Family Communication Final Exam 2025 –
Complete Study Guide & Key Concepts
Mate Selection Factors: Individual Factors - ANSWER ✨✔---Relationship Readiness
Attachment Style
Physical Attractiveness
Available Resources
Individual Beliefs/Values
Mate Selection Factors: Dyadic Factors - ANSWER ✨✔---Compatibility: Similarities vs. differences.
Data tends to lean more towards similarities being a large factor
Reinforcement Affect: We tend to like people who agree w/ us
Repulsion Hypothesis: We tend to expect similarity, so when it doesn't happen, it's repulsive (we don't
like it)
Assortive Matching
Assortive Matching - ANSWER ✨✔---Homogamy refers to individuals who are a like on a
characteristic
When individuals pair w/ mates according to homogamy, they are assortively matched
Is concerned w/ whether or not individuals are more alike than would be expected by chance
,Assortive Matching: Individual and Interaction Variables - ANSWER ✨✔---Age gap for marriages
seems to be decreasing, many are not concerned w/ age anymore. Men historically used to be about 2
years older.
Education and socioeconomic class: Similar between two mates.
Physical Attractiveness: People w/ similar level of attractiveness will pair together
Tend to mate with people who have similar leisure activities
Similar role preferences: Who should do what
Similar communication values
Similar psychological qualities
Mate Selection Factors: External Factors - ANSWER ✨✔---Proximity: Biggest predictor of selecting
a mate
Social Networks: Friends/Family and their support
Technology: Especially important in a long-distance relationship
Knapp and Vangelisit's Relationship Stages: Initiating - ANSWER ✨✔---We've recently met (or I'd
like to meet this person)
Am deciding whether or not they are attractive or unattractive and deciding whether to initiate
conversation
Thinking: "I see you, I am friendly, and I want to open channels for communication to take place"
"Hi how ya doin'?"
"Fine. You?"
Knapp and Vangelisit's Relationship Stages: Experimenting - ANSWER ✨✔---We are beginning the
process of experimenting - trying to discover the unknown.
We exchange demographic info and our conversation often seems controlled by a norm that says "if you
tell me your hometown. I'll tell you mine."
Small talk is the key meanswer on communicating here.
This relationship is generally pleasant, relaxed, uncritical, casual, and full of questions.
,Knapp and Vangelisit's Relationship Stages: Intensifying - ANSWER ✨✔---Have a good amount of
personal closure, and we have begun to get a glimpse of some previously withheld secrets.
We disclose about a lot of things, and often about how our relationship is developing.
Speaking more informally. We say "we" and express our commitment directly.
As we begin to get close, we do so w/ caution, waiting for confirmation before proceeding
"I...think I love you."
"I love you too."
Knapp and Vangelisit's Relationship Stages: Bonding - ANSWER ✨✔---Our two individual
personalities are almost fused or blended.
Verbal and nonverbal communication shows that we are alike. Dress alike, have same interests, people
treat you like a couple. As close as family members often are.
In a public ritual, we have announced to the world that a commitment has been formally contracted.
During this stage engagement, marriage, moving in together.
Communication is at its highest level and often don't have to talk b/c you know each other so well.
Families and friends are blended.
Evolutionary Psychology - ANSWER ✨✔---Major Principle: Mate selection is a result of attempts to
enhance reproductive success. Biological, trying to pass down our genes.
Mate value: What partner brings to table in terms of reproduction.
Partner Selectivity: How selective we are about our partners
Parental Investment Model: Sex that has more to lose from bad choice is more selective. Typically
females b/c they can get pregnant.
Sexual Selection: Certain traits evolve and stick around b/c of reproductive benefits.
Similar to Darwin's idea of natural selection.
Doesn't really account for same-sex mating
Extremely basic idea
Social-Role Structure Model - ANSWER ✨✔---Major Principle: Looks at gender role and how mate
fits into what we are seeking.
Gender roles are socially constructed
, Find a mate that is good exemplar of that gender role
"Switch On": Winch's Complementary Needs Model - ANSWER ✨✔---Looks for similarity to
determine eligible mates
Looks for differences for relationship development: look for someone to complement you: personality
differences
Homogamy of social characteristics is a strong influence on marital choice, but only for preliminary
screening to determine a field of eligible spouses.
Past the preliminary screening, partners seek out people who are different so as to fulfill
complementary needs.
"Switch On": Murstein's-Stimulus-Value-Role Model - ANSWER ✨✔---Stimulus Stage: 1st contact.
First impressions based on physical appearance, status, poise, or other readily available info involving
career, reputation, and professional aspirations.
Value Stage: 2nd contact. Partners focus on attitudes, beliefs, needs, and desires. Stimulus issues are
still of concern, however value comparisons take center stage
Role Stage: 8 or more contacts. Compatibility. Evaluating whether the course of one partner's roles fits
w/ respect to the other partner's roles.
Interpersonal Process Model/ "Turning Points" - ANSWER ✨✔---Interaction is the primary force in
relationship development
4 Relationship Types
Reasons for change: Relationship-Driven commitment ("the next step). Event-driven commitments
Interpersonal Process Model/ "Turning Points": Accelerated - ANSWER ✨✔---Move gradually and
rapidly through relationship stages
Interpersonal Process Model/ "Turning Points": Accelerated-Arrested - ANSWER ✨✔---Rapid
movement early on, but lose momentum
Interpersonal Process Model/ "Turning Points": Intermediate - ANSWER ✨✔---Progressed steadily
at a moderate pace
Low and steady
Complete Study Guide & Key Concepts
Mate Selection Factors: Individual Factors - ANSWER ✨✔---Relationship Readiness
Attachment Style
Physical Attractiveness
Available Resources
Individual Beliefs/Values
Mate Selection Factors: Dyadic Factors - ANSWER ✨✔---Compatibility: Similarities vs. differences.
