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Indicate the answer choice that best completes the statement or answers the question.
1. The degree to which family members believe that open and frequent communication is essential for
maintaining family bonds is called:
a.
family rituals.
b.
conversation orientation.
c.
conformity orientation.
d.
family privacy rules.
2. Which answer does NOT describe parental favoritism?
a.
openly displaying more pride in the accomplishments of one child than in those of others
b.
doing more favors for one child than for others
c.
listening to and respecting the opinions of one child more than those of others
d.
allocating resources and affection equitably
3. Which of the following age groups tends to have the hardest time transitioning into a stepfamily?
a.
adolescents
b.
preadolescents
c.
young adults
d.
children
4. According to the textbook, e-mail is still the dominant form of electronic communication families use to stay
in touch with one another.
a.
True
b.
False
5. Eva’s brother does poorly in school and has had a few brushes with the police. Her parents have punished
Ryan for his actions. He always complains that their parents love her more than him. What should she do to
improve their relationship and support him?
a.
explain what he is doing wrong
b.
look for opportunities to “balance things out” through acts of generosity and support
c.
avoid conflict whenever possible
d.
be patient
6. Families that are low in both conversation and conformity are considered laissez-faire families.
a.
True
b.
False
7. Studies suggest that children in stepfamilies have more frequent behavioral problems, more turbulent
relationships, and lower self-esteem than children in first-marriage families.
a.
True
b.
False
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8. Each Christmas Eve, Madison and her stepfamily go to midnight mass, eat a homemade dinner featuring pork
loin, and open one present each. Their Christmas traditions are an example of:
a.
stepfamily rituals.
b.
conversation orientation.
c.
family orientation.
d.
consensual families.
9. Monique’s family is upset because she wants to skip her niece’s christening in order to attend her boyfriend’s
graduation. “Family comes first,” her parents say. Monique’s family could be described as having:
a.
low conformity orientation.
b.
high conformity orientation.
c.
high conversation orientation.
d.
high fluidity.
10. Scott and Mark have the same dad; however, they have different moms. What type of family do they likely
have?
a.
nuclear
b.
extended
c.
stepfamily
d.
single-parent
11. Parental favoritism is never the fault of the favored child.
a.
True
b.
False
12. Which of these is NOT a type of voluntary kin family?
a.
supplemental family
b.
substitute family
c.
cohabiting family
d.
convenience family
13. Families that are high in both conversation and conformity orientation are called:
a.
protective families.
b.
laissez-faire families.
c.
consensual families.
d.
pluralistic families.
14. Family privacy rules govern not only what family members can discuss but also how they can discuss
various topics.
a.
True
b.
False
15. One way stepfamilies can help ease the transition to their new family is to create stepfamily rituals, or
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events and activities that are shared among stepfamily members.
a.
True
b.
False
16. Hakim, Joseph, and Wayne have been roommates and friends for two years. Hakim is considering proposing
to his girlfriend and marrying within a year. His current living situation is an example of what family type?
a.
substitute family
b.
convenience family
c.
extended family
d.
supplemental family
17. Children who grow up with interparental conflict often experience a chronic sense of instability and a deep-
seated sense of emotional insecurity that affect their own intimate relationships years later.
a.
True
b.
False
18. One enduring effect of parental favoritism is that favored children are more likely than their siblings to be
professionally successful as adults; additionally, siblings from households in which favoritism occurred
demonstrate less warmth and more hostility toward one another than those who grew up in equitable families.
a.
True
b.
False
19. Families who are low in both conversation and conformity are:
a.
laissez-faire families.
b.
protective families.
c.
pluralistic families.
d.
consensual families.
20. Siblings Nadia and Shila live with their biological parents. What family type do they likely have?
a.
nuclear
b.
extended
c.
stepfamily
d.
single-parent
21. Which of these is NOT a method to improve family communication using technology?
a.
send an e-mail to a family member with whom you’ve been out of touch
b.
offer congratulations via text message or e-mail
c.
post a message on Facebook to settle an important argument
d.
post a supportive response to a family member
22. Which of these statements is true of families?
a.
Families experience intensely emotional bonds.
b.
Families use interpersonal communication to define boundaries.
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c.
Families share a common history.
d.
All of the options are correct.
