Human Intimacy Marriage The Family and Its Meaning 11th Edition Cox Test Bank 1
Human Intimacy Marriage The Family and Its Meaning 11th Edition Cox Test Bank 1
Human Intimacy Marriage The Family and Its Meaning 11th Edition Cox Test Bank 1
MULTIPLE CHOICE
4. In the past, communication skills were less important because families were largely developed around:
a. religious beliefs.
b. selective retention.
c. gender roles.
d. pseudomutuality.
ANS: C PTS: 1 REF: Introduction OBJ: 2
8. Research on the relationship between communication skills and marital satisfaction has found that:
a. poor communication skills tend to cause marital problems, but good communication skills
are not related to marital happiness overall.
b. communication skills and marital satisfaction are not related.
c. good communication has only short-term positive effects on marital happiness.
d. good communication skills are positively related to long-term marital happiness.
ANS: D PTS: 1
REF: Good Communication: A Basic Strength of Successful Families
OBJ: 1
10. Why does the fair expression of dissatisfaction matter in intimate relationships?
a. To maintain a conflict-free relationship, dissatisfaction should remain unexpressed and
dealt with privately.
b. Unexpressed dissatisfaction can create hostility, but fair expression can lead to greater
understanding from the partner.
c. The airing of grievances contributes to marital bliss.
d. Dissatisfaction placed on the shoulders of a partner can create unnecessary burden.
Dealing with dissatisfaction on one’s own can improve communication.
ANS: B PTS: 1
REF: Good Communication: A Basic Strength of Successful Families
OBJ: 5
11. Men are supposed to be strong and silent. Women are supposed to be expressive and sensitive. These
statements demonstrate:
a. the influence of society on how we communicate.
b. false stereotypes of how we should communicate.
c. the importance of maintaining gender roles.
d. that men and women will never exist peacefully.
ANS: A PTS: 1
REF: Good Communication: A Basic Strength of Successful Families
OBJ: 4
13. The myth of the "right" partner ignores the fact that a couple's problems are caused by:
a. their relational skills.
b. meddling in-laws.
c. fairly expressed dissatisfaction.
d. the day-to-day routines of married life.
ANS: A PTS: 1
REF: Good Communication: A Basic Strength of Successful Families
OBJ: 4
14. A person who ignores his/her own communication inadequacies and changes partners under the
assumption that the next one will be the correct choice believes in:
a. self-actualization.
b. the myth of the right partner.
c. conflict management.
d. identification of problem ownership.
ANS: B PTS: 1
REF: Good Communication: A Basic Strength of Successful Families
OBJ: 4
15. What do happily married couples have that unhappily married couples do not?
a. Greater wealth and income
b. A conflict-free marriage
c. More communication styles
d. Emotional displacement
ANS: C PTS: 1
REF: Good Communication: A Basic Strength of Successful Families
OBJ: 5
17. Spouses show a lack of respect and appreciation when they express:
a. disinterest.
b. dissatisfaction.
c. feelings of frustration.
d. different social values.
ANS: A PTS: 1
REF: Good Communication: A Basic Strength of Successful Families
OBJ: 5
18. Which of the following is positively associated with higher levels of marital satisfaction?
a. Disclosure of negative thoughts
b. Disclosure of positive thoughts
c. Disclosure of both positive and negative thoughts
d. Suppression of positive and negative thoughts
ANS: C PTS: 1
REF: Good Communication: A Basic Strength of Successful Families
OBJ: 5
19. All of the following elements are associated with poor communication EXCEPT:
a. richness.
b. feelings of frustration.
c. silence.
d. the myth of the "right" partner.
ANS: A PTS: 1
REF: Good Communication: A Basic Strength of Successful Families
OBJ: 6
21. ____ occurs when communication doesn't accomplish what it is supposed to accomplish.
a. Channeling
b. Communication failure
c. Feedback
d. Instrumental communication
ANS: B PTS: 1
REF: Communication Failure: An Indicator of Relationship Problems
OBJ: 7
22. Peter let his son borrow the family car. Although he told him, "Don't be home late," the car didn't pull
into the driveway until 3 in the morning. This is an example of:
a. richness.
b. communication failure.
c. empathic listening.
d. pseudomutuality.
