Human relationships practice questions.

According to the matching hypothesis in the formation of romantic relationships, partners are most likely to pair up when they:

• Have opposite personality traits that complement each other
• Are similar in level of physical attractiveness
• Live in geographically distant locations
• Have very different socio-economic backgrounds

Answer: Are similar in level of physical attractiveness

The matching hypothesis proposes that people tend to form relationships with others of a similar level of physical attractiveness, balancing desire for the most attractive partner against fear of rejection.

Which explanation for attraction is best supported by Festinger et al.'s (1950) study of friendship formation in a student housing complex?

• The reward/need satisfaction theory
• The proximity (physical closeness) effect
• The evolutionary parental investment theory
• The equity theory of relationships

Answer: The proximity (physical closeness) effect

Festinger found that friendships formed most often between people who lived physically close together, demonstrating the proximity effect on the formation of relationships.

Buss's (1989) large cross-cultural survey on mate preferences is most often used as evidence for which explanation of relationship formation?

• Social exchange theory
• The evolutionary explanation of partner selection
• The filter model of attraction based on similarity
• Attachment style theory

Answer: The evolutionary explanation of partner selection

Buss surveyed 37 cultures and found consistent sex differences in mate preferences, cited as support for evolutionary explanations of partner selection.

In social exchange theory, the comparison level for alternatives (CLalt) refers to a person's:

• Total rewards minus total costs in the current relationship right now
• Perception of whether a better relationship is available elsewhere
• Expected standard of rewards based on past relationships
• Level of emotional investment already made

Answer: Perception of whether a better relationship is available elsewhere

CLalt is the judgement of whether another relationship or being alone would yield greater rewards than the current relationship; a favourable current relationship exceeds this level.

Which of the following best describes equity theory as an explanation for the maintenance of relationships?

• Relationships are stable when one partner gives more than the other
• Partners are most satisfied when they see the exchange as fair
• Relationships depend only on the absolute amount of rewards received
• Relationships are maintained purely by biological attachment bonds

Answer: Partners are most satisfied when they see the exchange as fair

Equity theory states that partners are most satisfied when the ratio of benefits to contributions is perceived as fair for both, not necessarily equal in absolute terms.

Gottman's research identified four communication patterns that strongly predict relationship breakdown, which he termed the 'Four Horsemen'. Which of the following is one of them?

• Active listening
• Contempt
• Compromise
• Self-disclosure

Answer: Contempt

Gottman's Four Horsemen are criticism, contempt, defensiveness and stonewalling; contempt was found to be the single strongest predictor of divorce.