Test Bank

Chapter 5: Selecting a Partner

Multiple Choice

1. Being attracted to someone who is similar to you in racial background, age, and education is an example of ______.

a. heterosexuality

b. homosexuality

c. homogamy

d. heterogeneity

Learning Objective: 5.1: Identify the different factors operative in selecting a partner.

Cognitive Domain: Knowledge

Answer Location: Sociological Factors Operative in Mate Selection

Difficulty Level: Easy

2. Individuals in which relationship status display the lowest willingness to select a partner of a different race?

a. hanging out

b. dating

c. living together

d. marriage

Learning Objective: 5.1: Identify the different factors operative in selecting a partner.

Cognitive Domain: Knowledge

Answer Location: Race

Difficulty Level: Easy

3. For their marital partners, men tend to select women who are ______.

a. similar in age

b. three to five years younger

c. three to five years older

d. five to ten years older

Learning Objective: 5.1: Identify the different factors operative in selecting a partner.

Cognitive Domain: Knowledge

Answer Location: Age

Difficulty Level: Easy

4. Having a college degree or some college education increases the chances that you will ______.

a. never marry

b. marry someone older than you

c. marry multiple times

d. select a college-educated mate

Learning Objective: 5.1: Identify the different factors operative in selecting a partner.

Cognitive Domain: Knowledge

Answer Location: Education

Difficulty Level: Easy

5. If we learn that a couple represents the mating gradient, we can assume that the ______.

a. wife is younger and more attractive

b. husband is older and more successful in his career

c. wife is better-educated

d. husband and wife are of the same race

Learning Objective: 5.1: Identify the different factors operative in selecting a partner.

Cognitive Domain: Comprehension

Answer Location: Social Class

Difficulty Level: Medium

6. When using an online dating site, what is the most important quality for choosing a partner?

a. education

b. social class

c. intelligence

d. physical attractiveness

Learning Objective: 5.1: Identify the different factors operative in selecting a partner.

Cognitive Domain: Knowledge

Answer Location: Physical Attractiveness

Difficulty Level: Easy

7. Daniella is of medium height and weight and is engaged to be married next month. According to Prichard et al. (2015), we can be fairly confident that her fiancé is ______.

a. shorter and thinner than Daniella

b. exactly her height and weight

c. also of medium height and weight

d. much taller and heavier than Daniella

Learning Objective: 5.1: Identify the different factors operative in selecting a partner.

Cognitive Domain: Application

Answer Location: Weight and Height

Difficulty Level: Medium

8. In marital relationships, religious homogeny is identified with ______.

a. higher divorce rates

b. lower happiness

c. higher marital quality

d. lower spirituality

Learning Objective: 5.1: Identify the different factors operative in selecting a partner.

Cognitive Domain: Knowledge

Answer Location: Religion/Spirituality

Difficulty Level: Easy

9. Within married couples, what homogenous trait is strongest?

a. political attitudes

b. educational status

c. circadian preference

d. intelligence

Learning Objective: 5.1: Identify the different factors operative in selecting a partner.

Cognitive Domain: Knowledge

Answer Location: Politics

Difficulty Level: Easy

10. Dan, a musician, enjoys creating gourmet meals during the week for his hard-working wife, Angela. She appreciates that the house is always clean and the pantry is always stocked—and doesn’t mind when Dan works late into the night after she goes to sleep. This couple’s contented relationship is a good example of ______.

a. attachment theory

b. complementary-needs theory

c. role theory

d. exchange theory

Learning Objective: 5.1: Identify the different factors operative in selecting a partner.

Cognitive Domain: Application

Answer Location: Complementary-Needs Theory

Difficulty Level: Medium

11. Which theory of mate selection focuses on the costs and rewards of relationships?

a. attachment theory

b. complementary-needs theory

c. role theory

d. exchange theory

Learning Objective: 5.1: Identify the different factors operative in selecting a partner.

