Marriage Conflict Resolution in Marriage 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What is 'contempt' in Gottman's Four Horsemen framework?
- Expressing intense anger loudly during an argument
- Treating a partner with disrespect, mockery, or a sense of superiority (Correct answer)
- Refusing to apologize after an argument
- Blaming a partner for all relationship problems
Correct answer: Treating a partner with disrespect, mockery, or a sense of superiority
Contempt involves treating a partner as inferior through mockery, eye-rolling, sarcasm, or name-calling, and is the strongest predictor of divorce.
Question 2: What is 'flooding' in the context of marital conflict?
- Overwhelming a partner with too many complaints at once
- A physiological state of being emotionally overwhelmed that makes productive discussion impossible (Correct answer)
- Bringing up past grievances during a current argument
- Crying excessively during a disagreement
Correct answer: A physiological state of being emotionally overwhelmed that makes productive discussion impossible
Flooding is when the body becomes overwhelmed by stress hormones during conflict, making it physiologically impossible to listen or problem-solve effectively.
Question 3: What is the primary purpose of using 'I statements' during marital conflict?
- To communicate your feelings without blaming your partner (Correct answer)
- To emphasize that you are right in the disagreement
- To take sole responsibility for the conflict
- To avoid expressing emotions during an argument
Correct answer: To communicate your feelings without blaming your partner
'I statements' (e.g., 'I feel hurt when...') communicate feelings without blaming the partner, which reduces defensiveness and promotes understanding.
Question 4: What does 'defensiveness' typically look like in marital conflict?
- Refusing to discuss certain sensitive topics
- Responding to complaints with counter-complaints or excuses (Correct answer)
- Becoming physically tense during an argument
- Withdrawing emotionally and shutting down
Correct answer: Responding to complaints with counter-complaints or excuses
Defensiveness typically involves making excuses or counter-attacking when receiving a complaint, which escalates conflict rather than resolving it.
Question 5: Which conflict resolution strategy focuses on identifying the underlying needs behind each partner's stated demands?
- Compromise
- Interest-based negotiation (Correct answer)
- Mediation
- Collaborative arbitration
Correct answer: Interest-based negotiation
Interest-based negotiation helps couples move beyond their stated positions to identify underlying needs, making it easier to find mutually satisfying solutions.
Question 6: What is a 'repair attempt' in Gottman's conflict model?
- Fixing relationship damage that occurred after an affair
- An action or statement made during conflict to de-escalate tension before it becomes destructive (Correct answer)
- The process of forgiving a partner after a fight
- Rebuilding trust after a serious breach
Correct answer: An action or statement made during conflict to de-escalate tension before it becomes destructive
Repair attempts are actions or statements made during an argument—such as humor, an apology, or acknowledging the other's point—to reduce tension before conflict becomes too damaging.
Question 7: What does Gottman's research say about the percentage of marital conflicts that are never fully resolved?
- About 30%
- About 50%
- About 69% (Correct answer)
- About 85%
Correct answer: About 69%
Gottman found that approximately 69% of marital conflicts are 'perpetual problems' rooted in personality differences that couples manage rather than resolve.
Marriage Conflict Resolution in Marriage 2
What is 'contempt' in Gottman's Four Horsemen framework?