Aim
What is the aim?
To see if differences in communication patterns between couples can influence marital satisfaction
73 couples studied over 4 year period (1983-1987)
1st Result
Researchers identified 2 groups: regulated and non-regulated couples
Conclusion
Positive communication can maintain a healthy relationship , whereas negative communication might damage it
What is stonewalling?
The withdrawal or shutting down of communication
2nd part of the methods? (What did they do)
Interviews and observations conducted in the "Love Lab" (an ordinary apartment equipped with recording devices)
2nd Result
Regulated couples: ratio of positive to negative interactions increased throughout the discussion
What is the demand/withdraw communication pattern?
What did they do before the interviews?
Couples did not see each other all day and were asked to discuss 3 topics: 1 neutral, 1 pleasant, and 1 source of conflict
3rd Result
Non-regulated couples were more likely to divorce during the course of the study (19% to 7%) they were also angrier, less affectionate, less joyful, and less interested
How does Gottman & Levenson's study show that positive communication can increase marital satisfaction?
Regulated couples who have more positive discussions also were found to have higher marital satisfaction from positive expression
How did researchers analyze? (what did they use)
Their discussion were analyzed using the "Rapid couples interaction scoring system (RCISS)"
4th Result
The regulated couples had higher marital satisfaction, more positive ratings of their interactions and more positive emotional expressions
What is a strength?
Longitudinal: It was over a span of 4 years so it allowed researchers to see the changes of their marital satisfaction
5th Result
Researchers concluded that a healthy ratio of positive to negative interactions was 5:1
What is a limitation?
Population Validity: Since participants are American. America is an individualistic culture so the data can't be generalized to the collectivistic cultures