Ch. 8 Couples

Question 1

Universal prevention

Answer 1

focuses on preventing “the development of problems in the general population”

Question 2

Selective prevention

Answer 2

focuses on making interventions with at-risk groups in order to prevent problems

Question 3

indicated prevention

Answer 3

focuses on minimizing the harmful impact of serious problems in the early stages of a couple’s development

Question 4

According to Gottman, sound relationships have a positive to negative interaction ratio of …

Answer 4

5 to 1

Question 5

three stages of EFT

Answer 5

cycle de-escalation
restructuring interactional positions
consolidation and integration of therapeutic gains

Question 6

five major theories of couples and marriage therapy

Answer 6

Behavioral couples therapy (BCT)
Integrative behavioral couples therapy (IBCT) Cognitive-behavioral couples therapy (CBCT) Rational emotive behavior therapy (REBT) Emotionally focused therapy (EFT)

Question 7

behavioral analysis

Answer 7

a procedure used in behavioral couples therapy to measure couple distress. It is based on inter-viewing, self-reports on questionnaires, and behavioral observations.

Question 8

behavioral couple therapy

Answer 8

a behavioral approach to working with couples based on an exchange/negotiation model and focused on negotiating pleasing behaviors as well as teaching problem solving and communication skills to partners

Question 9

blamer softening

Answer 9

A procedure in emotionally focused marital counseling by which the therapist helps withdrawn and blaming partners become more engaged and ask for their attachment needs to be met in a soft way that pulls their partner toward them.

Question 10

caring days

Answer 10

part of a behavioral marital procedure in which one or both marital partners act as if they care about their spouse regardless of the other’s action(s). This technique embodies the idea of a “positive risk”—a unilateral action not dependent on another for success

Question 11

cognitive–behavioral couple therapy (CBCT)

Answer 11

an approach to working with couples that takes into account the effect of cognitions (i.e., thoughts) and behaviors on modifying couple interactions.

Question 12

collaborative divorce

Answer 12

an intervention model in which the divorcing couple and attorneys agree, by an explicit, writ-ten contract, to work toward a settlement without resorting to litigation.

Question 13

communication skills training

Answer 13

a behavioral couple ther-apy approach in which couples learn to use “I statements,” stick to here-and-now problems rather than dwell on the past, describe their spouse’s specific behavior rather than apply a label to it, and are taught how to provide positive feedback to their significant other

Question 14

communications theory

Answer 14

an approach to working with families that focuses on clarifying verbal and nonverbal transactions among family members. Much communica-tion theory work is incorporated in experiential and strategic family therapy.

Question 15

consolidation and integration of therapeutic gains

Answer 15

the third stage in emotionally focused therapy, in which the therapist reviews the accomplishments of the couple by contrasting their initial negative interactional cycle with their new, positive interactional cycle.

Question 16

contingency contracting

Answer 16

a procedure in which a specific, usually written, schedule or contract describes the terms for trading or exchanging behaviors and reinforcers between two or more individuals. One action is contingent, or dependent, on another.

Question 17

Couple Communication (CC) Program

Answer 17

a marriage enrichment program that is divided into entry and advanced programs in which couples learn about themselves and their partners better in addition to mastering 11 interper-sonal skills for effective talking, listening, resolving con-flict, and managing anger.

Question 18

cycle deescalation

Answer 18

the first stage in emotionally focused therapy, during which time couples are helped to uncover negative or hard feelings that lie beneath their defensive expressions of hurt, anger, and withdrawal.

Question 19

divorce therapy

Answer 19

a part of marital therapy that seeks to help couples separate from each other physically, psycho-logically, and/or legally.

Question 20

emotionally focused couples therapy

Answer 20

a systemic therapeutic approach to working with couples originated by Susan Johnson that strives to foster the development of more-secure attachment styles in couples by using emotions as a positive force for change in relationships

Question 21

enactments

Answer 21

the actions of families that show problematic behavioral sequences to therapists—for example, having an argument instead of talking about one.