23. What can be done to facilitate the transition into a stepfamily?
a.
practice daily maintenance such as sharing stories
b.
create stepfamily rituals
c.
avoid triangulation
d.
All of the options are correct.
24. Although Shannon enjoys being with her family, she purposely keeps her life at college a secret. What
family maintenance strategy could Shannon improve upon?
a.
communication
b.
assurances
c.
positivity
d.
self-disclosure
25. Your parents’ constant arguing continually affects your moods and emotions. Which of the following might
explain why?
a.
spillover hypothesis
b.
interparental conflict
c.
parental favoritism
d.
parental choice
26. According to the textbook, three of the most difficult challenges families can face are transitioning to a
stepfamily, parental favoritism, and interparental conflict.
a.
True
b.
False
27. Adolescents tend to have less difficulty transitioning into a stepfamily than do preadolescents or young
adults.
a.
True
b.
False
28. Which of the following is a common form of triangulation in stepfamilies?
a.
children feeling caught between their custodial and noncustodial parents
b.
stepparents feeling caught between their former spouses and their new spouses
c.
stepchildren feeling less loved than biological children
d.
stepsiblings feeling caught between one another
29. If your parents enjoy telling you and your sister about how they met at college, they are sharing what kind
of family story?
a.
kinship story
b.
survival story
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c.
courtship story
d.
birth story
30. Families who believe that “children should be seen and not heard” can be described as:
a.
protective families.
b.
laissez-faire families.
c.
consensual families.
d.
pluralistic families.
31. Families may come in which of these forms?
a.
nuclear family
b.
extended family
c.
stepfamily
d.
All of the options are correct.
32. More than half of children born throughout the twenty-first century will grow up in stepfamilies.
a.
True
b.
False
33. Balancing autonomy and connection in families is especially difficult during adolescence.
a.
True
b.
False
34. Amiah was recently diagnosed with diabetes. She hasn’t told her mother because she does not want her to
worry. Besides, Amiah feels her health is her own responsibility. What dialectic is she experiencing?
a.
novelty versus predictability
b.
autonomy versus connection
c.
openness versus protection
d.
family versus friends
35. If you learn through experience that you should not ask your father to borrow the car until he has gotten
home from work and gone for a jog, what concept are you using?
a.
family privacy rules
b.
consensual families
c.
avoidant families
d.
family communication patterns
36. To improve your family privacy rules, you can do each of these EXCEPT:
a.
be respectful of each family’s members views on openness and protection
b.
disregard concerns that changes to family privacy rules are a threat to the family
c.
discuss your concerns with one family member who you think agrees with you
d.
keep in mind that family privacy rules aren’t “one size fits all”
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37. Families possess a strong sense of family identity, created by how they communicate.
a.
True
b.
False
38. When Jeremy began dating a Catholic schoolmate, his parents expressed disapproval, announcing they
expected him to marry a woman from their Mormon community. Jeremy’s parents are exemplifying which of
these characteristics of families?
a.
Families create identity through interpersonal communication.
b.
Families maintain emotionally intense bonds.
c.
Families use interpersonal communication to create boundaries.
d.
Family members share genetic material.
39. Karla was adopted when she was very young. When she asks about her adoption, her adoptive parents
explain that her birth parents were caring people who made a loving and painful decision. What kind of story
are Karla’s adoptive parents telling?
a.
kinship story
b.
survival story
c.
courtship story
d.
entrance story
40. Which relational dialectic is especially pronounced in families?
a.
novelty versus predictability
b.
autonomy versus connection
c.
openness versus protection
d.
Both B and C are correct.
41. Bella’s parents are seldom home. Since she got her driver’s license, Bella simply tells the housekeeper where
she’s going. Her parents don’t object or ask questions. What kind of family do they represent?
a.
laissez-faire
b.
protective
c.
consensual
d.
high fluidity
42. If your family prioritizes their relationships with one another over outside relationships, your family could
be described as having a high conformity orientation.
a.
True
b.
False
43. The nuclear family is the most common family type in the United States.
a.
True
b.
False
44. Mark’s sister Trisha recently disclosed that she is in a same-sex relationship. Although Mark wants to
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maintain his sister’s confidence, he also feels compelled to disclose this information to his parents. What
dialectic tension is he experiencing?
a.
novelty versus predictability
b.
autonomy versus connection
c.
openness versus protection
d.
family versus friends
45. A family that is high in both conversation and conformity is considered a pluralistic family.
a.
