Deck 15: Improving Relationships

Question 1

Bertie is angry at his wife,Maddy,for talking with other men at a party,and she is sick and tired of his jealousy.What might a therapist using a systems perspective say in response to this situation?

A) Bertie,is it possible that you feel jealous because you always had to compete with your siblings for your mother's attention when you were a child?
B) Maddy,do you think that Bertie's jealousy might be triggered by his fears that you no longer find him attractive?
C) Bertie,can you talk with Maddy about the softer vulnerable feelings that might be behind your feelings of jealousy?
D) Maddy,can you see how Bertie's feelings are a result of his early experiences,and can you try to understand his feelings?

Answer 1

B

Question 2

Dr.Roberts helps couples to make explicit (known)the rules that guide their relationship behavior and to establish new rules that are more flexible and adaptive.What model of couples therapy does she practice?

A) behavioral couples therapy
B) systems therapy
C) cognitive-behavioral couples therapy
D) emotionally focused couples therapy

Answer 2

B

Question 3

Baljit and Tim have had difficulty adjusting to being parents.They argue constantly about what activities they are going to do with their children and hate their weekends because they are spent with each of them taking turns playing with the kids to give the other parent a break.Their therapist points out that one reason they might be so frustrated and argue so much is that the way they have been structuring their weekends leaves them little time to nurture their relationship or to be together as a family.The arguments and frustration are signals that they value and love each other and want to connect more as a couple and as a family.What technique has the therapist used?

A) relabeling
B) empathic joining
C) reframing
D) unified detachment

Answer 3

C

Question 4

After 23 years of marriage,Kayla and Fred have decided to seek marital therapy.Their satisfaction with their marriage has decreased over time,to the point where both are feeling quite unhappy.They hardly talk to each other except to argue about the children or finances,and neither can remember when they last had sex.Based on material presented in the chapter about improving relationships,which of Kayla and Fred's problems would a couples therapist find most difficult to treat?

A) lack of loving feelings
B) communication problems
C) lack of sexual activity
D) money management and financial issues

Question 5

In considering the source of relationship functioning,a systems perspective is to ________ as a behavioral perspective is to ________.

A) the early caregiving experience;repetitive patterns of interaction
B) repetitive patterns of interaction;rewarding and punishing behaviors
C) rewarding and punishing behaviors;early caregiving experiences
D) repetitive patterns of interaction;negative attributions

Question 6

Bernardo and Danica are attending their second session of couples therapy.Their therapist gives them a homework assignment to improve the way in which they communicate with each other.What theoretical models is their therapist most likely drawing upon?

A) systems models
B) behavioral models
C) emotion models
D) reframing models

Question 7

Isvel is very expressive in her relationship with Didier,whereas Didier is more analytical but tends to offer support.When Didier's mother is hospitalized,the couple begins to experience more issues in their relationship.Didier feels unsupported by Isvel and denies his feelings of pain.Isvel insists Didier must be upset,but she does not offer much support.What new rule might be helpful for this couple to improve their relationship?

A) Isvel must learn that sometimes Didier is going to need space,while Didier must learn that Isvel needs to communicate how she is feeling.
B) Isvel must learn to avoid being so emotional and take more responsibility,while Didier must learn to avoid being so analytical and allow Isvel to be herself.
C) Isvel must learn to set aside her feelings at times to support Didier,while Didier must learn to express his feelings and avoid overanalyzing situations.
D) Isvel must learn to set aside time to spend with Didier,while Didier must learn to offer more emotional support to Isvel.

Question 8

According to the text,which is the most common theoretical model that couples therapists use?

A) systems models,which emphasize the rules that govern and constrain the exchange of behaviors
B) behavioral models,which emphasize the rewarding and punishing properties of exchanged behaviors and their associated cognitions
C) emotion models,which emphasize the ways in which different affective exchanges can inhibit and promote intimate bonds
D) In practice,most professionals draw from a range of perspectives when conducting marital therapy.

Question 9

According to a systems perspective,what is required for couples to make improvements in their relationship?

A) establishing new flexible relationship rules
B) insight into relationship dynamics
C) making explicit unspoken and unconscious relationship rules
D) reverting back to relationship patterns that used to work in the relationship

Question 10

What led to the development of behavioral models of couples therapy?

A) Other forms of therapy were time consuming and expensive to carry out,thus there was a need to develop a more pragmatic approach.
B) Most therapeutic techniques were based on Freudian thinking,which was discredited in the mid-20th century.
C) Evidence revealed that the popular models were ineffective in producing lasting change.
D) There was a need for systematic treatments that could measure the effectiveness of the intervention.