ANS: B PTS: 1
REF: Communication Failure: An Indicator of Relationship Problems
OBJ: 7
24. Which of the principles of human behavior can lead to aversive communication?
a. The need to please
b. Avoiding pain and seeking pleasure
c. Controlling the situation to your advantage
d. Listening with deliberation
ANS: B PTS: 1
REF: Communication Failure: An Indicator of Relationship Problems
OBJ: 8
25. Antonio gets so angry that he becomes speechless. He is having difficulty with:
a. decoding.
b. intrapersonal communication.
c. pseudomutuality.
d. the Johari window.
ANS: B PTS: 1
REF: Communication Failure: An Indicator of Relationship Problems
OBJ: 7
27. The quickest way to change the behavior of the partner who is giving us pain is to:
a. reason with him or her.
b. remain silent.
c. use body language.
d. threaten him or her.
ANS: D PTS: 1
REF: Communication Failure: An Indicator of Relationship Problems
OBJ: 8
28. The term used to describe a situation where a threatened partner responds with a higher level of threat
is known as a/an:
a. instrumental communication.
b. vicious circle.
c. conflict management.
d. positive reassurance.
ANS: B PTS: 1
REF: Communication Failure: An Indicator of Relationship Problems
OBJ: 8
29. A husband threatens to return his Christmas gift. His wife tells him that if he returns the present, she
will never buy him another gift as long as she lives. Her husband retaliates by telling her that he is not
going to buy her anything for their anniversary or for her birthday. This is an example of:
a. a vicious circle.
b. the principle of least interest.
c. autocratic authority.
d. problem ownership.
ANS: A PTS: 1
REF: Communication Failure: An Indicator of Relationship Problems
OBJ: 8
31. Cox and Demmitt believe that negative thoughts should be communicated:
a. with sarcasm.
b. silently.
c. in positive ways.
d. forcefully.
ANS: C PTS: 1
REF: Communication Failure: An Indicator of Relationship Problems
OBJ: 7
33. Which of the following statements illustrates the content dimension of communication?
a. "My son is very tall."
b. "I am the oldest son."
c. "Wash the dishes."
d. "The remote control is broken."
ANS: C PTS: 1
REF: Communication Failure: An Indicator of Relationship Problems
OBJ: 9
34. The statement "I am your parent and I have authority over you" illustrates the:
a. relational dimension of communication.
b. principle of positive reassurance.
c. content dimension of communication.
d. instrumental component of communication.
ANS: A PTS: 1
REF: Communication Failure: An Indicator of Relationship Problems
OBJ: 9
36. Which of the following statements illustrates the expressive dimension of communication?
a. "Most Americans marry for love."
b. "Bob knows how to bake cakes."
c. "My wife makes me feel like a million dollars."
d. "Adultery is grounds for divorce."
ANS: C PTS: 1
REF: Communication Failure: An Indicator of Relationship Problems
OBJ: 9
37. Good communication can be used:
a. only for positive effects.
b. as a tool for the oppressed.
c. in common cultural comparisons.
d. to manipulate and mislead people.
ANS: D PTS: 1
REF: Communication Failure: An Indicator of Relationship Problems
OBJ: 10
40. Based on the principle of _______, the individual who cares the least controls the relationship.
a. trust
b. affirmation
c. least interest
d. intimacy
ANS: C PTS: 1
REF: The Foundation Blocks of Successful Communication OBJ: 11
41. A husband who allows his wife to plan activities, anticipate problems, and make all of the marital
adjustments is:
a. autocratic.
b. aversive.
c. uncommitted.
d. encoding.
ANS: C PTS: 1
REF: The Foundation Blocks of Successful Communication OBJ: 11
44. When power is invested in a single authority in a relationship, the result is a/an ________relationship.
a. open
b. reassuring
c. noncoercive
d. coercive
ANS: D PTS: 1
REF: The Foundation Blocks of Successful Communication OBJ: 11
45. In ____ marriages, both partners have total freedom of choice and action.
a. democratic
b. autocratic
c. instrumental
d. laissez-faire
ANS: D PTS: 1
REF: The Foundation Blocks of Successful Communication OBJ: 11
46. Which of the following sayings is consistent with the definition of a laissez-faire marriage?
a. "Marriage is a partnership."
b. "Do your own thing."
c. "Two can live as one."
d. "A family that prays together stays together."