Cognitive Domain: Comprehension

Answer Location: Exchange Theory

Difficulty Level: Medium

12. According to the exchange theory of mate selection, when are individuals most vulnerable to actively seeking another partner?

a. when the advantages of the relationship exceed the disadvantages

b. when they first start toe experience benefits from the relationship

c. when disadvantages of the relationship exceed the advantages

d. when there are clear disadvantages to being in that relationship

Learning Objective: 5.1: Identify the different factors operative in selecting a partner.

Cognitive Domain: Comprehension

Answer Location: Exchange Theory

Difficulty Level: Medium

13. No one interested Fumiko as a serious dating partner until she met a traditional man who reminded her of her father’s honor and integrity. Freud would explain Fumiko’s feelings as an example of ______.

a. attachment theory

b. complementary-needs theory

c. role theory

d. exchange theory

Learning Objective: 5.1: Identify the different factors operative in selecting a partner.

Cognitive Domain: Application

Answer Location: Role Theory

Difficulty Level: Medium

14. According to the attachment theory of mate selection, what must be present for two adults to engage in a serious relationship?

a. desire for a romantic relationship

b. same place in birth order

c. appropriate life stage

d. similar educational background

Learning Objective: 5.1: Identify the different factors operative in selecting a partner.

Cognitive Domain: Comprehension

Answer Location: Attachment Theory

Difficulty Level: Medium

15. What undesirable personality trait is likely present in individuals who choose to cheat on their monogamous partner?

a. hypersensitivity

b. poor impulse control

c. perfectionistic

d. controlling

Learning Objective: 5.1: Identify the different factors operative in selecting a partner.

Cognitive Domain: Comprehension

Answer Location: Undesirable Personality Characteristics of a Potential Mate

Difficulty Level: Medium

16. A man with low self-esteem who feels constantly disapproved of by his romantic partner displays what undesirable personality characteristic?

a. insecurity

b. perfectionism

c. controlling nature

d. narcissism

Learning Objective: 5.1: Identify the different factors operative in selecting a partner.

Cognitive Domain: Comprehension

Answer Location: Undesirable Personality Characteristics of a Potential Mate

Difficulty Level: Medium

17. If one person is hypersensitive, how might it affect a serious romantic relationship?

a. One partner is likely to leave after the first disagreement.

b. One partner continually displays disrespect to the other.

c. Partners constantly criticize each other and neither is happy.

d. Partners cannot discuss their problems, so change is limited.

Learning Objective: 5.1: Identify the different factors operative in selecting a partner.

Cognitive Domain: Knowledge

Answer Location: Undesirable Personality Characteristics of a Potential Mate

Difficulty Level: Easy

18. What undesirable personality characteristic in a heterosexual romantic partner is considered more socially acceptable in men than in women?

a. social anhedonia

b. promiscuity

c. controlling nature

d. substance abuse

Learning Objective: 5.1: Identify the different factors operative in selecting a partner.

Cognitive Domain: Comprehension

Answer Location: Undesirable Personality Characteristics of a Potential Mate

Difficulty Level: Medium

19. Darius’s girlfriend acts helpless, clingy, and insecure whenever he is around, asking him to help choose her class schedule and to find her a new roommate. She gets upset if she sees him talking to any other female after class or around campus. This behavior reflects which problematic personality disorder?

a. paranoid

b. antisocial

c. narcissistic

d. dependent

Learning Objective: 5.1: Identify the different factors operative in selecting a partner.

Cognitive Domain: Application

Answer Location: Undesirable Personality Characteristics of a Potential Mate

Difficulty Level: Medium

20. The dark triad personality includes which traits?

a. narcissism, Machiavellianism, psychopathy

b. Machiavellianism, neurotic, schizoid

c. manipulative, controlling, insecure

d. paranoid, narcissism, promiscuous

Learning Objective: 5.1: Identify the different factors operative in selecting a partner.

Cognitive Domain: Knowledge

Answer Location: Female Attraction to “Bad Boys”

Difficulty Level: Medium

21. Sociobiologists believe that our desire to seek a romantic partner is based on ______.

a. loneliness levels

b. biochemical changes

c. companionship needs

d. reproductive drives

Learning Objective: 5.1: Identify the different factors operative in selecting a partner.