Question 11

Which of the following statements about couples seeking therapy is FALSE?

A) Couples usually wait until their problems have become severe and entrenched before they decide to seek therapy.
B) Five of the most common problems couples have are the ones that therapists believe are the most difficult to treat and the most damaging.
C) Most often,couples seek help from professionals who specialize in therapy for couples.
D) Relationship problems are a leading reason people seek therapy.

Question 12

Reframing is to ________ as relabeling is to ________.

A) behavior;problems
B) patterns;rules
C) problems;behavior
D) dynamics;patterns

Question 13

Bob tells his therapist,"Marie-Claire doesn't really care much about me anymore;there is no point in talking with her about my feelings because she'll just accuse me of being 'too sensitive'." Of the following statements,which one is accurate?

A) According to an integrative behavioral perspective,Bob is engaging in unified detachment,but not in empathic joining.
B) According to a cognitive-behavioral perspective,Bob is making a negative attribution.
C) According to a systems perspective,Marie-Claire's accusations of being "too sensitive" are negative feedback.
D) According to an emotionally focused perspective,Marie-Claire's lack of caring represents a secondary emotion.

Question 14

According to couples therapists (summarized in the text),one of the most common problems they see in therapy is ________,and one of the least common problems involves ________.

A) communication;a power struggle
B) a power struggle;serious personal issues
C) a lack of loving feelings;serious personal issues
D) a lack of loving feelings;stress

Question 15

Katie gets mad at Adam because he has forgotten to pay an important bill.When she brings up the problem,he doesn't say much and begins to sulk.Katie backs down and says she'll take care of the problem.Then she changes the subject and begins to tell him funny stories about her bad day at work,which he finds amusing and eventually the two of them are laughing while they make fun of her inept coworker.According to a systems perspective,what is the "rule" underlying their relationship dynamic?

A) When Adam is in a bad mood,he sulks.
B) When Katie tells funny stories,Adam laughs.
C) When problems are raised,Adam withdraws and Katie backs down.
D) Adam is serious and Katie is funny.

Question 16

Trina is a couples therapist who primarily draws upon the systems model.What does she most likely emphasize in her practice?

A) identifying unspoken rules that guide undesirable patterns of interaction among couples
B) promoting basic communication and problem-solving skills
C) helping couples realize that their relationship is a safe place to explore deeper emotions
D) changing the thoughts that lead to maladaptive behaviors

Question 17

Which of the following issues is not only the most difficult to treat among relationship problems,but is also one of the most damaging and most common issues in a relationship?

A) extramarital affairs
B) money
C) unrealistic expectations
D) sex

Question 18

After 23 years of marriage,Kayla and Fred have decided to seek marital therapy.Which of the following is most likely true?

A) They are more likely to seek help from a couples therapist than from a religious adviser.
B) They have likely been experiencing relationship distress for a while before seeking help.
C) The therapist is likely to view their problems as the easiest to treat.
D) The therapist is unlikely to encourage ending the relationship because preserving the relationship is better for their kids.

Question 19

Sandeep gives Amy the silent treatment when she fails to clean up the kitchen after dinner (it is one of her household jobs).After this happens a few times,Amy tries to remember to clean up more regularly,but,over time,she slips up and the cycle repeats.Which is an accurate statement about this situation?

A) The silent treatment is an example of a negative reinforcer.
B) Amy's failure to clean up the kitchen is an example of punishment.
C) The end of the silent treatment is an example of a negative reinforcer.
D) Amy cleaning up the kitchen is an example of a positive reinforcer.

Question 20

Dr.Lew is a couples therapist.Which of the following relationship problems would Dr.Lew consider the MOST damaging?

A) alcoholism
B) physical abuse
C) extramarital affairs
D) incest

Question 21

What is a main task of a behaviorally oriented therapist?

A) to determine the function of problematic behavior
B) to understand how past relationships affect current behavior
C) to help couples learn to accept each other's shortcomings
D) to change maladaptive attributions

Question 22

Karamo is unhappy in his relationship with Erik.When Karamo comes home from work Erik has already prepared dinner.As soon as he enters the kitchen,Karamo exclaims,"It smells awful in here! Did you burn something? You never remember to turn the fan on.Next time,just order dinner if you're going to keep burning our dinner." Karamo's response reveals which of the following underlying interpretive processes?

