Q&A Hero

Q: In looking at friendship over the life span, which of these statements is generally true? a. Adolescents tend to rely more on family members than on friends. b. By tenth grade, adolescents tend to rely primarily on same-sex friends. c. College-age students tend to turn to their family members the most. d. Children tend to rely on themselves for emotional support.

Q: Which of these is true of same-sex friendships? a. Men's friendships are agentic. b. Male and female same-sex relationships are more dissimilar than they are similar. c. Male and female same-sex relationships are more similar than they are different. d. Women's friendships are communal.

Q: In comparing male and female same-sex and cross-sex friendships, research suggests that: a. female friendships are superior. b. male friendships are more hostile. c. women and men rate both kinds of friendships equally. d. they are more different than they are similar.

Q: Friends can overcome geographic separation when they: a. accept change as a natural part of the relationship. b. have a strong sense of shared history. c. focus their communication on shared interests and activities. d. All of the options are correct.

Q: Which of these is the most likely explanation for why straight people may be reluctant to pursue friendships with LGBTQ individuals? a. They fear they won't have enough time to develop the friendship. b. They fear an inability to provide adequate emotional support. c. They fear being associated with a marginalized group. d. All of the options are correct.

Q: When asked to identify the closest relationship in their lives, Japanese people will select a close friend, whereas Americans tend to choose their romantic partner. a. True b. False

Q: The strongest predictor of whether someone will have an intercultural friendship is the presence of some type of ingroup similarity. a. True b. False

Q: Which of these statements is true regarding friendships in general? a. We are likely to choose our friends over our careers. b. We are bonded to our friends by choice. c. We often choose our friends over our romantic relationships. d. We are bonded to friends by legal commitments.

Q: Having close cross-sex friendships is a relatively recent trend in the United States. a. True b. False

Q: In the United States, women's friendships tend to be communal, whereas men's friendships are usually agentic. a. True b. False

Q: Which of these is one of the strategies outlined by the text for maintaining a friendship? a. sharing activities together b. spending money together c. meeting each other's families d. All of these options are correct.

Q: Virtual friendships can help people with chronic shyness: a. interact with others. b. find emotional support. c. minimize anxiety that results from face-to-face encounters. d. All of the options are correct.

Q: Which of these is NOT an important function of friendship? a. Friendship provides a sense of belonging when you are young. b. Friendship provides social support when you are young. c. Friendship helps to form your identity during adolescence. d. Friendship provides social support when you are elderly.

Q: Which of these is the most likely explanation for the low frequency of cross-sex friendships in Euro-American societies? a. Cross-sex friendships are often questioned by family members. b. Cross-sex friendships feature an income disparity. c. Cross-sex friendships are motivated by romantic attraction. d. All of the options are correct.

Q: In comparing friendship, family, and romantic relationships, which of these statements is true? a. Friendships are more stable than romantic relationships. b. Friendships are less stable than romantic relationships. c. Friendships are more difficult to break off than romantic relationships. d. Friendships are less likely to change.

Q: People who regularly use cell phones to call and text their friends are less likely to seek face-to-face encounters. a. True b. False

Q: Geographic separation is the most cited reason for the deterioration of a friendship. a. True b. False

Q: Strong friendships are associated with which of these outcomes? a. higher levels of creativity b. higher levels of personal well-being c. higher lifetime monetary earnings d. All of the options are correct.

Q: Studies comparing offline versus online friendships find that offline friendships have higher degrees of intimacy, understanding, interdependence, and commitment. a. True b. False

Q: By the time we reach high school, we depend on our friends, rather than our families, to fulfill the majority of our relational needs. a. True b. False

Q: Which of these is a distinguishing characteristic of friendship? a. Friendship is volatile. b. Friendship is voluntary. c. Friendship is rooted in liking. d. All of the options are correct.

Q: Jennifer and Morgan are friends who work together at a diner. They cover each other's shifts and make sure the other doesn't get overwhelmed when they work together. Based on this information, is their friendship communal or agentic, and why are you able to tell the difference?

Q: How are friendships different from other relationships?

Q: What are the five distinguishing characteristics of friendship?

Q: Describe the challenges posed by maintaining cross-sex friendships.

Q: What are the potential rewards for participants in an intercultural friendship?

Q: Explain the reciprocal relationship between friendship and self-disclosure.

Q: Identify the two primary functions of friendships.

Q: Explain the elements that distinguish a best friend from a close friend.

Q: Why are cross-sex friendships far less stable than same-sex friendships?

Q: Identify 5 of the 10 friendship rules defined in the text.

Q: Which of these questions is suggested by the text as an item to ask following a friendship betrayal? a. Does this betrayal impact my financial well-being? b. What was the context preceding and surrounding the betrayal? c. What will my friend do to make up for his or her betrayal? d. All of these options are correct.

Q: You don't often see your friend, Ivan; however, when you do, he is always willing to fix your laptop computer or help you study for an exam. What type of friendship do you have? a. virtual b. agentic c. communal d. collaborative

Q: Most FWB relationships involve: a. striking an agreement not to fall in love. b. establishing rules governing frequency of e-mailing and text-messaging. c. establishing sex rules regarding frequency, exclusivity, and safer-sex practices. d. All of the options are correct.