Data tends to lean more towards similarities being a large factor
Reinforcement Affect: We tend to like people who agree w/ us
Repulsion Hypothesis: We tend to expect similarity, so when it doesn't happen, it's repulsive (we don't
like it)
Assortive Matching
Assortive Matching - ANSWER ✨✔---Homogamy refers to individuals who are a like on a
characteristic
When individuals pair w/ mates according to homogamy, they are assortively matched
Is concerned w/ whether or not individuals are more alike than would be expected by chance
,Assortive Matching: Individual and Interaction Variables - ANSWER ✨✔---Age gap for marriages
seems to be decreasing, many are not concerned w/ age anymore. Men historically used to be about 2
years older.
Education and socioeconomic class: Similar between two mates.
Physical Attractiveness: People w/ similar level of attractiveness will pair together
Tend to mate with people who have similar leisure activities
Similar role preferences: Who should do what
Similar communication values
Similar psychological qualities
Mate Selection Factors: External Factors - ANSWER ✨✔---Proximity: Biggest predictor of selecting
a mate
Social Networks: Friends/Family and their support
Technology: Especially important in a long-distance relationship
Knapp and Vangelisit's Relationship Stages: Initiating - ANSWER ✨✔---We've recently met (or I'd
like to meet this person)
Am deciding whether or not they are attractive or unattractive and deciding whether to initiate
conversation
Thinking: "I see you, I am friendly, and I want to open channels for communication to take place"
"Hi how ya doin'?"
"Fine. You?"
Knapp and Vangelisit's Relationship Stages: Experimenting - ANSWER ✨✔---We are beginning the
process of experimenting - trying to discover the unknown.
We exchange demographic info and our conversation often seems controlled by a norm that says "if you
tell me your hometown. I'll tell you mine."
Small talk is the key meanswer on communicating here.
This relationship is generally pleasant, relaxed, uncritical, casual, and full of questions.
,Knapp and Vangelisit's Relationship Stages: Intensifying - ANSWER ✨✔---Have a good amount of
personal closure, and we have begun to get a glimpse of some previously withheld secrets.
We disclose about a lot of things, and often about how our relationship is developing.
Speaking more informally. We say "we" and express our commitment directly.
As we begin to get close, we do so w/ caution, waiting for confirmation before proceeding
"I...think I love you."
"I love you too."
Knapp and Vangelisit's Relationship Stages: Bonding - ANSWER ✨✔---Our two individual
personalities are almost fused or blended.
Verbal and nonverbal communication shows that we are alike. Dress alike, have same interests, people
treat you like a couple. As close as family members often are.
In a public ritual, we have announced to the world that a commitment has been formally contracted.
During this stage engagement, marriage, moving in together.
Communication is at its highest level and often don't have to talk b/c you know each other so well.
Families and friends are blended.
Evolutionary Psychology - ANSWER ✨✔---Major Principle: Mate selection is a result of attempts to
enhance reproductive success. Biological, trying to pass down our genes.
Mate value: What partner brings to table in terms of reproduction.
Partner Selectivity: How selective we are about our partners
Parental Investment Model: Sex that has more to lose from bad choice is more selective. Typically
females b/c they can get pregnant.
Sexual Selection: Certain traits evolve and stick around b/c of reproductive benefits.
Similar to Darwin's idea of natural selection.
Doesn't really account for same-sex mating
Extremely basic idea
Social-Role Structure Model - ANSWER ✨✔---Major Principle: Looks at gender role and how mate
fits into what we are seeking.
Gender roles are socially constructed
, Find a mate that is good exemplar of that gender role
"Switch On": Winch's Complementary Needs Model - ANSWER ✨✔---Looks for similarity to
determine eligible mates
Looks for differences for relationship development: look for someone to complement you: personality
differences
Homogamy of social characteristics is a strong influence on marital choice, but only for preliminary
screening to determine a field of eligible spouses.
Past the preliminary screening, partners seek out people who are different so as to fulfill
complementary needs.
"Switch On": Murstein's-Stimulus-Value-Role Model - ANSWER ✨✔---Stimulus Stage: 1st contact.
First impressions based on physical appearance, status, poise, or other readily available info involving
career, reputation, and professional aspirations.
Value Stage: 2nd contact. Partners focus on attitudes, beliefs, needs, and desires. Stimulus issues are
still of concern, however value comparisons take center stage
Role Stage: 8 or more contacts. Compatibility. Evaluating whether the course of one partner's roles fits
w/ respect to the other partner's roles.
Interpersonal Process Model/ "Turning Points" - ANSWER ✨✔---Interaction is the primary force in
relationship development
4 Relationship Types
Reasons for change: Relationship-Driven commitment ("the next step). Event-driven commitments
Interpersonal Process Model/ "Turning Points": Accelerated - ANSWER ✨✔---Move gradually and
rapidly through relationship stages
Interpersonal Process Model/ "Turning Points": Accelerated-Arrested - ANSWER ✨✔---Rapid
movement early on, but lose momentum
Interpersonal Process Model/ "Turning Points": Intermediate - ANSWER ✨✔---Progressed steadily
at a moderate pace
Low and steady