A) selective attention
B) assumptions
C) expectations
D) standards

Question 23

Which of the following is an example of an assumption according to a cognitive-behavioral perspective?

A) Mohinder thinks that men provide support by solving problems and giving advice and that women provide support by listening and empathizing.
B) Abilena thinks her husband forgot her birthday because he is mad at her.
C) Julian believes that people should always be honest with each other in a relationship.
D) Renatta thinks that Bobby will ignore her opinions.

Question 24

Which of the following is a strategy or technique that is used in integrative behavioral couples therapy,but NOT behavioral couples therapy?

A) analyzing the antecedents and consequences of behavior
B) communication training
C) behavior exchange
D) acceptance training

Question 25

According to the text,the main rationale of integrative behavioral couples therapy emphasizes that relationships will improve if:

A) partners increase the frequency of their positive behaviors and decrease the frequency of their negative behaviors.
B) partners understand how their early experiences with their family affect their current relationship needs.
C) partners change negative attributions about each other's behaviors.
D) partners learn to accept or tolerate the negative aspects of each other and of the relationship.

Question 26

According to the chapter,which model is one of the three common theoretical approaches to couples therapy?

A) ecological
B) cognitive
C) emotion
D) personality

Question 27

Sally and Manuel are in couples therapy working on their conflict regarding Sally's returning to work after maternity leave.Sally is upset about returning to work,and Manuel is angry with her for being so upset.To intervene successfully,an emotion-focused therapist would work on:

A) increasing positive behaviors and decreasing negative behaviors.
B) communication skills training.
C) expressing primary emotions.
D) empathic joining around the problem.

Question 28

Therapists adopting an emotion-focused couples therapy approach follow distinct stages in the following order:

A) consolidation and integration,de-escalation of negative cycles,shaping new cycles of responsiveness and accessibility.
B) de-escalation of negative cycles,consolidation and integration,shaping new cycles of responsiveness and accessibility.
C) shaping new cycles of responsiveness and accessibility,de-escalation of negative cycles,consolidation and integration.
D) de-escalation of negative cycles,shaping new cycles of responsiveness and accessibility,consolidation and integration.

Question 29

Angela arrives home late from work.Her husband begins to wonder if she is having an affair.This is an example of:

A) selective attention.
B) an attribution.
C) an assumption.
D) an expectation.

Question 30

How are emotionally focused and integrative behavioral couples therapies similar?

A) Both have the goal of increasing empathy in the relationship.
B) Both work toward increasing the ratio of positive to negative behavioral exchanges.
C) Both focus on creating bonds rather than bargains.
D) Both encourage discussion of the relationship using neutral descriptive terms.

Question 31

Empathic joining is to ________ as unified detachment is to ________.

A) learning that undesirable aspects of the partner are unchangeable;recognizing positive aspects of negative behavior
B) recognizing positive aspects of negative behavior;learning that undesirable aspects of the partner are unchangeable
C) talking without charged emotion;removing blame
D) removing blame;talking without charged emotion

Question 32

The Spouse Observation Checklist (SOC)is a tool used in _____ couples therapy.

A) emotionally focused
B) behavioral
C) systems
D) problem focused

Question 33

A therapist who asks a couple to start doing nice things for each other and to give each other time away from the kids and who works on communication skills is most likely practicing from a ________ perspective.

A) behavioral couples therapy
B) integrative behavioral couples therapy
C) cognitive-behavioral couples therapy
D) emotion-focused couples therapy

Question 34

According to the cognitive-behavioral perspective,what is the leading cause of relationship distress?

A) unresolved conflicts stemming from childhood relationships
B) inflexible rules about relationship behavior
C) dysfunctional relationship behaviors
D) failure to understand and meet each other's needs for connection and security

Question 35

From a cognitive-behavioral perspective,many processes determine how we interpret the words and behaviors of others.These processes include:

A) selective attention,assumptions,expectations,standards,and attributions.
B) selective attention,assumptions,assimilation,accommodation,and expectations.
C) standards,assimilation,assumptions,attributions,and expectations.
D) selective attention,standards,assimilation,accommodation,and assumptions.

Question 36

Which of the following models of couples therapy focuses on having couples engage in empathic joining and tolerance building for resolving differences?

A) behavioral
B) integrative behavioral
C) systems based
D) emotional

Question 37

Bob and Mike are in couples therapy because they have many fights about how much time Bob spends at work.To intervene successfully,an integrative behavior couples therapist would use the technique of:

A) reframing the problem.
B) relabeling behavior.
C) de-escalating negative cycles.
D) empathic joining around the problem.

