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Chapter 8
Multiple-Choice Items
1.
toward Betsy indicate he:
A.
B. loves her and is committed but unsure of himself.
C. loves her but is philosophically opposed to marriage.
D. is just out for a good time.
E. is interested in other women he might date.
2. ____ in interpersonal relationships involves
emotionally relying on that person.
A. Climate
B. Investment
C. Love
D. Commitment
E. Trust
3. Closeness in the doing is best illustrated by which of the following interactions between two
friends?
A. they tell each other personal details of their lives
B. they talk through problems together
C. they go to ball games together
D. they talk about the relationship and what it means
E. they support each other verbally
4. Ethnocentrism is one form of ____ communication.
A. certainty
B. problem oriented
C. effective
D. strategic
E. neutral
5. Tabitha wants some time alone because she feels a need to get in touch with herself as an
individual. However, her partner wants them to spend as much time together as possible. The
tension in this example illustrates the ____ relational dialectic.
A. novelty/predictability
B. commitment/love
C. trust/dependence
D. openness/closedness
E. autonomy/connection
6. According to relationships counselors, the most central and continuous tension in the
majority of close relationships arises from which of the following dialectical tensions?
A. novelty/predictability
B. commitment/love
C. trust/dependence
D. openness/closedness
E. autonomy/connection
7. Tabitha and her partner respond to their tension by deciding to spend part of the weekend
together and part of it engaged in separate activities. This response to relational dialectics is
called:
A. separation.
B. neutralization.
C. voice.
D. neglect.
E. reframing.
8. Research indicates that in general the least effective and least satisfying response to the
tension generated by relational dialectics is to:
A. honor one need and ignore the contradictory one.
B. compromise to meet both needs somewhat but to meet neither need completely
C. meet each need sequentially, first one and then the other.
D. repress both needs.
E. bring in a third party, such as a therapist, to help address the tension.
9. The most basic form of confirmation in interpersonal communication is:
A. agreeing with another person.
B. recognizing another person exists.
C. acknowledging what another person feels.
D. accepting what another person feels and thinks as valid.
E. acknowledging what another person thinks.
10.
is an example of communication that:
A. describes the situation.
B. claims superiority of the speaker.
C. expresses a tentative conclusion.
D. demonstrates empathy.
E. focuses on problem solving.
11. When communicating with a person with a disability, all of the following are generally
accepted guidelines EXCEPT:
A. speak directly to the person.
B. try to position yourself at eye level if a person uses a wheelchair or crutches.
C. provide assistance without asking.
D.
E.
12. Co-workers might be very closed about all topics. This is an example of _____ when
negotiating with dialectical tensions.
A. neutralization
B. separation
C. selection
D. reciprocal
E. aggression
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13. On the continuum of interpersonal climates, the middle between confirming and
disconfirming climates is known as _____.
A. open climate
B. free climate
C. coordinated climate
D. mixed climate
E. definite climate
14. The strongest level of confirmation is _______.
A. endorsement
B. acknowledgment
C. recognition
D. evaluation
E. description
15. The counterpoint to strategy is ____.
A. description
B. provisionalism
C. spontaneity
D. problem orientation
E. equality
16. The counterpoint to evaluation is ____.
A. description
B. provisionalism
C. spontaneity
D. problem orientation
E. equality
17. The counterpoint to control is ____.
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A. description
B. provisionalism
C. spontaneity
D. problem orientation
E. equality
18. The counterpoint to neutrality is ____.
A. description
B. provisionalism
C. empathy
D. problem orientation
E. equality
19. The counterpoint to superiority is ____.
A. description
B. provisionalism
C. spontaneity
D. problem orientation
E. equality
20. All of the following are supportive communication EXCEPT:
A. description
B. provisionalism
C. spontaneity
D. strategy
E. equality
21.
A. description
B. provisionalism
C. spontaneity
D. problem orientation
E. equality
22. T
sealed.
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A. description
B. provisionalism
C. spontaneity
D. problem orientation
E. equality
23. This kind of communication feels open, honest, and unpremeditated.
A. description
B. provisionalism
C. spontaneity
D. problem orientation
E. equality
24. This communication tends to cultivate supportive, confirming communication climates. It
focuses on finding a solution that all parties find acceptable.
