Chapter 9
Multiple Choice
1. Which stage is not a part of the conflict stage model?
a. Review decisions stage
b. Active conflict stage
c. Frustration awareness stage
d. Prior conditions stage
2. Jackie told her sister, Jill, that she was stubborn, selfish and stupid. Jill replied that she was
smarter than Jackie and that Jackie was immature and codependent. This example depicts which
of the following behaviors during conflicts?
a. Cross-validating
b. Leveling with one another
c. Standoff
d. Cross-complaining
3. This approach to settling conflicts requires that equal time must be provided for all family
members involved in the conflict. It enables a couple to sense the positive and negative aspects
of their conflict. This is called:
a. Fair fighting
b. Shared decision making
c. Honest self-disclosure
d. Conflict avoidance
4. When destructive conflict is hidden, ignored, or left undiscussed, it is called:
a. Zero-sum
b. Covert
c. Overt
d. Non-negotiable
5. When a family member gets quite upset, expresses anger, and then disowns the angry feeling, it
is labeled:
a. Denial
b. Disengagement
c. Displacement
d. Disqualification
6. Eric makes it appear to other family members that he is quite content and happy, but within
himself he is angry. He can’t wait to leave home. What is his conflict strategy?
a. Denial
b. Displacement
c. Disqualification
d. Pseudomutuality
7. In this form of conflict, Bernie remembers insults and times he’s been ignored by his family.
After a few days, he explodes telling about all these verbal and nonverbal injuries. This is called:
a. Displacement
b. Game playing
c. Gunnysacking
d. Pseudomutuality
8. Which of the following is not true about the effect of cultural backgrounds on conflict?
a. Conflict happens in all families and does not differ very much between families of
different cultural backgrounds
b. In many Asian families, “saving face” and preserving harmony is a priority
c. In some Iranian families, fighting can last for months
d. Latino families emphasize children supporting and obeying their parents
9. According to Kilmann and Thomas’ model, a conflict style that is considered high in cooperation
and low in assertiveness is called:
a. Compromise
b. Collaboration
c. Accommodation
d. Competition
10. In this communication strategy used in conflict, a family member avoids other members and
refuses to talk:
a. Denial
b. Disengagement
c. Displacement
d. Disqualification
11. Regarding physical attack as a type of overt conflict, which of the following is not true:
a. Women are at greater risk for physical attack in families.
b. Patterns of violence seem to be passed down through generations
c. In families with regular patterns of physical abuse, family members can become
accustomed to the abuse.
d. Spanking is not a form of physical attack.
12. Why does conflict occur in families?
a. One family member perceives that another wants something of him/her that cannot be
delivered.
b. Family members have differences in attitudes and values.
c. One family member’s behavior or desire impedes another getting what he or she wants.
d. All of the above
13. Which of the following statements is not true about Feldman’s intimacy-conflict cycle?
a. Couples move from a state of intimacy as one member becomes anxious or fearful,
which leads to conflict or separation.
b. A desire for intimacy draws the couple back together after a conflict or separation.
c. When a couple comes back together, it means the problem has been solved
d. All of these are true
14. Criticism, contempt, defensiveness and stonewalling are behaviors that Gottman characterizes
as:
a. The Passive-Aggressive Approach
b. The Everyday Conflict Behaviors
c. The Hostile/Engaged Conflict Pattern
d. The Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse
15. When critical conflicts are left unresolved in families, research supports that:
a. Eventually family members forget about the problem
b. Family members learn how to fight less frequently
c. Psychological and/or physical estrangement of family members can occur
d. Family members may become violent with one another
16. Shawna comes home from her stressful job and yells at her partner, Dionne, as a result of her
stress. What type of covert conflict does this represent?
a. Denial
b. Disqualification
c. Displacement
d. Pseudomutuality
17. When married couple Ben and Yelena fight, Ben often mocks Yelena’s thick Russian accent
during their serious discussion. Which of Gottman’s Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse is Ben
demonstrating?
a. Contempt
b. Criticism
c. Defensiveness
d. Stonewalling
18. Josef and Dawna have developed a rule for conflct: “We will not belittle each other or make
each other feel guilty.” What kind of rule does this illustrate?
a. Rule governing consideration
b. Rule governing rationality
c. Rule governing resolution
d. Rule governing self-expression
19. Which conflict style is characterized by high levels of concern for self and others, which often
means searching for solutions that will please everyone?
a. Compromise
b. Competition
c. Accommodation
d. Collaboration
20. Mimi and Terry are highly emotional during conflict; they are intense and dramatic. Which of
Gottman’s marriage types do they display?
a. Volatile
b. Avoidant
c. Validating
d. Defensive
Answer Key
Chapter 9
Quiz True False
1. According to Gottman, couples are more likely to conflict over new issues than the same old
issues.
a. True
b. False
2. The stage of conflict in which one family member becomes angry with another because one is
keeping the other from some goal or satisfying some need is called the prior conditions stage.
a. True
b. False
3. Conflict between two members of a family only affects those two members.
a. True
b. False
4. Stepfamilies may have specific types of conflict that other types of families do not have.
a. True
b. False
5. Tom has an argument with a colleague at work. Consequently, that night, he comes home in a
bad mood, and argues with his wife about who is supposed to cook dinner. This behavior is
called disqualification.
a. True
b. False
6. During family conflicts, Leah goes after what she wants, unconcerned about other family
members’ concerns or needs. Leah would be classified as having a competitiveness type of
conflict style.
a. True
b. False
7. Some families are able to resolve all their conflicts.
a. True
b. False
8. Wives are more likely than husbands to have relationship-sensitive, otherdirected thoughts
during active conflicts with their spouses.
a. True
b. False
9. Conflict is present in functional and dysfunctional marriages.
a. True
b. False
10. The “chilling effect” occurs as a reaction to conflict, when one partner punishes another by
withholding affection and attention.
a. True
b. False
11. The most common form of child mistreatment in the U.S. is neglect.
a. True
b. False
12. In studies, researchers have found that when relational partners both have negative responses
to disagreements, the couple fights less often.
a. True
b. False
Answer Key