Cognitive Domain: Knowledge

Answer Location: Sociobiology

Difficulty Level: Medium

22. About 1 percent of the over 60 million marriages in the U.S. consist of a white and a black partner. This is evidence of ______.

a. legal restrictions on marriage

b. sociobiological choice

c. mat choice being culturally controlled

d. religious limitations

Learning Objective: 5.1: Identify the different factors operative in selecting a partner.

Cognitive Domain: Comprehension

Answer Location: Cultural Factors of Mate Selection

Difficulty Level: Medium

23. In the United States, what is an example of an exogamous pressure on marriage?

a. First cousins and siblings may not marry each other.

b. Parental approval to marry is highly desirable.

c. Most people choose mates with the same ethnicity.

d. Marrying within your religion gains social approval.

Learning Objective: 5.1: Identify the different factors operative in selecting a partner.

Cognitive Domain: Comprehension

Answer Location: Exogamy

Difficulty Level: Medium

24. In today’s dating world, what is the most popular method of meeting potential romantic partners?

a. at a bar

b. online

c. through friends

d. through family

Learning Objective: 5.2: Explain the various ways of using technology to find a partner.

Cognitive Domain: Knowledge

Answer Location: Finding a Partner Online

Difficulty Level: Easy

25. Why do people use online dating apps?

a. to shop for willing reproductive mates

b. to shop for new economic opportunities

c. to sell themselves as potential partners

d. to sell clothes/accessories bolstering sexual attractiveness

Learning Objective: 5.2: Explain the various ways of using technology to find a partner.

Cognitive Domain: Knowledge

Answer Location: Meeting Online—Advantages

Difficulty Level: Easy

26. When looking for a potential dating partner, one advantage of using an online site is that you can ______.

a. seek someone with emotional chemistry

b. focus on physical attractiveness

c. mask your true self and your desires

d. focus on meeting someone with common interests and values

Learning Objective: 5.2: Explain the various ways of using technology to find a partner.

Cognitive Domain: Comprehension

Answer Location: Meeting Online—Advantages

Difficulty Level: Medium

27. What is a common downside to seeking a partner via internet-based dating sites?

a. Attractive people tend not to post online profiles.

b. Misrepresentation is common.

c. People you meet are too similar to yourself.

d. Few other people are similarly seeking potential mates.

Learning Objective: 5.2: Explain the various ways of using technology to find a partner.

Cognitive Domain: Knowledge

Answer Location: Meeting Online—The Downside

Difficulty Level: Easy

28. Jaylen’s online profile uses an attractive picture of someone else and he makes exaggerated claims about his living situation and economic status. Jaylen is ______.

a. ghosting

b. cyberbullying

c. catfishing

d. phishing

Learning Objective: 5.2: Explain the various ways of using technology to find a partner.

Cognitive Domain: Application

Answer Location: Catfishing

Difficulty Level: Medium

29. What major question do couples explore when they have “the talk”?

a. What is the future of this relationship?

b. Do you want to have children?

c. When are you going to change?

d. How much alone time do you need?

Learning Objective: 5.3: Describe how couples move toward a committed relationship.

Cognitive Domain: Comprehension

Answer Location: Having “The Talk”

Difficulty Level: Medium

30. Being engaged provides the opportunity to ______.

a. eliminate habits which annoy your partner

b. loosen ties with former friends

c. closely examine the relationship

d. spend some time apart

Learning Objective: 5.3: Describe how couples move toward a committed relationship.

Cognitive Domain: Knowledge

Answer Location: Engagement

Difficulty Level: Easy

31. If you want to know how your partner will treat you in the future, the best suggestion is to observe how ______.

a. his/her parents interact

b. his/her siblings interact

c. he/she treats their mother

d. he/she treats their father

Learning Objective: 5.3: Describe how couples move toward a committed relationship.