Question 38

Sally and Manuel are in couples therapy working on a conflict regarding Sally's returning to work after maternity leave.Sally is upset about returning to work,and Manuel is angry at her for being so upset.To successfully intervene,a traditional behavior couples therapist would use the technique of:

A) reformulation.
B) behavior exchange.
C) blamer softening.
D) communication training.

Question 39

Benedicta is unhappy in her relationship with Yingyue.She says to her therapist,"A relationship between two women is simply doomed.We just cannot seem to be able to make any decisions because neither of us is assertive." Benedicta's response reveals which of the following underlying interpretive processes?

A) selective attention
B) assumptions
C) expectations
D) standards

Question 40

Maite is explaining why she is unhappy in her relationship.She says to her therapist,"Partners should never go to bed angry.If there's an issue,it should be hashed out immediately rather than wait for it to fester." Maite's complaint reveals which of the following underlying interpretive processes?

A) selective attention
B) attributions
C) expectations
D) standards

Question 41

What is the primary goal of an emotion-focused therapist?

A) to elicit and explore secondary emotions rather than primary emotions
B) to promote acceptance of emotion through empathic joining
C) to gain insight into how early attachment relationships play a role in the current romantic relationship
D) to explore,and bring into focus,primary emotions

Question 42

Distinguish between relabeling and reframing in systems models of couples therapy,and provide an example of each technique.

Question 43

In the text,the authors distinguish between effectiveness studies (which are designed to find out whether a therapy works in real,day-to-day clinical practice)and efficacy studies.How are effectiveness studies different from efficacy studies?

A) Effectiveness studies involve unhappy couples.
B) Efficacy studies involve experiments using a control group.
C) Effectiveness studies tell us whether a therapy works in a controlled laboratory setting.
D) Effectiveness studies and efficacy studies do not differ in any important way.

Question 44

You are an aide to the Secretary of Health and Human Services,and your first job is to prepare a brief on specific interventions to strengthen marriages.What four points do you include in your brief?

Question 45

Oliver often fails to call his partner,Mike,when he is going to be late coming home from work.On Tuesday,when Oliver is late yet again,Mike states,"Oliver,I really wish you would call me when you're going to be late.When I don't hear from you,I start to worry and get scared that something terrible has happened to you." Mike's statement is an example of:

A) empathic joining.
B) unified detachment.
C) primary emotional disclosure.
D) secondary emotional disclosure.

Question 46

According to emotionally focused couples therapy,________ is a primary emotion,whereas ________ is a secondary emotion.

A) hostility;sense of abandonment
B) irritation;fear
C) avoidance;helplessness
D) shame;anger

Question 47

Which is an example of a primary emotion?

A) anger
B) contempt
C) frustration
D) shame

Question 48

Which of the following statements about outcome research assessing couples therapy is accurate?

A) Five years after the end of treatment,couples who received integrative behavioral couples therapy have similar relationship satisfaction compared to couples who received the original version of behavioral couples therapy.
B) At the end of therapy the average treated couple functions better in their relationship than about 50 percent of control couples.
C) Integrative behavioral couples therapy and traditional behavioral couples therapy have been shown to be more effective in improving relationship functioning than emotionally focused couples therapy and systems models of therapy.
D) The efficacy and effectiveness of traditional behavioral couples therapy are measurable,whereas outcomes for integrative behavioral couples therapy are not measurable.

Question 49

Which is an example of a secondary emotion?

A) hopelessness
B) anger
C) sadness
D) shame

Question 50

Explain why couples who often wait a long time before seeking help for a struggling relationship make couples therapy challenging for practitioners.

Question 51

Grunde and Sesasi have a relatively happy marriage but have enrolled in an educational program to strengthen their relationship.In the program they are taught skills to express their needs and desires as well as to empathize with each other.What program are Grunde and Sesasi likely enrolled in?

A) Couples Coping Enhancement Training (CCET)
B) Prevention and Relationship Enhancement Program (PREP)
C) Relationship Enhancement (RE)
D) Marriage Checkup (MC)

Question 52

If you wanted to conduct an effectiveness study of integrative behavioral couples therapy,what would you do?

