COMM 315 TAMU Exam #2 QUESTIONS AND
ANSWERS WITH COMPLETE SOLUTIONS
2025 UPDATE
Define: Relationship Dimension - ANSWER The dimension of messages that
comments on the relationship between the speakers rather than on matters
external to them.
Define: Content Dimension - ANSWER Refers to the dimension of messages
that comments on the world external to both speaker and listener.
Define: Social Penetration Theory - ANSWER A theory concerned with
relationship development from the superficial to the intimate levels and from few
to many areas of interpersonal interaction.
Define: Relationship Dialect Theory - ANSWER An explanation of the
conflicting motives that people in close relationships often experience.
Define: Relationship Rules Theory - ANSWER A theory that holds that people
maintain relationships with those who follow the rules the individuals have
defined as essential to their relationship and dissolve relationships with those who
don't follow the rules.
Define: Social Exchange Theory - ANSWER A theory hypothesizing that you
cultivate profitable relationships (rewards are greater than costs) and that you
avoid or terminate unprofitable relationships (where costs exceed rewards).
,Define: Politeness Theory - ANSWER A theory that states two people develop
a relationship when each respects, contributes to, and acknowledges the positive
and negative face needs of the other and deteriorates if they don't.
Define: Equity Theory - ANSWER A theory claiming that people experience
relational satisfaction when there is an equal distribution of rewards and and costs
between the two persons in the relationship.
Define: Eros Love - ANSWER A type of love that emphasizes beauty and
sexuality.
Define: Storge Love - ANSWER A type of love that is peaceful and slow. (ex:
When Harry met Sally)
Define: Agape Love - ANSWER A type of love that is compassionate and
selfless- egoless, self-giving, the endless giver (ex: moms with their kids)
Define: Ludus Love - ANSWER A type of love that is for entertainment and
excitement- fun and games, not too seriously, not that emotional (ex: Joey on
friends)
Define: Pragma Love - ANSWER A type of love that is practical and traditional -
family and background are important, what will make my life easier? (ex: story of
the old married couple)
, Define: Mania Love - ANSWER A type of love that has a lot of elation and
depression- extreme highs and lows, does not become as pleasurable because of
waiting for the lows.
Define: Conversation Orientation - ANSWER This refers to the degree to which
family members can speak their mind. When this is high, family encourages
members to voice their opinions. When this is low, family discourages discussion.
Define: Consensual Families - ANSWER Families who encourage open
communication and agreement, high in conversation and in conformity
Define: Protective Families - ANSWER Families who are high in conformity and
low in conversation. These families stress agreement and strive to avoid conflict
but w/ little communication.
Define: Pluralistic Families - ANSWER Families that are low in conformity and
high in conversation. Family members are encouraged to express diff attitudes and
points of view and to engage in open communication while being supportive of
each other.
Define: Laissez-Faire Families - ANSWER Families that are low in confirmation
and in conversation. They avoid interaction and communication, and encourage
privacy and a "do what you want" attitude.
Define: Withdrawal - ANSWER A communication pattern where there is
greater physical space, quicker tempers, less eye contact, less touching, less desire
to talk or listen.
ANSWERS WITH COMPLETE SOLUTIONS
2025 UPDATE
Define: Relationship Dimension - ANSWER The dimension of messages that
comments on the relationship between the speakers rather than on matters
external to them.
Define: Content Dimension - ANSWER Refers to the dimension of messages
that comments on the world external to both speaker and listener.
Define: Social Penetration Theory - ANSWER A theory concerned with
relationship development from the superficial to the intimate levels and from few
to many areas of interpersonal interaction.
Define: Relationship Dialect Theory - ANSWER An explanation of the
conflicting motives that people in close relationships often experience.
Define: Relationship Rules Theory - ANSWER A theory that holds that people
maintain relationships with those who follow the rules the individuals have
defined as essential to their relationship and dissolve relationships with those who
don't follow the rules.
Define: Social Exchange Theory - ANSWER A theory hypothesizing that you
cultivate profitable relationships (rewards are greater than costs) and that you
avoid or terminate unprofitable relationships (where costs exceed rewards).
,Define: Politeness Theory - ANSWER A theory that states two people develop
a relationship when each respects, contributes to, and acknowledges the positive
and negative face needs of the other and deteriorates if they don't.
Define: Equity Theory - ANSWER A theory claiming that people experience
relational satisfaction when there is an equal distribution of rewards and and costs
between the two persons in the relationship.
Define: Eros Love - ANSWER A type of love that emphasizes beauty and
sexuality.
Define: Storge Love - ANSWER A type of love that is peaceful and slow. (ex:
When Harry met Sally)
Define: Agape Love - ANSWER A type of love that is compassionate and
selfless- egoless, self-giving, the endless giver (ex: moms with their kids)
Define: Ludus Love - ANSWER A type of love that is for entertainment and
excitement- fun and games, not too seriously, not that emotional (ex: Joey on
friends)
Define: Pragma Love - ANSWER A type of love that is practical and traditional -
family and background are important, what will make my life easier? (ex: story of
the old married couple)
, Define: Mania Love - ANSWER A type of love that has a lot of elation and
depression- extreme highs and lows, does not become as pleasurable because of
waiting for the lows.
Define: Conversation Orientation - ANSWER This refers to the degree to which
family members can speak their mind. When this is high, family encourages
members to voice their opinions. When this is low, family discourages discussion.
Define: Consensual Families - ANSWER Families who encourage open
communication and agreement, high in conversation and in conformity
Define: Protective Families - ANSWER Families who are high in conformity and
low in conversation. These families stress agreement and strive to avoid conflict
but w/ little communication.
Define: Pluralistic Families - ANSWER Families that are low in conformity and
high in conversation. Family members are encouraged to express diff attitudes and
points of view and to engage in open communication while being supportive of
each other.
Define: Laissez-Faire Families - ANSWER Families that are low in confirmation
and in conversation. They avoid interaction and communication, and encourage
privacy and a "do what you want" attitude.
Define: Withdrawal - ANSWER A communication pattern where there is
greater physical space, quicker tempers, less eye contact, less touching, less desire
to talk or listen.
