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Page 1
1.
In your own words, define an interpersonal relationship.
2.
How would you define interpersonal communication?
3.
List and describe three of the six important characteristics of friendship identified in
your textbook.
4.
What is the difference between a friendship and a social relationship?
5.
Briefly describe the difference between love and intimacy.
6.
List and define four of the six types of love.
7.
Which type of love do you believe is most important in a romantic relationship and
why?
8.
Describe one way in which online relationships are different from face-to-face
relationships.
9.
What are the three issues discussed in the textbook that influence our choice of whether
or not another person is attractive to us as a relational partner?
10.
Provide an example from your personal experience to illustrate how forming an
interpersonal relationship has helped you to achieve a goal.
11.
List and describe the three basic needs that motivate human beings to form and maintain
interpersonal relationships.
12.
Provide an example of an extrinsic, an instrumental, and an intrinsic reward that may
influence the development of a relationship.
13.
Provide an example of a cost you experience in one of your current interpersonal
relationships, whether it is a friendship, a romantic relationship, or a family relationship.
Page 2
14.
We can reduce our uncertainty in a relationship by using ___________strategies that
involve us observing other people as they go about their business and communicate with
others; __________ strategies that involve asking a third party questions in order to gain
information more directly; and _________ strategies that enable us to get information
from a partner by directly asking for it.
15.
List and define the three dialectical tensions we experience in our relationships.
16.
Briefly describe two communication behaviors that might indicate a couple has reached
the intensification stage.
17.
Define bonding as it is discussed as a part of the stable stage of relationship
development, and provide an example of how you have communicated bonding with
one of your friends or with a romantic partner.
18.
In your own words, distinguish between the two general ways in which relationships
terminate: passing away and sudden death.
19.
List and describe three tactics that can help a couple that has terminated their
relationship to reconcile.
20.
How does developing and maintaining strong interpersonal relationships enhance the
quality of our lives?
21.
In what ways are online relationships similar to and different from face-to-face
relationships? Considering what you have learned about both hyperpersonal
communication as well as the importance of self-disclosure, what recommendations do
you have for people who are engaging in online communication to ensure they develop
the healthy relationships they desire?
Page 3
22.
Describe the elements of interpersonal attraction that influence our decision whether or
not to develop an interpersonal relationship with another person. How have
communication technologies and mobility changed the way these elements function?
Reflecting on what you've learned about intergroup contact theory, why might we say it
is a good thing that these changes have taken place? Provide a narrative example to
illustrate how these factors influenced your choice to form one of your close friendships
or romantic relationships.
23.
How do the partners in a relationship use communication to reduce uncertainty? Use
one of your own experiences or a hypothetical narrative example to illustrate how one or
both partners would use specific communication strategies to reduce their level of
uncertainty.
24.
Explain the challenge that the three dialectical tensions discussed in the textbook present
within an interpersonal relationship. Provide a real example from your own observation
to illustrate the strain of each dialectical tension, and offer suggestions for what the
couple could do to resolve the challenge.
25.
What role does self-disclosure play in the development and maintenance of an
interpersonal relationship? Discuss the ways that inappropriate disclosure might hinder
the relationship as well as how appropriate disclosure enhances the relationship.
26.
Using one of your own terminated or reconciled relationships—either a friendship or a
romantic relationship—discuss its progression through the stages of relationship
development from initiation through termination. Provide specific examples to illustrate
the types of interpersonal communication that were common in each stage.
27.
You have learned that while effective communication can enhance relationships,
ineffective or inappropriate communication can hinder or even destroy a relationship.
Synthesizing what you have learned from this chapter and others, provide advice about
what relational partners should and should not do in each stage of relationship
development, from initiation through the declining stage.
28.
Lilly and her significant other have been having trouble lately. She had hoped that they
were just going through a rough patch, but now she's starting to wonder if their
relationship is, indeed, in serious decline. What tactics can Lilly use to repair her
relationship? Make sure to explain each strategy and provide concrete examples to
illustrate your ideas.
Page 4
29.
One of your friends has recently dissolved her marriage. Your friend and her spouse
have one child, and your friend sincerely hopes that the two of them can repair the
relationship. Synthesizing what you have learned throughout this chapter, what would
you explain to your friend to help her understand the role communication might play in
the redefining and repairing of her relationship? Considering that your friend has a
child, what additional advice might you have for her?
Page 5
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