(De-)Escalatory Conflict Spirals - Answers Covert or indirect way of expressing conflict
Voluntary/Obligatory - Answers Relationships we enter into out of our own volition
Interpersonal Attraction - Answers Refers to a general feeling or desire that impacts our
decision to approach and initiate a relationship with another person
Physical Attractiveness - Answers The dimension of attractiveness most often used in deciding
whether to pursue a relationship is physical attractiveness
Social Attractiveness - Answers Common interests or similar patterns of communication that
cause individuals to perceive one another as someone they would like to spend more time with
Impression Management - Answers The process of maintaining a positive self image of self in
the presence of others
Task Attractiveness - Answers Characteristics or qualities that are perceived as appealing when
initiating relationships in which the goal is to complete a task or assignment
Similarity/Homophily - Answers We seek out relationships with those who have common
interests, backgrounds, and goals, and who are similar in appearance
False Homophily - Answers Presentation of a deceptive image of self that appears to be more
similar than it actually is
Self-Disclosure - Answers One person reveals information about himself or herself to another
Social Penetration Theory - Answers Addresses how information is exchanged during
relationship development
Uncertainty Reduction Theory - Answers Identifies questions as a primary communication
strategy used for encouraging reciprocal disclosure and reducing levels of uncertainty
Predicted Outcome Value Theory - Answers Focuses on the perceived rewards or benefits
associated with the new relationship
Affinity-seeking Strategies - Answers Verbal and nonverbal communication behaviors that are
often used strategically to gain liking from others
Social Exchange Theory - Answers Assessment of costs and rewards in determining the value
of pursuing a relationship
Control Mutuality - Answers The extent to which couples agree on who has the right to influence
the other and establish relational goals
Equity Theory - Answers Suggests a relationship is considered equitable when the ratio of
, inputs to outputs is equal for both individuals involved
Skill Similarity Model - Answers Similarity in the nature and level of partners' social skills
Ego Support - Answers The ability to make others feel positive about themselves
Self-Disclosure - Answers Initially sharing our thoughts and feelings
Relationship Maintenance Strategies - Answers Behaviors and activities used strategically to
sustain desired relational qualities or to sustain the current status of the relationship
Mediated Communication - Answers Exchange of email messages, letters, text messages, or
phone calls
Conflict Management Styles - Answers The extent to which couples agree on who has the right
to influence the other and establish relational goals
Verbal Aggression - Answers Involves assaulting or criticizing another person's sense of self
and typically involves attacks on one's character, competence, background, or appearance
Social Exchange Theory - Answers refers to an assessment of costs and rewards in determining
the value of pursuing or continuing a relationship
Indirect Methods - Answers Refers to a gradually strategy used to let go of a relationship such
as, calling the friend less or sending fewer emails
Self-Determination Theory - Answers People have an innate psychological need to feel
autonomous, or self-governing, in one's behavior
Fundamental Attribution Error - Answers The idea that people tend to attribute others' behaviors
to internal, rather than external causes
Intrapsychic Phase - Answers One partner recognizes that something is wrong in a relationship
and that he or she is no longer happy
Dyadic Phase - Answers This phase is when the leaver officially announces to the partner that
he or she is leaving or thinking of leaving
Grave Dressing - Answers Partners are able to articulate the explanation of the termination and
create their own versions of the relationship, whether truthful or not
Social Phase - Answers When the relationship termination is focused less on the relationship
and more on the relationship partners' friends and family
5 Stages of Relationship Dissolution - Answers Differentiating
Circumscribing