True
b.
False
46. Don and Sarah have been living together for 20 years and have recently taken in a foster child. They’ve
never married. What type of family do they likely have?
a.
cohabiting couple
b.
extended family
c.
stepfamily
d.
single-parent family
47. Which of these is NOT an important strategy for maintaining healthy family relationships?
a.
positivity
b.
privacy
c.
self-disclosure
d.
assurances
48. Parents who encourage their children to share their thoughts and feelings about important issues but then
make clear that only the parents’ perspective is acceptable are considered consensual families.
a.
True
b.
False
49. Three of the most important strategies for maintaining family relationships are positivity, assurances, and
self-disclosure.
a.
True
b.
False
50. Which of these family communication patterns is associated with conflict avoidance?
a.
consensual
b.
laissez-faire
c.
protective
d.
nuclear
51. Carol loves to tell how Richard, her 4-year-old, was so happy he had a baby sister until she cried. He
suggested they return her for a quiet baby. This retelling is an example of a(an):
a.
convenience family.
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b.
survival story.
c.
entrance story.
d.
birth story.
52. In stepfamily triangulation, it is common for children to feel caught between their parents and for
stepparents to feel caught between the children in their stepfamily.
a.
True
b.
False
53. The tension between being more open versus being more private is expressed through:
a.
family communication patterns.
b.
family privacy rules.
c.
protective families.
d.
conversation orientation.
54. When your friend was admitted to a psychiatric hospital for severe depression, he became very close with
other patients on the ward. In fact, he even referred to other patients as brothers and sisters. What type of family
did he experience?
a.
supplemental family
b.
substitute family
c.
cohabiting family
d.
convenience family
55. In the case of remarriage, it typically takes one to three years for the new stepfamily to stabilize as a family
unit.
a.
True
b.
False
56. Yohannes’s story of walking from Sudan to Kenya, living in a refugee camp, and immigrating to the United
States inspires his sons. His recollection is known as a(an):
a.
family story.
b.
survival story.
c.
entrance story.
d.
bonding story.
57. Families that are high in conversation and low in conformity are called:
a.
protective families.
b.
laissez-faire families.
c.
consensual families.
d.
pluralistic families.
58. Allen will marry Alicia next month and become a stepparent to her two teen sons. Allen wants to make sure
their transition into a family runs smoothly. What action is probably NOT realistic or helpful?
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a.
go slow, but start early
b.
create new family rituals
c.
have a mandatory weekly family game night
d.
be patient
59. Children of parents with destructive interaction styles are more at risk for aggressive and delinquent
behaviors.
a.
True
b.
False
60. Which of these is an effect of parental favoritism?
a.
Favored children experience more professional success than their siblings.
b.
Favored children report a greater sense of well-being and life satisfaction.
c.
Unfavored children are more hostile than those in equitable families.
d.
All of the options are correct.
61. All of Pamela’s high school friends have defined curfews except her. She and her parents discuss where
she’d like to go and what a reasonable schedule is. Their family communication pattern is most likely:
a.
low conformity orientation.
b.
high conformity orientation.
c.
high conversation orientation.
d.
low conversation orientation.
62. Families that are high on conversation orientation are more likely to disclose personal information to one
another.
a.
True
b.
False
63. Maria’s father died in an automobile accident, and she is now being raised solely by her mother. What
family type does she likely have?
a.
nuclear
b.
stepfamily
c.
cohabiting
d.
single-parent
64. Narrative accounts shared repeatedly within a family to help maintain relationships are known as:
a.
family privacy rules.
b.
family communication patterns.
c.
conformity orientation.
d.
family stories.
65. The degree to which families believe communication should emphasize similarity or diversity in attitudes,
values, and beliefs is called:
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a.
triangulation.
b.
conversation orientation.
c.
conformity orientation.
d.
communication privacy management theory.
66. Mohammad, his parents, his grandfather, and his aunt all live together in one house. What type of family do
they likely have?
a.
nuclear family
b.
extended family
c.
stepfamily
d.
single-parent family
67. Your sister struggles with her desire to spend time with her friends and the pressure she feels to spend time
with your family. What dialectic tension is she experiencing?
a.
novelty versus predictability
b.
autonomy versus connection
c.
openness versus protection
d.
family versus friends
68. Taj was raised in a family in which sensitive topics and issues were not discussed; instead only safe topics,
such as the weather and current events, were allowed. Taj’s family could be described as having:
a.
low conformity orientation.
b.
high conformity orientation.
c.
high conversation orientation.
d.
low conversation orientation.
