Introduction - Weeks 4-6 - Interpersonal Effectiveness - Flashcard set 3 (Version 1)
How can we check the facts when we’re unsure about someone’s motives?
By asking questions and observing people’s reactions
What is the opposite of giving people the benefit of the doubt?
mistrusting people without good reasons
How can you tell if someone is trustworthy?
They will be honest and have good intentions
What does it mean to “buy into” an interaction?
Completely participating in it
What does “staying in the present” mean?
Being aware of and participating in what is happening in the present moment
What does it mean to “go with the flow?”
To follow along with the other person in an interaction or group activity, rather than trying to control everything
What is the most important thing to do when ending a relationship?
Be direct and clear
How can you end a relationship in a way that is least hurtful to the other person?
By being truthful about the problems in the relationship, and making no apologies
What are some of the consequences of strong negative emotion in interpersonal situations?
Rash actions, judgmental thinking, and escalating conflict
What do you do if you love someone but the relationship is incompatible with your life goals?
End the relationship
What might happen if someone in a relationship with a drug addict tries to get clean?
They may have difficulty getting clean themselves if their partner is still using drugs
How might love continue despite mistreatment?
The person being mistreated still cares for the person doing the mistreating
What are some situations where it is difficult to stay focused on goals?
When you are tired, when you are bored, or when you are distracted
What are some of the reasons an alliance may be impossible between two people even though there is great love?
Incompatible values, career demands, the well-being of children, unwillingness to move to distant locations, and many other considerations
What is an example of a situation where someone might stay in a relationship despite it being harmful?
Someone addicted to drugs who loves a drug addict
What is the difference between justified and unjustified guilt?
Justified guilt is feeling guilty when a completed or intended action violates our important moral values. Unjustified guilt is feeling guilty for something that does not in reality violate our moral values
What is the most important thing to realize if you are in an abusive relationship?
That you may need to get help from a professional in order to leave the relationship safely
What is the middle path?
A path of harmony with reality as it is
What is the importance of validation in relationships?
It helps ensure that communication is clear and effective
What is the difference between validation and invalidation?
Validation communicates that a person’s feelings, thoughts, and actions are understandable, given the person’s past or current situation. Invalidation does not validate the invalid
What are behavior change skills?
Techniques that use consequences and stimulus control to increase desired behaviors or decrease undesired behaviors
How can you generate more balanced interpretations?
By considering all sides of an issue
How can I find the truth in a situation?
By examining all sides of the situation and all points of view
What are some examples of being tough AND gentle?
Being able to handle difficult situations while still being compassionate, or being assertive while still being kind
What does it mean to see the world in black-and-white terms?
To see it in only two extremes, with no middle ground
