Deck 8: Enhancing Relationships

Question 1

Jillian and her new roommate are getting to know each other by asking questions such as, "Where did you work over the summer?" "Do you have brothers and sisters?" and "What's your major?" In which stage of relational escalation are they most likely to be?

A) pre-interaction
B) intensification
C) exploration
D) initiation

Answer 1

D

Question 2

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

Answer 2

A

Question 3

_____ communication is considered self-serving and doesn't consider the feelings of the listener.

A) Cooperative
B) Aggressive
C) Passive
D) Assertive

Answer 3

B

Question 4

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

A) one-parent
B) nuclear
C) blended
D) traditional

Question 5

Jonah and Renata dated for about eight months before breaking up. Since they have so many friends in common, they still see each other all the time and spend almost every Friday night together with the rest of the group. This couple seems to be experiencing _____.

A) a trial separation
B) a stagnating relationship
C) a postdissolution relationship
D) a cyclical relationship

Question 6

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

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

Question 7

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 8

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 9

Sophie goes along with Michael because she feels their conflict cannot ever really be resolved, and she does not want to keep revisiting the topic. In Sophie's view, this conflict appears to be _____.

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

Question 10

Which one of the Communication Principles for a Lifetime is considered the most important in developing a friendship?

A) Be aware of your communication with yourself and others
B) Listen and respond thoughtfully to others
C) Effectively use and interpret verbal messages
D) Appropriately adapt messages to others

Question 11

The relational tension between a feeling of independence and doing things with a group is the _____ dialectic.

A) autonomy vs. connection
B) predictability vs. novelty
C) openness vs. closedness
D) masculine vs. feminine

Question 12

Leslie and Kris 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 13

The human resource manager reminded the new employees that when a conflict arises it is best to explain concerns directly and take into account the rights of the recipient of your message. What type of communication is the manager promoting?

A) assertive
B) passive
C) aggressive
D) confrontational

Question 14

Jenna felt bad that she missed the meeting, but she thought Harris had said it was next week and now he 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 15

José used to think his partner's helplessness with money was cute; now he finds it annoying. They are starting to spend less time together, but aren't really arguing. What stage of relational de-escalation are José and his partner facing?

A) individualization stage
B) stagnation stage
C) turmoil stage
D) separation stage

Question 16

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 17

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 18

What type of conflict occurs when conflict gets personal such as when people attack each other's self-esteem?

A) ego conflict
B) pseudoconflict
C) simple conflict
D) serial conflict

Question 19

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 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

The predictability vs. novelty dialectic refers to the tension in maintaining or giving up our privacy.

Question 22

James thought Kelsey had said to "turn off the light" when she really asked him to "turn on the light." This is a form of pseudoconflict.

Question 23

At the highest level of relational escalation is the _____ stage.

Question 24

Relationship _____ is the research term for relational endings.

Question 25

Karl wants to make sure he knows exactly why Rob is upset with him. During their discussion, Kevin gives his full attention to Rob and then he responds after he hears everything Rob has 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 26

The cooperative style of conflict management focuses on the problem and not the people.

Question 27

The confrontational style of conflict management promotes a win-win approach.

Question 28

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

Question 29

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

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

Question 30

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

Question 31

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

Question 32

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

Question 33

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 34

In the intensification stage of relational escalation, partners weigh heavily on each other's opinions.

Question 35

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

Question 36

The first step when managing a 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 all conflict-producing events

Question 37

In order to manage your emotions in a conflict situation, it would be most 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

_____ conflict is characterized by cooperation in dealing with differences.

Question 39

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 40

According to Virginia Satir, the self-worth of members is high in a healthy family.

Question 41

Explain each of the five stages of relational de-escalation. Give specific examples to illustrate each of the stages using Norris and Trisha who have been married for seven years, but their relationship has begun to crumble.

Question 42

Explain how you might use the conflict management skills of managing emotions, information, goals, and problems in the following situation: You and your roommate agreed on a schedule and responsibilities for chores. At first, all went well. Gradually, though, things have started to change. Now your roommate has left dishes in the sink for three days and hasn't taken out the trash in a week. The bathroom is a mess. You can't take it anymore; you are furious. You've let it slide long enough and decide to let her know how you feel.

Question 43

What is meant by a cooperative style of conflict management? Explain the four techniques discussed in your book as for using a cooperative style.

Question 44

The _____ conflict management style involves using a win-lose approach, and often includes seeking someone to blame.

Question 45

When working to manage conflict, it is essential for a person to use _____ statements to create a supportive climate.

Question 46

Kumiko prefers to back away when another person tries to start an argument. She displays a(n) _____ style of conflict management.

Question 47

Heather often insults others and uses profanity in order to get what she wants. She seldom takes others' feelings into account when encountering conflict. Heather uses _____ communication.

Question 48

Intractable conflict is also called _____ conflict.

Question 49

Explain how the five Communication Principles for a Lifetime can help you enhance your friendships.

Question 50

Explain the autonomy versus connection dialectic.