Chapter 6
Multiple Choice
1. Which of the following is NOT a characteristic of marital intimacy?
a. A deep knowledge and understanding developed from close personal attention and
shared experience
b. Sexual relations
c. A familiar, easy and affectionate relationship
d. An ability to ignore the issues of the relationship in order to maintain harmony
2. Complete this sentence: Commitment…
a. Requires minimal effort when you love someone
b. Can be maintained if at least one person works on it
c. Usually develops with self-disclosure and effort
d. Requires more energy in the beginning of the relationship
3. Direct parent-child discussion of sexuality is NOT associated with which of the following points?
a. It contributes to long-term physical health
b. It counteracts some peer pressure
c. It ensures children will engage in safe sex
d. It strengthens the parent-child relationship
4. The derivative for the word intimacy is “intimus” which means:
a. Special
b. Inner
c. Close
d. Together
5. Which of the following is NOT true, based on the research on self-disclosure?
a. Greater sharing may lead to greater vulnerability
b. Verbal emotional disclosure is used more often by women
c. Self-disclosure always leads to better relationships
d. Negative disclosure happens more frequently in highly intimate places than in less
intimate ones
6. The creation of “mental love maps” in a relationship occurs as the result of which of the
following:
a. Self-disclosure
b. Relational currencies
c. Family rituals
d. Positive verbal statements
7. George and Delilah have been married for 25 years, of which 20 have been unhappy. They have
been talking about getting a divorce now that their children are old, but their youngest daughter
is 16 and they hate the idea of putting her through a custody battle, especially because they
both love her so much and have a wonderful relationship with her. George and Delilah’s
decision to stay together for the sake of their daughter represents which of the following:
a. Personal dedication
b. Codified commitment
c. Moral commitment
d. Structural commitment
8. Partners are more likely to experience marital satisfaction if they participate in which of the
following every day?
a. Shared activities
b. Codification
c. Debriefing conversations
d. Commitment talk
9. This type of sexual behavior is characterized by mutual concern and sharing of pleasure:
a. Monological
b. Dialogical
c. Casual
d. Self-focused
10. Which of the following is true about sexual communication?
a. Euphemisms can take the place of honest discussions about sex when partners are
uncomfortable talking about sex openly and directly.
b. Satisfied couples automatically know the sexual preferences of their partners, even
without talking about it.
c. Metacommunication is redundant when it comes to talking about sex.
d. Sexual communication is necessary and meaningful, even in married couples or partners
who have had a long-term and committed sexual relationship.
11. Much communication about sexuality in relationships is _____ which can occasionally create
confusion between partners:
a. Nonverbal
b. Awkward
c. Verbal
d. Romantic
12. Which of the following is NOT considered an important factor for maintaining intimacy in
relationships?
a. Effort
b. Forgiveness
c. Structural commitment
d. Sacrifice
13. Marian has been married for 30 years. She has not worked for 25 years and feels like she could
not maintain herself financially without her husband. What type of commitment might this
result in?
a. Moral
b. Personal
c. Devotion
d. Structural
14. Which of the following involves the aversive emotional experience characterized by feelings of
anger, sadness, and fear induced by the threat or actual loss of a relationship with another
person to real or imagined rival
a. Jealousy
b. Deception
c. Sanctification
d. Sacrifice
15. Motivations for forgiveness include all of the following, except:
a. Love
b. Confronting transgression
c. Restoring the relationship
d. Well-being of the other
Answer Key
Quiz True False
1. Intimacy refers to interpersonal emotions including love, passion, and joy that people feel for
each other.
a. True
b. False
2. What one family member sees as self-disclosure will be considered self-disclosure by all family
members.
a. True
b. False
3. Sexual behavior is a form of communication.
a. True
b. False
4. Jealousy tends to enhance intimacy.
a. True
b. False
5. Relational calibration involves one member of a partnership withdrawing when he or she feels
the intimacy is too intense.
a. True
b. False
6. Intimacy in relationships functions independently of family themes and privacy boundaries
a. True
b. False
7. How people verbally express their commitment is as important as the commitment itself.
a. True
b. False
8. Self-disclosure includes instances when someone finds out private information about you
unintentionally.
a. True
b. False
9. Trust is the foundation for self-disclosure.
a. True
b. False
10. Deception can serve to strengthen the bond between two people as long as the deception is in
one or both parties’ best interest.
a. True
b. False
Answer Key
Chapter 6:
If you had to give a speech to junior high school parents about discussing sex with their children, what are
four pieces of advice that you would include and what is the research support for those suggestions?
Describe three key factors that influence self-disclosure in marital relationships. Be sure to cite research
in your response.
List and describe two barriers to intimacy, as discussed in the book.