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Chapter 1 The Nature of Conflict
Hocker: Interpersonal Conflict, 10e TB-1 | 1
EXAM QUESTIONS:
Chapter 1
True/False
Multiple Choice Questions
1. Which of the following is not an essential feature of Hocker and Wilmot’s definition of
interpersonal conflict?
a. An expressed struggle
b. Independence
c. Perceived incompatible goals
d. Perceived scarce resources
e. Interference
Chapter 1 The Nature of Conflict
Hocker: Interpersonal Conflict, 10e TB-1 | 2
2. Terry and Pat have been in a committed romantic relationship for five years. Increased conflict
has characterized their relationship recently. Both have become less invested in the
relationship and have sought out others to fulfill some of their needs for affection, inclusion,
and control. They don’t rely on each other much or expect much from each other. The
couple’s choices reflect which of the five features that contribute to destructive conflict?
a. Escalatory spirals
b. Avoidance spirals
c. Retaliation
d. Inflexibility and rigidity
e. A competitive system of domination and submission
3. Suki and Laura are best friends. Laura feels betrayed because Suki is so caught up in her
relationship with her new boyfriend that she doesn’t appear to have time for Laura. In this
instance, the conflict is fueled by:
a. interdependence.
b. perceived incompatible goals.
c. low self-esteem.
d. avoidance of the issues.
e. perceived scarce resources.
4. Which of the following is one of the basic dynamics of all avoidance spirals?
a. Refraining from complaining to third persons about the other party
b. Increasing one’s dependence on another person
c. Interacting more directly with another person
d. Harboring of resentment or disappointment
e. Avoiding the other party passively
5. Defensive climates, rather than supportive climates, are created when people use:
a. strategy rather than spontaneity.
b. empathy rather than neutrality.
c. description rather than evaluation.
d. provisionalism rather than certainty.
e. equality rather than superiority.
Chapter 1 The Nature of Conflict
Hocker: Interpersonal Conflict, 10e TB-1 | 3
6. According to your text, _____ criticize more than _____.
a. adults; children
b. men; women
c. women; men
d. students; teachers
e. friends; romantic partners
7. Hocker and Wilmot discuss several benefits of learning effective skills in conflict. Which of
the following is one of those benefits?
a. You can learn to always get what you want.
b. You will finally learn how to avoid all conflicts.
c. People around you will benefit from your improved skills.
d. You can improve your relationships.
e. People around you will benefit from your improved skills, and you can improve your
relationships.
8. If you are upset with your roommate and you show it by playing your stereo loud enough to be
annoying, the authors of your text would say you are demonstrating which of the following
dimensions of conflict?
a. Expressed struggle
b. Perceived incompatible goals
c. Perceived interference
d. Interdependence
e. All of the answers are correct.
9. Most expressed struggles are activated by:
a. internal stress.
b. ambivalence.
c. conflicting internal dialogues.
d. a triggering event.
e. apathy.
Chapter 1 The Nature of Conflict
Hocker: Interpersonal Conflict, 10e TB-1 | 4
10. Adam was taking a public speaking class and was angry with his instructor. All of his friends
were getting good grades except him, but they all told him that he made the best
presentations. The instructor’s evaluations of his presentations all stated that his presentations
were amusing. Adam asked his instructor why all his classmates, most of whom happen to be
females, were getting better grades than he was. Adam thought he was learning to be a better
speaker and that the instructor was biased toward females, being one herself. However,
Adam did not realize that there were other males as well in the class who were getting good
grades. This conflict escalated because of:
a. incompatible goals.
b. scarce resources.
c. the perception of interference.
d. an expressed struggle.
e. None of the answers is correct.
Short-Answer/Essay Questions
1. Describe a time when you experienced a conflict that was in some way beneficial. Which of
the benefits discussed in the text did you experience? If it was beneficial in some other
way, describe how.
2. Provide an overview of the nature of spirals that occur in ongoing conflicts. Discuss how a
spiral can be altered. Be sure to use a specific example to make your point.
3. What are the five features that contribute to destructive conflicts?
4. How can you express the struggle in a conflict without doing so verbally? Give a specific
example of a conflict that is expressed without words.
5. Why do we need to study conflict? What role does prevention play? Is prevention the same as
avoidance? Explain.
6. Discuss three ways in which negative parental conflict affects children in their family of
origin.
7. Research suggests that it is not primarily a question of whether parents divorce or not that
affects the children; rather, it is the level of conflict present in either the intact family or
the restructured family that impacts the children. Do you agree or disagree? Explain.
