Question 1

The integration-separation dialectic often surfaces when a child leaves home for college.

Accepted Answer

The integration-separation dialectic is a common theme in psychology and family dynamics, and it often surfaces during major life transitions, such as when a child leaves home for college. This is a time when the child may be striving for greater independence and autonomy, while also seeking to maintain close connections with their family and familiar support systems. The process of balancing these competing needs and desires can be challenging and complex, and may involve negotiating new forms of communication, setting boundaries, and adapting to new roles and expectations.

Question 2

Passive, nonassertive communicators usually display all of the following characteristics except:
A) they are reluctant to express opinions.
B) they fear criticism from others.
C) they feel a greater sense of power.
D) they may experience high levels of communication apprehension.
E) they are often dissatisfied with the outcome of communication experiences.

Accepted Answer

Passive, nonassertive communicators typically feel powerless in communication situations, rather than a greater sense of power.

Question 3

If, according to Relational Dialectics Theory, you try to balance conflicting desires to be open and honest with another person, while also protecting your privacy, you are negotiating the stability-change dialectic.

Accepted Answer

You are negotiating the openness-closeness dialectic, not the stability-change dialectic. The openness-closeness dialectic involves managing the tension between wanting to share personal information (being open) and wanting to keep some information private (being closed).

Question 4

Argumentativeness refers to your
A) ability to think critically when arguing with others.
B) willingness to debate controversial issues with others.
C) readiness to accept the will of the majority in a discussion.
D) ability to construct valid arguments based on strong evidence.
E) willingness put aside your own needs in light of what others want.

Accepted Answer

Argumentativeness refers to the willingness to debate controversial issues with others. It does not necessarily imply critical thinking or acceptance of majority will, and while constructing valid arguments is a component of argumentativeness, it is not the primary definition. Putting aside one's own needs is also unrelated to argumentativeness.

Question 5

Which step in the DESC strategy for becoming more assertive is characterized in the following example? Explain what you want to happen while taking into account whether the other person can do what you request.
A) describe
B) express
C) specify
D) consequences
E) none of the above

Accepted Answer

The step characterized in the example is 'specify'. In this step, you explain what you want to happen while taking into account whether the other person can do what you request.

Question 6

Relational Dialectics Theory identifies three major dialectics in close personal relationships: description versus evaluation, certainty versus provisionalism, and empathy versus neutrality.

Accepted Answer

Relational Dialectics Theory identifies three major dialectics as autonomy versus connection, openness versus closedness, and predictability versus novelty, not the ones listed.

Question 7

Shelley wanted to go to a fancy restaurant for her anniversary but her husband forgot about it. She was angry about his forgetfulness. Her anger is representative of which truth about anger?
A) Anger is a human instinct.
B) Anger is always helpful.
C) Anger is caused by others.
D) Anger is a response to unmet expectations.
E) Anger is best expressed by venting and letting off steam.

Accepted Answer

Shelley's anger is a response to her husband forgetting about their anniversary dinner, which was an unmet expectation. This aligns with the truth that anger is often a response to unmet expectations. None of the other options are applicable in this scenario.

Question 8

Mark agrees to take notes during an important meeting at which he disagrees with many of the group's decisions. The group asks him to bring copies of the notes to the next meeting so that everyone has a written record of the proceeding. At the next meeting, Mark is absent. At the following meeting, he tells everyone that he's still working on the notes. What sort of behavior does Mark exhibit?
A) assertiveness
B) passivity
C) aggression
D) passive-aggressive
E) passive-assertiveness

Accepted Answer

Mark is exhibiting passive-aggressive behavior by agreeing to take notes but not following through with providing them in a timely manner and making excuses for not doing so. He is indirectly expressing his disagreement with the group's decisions.

Question 9

The common folk sayings "opposites attract" and "birds of a feather flock together" illustrate beliefs about the contradictory nature of personal relationships.

Accepted Answer

The two common folk sayings suggest opposite beliefs about personal relationships. "Opposites attract" suggests that people with opposite characteristics or personalities are drawn to each other, while "birds of a feather flock together" suggests that people with similar characteristics or personalities tend to associate with each other.

Question 10

A study of email conflict resolution by Kathleen Valley found that
A) we are more likely to resolve conflict online than in face-to-face situations.
B) e-mail negotiations are less likely to degenerate into unpleasant exchanges than face-to-face negotiation.
C) people are more willing to lie on e-mail.
D) people are more willing to say what they really believe in e-mail messages.
E) e-mail users are more flexible and more willing to resolve conflicts.

Accepted Answer

The study found that e-mail negotiations are less likely to degenerate into unpleasant exchanges than face-to-face negotiation, indicating that e-mail can be a more effective tool for conflict resolution in some situations. The study did not support the other options, which suggest that people are more likely to lie or be more flexible when communicating by e-mail.

Question 11

What is the correct order of steps in the six-step model of conflict resolution?
A) initiation, preparation, consideration, confrontation, reevaluation, resolution
B) reevaluation, resolution, consideration, confrontation, preparation, initiation
C) confrontation, consideration, initiation, preparation, resolution, reevaluation
D) consideration, preparation, initiation, reevaluation, confrontation, resolution
E) preparation, initiation, confrontation, consideration, resolution, reevaluation

Accepted Answer

The six-step model of conflict resolution typically follows a logical progression from preparing for the conflict resolution process (preparation), starting the process (initiation), directly addressing the conflict (confrontation), thinking about the conflict and its potential solutions (consideration), finding a solution to the conflict (resolution), and finally reflecting on the resolution process and its outcomes (reevaluation). This order ensures a structured approach to resolving conflicts, starting with preparation and ending with reflection on the process.

Question 12

Relational Dialectics Theory recommends that best friends, romantic partners, and close family members should share all of their deepest feelings and most private secrets with one another.

