Cascade Model of Relational Dissolution: Difference between revisions

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The '''Cascade Model of Relational Dissolution''' (also known as '''Gottman's Four Horsemen''') is a relational communications theory that proposes four critically negative behaviors that lead to the breakdown of marital and romantic relationships.<ref name=":02">{{Cite book|title=Handbook of interpersonal communication|last=Knapp, M.L.|first=Daly, John A.|publisher=SAGE Publications|year=2002|isbn=0-7619-2160-5|pages=270}}</ref> The model is the work of psychological researcher [[John Gottman]], a professor at the [[University of Washington]] and founder of [[The Gottman Institute]], and his research partner, Robert W. Levenson.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.gottman.com/about/research/|title=Overview - Research|website=The Gottman Institute|language=en-US|access-date=2019-02-06}}</ref> This theory focuses on the negative influence of [[Linguistics|verbal]] and [[nonverbal communication]] habits on marriages and other relationships.<ref name=":02" /> Gottman's model uses a metaphor that compares the four negative communication styles that lead to a relationship's breakdown to the biblical [[Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse]], wherein each behavior, or horseman, compounds the problems of the previous one, leading to total breakdown of communication.<ref name=":02" />

== Background ==

Gottman's and Levenson's research focuses on differentiating failed and successful marriages and notes that nonverbal emotional displays progress in a linear pattern, creating an emotional and physical response that leads to withdrawal.<ref name=":02" /> Until the development of the model (1992-1994), little research had been conducted on specific interactive behaviors and processes that result in marital dissatisfaction, separation, and [[divorce]].<ref name=":12">{{Cite journal|last=Gottman|first=John M.|date=1993|title=A theory of marital dissolution and stability.|journal=Journal of Family Psychology|volume=7|issue=1|pages=57–75|doi=10.1037/0893-3200.7.1.57|issn=0893-3200}}</ref><ref name=":2">{{Cite journal|last1=Gottman|first1=John M.|last2=Levenson|first2=Robert W.|date=1992|title=Marital processes predictive of later dissolution: Behavior, physiology, and health.|journal=Journal of Personality and Social Psychology|volume=63|issue=2|pages=221–233|doi=10.1037/0022-3514.63.2.221|pmid=1403613|s2cid=6449722 |issn=0022-3514}}</ref> Gottman's and Levenson's research indicated that not all negative interactions, like [[anger]], are predictive of relational separation and divorce.<ref name=":12" /> But it shows a strong correlation between the presence of contempt in a marriage and the couple's likelihood of divorce.

Gottman's and Levenson's research notes that the "cascade toward relational dissolution" can be predicted by the regulation of couples' positive and negative interactions, with couples that regulate their positive-to-negative interactions significantly less likely to experience the cascade.<ref name=":12" /> This research has been furthered by looking at ways to intervene in the cascade, and its application to other types and models of relationships.<ref name=":6">{{Cite journal|last1=Garanzini|first1=Salvatore|last2=Yee|first2=Alapaki|last3=Gottman|first3=John|last4=Gottman|first4=Julie|last5=Cole|first5=Carrie|last6=Preciado|first6=Marisa|last7=Jasculca|first7=Carolyn|date=October 2017|title=Results of Gottman Method Couples Therapy with Gay and Lesbian Couples|journal=Journal of Marital and Family Therapy|language=en|volume=43|issue=4|pages=674–684|doi=10.1111/jmft.12276|pmid=28940625}}</ref>

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=== Horseman One: criticism ===

[[Criticism]] is the first indication of the Cascade Model and is an attack on the partner's character.<ref name=":12" /><ref name=":3">{{Cite web|url=https://www.gottman.com/blog/the-four-horsemen-recognizing-criticism-contempt-defensiveness-and-stonewalling/|title=The Four Horsemen: Criticism, Contempt, Defensiveness, and Stonewalling|date=2013-04-24|website=The Gottman Institute|language=en-US|access-date=2019-02-07}}</ref> Gottman defines criticism as a type of complaint that blames or attacks a partner's personality or character.<ref name=":5" /> Critical comments often materialize in chained comments and are communicated in broad, absolute statements like "‘you never’" or "you always.".’<ref name=":5" /> Research indicates that non-regulated couples, or couples whose interaction trended more negative, engaged more frequently in criticism and were more likely to begin the Cascade of Dissolution.<ref name=":2" /> Gottman's and Levenson's research found that wives' criticism correlated to separation and possible dissolution, but this was not so with husbands.<ref name=":12" />