A) bring couples into the lab to receive treatment from graduate-level supervised therapists and evaluate change in relationship satisfaction from pre- to post-treatment
B) bring couples into the lab to receive either integrative behavioral couples therapy or emotionally focused couples therapy and compare outcomes in the two treatments
C) train therapists in the community to deliver integrative behavioral couples therapy to some couples and compare the outcomes to other couples who receive treatment as usual in the community
D) train therapists in the community to deliver integrative behavioral couples therapy in a laboratory-based study and compare treatment outcomes to those obtained with graduate-level therapists

Question 53

Kabil and Asher are happily married but have enrolled in an educational program to enhance their relationship.As a result of their enrollment in the program,how are they likely to view their participation in the course?

A) They view the problem-solving skills as more helpful than the communication skills training.
B) They value the program because it will serve as a reminder for the reason why they fell in love.
C) They find the program unnecessary and drop out of the program after 1 month.
D) They view a coping skills training as helpful,but only if they have undergone a crisis together.

Question 54

Dr.Sarkissian offers relationship education to couples who want to strengthen their relationship before issues start to arise.What is most likely Dr.Sarkissian's goal for the couples who attend her training?

A) that they maintain their relationship by building on their strengths
B) that they improve their relationship by focusing on their weaknesses
C) that they begin to prioritize their relationship over all other aspects of their lives
D) that they revolutionize the way they think about their relationship

Question 55

According to your textbook authors,which of the following is the best analogy for a good intimate relationship?

A) surfing
B) climbing a mountain
C) taking a stroll
D) a sunset

Question 56

Heather has designed a new treatment for couples in distress.She has conducted several studies in which couples were randomly assigned to receive either her new treatment or another empirically supported treatment.She now wants to look at how her treatment performs when clinical practitioners administer it to couples in the community.In other words,she wants to conduct a(n):

A) clinical trial.
B) effectiveness study.
C) efficacy study.
D) efficacy trial.

Question 57

Your local congressman has asserted that improving marriages is one of his priorities during his term in office.Why would the local government be interested in investing in good quality marriages?

A) Good marriages lead to happier citizens,thus,productivity improves overall.
B) Strengthening marriages is a means to reducing the welfare payments of single parents.
C) Educational programs for couples yield benefits in other areas,such as general communication improvements.
D) Failed marriages that result in divorce accrue more court fees for the region.

Question 58

Which of the following educational programs focuses on conflict management and the expression of negative emotions?

A) Compassionate and Accepting Relationships Through Empathy (CARE)
B) Prevention and Relationship Enhancement Program (PREP)
C) Relationship Enhancement (RE)
D) Marriage Checkup (MC)

Question 59

What conclusion can be drawn from studies on the effectiveness of educational programs for couples?

A) Satisfaction improves more than communication among couples in skill-based programs.
B) Improved communication skills lead to happier relationships.
C) The effects of intervention strengthen over time.
D) High-risk couples benefit more from educational programs than low-risk couples.

Question 60

Uma and Imanol work long hours and are struggling financially.They have noticed recently that their relationship satisfaction is declining.What will most likely lead to the greatest improvements in their relationship satisfaction?

A) accepting each other for who they are
B) participating in emotionally focused couples therapy
C) obtaining stable jobs and better wages
D) receiving training in effective communication

Question 61

Define assumptions,attributions,expectations,selective attention,and standards according to a cognitive-behavioral perspective,and provide an example of each.

Question 62

Describe the systems models of couples therapy and the emotionally focused models of couples therapy.In what ways are they different?

Question 63

List the three models of couples therapy discussed in the chapter,and describe the sources of relationship distress according to each perspective.

Question 64

Compare the interventions in the original behavioral couples therapy model and the interventions in the cognitive-behavioral therapy model.

Question 65

Describe the intervention "unified detachment," which is used in integrative behavioral couples therapy.

Question 66

Your friend is planning to marry next spring.She asks if it would be worthwhile for her to go to a couples enhancement and prevention workshop that focuses on skill-building.Based on what you read in the chapter,what would you tell her,and why?

Question 67

Andrew tells you that he is having many problems in his relationship,and he and his girlfriend want to start couples therapy and asks your advice about what kind of therapy he should seek.You suggest a therapist who uses a behavioral model of treatment.Describe the primary emphasis of the treatment and provide a rationale for your choice.

Question 68

You are a research scientist working for a government agency that funds social sciences research.You are setting priorities and developing guidelines for funding.Discuss reasons to support the funding of preventive interventions for couples rather than couples therapy.

Question 69

Describe the three stages emotionally focused couples therapists tend to follow.

Question 70

Compare the explanation for relationship distress with the behavioral model and the emotion-focused model.