Answer the following 20 questions to the best of your ability.
1. What is "stonewalling" in the context of relationship conflict? Refusing to communicate or emotionally withdrawing Throwing objects or physical posturing Gossiping about a partner to a third party Over-apologizing to avoid an argument
2. Which communication technique involves repeating back what the other person said to confirm understanding? Gaslighting Active listening Deflection Triangulation
3. According to relationship researcher John Gottman, which of the following is NOT one of the "Four Horsemen" of relationship apocalypse? Criticism Contempt Defensiveness Anger
4. The primary purpose of using an "I" statement (e.g., "I feel frustrated when...") is to: Focus on the speaker's feelings rather than blaming the listener Establish dominance in the conversation Guilt the other person into changing their behavior End the argument quickly
5. How does someone with a highly "avoidant" attachment style typically react to relationship conflict? They become excessively clingy They yell and escalate the argument They withdraw and seek physical/emotional distance They immediately seek mediation from friends
6. What is "gaslighting"? Igniting a previously resolved argument Manipulating someone into questioning their own reality or memory Using extreme flattery to win an argument Complaining about small, irrelevant details
7. In psychology, what does "triangulation" mean during a conflict? Bringing a third person into a two-person conflict to gain an ally Looking at an issue from three different perspectives Resolving an issue in three distinct steps Yelling, crying, and leaving the room
8. The "fundamental attribution error" happens in conflict when we: Attribute our own mistakes to our character Blame the environment for someone else's behavior Believe the other person is fundamentally a good person Attribute someone else's mistakes to their character, rather than their situation
9. What is the difference between "compromise" and "collaboration" in conflict resolution? Compromise means both parties give something up; collaboration finds a win-win solution Collaboration means both parties give something up; compromise is a win-win They are exact psychological synonyms Collaboration requires a mediator; compromise does not
10. "Emotional flooding" occurs during an argument when: Someone starts crying uncontrollably to gain sympathy A person over-shares irrelevant emotional trauma Physiological arousal (heart rate, adrenaline) becomes so high that rational thought shuts down A mediator asks too many personal questions
11. The psychological defense mechanism of "projection" involves: Projecting your voice so you are heard over someone else Attributing your own unacceptable feelings or thoughts to the other person Assuming the worst possible future outcome of the conflict Displaying a completely calm exterior while angry
12. Passive-aggressive behavior is best described as: The indirect expression of hostility, such as subtle insults or deliberate procrastination Switching rapidly between screaming and being silent Allowing the other person to win the argument without putting up a fight Physical violence disguised as playfulness
13. What is the purpose of the "pacing and leading" communication technique? To walk back and forth to intimidate the other person To speak very slowly to calm the room down To force the other person to follow your exact instructions To match the other person's reality to build rapport, before guiding them to a new perspective
14. "Reactance theory" explains why people often: React with extreme sadness during mild arguments Overreact to physical stimuli during a fight Do the exact opposite of what they are told when they feel their freedom is threatened Mimic the body language of the person they are fighting with
15. "Cognitive dissonance" experienced during a conflict is the uncomfortable feeling of: Hearing a loud, unpleasant tone of voice Holding two contradictory beliefs or values at the same time Forgetting what the argument was originally about Realizing that you have won the argument
16. In professional mediation, the technique of "reframing" refers to: Changing the way a negative or toxic statement is expressed to uncover the core underlying need Hanging a picture to distract the fighting parties Forcing both parties to apologize Taking a 20-minute break before resuming the argument
17. The "silent treatment" is widely considered by psychologists to be a form of: Healthy boundary setting Mindfulness meditation Effective de-escalation Emotional punishment or psychological abuse
18. "Zero-sum thinking" in a conflict implies that a person believes: The argument means nothing to either party In order for one person to win, the other person must lose Both parties can walk away with everything they want The relationship has zero value left
19. Setting a healthy relationship "boundary" is primarily about: Controlling what the other person is allowed to do Punishing the other person for past mistakes Communicating what behaviors you will and will not accept in your own life Refusing to speak to people you disagree with
20. Empathy differs from sympathy because empathy requires: Sharing and understanding the emotional experience of the other person Feeling pity or sorrow for the other person's misfortune Agreeing completely with the other person's perspective Fixing the other person's problem for them
