Chapter 4 Power: The Structure of Conflict
EXAM QUESTIONS:
Chapter 4
TRUE-FALSE
MULTIPLE CHOICE:
1. Jake is always careful to arrive on time for work. He knows that his boss will dock his pay
for any missed hours. Jake’s boss what kind of power over him?
a. Interpersonal linkages
b. Resource control
c. Expertise
d. Communication skills
e. Responsibility
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2. Imagine you are looking for a new job. You know that your friend, Alicia, knows the Vice-
president of a company where you would like to work. Your text would describe Alicia’s
influence on you as
a. Interpersonal linkages.
b. Resource control
c. Expertise
d. Communication skills
e. Responsibility
3. While preparing to teach an online course, Julie regularly seeks out the assistance of Tony,
the technology support person at her university. Julie understands that Tony has vast
knowledge regarding the software and course management system she needs to use. Your
book would describe the “power currency” Tony has in this scenario as:
a. Interpersonal linkages
b. Resource control
c. Expertise
d. Communication skills
e. Responsibility
4. Which of the following is NOT an example of denying the use of power?
a. Deny that you communicated anything.
b. Deny that remember what was communicated.
c. Deny that the other person communicated anything.
d. Deny that you meant what you said.
e. Deny the situation in which it was communicated.
5. Latisha appreciates the fact that she as been trained in the art of public address because she
finds that in many situation she can employ her ____________ as a power currency.
a. Interpersonal linkages
b. Resource control
c. Expertise
d. Communication skills
e. Responsibility
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© 2014 by McGraw-Hill Education. This is proprietary material solely for authorized instructor use. Not authorized for sale or distribution in any
manner. This document may not be copied, scanned, duplicated, forwarded, distributed, or posted on a website, in whole or part.
6. The fundamental concept in conflict is
a. power.
b. persuasion.
c. compromise.
d. collaboration.
e. relationships.
7. Which of the following is the most accurate statement about power currencies?
a. Power currencies are independent of one another.
b. Individuals generally have only one or two currencies to use.
c. Developing a repertoire of currencies can help lead to the sharing and balance of
power.
d. Power currencies cannot be exchanged.
e. Exclusive reliance on one power currency is a good idea in most contexts.
8. Empowerment is most likely when
a. Communication behaviors are ineffective combined with excessive use of power.
b. Expressions of interpersonal power are sufficient and communication behaviors are
effective.
c. Communication behaviors are effective and an individual has very low interpersonal
power.
d. Expressions of interpersonal power are excessive and communication behaviors are
effective.
e. None of the above
9. Which of the following statements is NOT true of competitive power?
a. Competitive power can be useful.
b. Competition can lead to collaboration.
c. All forms of power are always in a state of change.
d. Competitive power is appropriate when protecting children.
e. People with sufficient power currencies should never use them competitively.
Hocker: Interpersonal Conflict, 9e TB-4 | 4
10. When Ken’s parents died, his sister was named as the executor of their estate. She gave all
of the “good” furniture to her kids and left only one old dresser for Ken’s kids. He was
furious with her, especially in this time of grief. Even though Ken felt “low power,” he
decided to maintain his relationship with his sister and encouraged his kids not to bring up
the issues with their cousins. Ken’s decision is an example of which of the following moves
Lerner suggests that people in low-power positions adopt:
a. Speak up and present a balanced picture of strengths as well as weaknesses.
b. Make clear what one’s beliefs, values, and priorities are, and maintain congruent
behaviors.
c. Stay emotionally connected to significant others even when things get intense.
d. State differences, and allow others to do the same.
e. All of the above
11. Which of the following is NOT an example of “metacommunication” used to balance power?
a. “Ok – so we have agreed that we will not bring up the issue of infidelity as we work
out this issue.”
b. “I am concerned that Sam is in a one-down position here since he has not been in the
company that long and people may not pay attention to his ideas.”
c. “You sure act like you are the most important person on the face of the planet.”
d. “When you call in your friends to testify on your behalf, I really feel like I have been
ganged up on.”
e. “If your pals Suzy and Sarah are going to be at the party I’d like to bring one of my
other friends too just to make sure I have someone to talk with.”
12. Which of the following is NOT likely to balance the power in a conflict?
a. Validating or acknowledging the other
b. Announcing all intended escalation
c. Asking the higher power person what they need
d. Expressing optimism
e. Using I statements
1. Differentiate between distributive and integrative power.
2. List, define, and provide examples of the RICE power currencies in interpersonal
relationships.
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© 2014 by McGraw-Hill Education. This is proprietary material solely for authorized instructor use. Not authorized for sale or distribution in any
manner. This document may not be copied, scanned, duplicated, forwarded, distributed, or posted on a website, in whole or part.
3. Discuss productive “low–power” strategies.
4. What does it man to say that “power is relational?” Provide specific examples to support
5. Hocker and Wilmot identify a “power paradox;” that is, the more you struggle against
someone the less power you will have over her/him. Make an argument in support of or
6. Hocker and Wilmot contend that the person least invested in an intimate relationship has
the most power. Do you agree or disagree? Explain, using specific examples to support
your view. Finally, discuss the impact that imbalanced power could have on an intimate
7. When people feel low power, they often engage in very high power moves. Describe