A. description
B. provisionalism
C. spontaneity
D. problem orientation
E. equality
25. This communication confirms the worth of others and our concern for them. An examples is
A. description
B. provisionalism
C. spontaneity
D. problem orientation
E. equality
26. This type of communication does not evaluate others of what they think or feel.
A. defensive
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B. provisionalism
C. spontaneity
D. problem orientation
E. equality
27.
statements illustrate:
A. description
B. provisionalism
C. spontaneity
D. problem orientation
E. certainty
28. Natalie will always ask her roommate, what she is doing this weekend, because she wants her
roommate to help her with her schoolwork. After a while, her roommate realizes that she is
using this strategy.
A. description
B. strategy
C. spontaneity
D. problem orientation
E. equality
29.
nee
A. description
B. provisionalism
C. spontaneity
D. problem orientation
E. equality
30. bout how to
A. description
B. provisionalism
C. spontaneity
D. problem orientation
E. equality
True-False Items
1. Reciprocity of self-disclosures is especially important after a relationship has become
established.
2. Men and women, as groups, self-disclose with equal frequency and depth.
3. Most people feel defensive when others communicate in neutral ways that suggest the
others are distanced and uninvolved with them.
4. When we disagree with someone, we disconfirm her or him.
5. In interpersonal relationships it is as important to affirm and accept yourself as to affirm
and accept others.
6. Assertiveness and affirming oneself involves the same kinds of communication across all
cultures.
7. The tensions of relational dialectics keep relationships stagnant because they increase
interpersonal friction and stress.
8. Americans rely more on friends than do Russians, Koreans, or Turks.
9. The happiest dating and married partners feel that they do not invest equally in their
relationship compared to their partner.
10. Men generally talk more about personal feelings, especially their shortcoming or self-
doubts.
11. Communication climate is the overall feeling or emotional mood between people warm
or cold, safe or anxious, comfortable or awkward, accepting or rejecting, open or
guarded that is shaped by verbal and nonverbal interaction between people.
12. Understanding communication climates will give you insight into why you feel relaxed
and comfortable in some of your relationships and uneasy and defensive in others.
13. All of our relationships are very complex and are shaped by numerous factors.
14. Of the many influences, four are particularly critical for building and sustaining
satisfying personal relationships: investment, commitment, trust, and comfort with
relational dialectics.
15. Westerners often disclose personal information to casual friends and acquaintances,
whereas Japanese tend to disclose only to very close friends.
16. Investments are what we put into relationships that we could not retrieve if the
relationship were to end.
17. When we perceive ourselves as investing more than our partner, we tend to be
dissatisfied and resentful. When we perceive our partner as investing more than we are,
we may feel guilty. Thus, perceived inequity erodes satisfaction and communication.
18. Investments cannot be recovered, so the only way to reap the benefits of your
investments is to stick with a relationship.
19. Commitment is a decision to remain in a relationship. Notice that commitment is
defined as a decision, not a feeling.
20. Unlike passion or attraction, which arise in the present, commitment links partners
together in the future.
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21. When you talk with people who use a wheelchair or crutches, try to position yourself at
their eye level and in front of them to allow good eye contact.
22.
unless your offer is accepted.
23. s of
judgments.
24. Communication researchers report that evaluative communication evokes defensiveness.
Identification Items
1. Investments
2. Commitment
3. Relational dialectics
4. Trust
5. Ethnocentrism
6. Assertion
7. Self-disclosure
8. Endorsement
9. Reframing
10. Assertion
Essay Items
1. Discuss the four features that research indicates are characteristic of satisfying close
relationships. After identifying each feature, explain and illustrate how it is communicated
between people.
2. Distinguish between love and commitment. Then explain how each is communicated and
how it affects relationships between people.
3.
sure to include specific examples of each type of communication you perceive as affecting
the classroom climate.
4. Building on the research of Buber and Laing, communication scholars have identified three
levels of communication that (dis)confirm others. Distinguish among the three levels by
providing a definition and an example of a disconfirming and confirming statement for each
level. For extra credit, explain why Buber felt confirmation is so important to our
interpersonal lives.
5. Discuss some of the guidelines for confirming communication with people with disabilities.
6. Baxter (1990) has identified four ways partners handle the tension generated by opposing
needs. Name and give an example of each way partners negotiate dialectical tensions.
7. Explain and provide examples of confirming and disconfirming messages.
8. Explain the differences between defensive and supportive communication.
9. Explain and illustrate the continuum of communication climates.
10. Explain the differences among aggression, assertion, and deference. Also, provide examples
of each.
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Rejoinders
Multiple-Choice Items
302
True-False Items
Identification Items
Essay Items