One possible solution to avoiding criticism is to grow the culture in a marriage to include a well-held vulnerability. This means that those in the marriage should feel safe enough to express their opinions and frustrations without fear of rejection. Criticism does not allow partners to be vulnerable with each other, and their relationship can quickly deteriorate as a result. One may consider using more "I" statements and expressive language in order to overcome criticism. An example of an "I" statement is: "When I am feeling frustrated, I tend to become more irritable and begin to hyper-focus on your flaws to blame someone for my negative feelings"." "I" statements allow a spouse to take responsibility for their feelings rather than blaming the other spouse for their perspective and emotional reactions. They build emotional intelligence, self-reflection, and help prevent cycles of criticism and defensiveness.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.gottman.com/blog/types-of-criticism-expressing-concern-or-complaint-without-harm/ | title=Types of Criticism: Expressing Concern or Complaint without Harm | date=3 March 2022 }}</ref>

=== Horseman Two: defensiveness ===

[[Defensiveness]] is a reaction to pervasive criticism that often results in responding to criticism with more criticism, and sometimes [[contempt]], and the second level of the Cascade Model.<ref name=":12" /><ref name=":3" /> Defensiveness is a protective behavior and is indicated by shifting [[blame]] and avoiding responsibility, often in an attempt to defend against the first two horsemen.<ref name=":3" /> Defensiveness stems from an internal response to protect one's pride and self-worth. The body may go into [[Fight-or-flight response|fight-or-flight mode]] to protect against a perceived threat in the defensive stage. Fowler and Dillow also characterize defensiveness as using counterattack behaviors such as [[Frustration|whining]], making negative assumptions about the other's feelings, and denials of responsibility.<ref name=":5" /> Gottman's and Levenson's research found defensiveness to be strongest among men.<ref name=":2" /><ref name=":12" />

=== Horseman Three: Contemptcontempt ===

[[Contempt]] is the result of repetitive criticism and is driven by a lack of [[admiration]] and respect.<ref name=":12" /><ref name=":3" /><ref name=":5" /> It is the third level of the Cascade Model. Contempt is expressed verbally through mocking, [[sarcasm]], and indignation, with an attempt to claim moral superiority over one's partner.<ref name=":3" /> It can also be indicated nonverbally, as with eye-rolling and scoffing''.''<ref name=":5" /> Gottman's and Levenson's research found contempt to be the strongest predictor of relational dissolution, and the strongest overall predictor for women.<ref name=":2" /><ref name=":12" />

=== Horseman Four: stonewalling ===

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== Gottman's research in predicting divorce ==

=== Predicting divorce / couple separation, and how divorce can be avoided ===

Gottman and his team did more extensive research in follow-up to this study, testing whether or not couples who exhibited these “horseman” were more or less likely to divorce. In a longitudinal study, Gottman and his team were able to predict with 93% accuracy<ref>{{Cite web|date=2017-08-23|title=How Dr. Gottman Can Predict Divorce with 94% Accuracy|url=https://reallifecounseling.us/predict-divorce-gottman/|access-date=2020-12-09|website=Real Life Counseling|language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite journal|last=Gottman|first=John M|date=2000|title=The Timing of Divorce: Predicting When a Couple Will Divorce Over a 14-Year Period|url=https://ift-malta.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/gottman-predictor-of-divorce.pdf|journal=Journal of Marriage and Family|volume=62|issue=3|pages=737–745|doi=10.1111/j.1741-3737.2000.00737.x|access-date=2020-12-09|archive-date=2021-07-25|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210725163046/https://ift-malta.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/gottman-predictor-of-divorce.pdf|url-status=dead}}</ref> how many couples would divorce from their observations.

They found that those couples who ended up separating had the following attributes<ref>{{Cite web|last=Thornton|first=Jesse|date=2017-08-29|title=Why Couples Divorce: Six Predictors|url=https://foundationsfamily.com/couples-divorce-six-predictors/|access-date=2020-12-09|website=Foundations Family Counseling|language=en-US|archive-date=2021-05-16|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210516124632/https://foundationsfamily.com/couples-divorce-six-predictors/|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|date=2018-12-09|title=6 Predictors of Divorce|url=https://fathers.com.sg/6-predictors-of-divorce/|access-date=2020-12-09|website=Centre for Fathering Ltd|language=en-GB}}</ref> in their marriage:

* ''Harsh Startup:'' inIn arguments or disagreements, those couples who participated in harsh startups were those who begin an argument with great aggression, refused to see another's point of view, or brought issues up at inappropriate times.

* ''The Four Horsemen:'' as above.

* ''[[Emotional flooding|Emotional Flooding]]:'' thisThis condition occurs when one partner feels overwhelmed, and their brain begins to protect itself by shutting down. They physically and mentally cannot process any more what the other is saying. This may lead to the person who is not flooded to think the flooded person is not listening or does not care, when in fact, their system has been overwhelmed. This may occur when one partner brings up a controversial topic or points out many flaws in another in a short period of time.

* ''[[Body language|Body Language]]:'' whetherWhether the couple is sending mixed messages, participating in a double-bind kind of thinking, or sending hostile nonverbal cues, destruction occurs.