Cognitive Domain: Knowledge

Answer Location: Visiting Your Partner’s Parents

Difficulty Level: Easy

32. What is the primary purpose of a prenuptial agreement?

a. to determine child support or custody in case of divorce

b. to determine division of property in case of death or divorce

c. to fully disclose existing assets prior to marriage

d. to increase relationship satisfaction

Learning Objective: 5.3: Describe how couples move toward a committed relationship.

Cognitive Domain: Knowledge

Answer Location: Prenuptial Agreement

Difficulty Level: Easy

33. The relationship factor that is likeliest to lead to later divorce is ______.

a. marrying during the teen years

b. signing a prenuptial agreement

c. having an extensive courtship

d. marrying someone of a different religious background

Learning Objective: 5.4: Summarize factors that affect a couple’s decision to marry.

Cognitive Domain: Knowledge

Answer Location: Avoid Teen Marriage

Difficulty Level: Easy

34. According to research, marrying someone you have known for less than two years is ______.

a. correlated with high marital satisfaction

b. considered appropriate and romantic

c. associated with higher divorce rates

d. reflective of an abusive relationship

Learning Objective: 5.4: Summarize factors that affect a couple’s decision to marry.

Cognitive Domain: Knowledge

Answer Location: Date Partner for at Least Three Years Before Getting Married

Difficulty Level: Easy

35. Relationship conflict often arises when couples do which of the following?

a. have known each other more than three years

b. establish a long-distance relationship

c. marry someone similar to them

d. have negative communication

Learning Objective: 5.4: Summarize factors that affect a couple’s decision to marry.

Cognitive Domain: Application

Answer Location: Important Considerations Before You Say “I Do”

Difficulty Level: Medium

36. What keeps occurring in cyclical relationships?

a. negative comments accompanied with compliments

b. breakups followed by reconciliation

c. changes in primary residence

d. pregnancies and miscarriages

Learning Objective: 5.4: Summarize factors that affect a couple’s decision to marry.

Cognitive Domain: Knowledge

Answer Location: Be Aware That an On-and-Off Relationship Is a Bad Sign

Difficulty Level: Easy

37. According to research, if your parents strongly disapprove of your marital partner choice, you are more likely to experience ______.

a. an abusive relationship

b. a cyclical relationship

c. lower marital satisfaction

d. longer marriage span

Learning Objective: 5.4: Summarize factors that affect a couple’s decision to marry.

Cognitive Domain: Knowledge

Answer Location: Dramatic Parental Disapproval
Difficulty Level: Easy

38. Settling in a relationship involves which characteristics?

a. fear, guilt, anxiety

b. boredom and safety

c. passion and excitement

d. satisfaction and relief

Learning Objective: 5.4: Summarize factors that affect a couple’s decision to marry.

Cognitive Domain: Comprehension

Answer Location: Don’t Settle

Difficulty Level: Medium

39. Juliana was left at the alter on her wedding day; however, she met a new man and was engaged to be married just two months later. Her new relationship can be described as ______.

a. psychological blackmail

b. a rebound

c. an escape

d. cyclical

Learning Objective: 5.4: Summarize factors that affect a couple’s decision to marry.

Cognitive Domain: Application

Answer Location: Avoid Marrying for the Wrong Reason

Difficulty Level: Medium

40. What trend involving mate selection is expected to increase in the future?

a. seeking a partner for marriage, but not cohabitation

b. seeking a partner without the assistance of technology

c. seeking a partner who facilitates your own self-actualization

d. seeking a partner who is socially and economically different than yourself

Learning Objective: 5.5: Discuss future changes to selecting a partner.

Cognitive Domain: Comprehension

Answer Location: Future of Partner Selection

Difficulty Level: Medium

True/False

1. Race is a social construct.

Learning Objective: 5.1: Identify the different factors operative in selecting a partner.

Cognitive Domain: Knowledge

Answer Location: Race

Difficulty Level: Easy

2. About half of all couples select a spouse of the same ethnicity.

Learning Objective: 5.1: Identify the different factors operative in selecting a partner.

