes or immediately changes the subject. What might best explain this?
A) Evaluative communication
B) Disconfirming responses
C) A conflict spiral
D) An avoidance spiral

Accepted Answer

The answer of Seena and Jack disagree with each other's...

Question 17

Caroline tells Kevin she is not happy with him staying out late the night before. Kevin responds by telling Caroline that she isn't the boss of him. Caroline then responds by telling him that she thinks he's hateful. The negative dialogue continues to worsen. What does this situation exemplify?
A) Evaluative communication
B) Disconfirming responses
C) A conflict spiral
D) An avoidance spiral

Accepted Answer

This situation exemplifies a conflict spiral, where the negative dialogue between Caroline and Kevin continues to escalate, worsening the conflict between them.

Question 18

In a series of ongoing exchanges, one person's confirming message leads to a similar response from the other person. The first person is then even more reinforcing in turn. This situation illustrates how _______ works.
A) interpersonal communication
B) a positive spiral
C) metacommunication
D) a negative spiral

Accepted Answer

This situation illustrates a "positive spiral," where positive communication from one person leads to more positive communication from the other, creating a cycle of increasingly positive exchanges.

Question 19

Most relationships pass through cycles of progression and regression. The important thing is to aim for more positive momentum. People in satisfying relationships tend to maintain at least a _______ to _______ ratio of positive to negative statements.
A) 5; 1
B) 2; 20
C) 100; 5
D) 50; 50

Accepted Answer

The correct ratio of positive to negative statements in satisfying relationships, as identified by relationship research, is at least 5 to 1. This means for every negative interaction or statement, there should be at least five positive interactions or statements to maintain a healthy and satisfying relationship.

Question 20

What are the four dimensions of relational messages?

Accepted Answer

The answer of What are the four dimensions of relational...

Quiz 7: Communicating in Interpersonal Relationships

It has been shown that adolescents who _______ typically have more cohesive friendships than other teens.

The term _______ refers to the emotional tone of a relationship.

Messages that show you are valued are called

Messages that deny the value of others have been labeled

"When you don't let me say what's on my mind, I get frustrated." This is an example of

"You don't have enough experience to make a good decision. I have had much more experience than you have, and so I know better." This is an example of

Aaron is telling Nadia about a problem he's having with his parents. Nadia believes that Aaron isn't handling the situation correctly. She responds by saying, "You are too disrespectful and thoughtless. I'd say that's why your parents are upset with you." Aaron is upset by this. Why?

Ashley told her subordinate, "Yes, I know I said I wouldn't ask you to work late again this week, but you would really be doing me a favor, and after all, you are a friend as well as an employee, and I know how much you value your loyalty to me and to this company." This demonstrates

Marie was very unhappy that her food came out cold at the restaurant and was rude to the server. She said, "Only an incompetent idiot would bring out food that wasn't hot." This is an example of a

Jake was upset because his close friend Dana had been ignoring him and not answering his calls recently. In frustration, Jake decided to break off all contact for a week. This situation is best accounted for in terms of

A relational spiral describes a communication pattern in which messages exchanged between relational partners

A pattern in which disconfirming messages reinforce one another, often leading to a full-blown argument is called

A communication pattern characterized not by outright fighting but gradually reducing mutual investment in a relationship is called

Seena and Jack disagree with each other's plan for the future. Instead of talking about it, they simply have not discussed it, and now, whenever Seena raises the subject, Jack rolls his eyes or immediately changes the subject. What might best explain this?

Caroline tells Kevin she is not happy with him staying out late the night before. Kevin responds by telling Caroline that she isn't the boss of him. Caroline then responds by telling him that she thinks he's hateful. The negative dialogue continues to worsen. What does this situation exemplify?

In a series of ongoing exchanges, one person's confirming message leads to a similar response from the other person. The first person is then even more reinforcing in turn. This situation illustrates how _______ works.

Most relationships pass through cycles of progression and regression. The important thing is to aim for more positive momentum. People in satisfying relationships tend to maintain at least a _ to _ ratio of positive to negative statements.

What are the four dimensions of relational messages?