Q: What is the most important factor distinguishing best friends from close friends? a. identity support b. social currency c. friendship rules d. geographic proximity

Q: Cynthia and Sierra are close friends who tell each other everything about their lives. Recently, however, Cynthia decided to not tell Sierra about a family issue, and Sierra got upset. Which of the friendship rules did Cynthia break? a. showing support b. seeking support c. respecting privacy d. keeping confidences

Q: Marsha and Steve spend a lot of time together; in addition to sharing an interest in art, they also helped each other deal with romantic breakups and family tragedies. What type of friendship do they have? a. communal b. agentic c. long distance d. virtual

Q: What change in friendship do married men typically experience in middle adulthood?

Q: What is an example of how people from different cultures have varied expectations regarding friendships?

Q: What are the potential rewards for participants in an interethnic friendships?

Q: Explain the role of identity support in best friendships.

Q: Identify the four most common types of cross-category friendships.

Q: Why is betrayal one of the most commonly reported reasons for ending a friendship?

Q: Explain how traditional gender roles affect how men act in same-sex friendships.

Q: What are the potential rewards for cross-orientation friendships between straight and LGBTQ individuals?

Q: Why would online friendships be uniquely advantageous for a person with chronic shyness?

Q: What are the advantages of offline friendships compared to online friendships?

Q: What are the two most important maintenance strategies for friends?

Q: What are the potential barriers to entry for participants in an interethnic friendships?

Q: Explain how the value we place on friendships can change over our life span.

Q: What's the difference between communal and agentic friendships?

Q: What is an FWB relationship?

Q: What are some challenges to maintaining cross-sex friendships?

Q: _______ friendships are friendships that focus on sharing time and activities together.

Q: Friendship _______ are principles that prescribe appropriate communication and behavior within a friendship.

Q: Friendships that cross demographic lines are examples of _______ friendships.

Q: Friendships in which participants engage in sexual activity without romantic attachment are colloquially called _______.

Q: Friendships in which the parties focus primarily on helping each other achieve practical goals are called _______ friendships.

Q: A(n) _______ is a voluntary interpersonal relationship characterized by intimacy and liking.

Q: Compare the similarities and differences between offline and online relationships.

Q: Most FWB relationships fail because although they are primarily designed to only satisfy sexual needs, unanticipated emotional challenges often arise. a. True b. False

Q: Which of these is NOT a distinguishing characteristic of friendship? a. Friendship is determined by fate. b. Friendship is voluntary. c. Friendship is characterized by self-disclosure. d. Friendship is volatile.

Q: Studies comparing online versus offline friendships have found that: a. online friendships have higher degrees of intimacy. b. offline friendships have higher degrees of intimacy. c. people prefer online communication when discussing personal topics. d. online communication has higher degrees of interdependence and commitment.

Q: According to communication scholar William Rawlins, friends who don't spend a lot of time together can still maintain a satisfying connection if: a. their friendship is communal. b. they follow friendship rules. c. their friendship is agentic. d. they perceive each other as "being there" when needed.

Q: What is the most common reason behind failed FWB relationships? a. Family and friends disapprove of the arrangement. b. Participants aren't satisfied emotionally. c. Participants tend to develop romantic feelings. d. Both B and C are correct.

Q: Susan and Linda are business partners and best friends; they encourage each other professionally and also share life events and activities outside of work. What type of friendship do they have? a. communal b. agentic c. cross-sex d. companionship

Q: A key aspect of friendships as compared to other relationship types is that they are voluntary relationships. a. True b. False Enter the appropriate word(s) to complete the statement.

Q: The aspects of your public self called _______are those you believe are the most important in defining who you are.

Q: _______ is defined by the textbook as behaving in ways that convey understanding, acceptance, and support for a friend's valued social identities.

Q: Friendship and self-disclosure are reciprocal, meaning that the more you consider someone a friend, the more you will disclose, and the more you disclose, the more you will consider that person a friend. a. True b. False

Q: Only people in the United States and Canada specify respecting privacy as a rule of friendship. a. True b. False

Q: One of the most common reasons that friendships fade over time is that: a. friendships are volatile. b. friendships can't withstand romantic attraction. c. friendships are inherently short-term relationships. d. friendships shift when shared interests or beliefs change.

Q: Women typically report a stronger desire for romantic involvement with their platonic friends than do men. a. True b. False

Q: Friendships help us fulfill two of our primary interpersonal needs: companionship and the achievement of practical goals. a. True b. False

Q: How can a couple successfully transition from friendship to romance or vice versa? a. expect difference b. emphasize disclosure c. maintain sexual intimacy d. Both A and B are correct.

Q: The majority of cross-sex friendships are motivated by sexual attraction. a. True b. False

Q: Which of these statements is NOT true about romance between friends? a. A romantic involvement will always end the friendship. b. People who are friends before a romance are more likely to remain friends. c. Many romances develop from friendships. d. The friends may spend an increased amount of time flirting.

Q: Betrayal is the most commonly reported reason for ending a friendship. a. True b. False

Q: What explanation does the textbook offer for why within cross-sex friendships, the issue of attraction is always a challenge, even when no such attraction exists between the friends? a. People presume that attraction between cross-sex friends exists. b. People are not willing to accept that cross-sex friends are truly friends. c. People are not able to separate attraction from friendship. d. All of these options are correct.

Q: Greg and Tom met in summer school and quickly became best friends. According to research, what is the most important factor distinguishing them as best friends? a. high levels of identity support b. adherence to friendship rules c. complementary interests d. close proximity