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 ==

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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.

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* ''Harsh Startup:'' In 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]]:'' This 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]]:'' Whether 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'': A repair attempt is anything that one partner tries 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.

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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 ====