ANS: B PTS: 1
REF: The Foundation Blocks of Successful Communication OBJ: 11
49. The type of marriage that allocates responsibilities to both spouses but assigns authority to a single
leader is known as a/an:
a. autocratic marriage.
b. laissez-faire marriage.
c. expressive marriage.
d. democratic marriage.
ANS: A PTS: 1
REF: The Foundation Blocks of Successful Communication OBJ: 11
50. Louis openly discusses things with his wife but always has the final say about major family decisions.
Louis' marriage is probably:
a. democratic.
b. autocratic.
c. laissez-faire.
d. totalitarian.
ANS: B PTS: 1
REF: The Foundation Blocks of Successful Communication OBJ: 11
54. The term used to describe the movement of messages between sender and receiver is:
a. channeling.
b. instrumental communication.
c. empathy.
d. communication flow.
ANS: D PTS: 1 REF: Developing a Smooth Flow of Communication
OBJ: 11
55. When a person puts communication into a sendable form, they are ____________ the message.
a. channeling.
b. negotiation.
c. decoding.
d. encoding.
ANS: D PTS: 1 REF: Developing a Smooth Flow of Communication
OBJ: 11
58. A sender can resend a message through all of the following mechanisms EXCEPT:
a. correction.
b. negotiation.
c. problem solving.
d. encoding.
ANS: D PTS: 1 REF: Developing a Smooth Flow of Communication
OBJ: 11
59. Good communication includes communication behavior that refers to the verbal and nonverbal actions
a person takes to:
a. accomplish communication goals.
b. accomplish motivations.
c. destroy relationships.
d. develop communication skills.
ANS: B PTS: 1 REF: Developing a Smooth Flow of Communication
OBJ: 11
60. The first step in problem-solving communication is:
a. identifying problem ownership.
b. recognizing and expressing feelings.
c. listening with empathy.
d. entering the Johari window.
ANS: A PTS: 1 REF: Communication Skills
OBJ: 11
63. Why won’t forcing problem ownership on a person (blaming) help solve your problems?
a. Blaming someone only shifts the problem; it does not solve it.
b. Blaming someone does not change the problem for you and can be destructive.
c. If a problem is owned, there is no one to blame.
d. Understanding the problem removes blame.
ANS: B PTS: 1 REF: Communication Skills
OBJ: 11
64. The communication skill that enables a person to express his/her feelings while remaining aware of the
feelings of others is called:
a. empathic listening.
b. reassurance.
c. self-assertion.
d. feedback.
ANS: C PTS: 1 REF: Communication Skills
OBJ: 11
65. Nonassertive behavior has been attributed to all of the following factors EXCEPT:
a. lack of confidence.
b. feelings of superiority.
c. fear.
d. embarrassment.
ANS: B PTS: 1 REF: Communication Skills
OBJ: 11
66. Why would an individual not assert their own feelings, opinions, or attitudes?
a. This avoids feeling afraid, inferior, or embarrassed.
b. Nonassertive behavior is more beneficial to a relationship than self-assertion.
c. A conflict-free relationship is attainable if individuals do not express their opinions.
d. Self-assertion was more critical when gender roles were more traditional.
ANS: A PTS: 1 REF: Communication Skills
OBJ: 11
67. The term Cox and Demmitt use to describe an individual who expresses his feelings without
recognizing the needs of other people is:
a. assertive.
b. self-actualized.
c. noncommunicative.
d. aggressive.
ANS: D PTS: 1 REF: Communication Skills
OBJ: 11
68. ____ people demand attention and support and insist on having whatever they want at the moment.
a. Aggressive
b. Self-assertive
c. Confident
d. Nonassertive
ANS: A PTS: 1 REF: Communication Skills
OBJ: 11
74. The Johari Window contains all of the following squares EXCEPT:
a. "my secrets."
b. "direct feedback."
c. "my blind spot."
d. "common knowledge."
