ANSWERS TO Tying It All Together QUIZZES

1. c and d

2. c

3. According to Sternberg, by looking at three dimensions— passion, intimacy, and commitment—and exploring their combinations we can get a portrait of all the partner love relationships that exist in life. By exploring how these facets change over time, we can also understand why marital happiness might naturally decline over the years. (a) This couple is extremely emotionally involved (has intimacy and passion) but has not decided to get married or enter a fully committed relationship. (b) This couple has it all: intimacy, passion, and commitment. Most likely, they are newlyweds. (c) This couple is best friends (intimate) and married (committed) but no longer passionate. Couples who have been married for decades are most likely to have companionate marriages.

4. Sharing mutually exciting activities cements passion. Commitment grows out of (and is embodied by) feeling devoted to a partner’s well-being.

5. (1) Spend time together doing exciting activities you both enjoy. (2) Practice sacrificing for your mate (giving up activities you might enjoy to further your partner’s happiness). (3) Keep disagreements to the topic; never get personal when fighting; hold off from giving too much advice.

6. Be careful! You may more quickly contemplate leaving your new spouse when you disagree. Your children are apt to feel threatened by your new relationship, and may place barriers to your getting along.

1. Statistically speaking, you would expect this couple’s marital satisfaction to decline (same would be true if this couple were gay). If Jenna and Charlie were not married, Charlie might be especially dissatisfied after Jenna gave birth.

2. a and c

3. Tell grandma that’s not true! Parents are spending more time with their children than in the past. Moms do far more hands-on teaching—even when they have full-time jobs. And of course, fathers are also much more involved. Not only are dads spending more time playing, particularly, with their sons; but depending on their attitudes, they are even doing more routine care.

4. My questions (but you can think of others!): (1) Do you think child care is basically a woman’s job, or should couples share this responsibility? (2) Are females basically superior at child-rearing than men? (3) How important is it to you to be the primary breadwinner? (4) How much does your wife earn compared to you? (5) Have you been laid off at work? (6) Do you live in a patriarchal society?

1. a and c

2. Vanessa’s isolated work environment doesn’t fit her sociable personality. She needs ample chances to interact with people during the day.

3. a and b

4. still exist