Accepted Answer

Relational Dialectics Theory recognizes that individuals have different desires for openness and privacy, so it does not recommend complete disclosure of all feelings and secrets to close others. Instead, it suggests finding a balance between the desire for openness and the need for privacy in order to maintain healthy relationships.

Question 13

All of the following characteristics describe the benefits of assertiveness except:
A) winning more arguments
B) expressing your feelings appropriately
C) speaking up for your rights when appropriate
D) expressing disagreement on important issues
E) asking others to change their inappropriate or offensive behavior

Accepted Answer

Winning more arguments is not one of the benefits of assertiveness. Assertiveness is about expressing yourself honestly and appropriately, speaking up for your rights, and communicating effectively with others. It is not about winning or beating others in arguments.

Question 14

Which step in the six-step model of conflict resolution involves talking to the other person about the conflict and the need to resolve it?
A) confrontation
B) consideration
C) initiation
D) preparation
E) resolution

Accepted Answer

Confrontation is the step in the six-step model of conflict resolution where the parties involved talk about the conflict and express the need to resolve it. This step is crucial for openly discussing the issues at hand.

Question 15

Rather than taking an "either/or" response to an interpersonal problem, Relational Dialectics Theory recommends a "both/and" approach.

Accepted Answer

Relational Dialectics Theory suggests that we should acknowledge and accept the different tensions and contradictions present in a relationship, rather than trying to resolve them in a simplistic "either/or" manner. Therefore, a "both/and" approach is recommended.

Question 16

If you're angry at someone, it's best to avoid which of the following strategies for responding to the other person?
A) Acknowledge the other person's feelings of anger.
B) Identify the issue or behavior that is the source of the anger.
C) Explain why the other person is the cause of the problem.
D) Assess the intensity of the anger and the importance of the issue.
E) Make a positive statement about the relationship.

Accepted Answer

Explaining why the other person is the cause of the problem can come across as blaming and escalate the situation. It's better to focus on the behavior or issue at hand rather than pointing fingers.

Question 17

Morgan is tired of fighting with her boyfriend all of the time, so she decides to give in to his demands for her to take few classes so that she can spend more time with him. Morgan's decision best represents what type of behavior?
A) assertive
B) passive
C) aggressive
D) passive-aggressive
E) passive-assertive

Accepted Answer

Morgan is giving in to her boyfriend's demands even though it may not be her own choice, which is a characteristic of passive behavior.

Question 18

If a colleague overlooks the fact that his best friend at work is always late, but criticizes you for arriving five minutes late to a staff meeting, which principle of interpersonal ethics has he violated?
A) the Golden Rule
B) the Platinum Rule
C) the Principle of Generalizability
D) the Test of Publicity
E) the Principle of Caring

Accepted Answer

The colleague violated the Principle of Generalizability, which states that similar situations should be treated in a similar way. If the colleague overlooks his friend's lateness but criticizes the other person, he is not applying the same standards to similar situations.

Question 19

The psychological concept of attitude represents the style in which we interact with the world around us, and particularly with other people.

Accepted Answer

Attitude refers to a person's feelings, beliefs, and behavior predispositions toward an object, person, thing, or event, rather than the style of interaction.

Question 20

If, according to Relational Dialectics Theory, you are negotiating the integration-separation dialectic, you are seeking a desire for both connection and independence.

Accepted Answer

The integration-separation dialectic involves balancing the desire for connection and autonomy. According to Relational Dialectics Theory, relationships are characterized by ongoing tensions and contradictions, including the dialectic of integration-separation. This dialectic involves tension between the desire for connection and the desire for independence, and negotiating this tension is essential for healthy relationships.

Quiz 8: Improving Interpersonal Communication

The integration-separation dialectic often surfaces when a child leaves home for college.

Passive, nonassertive communicators usually display all of the following characteristics except:

If, according to Relational Dialectics Theory, you try to balance conflicting desires to be open and honest with another person, while also protecting your privacy, you are negotiating the stability-change dialectic.

Argumentativeness refers to your

Which step in the DESC strategy for becoming more assertive is characterized in the following example? Explain what you want to happen while taking into account whether the other person can do what you request.

Relational Dialectics Theory identifies three major dialectics in close personal relationships: description versus evaluation, certainty versus provisionalism, and empathy versus neutrality.

Shelley wanted to go to a fancy restaurant for her anniversary but her husband forgot about it. She was angry about his forgetfulness. Her anger is representative of which truth about anger?

The common folk sayings "opposites attract" and "birds of a feather flock together" illustrate beliefs about the contradictory nature of personal relationships.

A study of email conflict resolution by Kathleen Valley found that

What is the correct order of steps in the six-step model of conflict resolution?

Relational Dialectics Theory recommends that best friends, romantic partners, and close family members should share all of their deepest feelings and most private secrets with one another.

All of the following characteristics describe the benefits of assertiveness except:

Which step in the six-step model of conflict resolution involves talking to the other person about the conflict and the need to resolve it?

Rather than taking an "either/or" response to an interpersonal problem, Relational Dialectics Theory recommends a "both/and" approach.

If you're angry at someone, it's best to avoid which of the following strategies for responding to the other person?

Morgan is tired of fighting with her boyfriend all of the time, so she decides to give in to his demands for her to take few classes so that she can spend more time with him. Morgan's decision best represents what type of behavior?

If a colleague overlooks the fact that his best friend at work is always late, but criticizes you for arriving five minutes late to a staff meeting, which principle of interpersonal ethics has he violated?

The psychological concept of attitude represents the style in which we interact with the world around us, and particularly with other people.

If, according to Relational Dialectics Theory, you are negotiating the integration-separation dialectic, you are seeking a desire for both connection and independence.