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1. Which of the following is NOT part of social penetration theory?
A) intermediate layer
B) outermost layer
C) depth
D) positivity
E) breadth
2. Which of the following is characteristic of how self-disclosure can create intimacy?
A) Only one partner must disclose.
B) Self-disclose intimate information even if it is peculiar.
C) Don’t respond to self-disclosure.
D) More self-disclosure is always better.
E) Both partners must disclose.
3. Self-disclosure
A) results in greater mental health and reduction of stress.
B) occurs more online than face-to-face.
C) studies suggest men are more likely to disclose to women.
D) is most common among Euro-Americans who disclose more than other ethnicities.
E) all of the options are correct.
4. The authors suggest several ways in which we can enhance our self-disclosure skills.
Which of the following was NOT recommended?
A) remember that women are more comfortable disclosing than men
B) be sensitive to cultural differences regarding self-disclosure
C) don’t force others to self-disclose
D) actively listen and express empathy when others disclose to you
E) be sure to communicate true thoughts and feelings
5. Which of the following accurately describes the use of self-disclosure?
A) Men disclose more than women.
B) Women disclose more than men.
C) Women are more likely to be recipients of self-disclosure.
D) Hispanics disclose more than Euro-Americans.
E) None of the options are correct.
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6. If you and your friend talk about many different topics in great detail, your
self-disclosure has
A) minimal breadth and depth.
B) deep breadth and depth.
C) a high degree of breadth but low depth.
D) a deep level of depth but shallow breadth.
E) none of the options are correct.
7. What level of self-disclosure fosters the most intimacy?
A) high degree of breadth but low depth
B) deep level of depth but shallow breadth
C) minimal breadth and depth
D) deep breadth and depth
E) none of the options are correct
8. The use of self-disclosure in online interaction suggests
A) we discuss more online.
B) we discuss less online.
C) they seem less intimate.
D) it is easy to perceive responses.
E) none of the options are correct.
9. If your friend discloses that his girlfriend just broke up with him, what would be an
appropriate response?
A) offer advice
B) tell him that is nothing compared to your breakup
C) tell him she was a loser anyway
D) remind him that you predicted the relational demise
E) express empathy and use people-oriented listening
10. Brian feels the need for excitement and spontaneity in his relationship with Elena yet
sometimes he wants stability. He is illustrating which dialectic in their relationship?
A) connection versus autonomy
B) openness versus protection
C) novelty versus predictability
D) stability versus change
E) none of the options are correct
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11. Shelby craves tradition. Each Christmas Eve she and her family go to Midnight Mass,
come home, eat a pork dinner, and then each family member opens one present. They open the
remainder of their presents on Christmas morning. These Christmas traditions exemplify which
relational dialectic?
A) predictability
B) novelty
C) connection
D) autonomy
E) openness
12. What is the formation of information boundaries that allows individuals to monitor and
control what they disclose and who they share it with called?
A) intimacy
B) social penetration theory
C) communication privacy management theory
D) relational dialectics
E) openness versus protection
13. Selena likes to disclose her personal feelings and attitudes with her girlfriend Leona;
also, she likes to be the recipient of such disclosures. However, Leona prefers to keep things to
herself. What dialectic is most important for Selena?
A) stability
B) openness
C) protection
D) novelty
E) autonomy
14. Bill was raised in a family where communication was devalued. Sensitive topics and
issues were not talked about and, instead, only safe topics such as the weather and current events
were discussed. Bill’s family could be described as having a focus on which relational dialectic?
A) openness
B) stability
C) privacy
D) protection
E) autonomy
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15. Liam and Emma have decided that past relationships are a taboo topic and one that is not
to be discussed in their relationship. What are they illustrating?
A) protection
B) communication privacy management theory
C) communication rules
D) openness
E) autonomy
16. If your workplace has a formal, impersonal workplace culture and communication style,
preferring memos and e-mails over face-to-face or texting, what relational dialectic is it
demonstrating?
A) autonomy
B) communication privacy management theory
C) communication rules
D) protection
E) openness
17. Sophia prefers her alone time and doing activities without her partner Ethan, while he
prefers to do everything with her. What relational dialectical is challenging their relationship?
A) communication privacy management theory
B) communication rules
C) novelty versus predictability
D) openness versus protection
E) autonomy versus connection
18. Which of the following is true about the relationship between the relational dialectic of
novelty versus predictability?
A) Relational partners want to increase uncertainty.
B) Relational partners want to decrease uncertainty.
C) Relational partners crave boredom.
D) Relational partners should avoid new, interesting experiences.
E) Relational partners need not be concerned with this dialectic.
19. Relational dialectics can impact our relationships because
A) they naturally occur in our interpersonal relationships.
B) they must be managed.
C) tensions occur in our interpersonal relationships.
D) they are only bad if not dealt with.
E) all of the options are correct.
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20. When Jack offers his partner compliments including, “You look really nice in that suit,”
what relational maintenance strategy is he using?
A) self-disclosure
B) positivity
C) intimacy
D) assurances
E) openness
21. Which of the following is not an important strategy for maintaining healthy
relationships, as suggested by your text?
A) positivity
B) protection
C) openness
D) assurances
E) all of the options are correct
22. Which of the following relational dialectics poses the most significant challenge for
romantic relational partners?
A) novelty vs. predictability
B) autonomy vs. connection
C) openness vs. protection
D) intimacy vs. separation
E) all of the options are correct
23. Your younger sister struggles with the desire to spend time with her friends, yet feels
pressured to spend time with family. What dialectic tension is she experiencing?
A) novelty vs. predictability
B) autonomy vs. connection
C) openness vs. protection
D) family vs. friends
E) none of the options are correct
24. Carlos and Jazmin often speak to one another about future plans, events, and holidays.
What relational maintenance strategy are they illustrating?
A) self-disclosure
B) intimacy
C) positivity
D) assurances
E) supportive communication
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25. Mark’s sister Lily recently disclosed to him that she is involved in a same-sex
relationship. Mark feels pressured between his need to maintain his sister’s confidence yet also
feels the need to disclose this information to his parents. What dialectic tension is Mark
experiencing?
A) novelty vs. predictability
B) autonomy vs. connection
C) openness vs. protection
D) family vs. friends
E) none of the options are correct
26. Self-disclosure is most effectively used as a relational maintenance strategy when you
A) put down your partner’s disclosure.
B) disclose your self and encourage disclosure from your partner.
C) hide important information from your partner.
D) betray your partner by sharing his or her confidential disclosures.
E) avoid it at all costs.
27. Which of the following messages is an example of supportive communication?
A) blaming your partner
B) mocking your partner’s need for support
C) telling your partner how he or she should feel
D) asking your partner open-ended questions
E) making your partner feel inadequate
28. All of the following are suggestions for providing effective supportive communication
EXCEPT
A) make sure your partner is ready to talk.
B) give advice.
C) find the right place and time.
D) ask good questions.
E) legitimize; don’t minimize.
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Answer Key