Interpersonal Communications Chapter 11

In a study, what percentage of students reported misrepresenting their sexual histories to their partners?

25 percent

When asking questions in order to first get to know someone, what is one thing you should not do?

Ask yes-or-no questions

According to uncertainty reduction theory, we want control and predictability in our lives, and the way we do that is to manipulate and deceive the partners in our relationships.

False

Cross-sex friendships may be fun and flirty, but they are seldom intimate or serious, and they rarely help you understand the opposite sex.

False

In a study of 46 committed romantic couples, the participants reported that the number-one communication problem was too much talking and not enough listening.

False

In adolescence, girls seem to have more friends and are more likely to join groups. Adolescent boys are more likely to develop close relationships with one or two good friends.

False

One study of romantically involved college students found that the level of sexual communication related to the level of relational satisfaction, particularly for females. However, over time that relationship diminished for females while it increased for males.

False

The text states that the closest relationship you will ever develop with another human being will probably be with a best friend, and almost half the participants in one research study confirmed this.

False

Which statement about men's and women's cross-sex friendships is true, based on Lilian Rubin's interviews of 300 people?

Men seemed to gain more from these relationships

Which statement is true regarding same-sex friendships?

The time spent talking to "close" friends is similar for men and women.

As friends grow older, they engage in more negative self-disclosure. So it seems that as we age, we become comfortable with telling our friends less positive things about ourselves.

True

Conflicts are inevitable in any interpersonal relationship. They key is not to avoid conflicts, but rather to effectively manage them

True

It is sometimes appropriate to use exaggerated affection, such as overstating your feelings for a friend or partner who is chronically insecure due to high attachment anxiety or low self-esteem.

True

Storage and agape are two types of love that involve caring, giving, and selflessness, without any form of sexual consummation.

True

Which statement is true concerning gender and relationship talk?

Women see it as part of the routine for maintaining the relationship.

Surveys of college students have found that _____ of the respondents have had relationships described as "friends with benefits."

about half

The results of one study suggest that if your expression of romantic interest is not reciprocated by the other person, one thing you can do to preserve the friendship is to _____.

accept the person's answer and drop the issue

What is the most "pure" form of love, one that gives of itself and expects nothing in return, such as the love of a parent for a child?

agape

You work out at a gym and would like to get to know another member. You make eye contact, smile, and quickly wave when you see this person. Which type of strategy are you using to try to initiate a relationship?

approachability cue

Which strategy can be effectively used to initiate a relationship?

asking questions

One study resulted in students reporting they would feel anxiety, fear, discomfort, uncertainty, surprise, or awkwardness. But they also pictured a sense of excitement and pride. What situation were they asked to imagine?

asking someone for a date

Usually the impact of significant age differences on friendships _____.

becomes less important the older people become

If someone shows interest in a romantic relationship toward a person who does not want it, what is an indirect strategy that is often used to deal with it?

being rude to the other person

The text states that both friendships and romantic relationships _____.

can lead to intimate, loving, and lasting relationships

Friendships represent relationships of _____.

choice

A coworker approaches you and asks, "How is your mother doing after her latest operation?" Another says, "It must be very difficult to have a parent who is so seriously ill." These comments are examples of which affinity-seeking strategy?

concern and caring

Looking for information about another person's family traditions, observances, and celebrations is an example of how _____ can affect the development of intercultural friendships.

cultural differences

Of the four factors that influence the development of intercultural friendships, which one can actually heighten interest in the other person and prompt the initial conversation to begin?

cultural differences

Heidi Reeder conducted two studies on cross-sex relationships and found that romantic attraction as well as physical or sexual attraction _____ as the relationship progressed over time, and friendship attraction _____.

diminished; increased

What is one of the primary qualities of friendship, as identified in a variety of research studies?

ego-reinforcement

A unique issue that confronts interracial friendships is the fact that usually both people are _____.

from the same culture

Which of the following is an example of a secret test?

hinting or joking about the two of you becoming romantic

Compared to men's same-sex friendships, women's same-sex friendships _____.

include more compliments

Companionate love consists of _____.

intimacy and commitment but little passion

According to Sternberg's triangular theory of love, romantic love combines which three dimensions?

intimacy, commitment, and passion

Game-playing love that passes the time and allows you to enjoy another person in a casual way is referred to as _____.

ludis

As far as their friendships, older adults are likely to _____.

maintain a small network of highly valued friends

When friendships have become secondary, opposite-sex friendships have diminished, and the total number of friends has declined, what life event likely has occurred?

marital relationship

A young girl is developing close friendships, but she easily becomes jealous and possessive of these friends. She is likely in the _____ stage of childhood friendship.

mutual intimacy

Which term refers to the use of touch to convey love and caring for another person, not only in romantic relationships but also in interactions with friends and family members?

physical affection

In some cultures, parents set up prearranged marriages for their children. What label would John Alan Lee give for this practical type of love based on mutual benefits and compatibility?

pragma

When two strangers meet, following a script can _____

provide some comfort and security by reducing uncertainties

A young woman strategically decides to do something that will indirectly help her understand her partner's feelings. What term describes her behavior?

secret test

What is one of the five factors that commonly influences the development of college friendships?

similarity of attitudes

An American student attends a Chinese New Year's party with a Chinese classmate. This demonstrates which of the four factors that influence the development of intercultural friendships?

targeted socializing

Adult friendships are considered to be those that exist from _____.

the thirties through the sixties

People in relationships defined as "friends with benefits" tend to value _____ above all.

their friendship

What is the main idea behind relationship-specific social decentering?

understanding what your partner likes, dislikes, needs, and expects

Research indicates that people typically have _____ close friends, _____ other friends, and at least _____ members of a social/family network, as well as many others who are simply acquaintances.

up to 5; 15; 20

Kathleen Bogle found that hookups on college campuses _____.

were often preceded by alcohol consumption