69. According to the textbook, which of these is NOT a potential effect of interparental conflict?
a.
Children may play less with peers.
b.
Teens are more likely to form strong romantic relationships.
c.
Children are more likely to imitate their parents’ hostile styles.
d.
Teens are more likely to have issues with trust in interpersonal relationships.
70. Family privacy rules are the informational boundaries families create. Family privacy rules govern each of
the following EXCEPT:
a.
what family members can talk about
b.
how topics can be discussed
c.
with whom family members can talk
d.
when informational boundaries can shift
71. Families who are low on conversation and high on conformity are considered protective families.
a.
True
b.
False
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72. Parental favoritism can involve intangible resources such as affection, love, and praise and tangible
resources such as loans, cars, or college tuition.
a.
True
b.
False
Enter the appropriate word(s) to complete the statement.
73. Some families are governed by _______ that determine what members can talk about, how they can discuss
topics, and who should have access to family-related information.
74. When one or both parents allocate an unfair amount of valuable resources to one child over others, _______
is taking place.
75. Narrative accounts, or _______, are repeatedly shared stories within a family that retell historical events and
bond a family together.
76. A _______ is a closely knit group of people who lack blood and legal kinship.
77. While low on conversation, _______ are also high on conformity.
78. Families who are high in conversation but low in conformity are called _______.
79. The degree to which family members are encouraged to participate in interactions about a wide variety of
topics is called _______.
80. People reflect the _______ when creating informal boundaries by choosing whether or not to reveal private
information.
81. _______ happens when there are overt, hostile interactions between parents in a household.
82. A(an) _______ is made up of relatives who live together in a common household.
83. _______ is the degree to which families believe communication should emphasize similarity or diversity in
attitudes, values, and beliefs.
84. The _______ is the idea that two dimensions underlie communication between family members.
85. One adult is the sole caregiver for the children in a _______ household.
86. Loyalty conflicts that arise as a _______ mean that a coalition has formed that unites one family member
with another against a third family member.
87. A (an) _______ consists of a husband, wife, and their biological and adopted children.
88. The _______ states that emotions, affect, and mood from a parental relationship can disrupt children’s sense
of emotional security.
89. Families who are low in both conversation and conformity are _______.
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90. A(an) _______ is made up of a family in which at least one of the adults has a child or children from a
previous relationship.
91. Within all families, tension exists between competing impulses, known as _______.
92. Families who are classified as _______ are high in both conversation and conformity.
93. A _______ is made up of a network of people who share their lives over a long period of time.
94. Two unmarried, romantically involved adults form a _______ when living together in a household, with or
without children.
95. Define family, and identify the six characteristics of a family.
96. What might be the consequences of too much dependence on family members?
97. What’s the difference between a protective family and a laissez-faire family?
98. What are some suggestions for easing the stepfamily transition?
99. Identify two examples of parental favoritism.
100. Explain the spillover hypothesis.
101. Define family stories and describe three types.
102. Why might privacy rules amplify tension within families as people age?
103. Explain the composition of the supplemental family.
104. What is conversation orientation?
105. What are the characteristics of a laissez-faire family?
106. Identify the two relational dialectics that are the most common in family relationships.
107. Identify and explain the four family communication patterns.
108. Describe the five different types of families.
109. Identify the two forms of triangulation common within stepfamilies.
110. What is conformity orientation?
111. What six characteristics distinguish families from other social groups?
112. Identify the three most important strategies for maintaining family relationships.
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113. How can families use different types of technology to maintain their relationship?
114. What’s the difference between a consensual family and a pluralistic family?
115. What are the three difficult family relationship challenges?
116. How does technology (cell phones and computers) allow families to share, connect, and coordinate their
lives?
117. Identify three ways that families can undermine self-disclosure in their relationships.
118. Identify the three types of voluntary kin families.
119. What family communication pattern is reflected in sayings such as “Children should be seen and not
heard” and “Children should speak when spoken to”?
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