Lesson 4.3.2.2

4.3.2.2 Theories of romantic relationships and relationship breakdown Quiz: AQA Psychology, Unit 3

20 questions

Written by Revision Ninja · Last reviewed 11 October 2026

In partnership with Revision Ninja

Lesson 4.3.2.2, Theories of romantic relationships and relationship breakdown: 20 multiple choice questions for the AQA Psychology (7182), Unit 3: Issues and options in Psychology, written with Revision Ninja.

Host it live on the board and students join with a game code on their own devices, or revise alone with Free Play. The answers are revealed in the game.

Host this setFree Play

The 20 questions

  1. According to social exchange theory, individuals maintain relationships when rewards exceed what?

    • Expectations
    • Comparisons
    • Costs
    • Investments

  2. In social exchange theory, what measure compares current relationship outcomes to past experiences?

    • Comparison for alternatives
    • Comparison level
    • Equity level
    • Investment level

  3. According to equity theory, what is the most important factor for relationship satisfaction?

    • Low comparison level
    • Maximum personal gain
    • Fairness of rewards
    • High total rewards

  4. According to equity theory, what emotional state is experienced by both over-benefited and under-benefited partners?

    • Contentment
    • Anger
    • Guilt
    • Distress

  5. Which three factors determine commitment in Rusbult's investment model of relationships?

    • Equity, fairness, equality
    • Satisfaction, alternatives, investment
    • Rewards, costs, comparison
    • Self-disclosure, gating, attractiveness

  6. In Rusbult's investment model, what does quality of alternatives evaluate?

    • Past relationship satisfaction
    • Options outside relationship
    • Accumulated joint resources
    • Intimacy with partner

  7. Which is the first phase in Duck's phase model of relationship breakdown?

    • Dyadic phase
    • Intra-psychic phase
    • Grave-dressing phase
    • Social phase

  8. In which phase of Duck's model do partners directly discuss their relationship dissatisfaction together?

    • Social phase
    • Intra-psychic phase
    • Dyadic phase
    • Grave-dressing phase

  9. Which phase of Duck's model involves involving wider social networks, such as friends and family?

    • Intra-psychic phase
    • Social phase
    • Dyadic phase
    • Resurrection phase

  10. What is the main focus of the grave-dressing phase in Duck's breakdown model?

    • Direct partner confrontation
    • Creating public narrative
    • Seeking relationship counselling
    • Private cognitive brooding

  11. A partner privately broods over dissatisfaction without discussing it yet. Which breakdown phase is this?

    • Dyadic phase
    • Social phase
    • Intra-psychic phase
    • Grave-dressing phase

  12. A couple has a strong commitment because they are highly satisfied, have invested a lot and see few better alternatives. Which theory explains this?

    • Duck's phase model
    • Rusbult's investment model
    • Filter theory
    • The matching hypothesis

  13. High investment combined with low quality of alternatives primarily increases which relationship outcome?

    • Equity
    • Satisfaction
    • Commitment
    • Self-disclosure

  14. What is a major limitation of social exchange theory as an explanation of romantic relationships?

    • Ignores financial costs
    • Overemphasises equity
    • Ignores altruistic motives
    • Ignores physical attractiveness

  15. A couple feels equitable because they both contribute similar amounts of time and money. Which theory best explains their satisfaction?

    • Duck's phase model
    • Hard determinism
    • Equity theory
    • Filter theory

  16. What is a key methodological issue when evaluating equity theory?

    • Measuring physical attraction
    • Measuring brain activity
    • Calculating financial earnings
    • Quantifying fairness subjectively

  17. According to social exchange theory, why might someone remain in a high-cost relationship?

    • Profits exceed alternatives
    • Equity is balanced
    • Investment is low
    • Comparison level drops

  18. A relationship breaks down in stages that move from private thought to public account. Which model describes this sequence?

    • Rusbult's investment model
    • Social exchange theory
    • Duck's phase model
    • Filter theory

  19. In Rusbult's model, which factor directly causes relationship breakdown when it drops?

    • Equity perception
    • Self-disclosure level
    • Comparison level
    • Commitment level

  20. A couple stay together despite low satisfaction because of shared property and children. Which factor explains this?

    • High investment size
    • Low comparison level
    • High satisfaction level
    • Quality of alternatives

All AQA Psychology quizzes