* ''Repair Attempts that were not accepted'': aA repair attempt is anything that one partner does to trytries to bring the relationship back into control. This could be [[de-escalation]] tactics, bringing up something about which you both stand on common ground about, or even an inside joke. These attempts, when accepted and acted upon, encourage intimacy and affection in a marriage and allow the situation to deescalate. Those who do not participate in this tactic will have a greater likelihood of an argument or fight escalating out of control.

* ''A Negative View on their marriage and their overall happiness together:'' Gottman found that those in the study who ended up divorcing or having low marital satisfaction thought about landmarks in their marriages as negative. The landmark moments that most people think of with fondness, such as their engagement, wedding, reception, birth of a child, etc., were almost all met with criticism from those in unhappy marriages. These people had trained their brain<ref>{{Cite web|title=Marriage and Couples - Research|url=https://www.gottman.com/about/research/couples/|access-date=2020-12-09|website=The Gottman Institute|language=en-US}}</ref> that their partner had never met their needs, and there had never been happiness in their relationship.

* ''[[Belligerent|Belligerence]]'': Bad couples will sometimes try to provoke the other party with statements like "You think you're tough? Then do it!"<ref name="The Seven Principles for Making Marriage Work">{{cite book |last1=PhD |first1=John Gottman |last2=Silver |first2=Nan |title=The Seven Principles for Making Marriage Work: A Practical Guide from the Country's Foremost Relationship Expert |date=5 May 2015 |___location=New York |isbn=9780553447712}}</ref>

== Methodology and regulated vs. non-regulated couples ==

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== The marital typology ==

Gottman's research indicates that there are five types of marriages: three of which are stable and avoid entering the Cascade Model, and two that are volatile.<ref name=":7">{{Cite journal|last1=Cook|first1=Julian|last2=Tyson|first2=Rebecca|last3=White|first3=Jane|last4=Rushe|first4=Regina|s2cid=122029386|display-authors=et al|date=1995|title=Mathematics of marital conflict: Qualitative dynamic mathematical modeling of marital interaction.|journal=Journal of Family Psychology|volume=9|issue=2|pages=110–130|doi=10.1037/0893-3200.9.2.110|issn=0893-3200}}</ref><ref name=":12" /> All of the three stable couple types achieve a similar balance between positive and negative affect; however, this does not mean that negative interactions or communication is eliminated.<ref name=":7" />

=== Stable couple typologies ===

==== Validators ====

This couple mixes moderate amounts of positive and negative [[Affect (psychology)|affect]].<ref name=":7" /> This model is the preferred model of marital counselors and is a more intimate approach focused on shared experiences; however, romance may disappear over time.<ref name=":7" /> These couples engage in reduced persuasion attempts and do not attempt to persuade until a third of the conflict has elapsed.<ref name=":7" />

==== Volatiles ====

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=== Gottman method couples therapy ===

Research into Gottman method couples therapy has been of poor quality and is insufficient to consider the therapy as evidence-based, despite its popularity.<ref name=pseudo>{{cite book |title=Pseudoscience in Therapy: A Skeptical Field Guide |veditors=Hupp S, Santa Maria CL |chapter=Chapter 20: Couples Discord |vauthors=Alexander EF, Johnson MD |pages=332-333332–333 |year=2023 |publisher=Cambridge University Press |isbn=9781009000611 |doi=10.1017/9781009000611.021 }}</ref>

== Criticisms ==

[[John Gottman|Gottman]] has been criticized for claiming that his Cascade Model can predict divorce with over a 90% accuracy.<ref name=":8">{{Cite journal|last1=Stanley|first1=Scott M.|last2=Bradbury|first2=Thomas N.|last3=Markman|first3=Howard J.|date=February 2000|title=Structural Flaws in the Bridge From Basic Research on Marriage to Interventions for Couples|journal=Journal of Marriage and Family|volume=62|issue=1|pages=256–264|doi=10.1111/j.1741-3737.2000.00256.x|issn=0022-2445|doi-access=free}}</ref> Additionally, researcher Stanley Scott and his colleagues noted that Gottman's highly publicized research findings from 1998, which recommended significant shifts in focus and application for marital educators and therapists, including the de-emphasis of anger management and active listening, has several flaws.<ref name=":8" /> Among the concerns raised, the most significant are methodological, including Gottman and his fellow researchers not providing justification for the nonrandom selection of participants, not controlling for cultural impacts, and flaws in physiological impact analysis.<ref name=":8" /> Concerns were also raised about the methods for observational data collection and the ambiguity of statistics tests used.<ref name=":8" /> Stanley's findings indicate that, while Gottman's findings are interesting, there are too many unexplained methods and that additional research is needed before the overhauling Gottman's suggested.<ref name=":8" />

== References ==