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Indicate the answer choice that best completes the statement or answers the question.
1. True or false? Bonding is an early sign that a relationship is headed toward intimacy.
a.
True
b.
False
2. Which term refers to involving others in our lives and being involved in the lives of others?
a.
inclusion
b.
friendship
c.
loving
d.
intruding
3. True or false? Intimate romantic relationships can only be achieved once the partners give up their desire to
keep deeply personal information about themselves private.
a.
True
b.
False
4. True or false? Because family relationships are our first and most basic relationships, it is within them that
we learn basic communication skills that affect how we interact with others later in life.
a.
True
b.
False
5. Diego wants to surprise Louisa, whom he has only been dating for a month, with a gift. He decides to ask
Louisa’s sister what her favorite flowers are so that he can get her the perfect bouquet. Diego is using which
strategy for reducing uncertainty?
a.
monitoring strategy
b.
active strategy
c.
passive strategy
d.
interactive strategy
6. Contradictory feelings that tug at us in every relationship are called:
a.
dialectical tensions.
b.
costs and rewards.
c.
uncertainty events.
d.
simple conflicts.
7. Brooklyn was laid off and has been unemployed for the past two years. Brooklyn’s romantic partner,
Kennedy, tries to be supportive but feels very concerned about their financial future and frustrated that
Brooklyn has not found a new job. They have always been very honest with one another, but Kennedy
understands that Brooklyn already feels stressed by the situation and thinks that sharing this information would
only make things more difficult. Kennedy is struggling with which dialectical tension?
a.
autonomy versus connection
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b.
openness versus closedness
c.
predictability versus novelty
d.
honesty versus lies
8. The term “hyperpersonal communication” is MOST closely related to which definition?
a.
self-disclosing information that is too personal early on in a relationship, which may drive the other
person away
b.
taking others’ comments more personally than they were intended, sometimes caused by low self-
esteem
c.
the tendency of online communicators to speed up relational development in sharing intimate
information faster than what is expected for face-to-face interactions
d.
the changes in our culture that indicate people these days are much more comfortable sharing deeply
personal information about themselves in public than they were in the past
9. Your relationship with which person would most likely be considered a familial interpersonal relationship?
a.
a classmate
b.
a cousin
c.
a new person you are dating
d.
a coffee shop barista
10. True or false? A relationship could be doomed from the moment we meet the other person if our
expectations are unrealistic.
a.
True
b.
False
11. True or false? The only effective way for us to gain predictability and reduce uncertainty in our
relationships is to be upfront and ask our partners for the information we want.
a.
True
b.
False
12. True or false? Dialectical tensions are a sign of an unhealthy relationship that is transitioning into the
declining stage.
a.
True
b.
False
13. True or false? We tend to be more comfortable interacting with others when we perceive their behavior as
predictable.
a.
True
b.
False
14. True or false? Choosing to disclose deeply personal information, such as past sexual experiences, too early
in a relationship, can have a negative impact on the relationship’s development.
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a.
True
b.
False
15. True or false? It is a cultural myth that physical attraction plays an important role in interpersonal attraction.
a.
True
b.
False
16. Amber and Heidi exchanged rings during a commitment ceremony to signify that they intend to spend the
rest of their lives together. This behavior is a nonverbal example of which relationship substage?
a.
intensification
b.
bonding
c.
integrating
d.
territoriality
17. True or false? Online relationships tend to be less deep and less intimate than traditional face-to-face
relationships.
a.
True
b.
False
18. True or false? Loneliness and isolation have been linked to physical, emotional, and psychological health
problems.
a.
True
b.
False
19. True or false? Recent research has effectively disproven the social exchange theory, in part, because today
most of us base our relationship choices on “chemistry,” rather than on costs and rewards.
a.
True
b.
False
20. Which term refers to how physically near another person is to us, which influences how attractive they are
to us as a relational partner?
a.
proximity
b.
availability
c.
similarity
d.
intimacy
21. Which theory says that by progressively sharing deeper and riskier personal information about ourselves
with others, we move our relationships toward being more intimate?
a.
uncertainty reduction
b.
social penetration
c.
relational dialectics
d.
social exchange
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22. As Elewa and Cordelia get to know one another, they are better able to predict how the other will react.
