PLEASE BE ADVISED that you cannot directly quote this document and pass it along as your own work-that would be plagiarism. However, you may use this to help you formulate your own response! ? Read the scenario and answer the questions following it. Jill and Joe have been in a relationship for four months. Their time together mostly revolves around sports and enjoying time with friends. They are very much attracted to each other and have had an active sex life from the first month of their relationship. Recently, Jill has been facing some difficulties at work as well as financial hardships.

She has begun to notice that when she talks about her problems, Joe becomes frustrated. Joe tells her not to worry too much and offers suggestions for solving the problem. He still enjoys being intimate with her and being in social settings together, but it has become harder for Jill to enjoy these experiences. Refer to the section covering communication skills that begins on p. 250 (Ch. 8) of your text. What are some communication techniques that both Jill and Joe can implement to improve their relationship? Jill and Joe may be able to begin by talking about talking when the time is appropriate and they are both rested and relaxed.

Jill may want to begin by requesting for permission to discuss issues with Joe by saying something like “I am facing some difficulties at work as well as financial hardships and I believe these problems are affecting our relationship. I am wondering if there is a time we can have a discussion? In the meantime, I know you don’t want to hurt my feelings but please put some thought into anything I can do or you would prefer me not to do so I am a more effective lover. ” Some other communication techniques to help Jill and Joe are to listen effectively.

Listening effectively involves such skills as paraphrasing, active listening, the use of reinforcement, and to value one another even when they disagree (Rathus, Nevid, and Fichner-Rathus, p. 251). When the time comes that Jill and Joe have this conversation it may be beneficial for Jill to ask Joe open ended questions for example, “Are there things about our relationship you have difficulty with? ” It is important for Jill and Joe to make requests, deliver criticism, receive criticism, and negotiate differences effectively. This would help to improve their relationship.