CRC Relationship Dynamics & Conflict Resolution 3

Question 1

A client says their partner always brings up past grievances during current arguments. As a coach, you recognize this as which problematic conflict behavior?

Accepted Answer

Kitchen-sinking

Answer

Kitchen-sinking (also called 'kitchen sink fighting') occurs when someone piles unrelated past grievances into a current argument rather than addressing the immediate issue.

Question 2

In Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT) for couples, the primary goal of the de-escalation phase is to:

Accepted Answer

Help partners understand their negative interaction cycle as the shared enemy

Answer

In EFT's de-escalation phase, the coach or therapist helps both partners see the negative interaction cycle itself—not each other—as the problem they need to address together.

Question 3

Which attachment style is MOST likely to lead a person to use emotional withdrawal as a conflict resolution strategy?

Accepted Answer

Dismissive-avoidant attachment

Answer

Individuals with dismissive-avoidant attachment tend to suppress emotional needs and withdraw during conflict as a way to maintain self-sufficiency and avoid vulnerability.

Question 4

When a couple reports that one partner always 'wins' arguments because the other eventually gives in to end the conflict, a relationship coach should FIRST address:

Accepted Answer

The underlying power imbalance and what maintains it

Answer

The persistent pattern of one partner 'winning' signals a power imbalance that likely has structural or attachment-related roots; addressing only communication skills without the underlying dynamic will be ineffective.

Question 5

The 'demand-withdraw' pattern in couples conflict is BEST described as:

Accepted Answer

One partner pursuing engagement while the other distances, creating a chase cycle

Answer

The demand-withdraw pattern involves one partner pressing for discussion or change while the other retreats, and this pursuer-distancer cycle often intensifies as each partner's behavior triggers the other's.

(CRC) Certified Relationship Coach Practice Test

(CRC) Certified Relationship Coach Practice Test

CRC Relationship Dynamics & Conflict Resolution 3