Consequently, they begin to feel more comfortable when they spend time together. Which theory explains why
they feel this way?
a.
uncertainty reduction theory
b.
relational dialectics theory
c.
social exchange of costs and benefits
d.
social penetration theory
23. True or false? People from collectivist cultures value relationships more than individuals from individualist
cultures.
a.
True
b.
False
24. Patrizia is frustrated because her romantic relationship seems to have fallen into a rut. Although the
relationship is comfortable, she feels that it’s too predictable. She says to her romantic partner, “I feel like we
do the same things day after day, and I feel like we’re getting old and boring.” Patrizia’s frustration is related to
which tension?
a.
autonomy versus connection
b.
openness versus closedness
c.
predictability versus novelty
d.
growth versus stability
25. Marquita is a fan of The Bachelor and The Bachelorette and follows her favorite current and former
contestants on Instagram. In fact, she even feels closer to them than some of her own relatives. Which would
describe Marquita’s relationship?
a.
intimacy
b.
interpersonal communication
c.
impersonal communication
d.
parasocial interaction
26. True or false? It is normal for the partners in a romantic relationship to feel the need to be close and
connected to each other while also feeling the need to be independent and have some time away from the
relationship.
a.
True
b.
False
27. True or false? The term “family” is only used to refer to people united by their biological relationship to one
another.
a.
True
b.
False
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28. The act of maintaining a relationship despite disagreements and framing differences as positive is referred to
as:
a.
loyalty.
b.
empathy.
c.
caring.
d.
love.
29. True or false? Cultural norms contribute to our choices about what information to talk about versus what we
choose to keep private on a first date.
a.
True
b.
False
30. True or false? Money is one of the most common reasons why couples fight, and differences in perception
about money can present a significant challenge to both romantic relationships as well as friendships.
a.
True
b.
False
31. Bai and D’Angelo have decided to move in together. Although moving into a larger apartment won’t save
them any money, they feel that with their busy schedules they’ll benefit from sharing a living space and seeing
each other more often. Which type of reward seems to be motivating their choice?
a.
extrinsic
b.
intrinsic
c.
instrumental
d.
social exchange
32. When considering past generations, we find that it was common for people to form interpersonal
relationships with people who lived in the same geographic area that they did. This is a less important factor in
the formation of interpersonal relationships today because of:
a.
intimacy.
b.
technology.
c.
similarity.
d.
physical attraction.
33. True or false? Children who form successful friendships do better behaviorally and academically than those
who do not.
a.
True
b.
False
34. Obstacles that may pop up in a relationship and hinder its growth are referred to as:
a.
interference.
b.
bonds.
c.
dialectical tension.
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d.
costs.
35. Which relationship stage involves seeking and exchanging superficial information—nothing too deep or
personal—with our relationship partner?
a.
initiation
b.
exploratory
c.
intensification
d.
stability
36. True or false? Andrew has a membership at a fitness center that permits him to bring a guest when he goes
to exercise. His friend David often goes as his guest because he can’t afford to join a gym at this time.
Andrew’s ability to provide this opportunity to David would be considered an intrinsic reward to David.
a.
True
b.
False
37. The reconciliation tactic in which partners agree to be polite and nice to each other in the hope that they will
remember what they found attractive about one another is called:
a.
spontaneous development.
b.
tacit persistence.
c.
high affect.
d.
mutual interaction.
38. True or false? Research indicates that perceptions and definitions of love differ greatly in Western cultures
as compared to Eastern cultures.
a.
True
b.
