Marital Success or Failure Flashcards
What is John Gottman’s Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse?
These are specific predictions of impending doom to a relationship. They include criticism, contempt, defensiveness, and stonewalling.
Which of the four horsemen is the most damaging?
Contempt is the most corrosive because it conveys disgust and disrespect between spouses.
What is flooding?
“Flooding” is when one or both partners become emotionally and physically overwhelmed. At this point, their palms begin to sweat, their heart rate increases to over 90 beats per minute, and their breathing becomes shallow or irregular.
What does the author mean by negative reciprocity?
When one spouse responds to the other’s negativity with more negativity.
What is the difference between solvable problems and unsolvable problems?
Solvable problems have a solution, whereas unsolvable problems are ongoing issues that may never be resolved. Unsolvable problems often arise from fundamental personality, culture or religious differences, or essential needs of each spouse.
What is the concept of accepting influence?
It is a term we use to describe each partner’s willingness to yield during an argument, in order to “win” in the argument.
What are repair attempts?
They are defined as interactions that decrease negative escalation.
What is the Oral History Interview?
It was an interview that asked couples about the beginnings of their relationship, their philosophy of marriage, how their relationship has changed, and what marriage was like in their family of origin.
What characteristics does Gottman attribute to unhappy couples?
Negativity toward their spouse, chaotic perceptions, disappointment/disillusionment
What characteristics does Gottman attribute to happy couples?
Happy couples used fondness during their interview, used expressions of “we-ness,” were expansive in their descriptions, showing their awareness of each other’s worlds, and tended to glorify any hardships. Characteristics include fondness and admiration, awareness or love maps, glorifying the struggle, and we-ness.
What happens with the transition to parenthood?
According to the article, the arrival of a new baby often brings a dramatic decline in marital satisfaction for women.
