COMM 2107 - Ch 8

According to relationships counselors, the most central and continuous tension in the majority of close relationships arises from which of the following dialectical tensions?

Autonomy/connection

This communication confirms the worth of others and our concern for them. An examples is "I can understand why you feel that way."

Empathic

Assertiveness and affirming oneself involves the same kinds of communication across all cultures.

False

Men and women, as groups, self-disclose with equal frequency and depth.

False

Reciprocity of self-disclosures is especially after a relationship has become established.

False

The happiest dating and married partners feel that they do not invest equally in their relationship compared to their partner.

False

When we disagree with someone, we disconfirm her or her.

False

In interpersonal relationships it is as important to affirm and accept yourself as to affirm and accept others.

True

Investments cannot be recovered, so the only way to reap the benefits of your investments is to stick with a relationship.

True

Most people feel defensive when others communicate in neutral ways that suggest the others are distanced and uninvolved with them.

True

Of the many influences, four are particularly critical for building and sustaining satisfying personal relationships: investment, commitment, trust, and comfort with relational dialectics.

True

Unlike passion or attraction, which arise in the present, commitment links partners together in the future.

True

Chris says he loves Betsy, but he's not sure they have a future together. Chris feelings toward Betsy indicate he:

loves her but isnt committed.

The most basic form of confirmation in interpersonal communication is:

recognizing another person exists.

All of the following are supportive communication EXCEPT:

strategy

Co-workers might be very closed about all topics. This is an example of ____ when negotiating with dialectical tensions.

Selection

The counterpoint to strategy is ____.

Spontaneity

All of our relationships are very complex and are shaped by numerous factors.

True

Americans rely more on friends than do Russians, Koreans, or Turks.

True

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.

True

The counterpoint to evaluation is ____.

description

The strategy doesnt evaluate others or what they think and feel.

description

The counterpoint to neutrality is ____.

empathy

Research indicates that in general the least effective and least satisfying response to the tension generated by relational dialectics is to:

honor one need and ignore the contradictory one.