Intimate Relationships Exam Bank 2026-
2027 | 150 Practice Questions with Answers
& Explanations | Psychology Test Prep
Description:
Master your intimate relationships psychology exam with 150 up-to-date practice questions,
detailed explanations, and evidence-based content for 2026/2027. Perfect for university
students, exam prep, and study guides.
Download now and ace your test!
, Intimate Relationships Exam Bank 2026-2027
SECTION A: FOUNDATIONAL CONCEPTS IN INTIMATE RELATIONSHIPS
Question 1
Which of the following characteristics distinguishes intimate relationships from casual
acquaintances?
A) Frequent social contact and shared activities
B) Interdependence that is bidirectional, extended over time, and occurs across multiple
situations
C) Mutual attraction and similar interests
D) Shared living arrangements and financial resources
Answer: B
Explanation: Intimate relationships are characterized by interdependence that is bidirectional,
extends over time, and occurs across various situations. While social contact, attraction, and
shared living arrangements may be present in intimate relationships, the defining feature is the
mutual influence partners have on each other's thoughts, feelings, and behaviors across multiple
contexts over extended periods.
Question 2
According to research on subjective well-being and intimate relationships, which statement is
most accurate?
A) Relationship quality only predicts well-being in Western individualistic cultures
B) The quality of close relationships is the single most consistent predictor of well-being across
42 countries
C) Being married guarantees increased happiness regardless of relationship quality
D) Single individuals consistently report higher levels of happiness than married individuals
,Answer: B
Explanation: Extensive cross-cultural research demonstrates that the quality of close
relationships is the single most consistent predictor of subjective well-being across 42 different
countries. While married individuals generally report greater happiness, this association is not
universal or guaranteed, and relationship quality matters more than relationship status alone.
Question 3
The selection effect in relationship research suggests that:
A) Being in a relationship causes people to become happier
B) People who are already happier are more likely to marry and maintain relationships
C) Relationship selection is primarily based on physical attractiveness
D) Most people select partners who are opposite to them in personality
Answer: B
Explanation: Selection effects refer to the phenomenon where individuals who are already
happier, more resilient, and easier to be in relationships with are more likely to marry and
maintain successful partnerships. This differs from protection effects, which suggest that
marriage itself provides benefits that increase happiness.
Question 4
Which finding supports the protection effect of marriage?
A) Happy people are more likely to get married
B) Divorce rates are higher among people with positive personalities
C) Married couples accumulate more wealth, reducing financial stress
D) Unmarried individuals report higher relationship satisfaction
Answer: C
, Explanation: Protection effects refer to the benefits that marriage confers, including greater
financial well-being, more frequent and satisfying sexual activity, and better physical health. The
finding that married couples accumulate more wealth and experience reduced financial stress
exemplifies how marriage protects individuals from various stressors.
Question 5
Research on physical health and intimate relationships demonstrated that:
A) Hostile intimate relationships have no effect on physical healing
B) Experimentally created blisters heal more slowly in individuals from hostile relationships due
to decreased cytokines at wound sites
C) Physical health is unrelated to relationship quality
D) Only the presence of a spouse affects health, not the quality of the relationship
Answer: B
Explanation: Studies examining the impact of relationship quality on physical health have
shown that experimentally created blisters heal more slowly in individuals engaged in hostile
intimate relationships. This occurs because conflict decreases cytokines (proteins involved in
immune response) at wound sites, demonstrating the biological link between relationship quality
and physical health.
Question 6
In the Threat of Shock Study, participants experienced the least brain activation in areas
governing emotional and behavioral threat when they were:
A) Holding a stranger's hand
B) Not holding anyone's hand
C) Holding their partner's hand, especially when reporting high relationship satisfaction
D) Visualizing their partner
Answer: C
2027 | 150 Practice Questions with Answers
& Explanations | Psychology Test Prep
Description:
Master your intimate relationships psychology exam with 150 up-to-date practice questions,
detailed explanations, and evidence-based content for 2026/2027. Perfect for university
students, exam prep, and study guides.
Download now and ace your test!
, Intimate Relationships Exam Bank 2026-2027
SECTION A: FOUNDATIONAL CONCEPTS IN INTIMATE RELATIONSHIPS
Question 1
Which of the following characteristics distinguishes intimate relationships from casual
acquaintances?
A) Frequent social contact and shared activities
B) Interdependence that is bidirectional, extended over time, and occurs across multiple
situations
C) Mutual attraction and similar interests
D) Shared living arrangements and financial resources
Answer: B
Explanation: Intimate relationships are characterized by interdependence that is bidirectional,
extends over time, and occurs across various situations. While social contact, attraction, and
shared living arrangements may be present in intimate relationships, the defining feature is the
mutual influence partners have on each other's thoughts, feelings, and behaviors across multiple
contexts over extended periods.
Question 2
According to research on subjective well-being and intimate relationships, which statement is
most accurate?
A) Relationship quality only predicts well-being in Western individualistic cultures
B) The quality of close relationships is the single most consistent predictor of well-being across
42 countries
C) Being married guarantees increased happiness regardless of relationship quality
D) Single individuals consistently report higher levels of happiness than married individuals
,Answer: B
Explanation: Extensive cross-cultural research demonstrates that the quality of close
relationships is the single most consistent predictor of subjective well-being across 42 different
countries. While married individuals generally report greater happiness, this association is not
universal or guaranteed, and relationship quality matters more than relationship status alone.
Question 3
The selection effect in relationship research suggests that:
A) Being in a relationship causes people to become happier
B) People who are already happier are more likely to marry and maintain relationships
C) Relationship selection is primarily based on physical attractiveness
D) Most people select partners who are opposite to them in personality
Answer: B
Explanation: Selection effects refer to the phenomenon where individuals who are already
happier, more resilient, and easier to be in relationships with are more likely to marry and
maintain successful partnerships. This differs from protection effects, which suggest that
marriage itself provides benefits that increase happiness.
Question 4
Which finding supports the protection effect of marriage?
A) Happy people are more likely to get married
B) Divorce rates are higher among people with positive personalities
C) Married couples accumulate more wealth, reducing financial stress
D) Unmarried individuals report higher relationship satisfaction
Answer: C
, Explanation: Protection effects refer to the benefits that marriage confers, including greater
financial well-being, more frequent and satisfying sexual activity, and better physical health. The
finding that married couples accumulate more wealth and experience reduced financial stress
exemplifies how marriage protects individuals from various stressors.
Question 5
Research on physical health and intimate relationships demonstrated that:
A) Hostile intimate relationships have no effect on physical healing
B) Experimentally created blisters heal more slowly in individuals from hostile relationships due
to decreased cytokines at wound sites
C) Physical health is unrelated to relationship quality
D) Only the presence of a spouse affects health, not the quality of the relationship
Answer: B
Explanation: Studies examining the impact of relationship quality on physical health have
shown that experimentally created blisters heal more slowly in individuals engaged in hostile
intimate relationships. This occurs because conflict decreases cytokines (proteins involved in
immune response) at wound sites, demonstrating the biological link between relationship quality
and physical health.
Question 6
In the Threat of Shock Study, participants experienced the least brain activation in areas
governing emotional and behavioral threat when they were:
A) Holding a stranger's hand
B) Not holding anyone's hand
C) Holding their partner's hand, especially when reporting high relationship satisfaction
D) Visualizing their partner
Answer: C
