Intimate Relationships & Communication

Question 1

*What is the first relationship we have outside of our family and what
three things do we learn from it?

Answer 1

Friendship, we learn about tolerance, sharing, and trust.

Question 2

Physical intensity, excitement, and pleasure:

Answer 2

As physical intensity & excitement diminish, pleasure may actually increase a happiness in being with each other

Question 3

*Jealousy

Answer 3

Is not an element of love, but insistent demands and attempts to control.

Question 4

*Feedback

Answer 4

A constructive response to another’s self disclosure

Question 5

There are two major things we should look for when choosing a
partner. Name both of them and give an example of each

Answer 5

1. Similarities – ethnic/socioeconomic background, educational level,
   lifestyle, physical attractiveness, and geographic area
2. First attraction – looks, dress, social status, and reciprocated interest

Question 6

*Predictors of a happy marriage

Answer 6

1. Realistic expectations
2. Feels good about the personality of their mate
3. Egalitarian role (equal)
4. Communication
5. Conflict resolution
6. Agree on religious and ethical values
7. Good balance of individual and joint interests and activities
8. Develop friendships with other couples

Question 7

Increases relationship success

Answer 7

1. Similarities (to your own) - increases relationship’s success
   Other things to consider: communication, acceptance, how much do we have in common?

Question 8

First attraction

Answer 8

Observable characteristics (looks, dress, social status, reciprocated interest)

Question 9

Living together

Answer 9

Cohabitation (living together in a sexual relationship w/o being married)

1. More popular among younger people
2. Partnerships tend to be less stable
   Advantages: keep identity, more independence

Question 10

Process of divorce

Answer 10

1. Emotional separation
2. Physical separation
3. Experience turmoil, depression and lowered self-esteem

Question 10

Chance of divorce

Answer 10

50-55%

Question 10

Authoritarian

Answer 10

High demand, low responsiveness

Question 10

How long it takes to recover from divorce

Answer 10

1-3 years

Question 11

Authoritative

Answer 11

High demand, high responsiveness

Question 12

Permissive

Answer 12

Low demand, high responsiveness

Question 12

Uninvolved

Answer 12

Low demand, low responsiveness - worst

Question 12

Out of all parenting styles, which one is the worst and best?

Answer 12

Authoritative (best)
Uninvolved (worst)

Question 12

Marital satisfaction

Answer 12

Marital satisfaction tends to decline when children are young and in school, but increases once the last child has left home

Question 13

Family life cycle

Answer 13

1. Early stage - ensure the babies physical well being, worry about choices and making serious mistakes, no set hard-and-fast rules, most important is to promote satisfaction for all family members - including parents
2. Later stages: balance between giving freedom and setting limits that will keep them safe and secure, increased dependence and allowing them to risk success or failure on their own

Question 14

Stepfamilies

Answer 14

Step families are different from primary families and should not be expected to duplicate the emotions and relationships of a primary family.

Question 15

Greatest stress producing event

Answer 15

Separation and divorce, except for the death of a spouse or family member