ANS: B PTS: 1 REF: Communication Skills
OBJ: 11
75. ____ occurs when the listener understands the speaker and feels his nonverbal communication.
a. Brainstorming
b. Negotiation
c. Empathy
d. Problem solving
ANS: C PTS: 1 REF: Communication Skills
OBJ: 11
76. Cox and Demmitt believe that ____ is the most important skill to possess when it comes to successful
communication.
a. a calm speaking voice
b. a sense of humor
c. empathetic listening
d. a passive vocabulary
ANS: C PTS: 1 REF: Communication Skills
OBJ: 11
77. Paul tells Megan about a problem at work. Megan listens to what Paul says. When she gives feedback,
she focuses on a minor statement about a pay cut and not the problem. Megan is using:
a. empathic listening.
b. paraphrasing.
c. selective attention.
d. decoding.
ANS: C PTS: 1 REF: Communication Skills
OBJ: 11
78. When people remember what they want to remember, they are practicing:
a. aversive listening.
b. selective retention.
c. nonassertive behavior.
d. the principle of least interest.
ANS: B PTS: 1 REF: Communication Skills
OBJ: 11
93. Covert conflict is associated with all of the following communication strategies EXCEPT:
a. pseudomutuality.
b. disengagement.
c. feedback.
d. disqualification.
ANS: C PTS: 1 REF: Communication and Family Conflict
OBJ: 13
94. ____ occurs when a person expresses anger and then discounts it.
a. Pseudomutuality
b. Denial
c. Disqualification
d. Displacement
ANS: B PTS: 1 REF: Communication and Family Conflict
OBJ: 13
95. Alex is angry with his parents, so he takes his frustrations out on his younger brother. The correct term
for Alex's behavior is:
a. disqualification.
b. disengagement.
c. pseudomutuality.
d. displacement.
ANS: D PTS: 1 REF: Communication and Family Conflict
OBJ: 13
97. When family members pretend that they are happy with one another when they really aren't, they are
practicing:
a. disengagement.
b. pseudomutuality.
c. denial.
d. displacement.
ANS: B PTS: 1 REF: Communication and Family Conflict
OBJ: 13
98. A person who avoids conflict by avoiding other family members is practicing:
a. disengagement.
b. pseudomutuality.
c. denial.
d. disqualification.
ANS: A PTS: 1 REF: Communication and Family Conflict
OBJ: 13
100. Jill has a habit of putting down her husband every time they are together with their friends. Last week,
she made the statement, "Jerry couldn't change a light bulb without the directions." According to
Gottman, the type of couple interaction Jill exhibits that is a predictor of relationship failure is:
a. belligerence.
b. stonewalling.
c. criticism.
d. contempt.
ANS: C PTS: 1 REF: Communication and Family Conflict
OBJ: 13
101. Which of the following is an example of indirect aggression frequently used by women to express
anger?
a. Seeking revenge over the wrong
b. Punching a wall
c. Confronting the individual in an attempt to clear the air
d. “Writing off” a person they feel wronged them
ANS: D PTS: 1 REF: Communication and Family Conflict
OBJ: 13
102. Compared to heterosexual couples, gay and lesbian couples tend to argue more about:
a. household tasks.
b. noncommunication.
c. distrust.
d. finances.
ANS: C PTS: 1 REF: Communication and Family Conflict
OBJ: 13
103. Almost _______ percent of internet users have a social networking site.
a. 60
b. 30
c. 80
d. 20
ANS: A PTS: 1 REF: Personal Relationships in the Information Age
OBJ: 14
105. There is increasing political discussion about the difference between the information rich and the
information poor. This is known as the:
a. information age.
b. Internet.
c. public information gateway.
d. digital divide.
ANS: D PTS: 1 REF: Personal Relationships in the Information Age
OBJ: 14
TRUE/FALSE
1. In the past, communication skills were less important because of clearly specified roles.
3. Successful communication has become increasingly easier in recent decades due to increased problem-
solving skills.