False
39. What terms refers to a deep affection for and attachment to another person that involves emotional ties, with
varying degrees of passion, commitment, and intimacy?
a.
trust
b.
interdependence
c.
caring
d.
love
40. Ali and Paul have been dating for a few months and are starting to feel more comfortable and intimate in
their relationship. Ali has started calling Paul “monkey,” and he calls her “bunny.” Ali’s friends have noticed
that when they ask her what she’s been up to, she now says things like, “We’ve been busy,” instead of “Paul
and I have been busy.” Based on these bits of information, at what stage would Ali and Paul be in their
relationship development?
a.
initiation
b.
exploration
c.
intensification
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d.
stability
41. True or false? Experts say that once a relationship reaches the declining stage, it has deteriorated beyond the
point where there are effective strategies for repairing it.
a.
True
b.
False
42. True or false? People need interpersonal relationships.
a.
True
b.
False
43. Which theory notes that relationships begin, grow, or dissolve based on an exchange of rewards and costs?
a.
uncertainty reduction theory
b.
relational dialectics theory
c.
social penetration theory
d.
social exchange theory
44. True or false? Proximity is a less important element of interpersonal attraction today than it was in the past.
a.
True
b.
False
45. True or false? The use of “we” talk is a sign that a relationship has entered the stable stage.
a.
True
b.
False
46. True or false? Although it is natural for people to desire to keep some information about themselves private,
the refusal to disclose personal information prevents a relationship from moving to a more intimate level.
a.
True
b.
False
47. True or false? People tend to prefer forging relationships with others who are different from themselves over
forming bonds with people whom they perceive as similar to themselves.
a.
True
b.
False
48. True or false? People who are considered to be attractive are also often considered to be more intelligent,
kinder, and warmer than those who are not.
a.
True
b.
False
49. Which theory explains how partners move from sharing superficial information to increasingly risky
information?
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a.
social penetration
b.
social information processing
c.
uncertainty reduction
d.
communication privacy management
50. The interconnection and interdependence between two individuals is referred to as:
a.
a relational network.
b.
a family.
c.
an interpersonal relationship.
d.
interpersonal communication.
51. Provide an example of a parasocial interaction. This can be an interaction that someone you know had or
even one of yours personally.
52. 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.
53. Define parasocial interaction and explain how the rise of social media has contributed to parasocial
relationships.
54. List and describe the three basic needs that motivate human beings to form and maintain interpersonal
relationships.
55. Provide an example of an extrinsic, an instrumental, and an intrinsic reward that may influence the
development of a relationship.
56. Provide an example of a cost you or someone you know experiences in a current interpersonal relationship,
whether it is a friendship, a romantic relationship, or a family relationship.
57. Considering what you have learned about both hyperpersonal communication and 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?
58. What is the difference between a friendship and a social relationship?
59. Explain the challenge that the three dialectical tensions discussed in the text 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.
60. 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.
61. List and define the three dialectical tensions we experience in our relationships.
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62. Provide an example of a friendship and an example of a social relationship. How do these two relationships
differ?
63. Discuss the progression of a real or fictional terminated or reconciled relationship (either a friendship or a
romantic relationship) 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.
64. How have communication technologies and mobility changed the way the elements of interpersonal
communication and attraction function?
65. In your own words, define an interpersonal relationship.
66. List and describe three tactics that can help a couple that has terminated their relationship to reconcile.
67. How does developing and maintaining strong interpersonal relationships enhance the quality of our lives?
68. What are the three issues discussed in the text that influence our choice of whether another person is
attractive to us as a relational partner?
69. One of your friends has recently separated from her spouse. 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?
70. Briefly describe the difference between love and intimacy.
71. 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.
72. 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.
73. Briefly describe two communication behaviors that might indicate a couple has reached the intensification
stage.
74. Provide an example from your personal experience or the experience of someone you know to illustrate how
forming an interpersonal relationship has helped achieve a goal.
75. List and describe three of the six important characteristics of friendship identified in your text.
76. Lilly and her significant other have been having trouble lately. She had hoped that they were just going
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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.
77. Describe one way in which online relationships are different from face-to-face relationships.
78. In your own words, distinguish between the two general ways in which relationships terminate: passing
away and sudden death.
79. How would you define interpersonal communication?
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