Research Paper on:
Seven Principles for Making Marriage Work by John Gottman

Unformatted Sample Text from the Research Paper:
The Seven Principles for Making Marriage Work. Dr. Gottman is a professor of psychology at the University of Washington and founder of the Seattle Martial and Family Institute. In  a research facility that is affectionately terms the "love lab," Gottman has observed literally hundreds of couples, how they interact, how they argue. Within the first few pages of his  book, Gottman makes the astounding assertion that he can predict within fifteen minutes of observation whether a couple will stay together, and he reports a 91% accuracy rate. Gottmans  research discounts much of what has been preached as gospel by other therapists. For example, he does not see conflict resolution as particularly intrinsic to a happy marriage, and argues  that anger is no necessarily always destructive. Rather Gottmans research indicates that one of the strongest indicators of marital success is the emotional climate created in a relationship founded on  friendship and mutual admiration and respect. Gottman writes that in the strongest marriages, spouses do not just "get along" but "support each others hopes and aspirations and build a  sense of purpose into their lives together" ( 1999, p. 23). The seven principles that give this book its title are a summation of the observations that Gottman has seen  in good marriage. Collectively, they offer a framework for a strong and lasting relationship. However, before discussing these seven principles, Gottman first lists the signs of trouble that he has  seen lead inevitably to divorce. These signs of trouble include criticism, as opposed to complaints. A complaint, according to Gottman, simply states a fact -- "Im annoyed because of..." while  a criticism brings in the partners personal characteristics -- "Why are you so (thoughtless, selfish, lazy, etc)." One of the most telling signs of future marital breakup that Gottman has