Gottman

Design type

Observations & interviews in lab

Topic

Communication

Aim

To inbvestigate specific negative communcation behaviours that predict marital dissolution & divorce

Sample

Couples who are seeking out counseling

Procedure

1. Couples have low-conflict conversations and high-conflict conversations. 2. Measure heart rate, blood pressure, and skin galvanization. 3. observing and recording conversation + SPAFF coding (codes 17 specific emotional, verbal, and nonverbal behaviors as + or -)

Findings

State of arousal during conflict (heartbeats > 100/min) and using micro expressions predict failing relationships-> "four horseman" are 4 negative communication styles

Strengths

data triangulation: phsyiciological meausres (face,body, language)

mundane realism

Limitations

sampling bias: already in distress

cultural bias

bi-directional ambiguity

reactivity

social desirability bias

low eco val

self-fulfilling prophecy