Question 22

family mediation

Answer 22

the process of helping couples and fam-ilies settle disputes or dissolve a marriage in a nonadver-sarial way by having a specially trained family therapist act as an impartial, cognitive, neutral third party to facilitate negotiation between disputing parties.

Question 23

Great Start

Answer 23

a program that utilizes PREPARE/ENRICH inventories and is designed for premarital and early marital relationships. It is a part of the Couples Communication Program.

Question 24

integrative behavioral couple therapy (IBCT)

Answer 24

an approach that emphasizes the promotion of acceptance into the traditional focus of behavioral couple therapy.

Question 25

marital distress

Answer 25

situations in which marriage partners experience communication and problem-solving difficulties to the point that they find it hard to work together and have difficulty accepting each other’s differences.

Question 26

marital quality

Answer 26

how a marriage relationship is functioning and how partners feel about and are influenced by such functioning

Question 27

marriage and relationship education

Answer 27

the use of didactic lectures, visual aids, books, handouts, and interactive discussions to help couples learn about the pitfalls and possibilities of marriage.

Question 28

Marriage Encounter Program

Answer 28

founded in 1962, the essence of this approach is to have a “team couple” lead a group of husbands and wives during a weekend in exercises that give them the opportunity to share their emotions and thoughts. In essence, couples are taught how to make effective communication a part of their everyday lives.

Question 29

marriage enrichment

Answer 29

the concept that couples stay healthy or get healthier by actively participating in certain activities, usually in connection with other couples.

Question 30

operant interpersonal approach

Answer 30

the term first used to describe Richard Stuart’s initiatives in behavioral couple therapy.

Question 31

positive reciprocity

Answer 31

a mutual or cooperative exchange of rewarding and valued behaviors between partners.

Question 32

positive risk

Answer 32

a unilateral action that is not dependent on another for success.

Question 33

Practical Application of Intimate Relationship Skills (PAIRS)

Answer 33

a marriage enrichment program developed by Lori Gordon that teaches attitudes, emotional understandings, and behaviors that nurture and sustain healthy relationships

Question 34

premarital assessment questionnaire (PAQ)

Answer 34

an instrument, such as PREPARE and RELATE, that allows individuals or couples to assess their readiness or suitability for marriage.

Question 35

PREP (Prevention and Relationship Enhancement Pro-gram)

Answer 35

a 12-hour structured enrichment program in which couples, either married or unmarried, are taught to become effective communicators and problem solvers while they enhance their commitment to each other.

Question 36

PREPARE/ENRICH

Answer 36

an inventory developed by David Olson for engaged couples that identifies strengths and growth opportunities.

Question 37

restructuring interactional positions

Answer 37

the second stage in emotionally focused therapy, which is characterized by withdrawer reengagement and blamer softening

Question 38

SANCTUS

Answer 38

a theologically and psychologically based marriage enrichment program based on stepwise process that incorporates building a pattern of love and relationship with God, one’s self, and others.

Question 39

secure attachment bonds

Answer 39

active, affectionate, reciprocal relationships marked by emotional closeness, comfort, and security.

Question 40

social exchange theory

Answer 40

an approach that stresses the rewards and costs of relationships in family life according to a behavioral economy.

Question 41

soft emotions

Answer 41

emotions such as hurt, insecurity, loneli-ness, and fear that reveal personal vulnerability.

Question 42

Sound Relationship House (SRH) Theory

Answer 42

John Gottman’s approach for working with couples therapeutically. There are four stages (or as Gottman calls them “blue-prints”) to this theory: (1) assessment of the couple’s emotional connection and conflict, (2) enhancement of the couple’s friendship, (3) improvement of the couples’ conflict management, and (4) reinforcement of the advancements that have taken place. When applied to distressed couples, this therapeutic process is usually completed in an average of 15–20 sessions.

Question 43

withdrawer reengagement

Answer 43

process by which an emotionally focused therapist works with a marital partner to create a new interactive pattern that helps him or her become more engaged in interactions and express their attachment needs in a soft way that pulls their partner toward them