Cognitive Domain: Knowledge

Answer Location: Race

Difficulty Level: Easy

3. The “marriage squeeze” gives women fewer eligible marital partners to select from.

Learning Objective: 5.1: Identify the different factors operative in selecting a partner.

Cognitive Domain: Knowledge

Answer Location: Age

Difficulty Level: Easy

4. Relationship connection problems are likely for children who experienced early abuse, neglect, or trauma.

Learning Objective: 5.1: Identify the different factors operative in selecting a partner.

Cognitive Domain: Knowledge

Answer Location: Attachment Theory

Difficulty Level: Easy

5. The sociobiological explanation for mate selection is almost universally accepted by sociologists.

Learning Objective: 5.1: Identify the different factors operative in selecting a partner.

Cognitive Domain: Knowledge

Answer Location: Criticisms of the Sociobiological Perspective

Difficulty Level: Easy

6. For LGBTQ youth, the Internet has become the primary method of meeting sexual partners.

Learning Objective: 5.2: Explain the various ways of using technology to find a partner.

Cognitive Domain: Knowledge

Answer Location: Finding a Partner Online

Difficulty Level: Easy

7. When assessing someone you meet on an online dating site, using Skype to video chat cannot substitute for meeting them in person.

Learning Objective: 5.2: Explain the various ways of using technology to find a partner.

Cognitive Domain: Knowledge

Answer Location: Meeting Online—The Downside

Difficulty Level: Easy

8. Although you might be seeking parental approval, there is little relational value in meeting your partner's parents.

Learning Objective: 5.3: Describe how couples move toward a committed relationship.

Cognitive Domain: Knowledge

Answer Location: Visiting Your Partner’s Parents

Difficulty Level: Easy

9. Abusive lovers tend to become abusive spouses.

Learning Objective: 5.4: Summarize factors that affect a couple’s decision to marry.

Cognitive Domain: Knowledge

Answer Location: End an Abusive Relationship

Difficulty Level: Easy

10. Future couples are predicted to significantly value both intimacy and autonomy.

Learning Objective: 5.5: Discuss future changes to selecting a partner.

Cognitive Domain: Comprehension

Answer Location: Future of Partner Selection

Difficulty Level: Medium

Essay

1. Which sociological factor or factors is most important to the success of your current relationship? Assess this relationship in terms of its homogamy, and describe its homogenous factors. (You may discuss a previous relationship, if preferred.)

Learning Objective: 5.1: Identify the different factors operative in selecting a partner.

Cognitive Domain: Analysis

Answer Location: Sociological Factors Operative in Mate Selection

Difficulty Level: Hard

2. Analyze the relationship of a famous couple in terms of exchange theory. Describe this relationship's rewards, costs, and profit/loss outcome.

Learning Objective: 5.1: Identify the different factors operative in selecting a partner.

Cognitive Domain: Analysis

Answer Location: Exchange Theory

Difficulty Level: Hard

3. Regardless of your relationship status, briefly create an online profile of yourself for a new dating app. Limit it to 100 words and be truthful. What aspects did you choose to emphasize? Why? Include a brief discussion of the advantages of online dating.

Learning Objective: 5.2: Explain the various ways of using technology to find a partner.

Cognitive Domain: Application

Answer Location: Finding a Partner Online

Difficulty Level: Medium

4. Why do people marry for the wrong reason? Create a detailed scenario that describes a poor reason for getting married. You may use fictional examples and details to demonstrate your reasoning.

Learning Objective: 5.4: Summarize factors that affect a couple’s decision to marry.

Cognitive Domain: Application

Answer Location: Avoid Marrying for the Wrong Reason

Difficulty Level: Hard

5. Is it important for a marital partner to support one’s future personal and career goals? Why or why not? What qualities do you seek in a mate that will support your personal agenda? Discuss at least three qualities and explain your reasoning.

Learning Objective: 5.5: Discuss future changes to selecting a partner. | 5.1: Identify the different factors operative in selecting a partner.

Cognitive Domain: Analysis

Answer Location: Future of Partner Selection | Factors Involved in Selecting a Mate

Difficulty Level: Hard