Question 1

Telling someone "You can count on me" will usually guarantee loyalty because it's a measure of surefire commitment.

Accepted Answer

Saying "You can count on me" is an expression of willingness to support or be reliable to someone, but it does not guarantee loyalty as loyalty is built over time through consistent actions, trust, and mutual respect.

Question 2

Research shows that transgressors who have been forgiven are less likely to repeat their offenses than those who have not received forgiveness.

Accepted Answer

Studies have shown that forgiveness can lead to reduced anger, resentment, and desire for revenge, which in turn can decrease the likelihood of a transgressor repeating their offense. Additionally, forgiveness may foster positive feelings and a sense of gratefulness in the transgressor, which could motivate them to make amends or change their behavior.

Question 3

Physical intimacy is obviously the best type of relational intimacy.

Accepted Answer

The best type of relational intimacy can vary from person to person and relationship to relationship. Some individuals and couples may value emotional intimacy or intellectual intimacy more than physical intimacy. It ultimately depends on the individuals involved and their personal preferences and needs.

Question 4

Because men share less personal information and feelings than women, they are not capable of achieving the type of intimate relationships that women have.

Accepted Answer

This statement is a common stereotype that has been proven to be false. Men are just as capable of achieving intimate relationships as women, and their communication styles and emotional expression may differ but they are not a hindrance to forming intimate relationships.

Question 5

Managing your privacy settings on social network sites could have an impact on intimacy in cyber-relationships.

Accepted Answer

By managing your privacy settings on social network sites, you may limit the information that your partner can access about you, which could affect the level of intimacy in your cyber-relationship.

Question 6

Commitment is only important in some types of interpersonal relationships.

Accepted Answer

Commitment is a fundamental aspect of all types of interpersonal relationships, as it helps build trust, stability, and mutual understanding.

Question 7

By definition, an intimate relationship must exhibit all four intimacy dimensions.

Accepted Answer

An intimate relationship does not necessarily have to exhibit all four intimacy dimensions (emotional, physical, intellectual, and spiritual). Some relationships may prioritize certain dimensions over others or may not have all dimensions present.

Question 8

While workplace romances can be messy, some research has shown that 34 percent of people who said they dated a coworker ended up marrying that person.

Accepted Answer

This statement is true, as per the research mentioned in the statement.

Question 9

Intimacy can come from intellectual sharing.

Accepted Answer

Intimacy involves emotional closeness and connection, which can be facilitated through intellectual sharing and deep conversations.

Question 10

Focusing on having intimate communication daily will lead to extremely satisfying relationships.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Focusing on having intimate communication daily will...

Question 11

Expressing regret can be more important in repairing a relational transgression than saying "I'm sorry."

Accepted Answer

Expressing regret involves acknowledging the hurt or harm caused by one's actions and expressing genuine sorrow and remorse. This can be more effective in repairing a relational transgression because it demonstrates a deeper level of empathy and understanding of the other person's experience. Saying "I'm sorry" can sometimes feel shallow or insincere if not accompanied by genuine regret and a commitment to making amends.

Question 12

One researcher concluded that close relationships "may be the single most important source of life satisfaction and emotional well-being, across different ages and cultures."

Accepted Answer

This statement is supported by research on the importance of close relationships for life satisfaction and emotional well-being.

Question 13

Some studies show that relational intimacy may develop more quickly through computer-mediated communication than face-to-face.

Accepted Answer

Some studies have shown that people feel more comfortable and open when communicating through digital channels, which can lead to a quicker development of intimacy than face-to-face interactions. This is due to factors like increased anonymity, reduced pressure, and the ability to carefully craft messages. However, it is important to note that this is not always the case and individual experiences may vary.

Question 14

Intimacy is closely linked to life satisfaction.

Accepted Answer

Many studies have shown that intimacy and close relationships are one of the strongest predictors of life satisfaction.

Question 15

Recent research has shown that men achieve intimacy through shared activities.

Accepted Answer

According to recent research, men tend to achieve intimacy through shared activities rather than sharing personal thoughts or feelings. This is known as the "shoulder-to-shoulder" method of building closeness.

Question 16

IM-ing, blogging, and Facebooking do not enhance intimacy in interpersonal relationships.

Accepted Answer

These activities can enhance intimacy by facilitating communication and connection, though the quality of interaction depends on how they are used.

Question 17

It is quite possible to have a wide range of relationships with coworkers, roommates, and even family members without having much intimacy at all.

Accepted Answer

It is possible to have professional or cordial relationships with coworkers, practical relationships with roommates, and familial relationships that lack emotional intimacy.

Question 18

Male-male relationships involve less disclosure than male-female relationships.

Accepted Answer

Studies have shown that men generally engage in less self-disclosure and emotional expression in both same-sex and opposite-sex friendships compared to women. However, the degree of disclosure can vary depending on the individuals and the nature of their relationships.

Question 19

Emotional expression is the only way to develop close relationships.

Accepted Answer

While emotional expression is important for building and maintaining close relationships, it is not the only way. Other factors such as shared experiences, mutual interests, and consistent communication also play a role. Furthermore, not everyone expresses their emotions in the same way, and some people may struggle with emotional expression despite having close relationships.

Question 20

Because cultures like Japan and Taiwan are collectivist, people there communicate the same with members of "in-groups" and "out-groups" alike.

Accepted Answer

In collectivist cultures like Japan and Taiwan, communication may differ depending on whether the person is a member of the "in-group" or "out-group". Those in the "in-group" may receive more direct and explicit communication while those in the "out-group" may receive more indirect and implicit communication.

Quiz 9: Communication in Close Relationships