ANS: F PTS: 1
REF: Good Communication: A Basic Strength of Successful Families
OBJ: 4
5. Self-assertion means you will get your own way all the time.
ANS: T PTS: 1
REF: The Foundation Blocks of Successful Communication OBJ: 11
7. The best time to build communication skills is when disruptive forces are minimal.
ANS: F PTS: 1
REF: The Foundation Blocks of Successful Communication OBJ: 11
12. It is sometimes easier to listen empathically to a relative stranger than to someone with whom you
have a close relationship.
13. The desire to give advice is one of the major deterrents to empathic listening.
ANS: F PTS: 1
REF: Men and Women: Do They Speak the Same Language? OBJ: 12
16. Men actually talk more than women in meetings and in mixed-group discussions.
ANS: T PTS: 1
REF: Men and Women: Do They Speak the Same Language? OBJ: 12
17. The female style of communicating is better than the male style.
ANS: F PTS: 1
REF: Men and Women: Do They Speak the Same Language? OBJ: 12
18. Research suggests that conflicts are equally present in happy and unhappy marriages.
20. Denial is when a person expresses anger and then discounts it.
22. Repressing anger over a long period of time tends to improve a relationship.
24. Political efforts are being made to narrow the digital divide.
25. The overall negative effects from the use of new technologies exceed the possible benefits.
1. What is the difference between the ways families communicate now as opposed to in the past?
ANS:
In the past, communication skills were less important because families were developed around gender
roles. Today, the family's major function has become relational rather than role fulfilling, making
successful communication very important.
2. Barbara has been married three times. Each time, she was convinced that this marriage would meet all
her needs and would last forever. However, after a short time, she began to notice characteristics about
her partner that she didn't like. She felt that she couldn't discuss any of these problems with her partner
and she eventually ended the marriage each time. What is wrong with Barbara's thinking?
ANS:
Barbara is caught in the myth of the "right" partner, where instead of changing and improving her
relational skills, she changed partners.
ANS:
Successful communication takes time to develop and over time couples learn many ways of
communicating with each other. Richness also implies multiple ways of conveying the same thing.
Happily married couples have more communication styles than unhappily married couples.
ANS:
Negative communication can result from poor communication skills. In addition, communication can
be used to manipulate feelings, convey falsehoods, hide information, or degrade the other person or
relationship. Such communication can be used to destroy a relationship.
ANS:
The laissez-faire relationship is where both partners have total freedom of choice and action; the
democratic relationship is where responsibility is shared and authority is delegated by an equitable
agreement; and an autocratic relationship is where both partners may have responsibilities but
authority is assigned to a single leader.
6. Which type of person would have more success in communicating within a relationship—nonassertive,
aggressive, or self-assertive? Why?
ANS:
Self-assertive. A nonassertive person fails to make their feelings and thoughts known to others;
although not all aggressive communication is destructive, the aggressive person often bypasses the
recognition that others need to express their feelings; the self-assertive person feels free to express
themselves but are aware of the feeling and needs of others.
ANS:
Empathic listeners assure that the message is understood through feedback of the message and
examining nonverbal cues. Empathic listening focuses on the speaker without judgment.
ANS:
These couples realize that conflict will occur in any relationship. Effective conflict management, as
well as greater understanding and sensitivity toward their partner, is increasingly satisfying for the
relationship.
ANS:
Denial is one way that a covert or hidden conflict continues. Someone who uses denial refuses to
admit that there is a problem.
ANS:
Constructive anger can alert one's partner to a problem. It can also serve as a motivator energizing
people to tackle a problem.
11. What are the similarities and differences between areas of conflict for heterosexual couples as opposed
to gay or lesbian couples?
ANS:
Gay, lesbian, and heterosexual couples have conflict in the areas of power, personal flaws, intimacy,
and personal distance. Gay and lesbian couples argued more about distrust and past relationships.
Heterosexual couples argued more about social issues.
12. Discuss how the Internet can have both a negative and positive effect on the family.
ANS:
Negative effects include decreased family communication and the possibility of viewing inappropriate
material. Positive effects include drawing family members together, the ability to maintain contact
from a distance, and increased access to family information.