Interpersonal perception and mode of resolution in marital conflict.

Abstract

The present study examined the relationship between changes in couples' perceptions of each other during a conflictual interaction and their mode of conflict resolution. Thirty-three volunteer married couples were videotaped while recreating a conflictual interaction that had occurred previously. During a subsequent replaying of the videotape, husbands' and wives' verbal descriptions of perceptions of self and spouse were elicited at three different stages of the conflict, using a method for eliciting perceptions derived from Laing. Phillipson, and Lee's multiperspective interpersonal perception technique. The interpersonal perceptions of couples who resolved the conflict by engaging the issue at hand were contrasted with those of couples who resolved the conflict via avoidance. Statistically significant differences were found between the groups, suggesting that engaging the issue was associated with an increase in spouses' access to one another's interpersonal perceptions, whereas avoidance was associated with decreases in consensually valid perceptions. Substantive and methodological implications of the study are discussed.

INTERPERSONAL PERCEPTION BETWEEN INTIMATES An Integrative Review

“…This is reflected most clearly in studies reporting a positive association between marital adjustment and understanding of the attitudes, role expectations, and self-perceptions of one's spouse (Dymond, 1954;Corsini, 1956;Stuckert, 1963;Laing et al, 1966;Taylor, 1967;Christensen & Wallace, 1976;Murstein& Beck, 1972;Losee, 1976;Newmark, Wood, & Ziff, 1977;Ferguson & Allen, 1978). In several of these studies the relationship between understanding and marital adjustment has been found to hold only when the wife is the respondent and the husband's perception is being predicted (Stuckert, 1963;Murstein& Beck, 1972;Corsini, 1956;Kotlar, 1965).…”

The Reliability, Validity, and Utility of Three Data Modes in Assessing Marital Relationships

“…The general research plan calls for methodological and substantive analyses based on each method independently, and then for the study of relationships among methods as the comparability of procedures may allow. Some findings based on interaction records and one of the analogues have already been reported (Knudson, Sommers, & Golding, 1980;Peterson, 1979a). Downloaded by [Deakin University Library] The present analysis is the first in which relationships among procedures have been examined.…”

Deliberate self-persuasion and forgiveness

“…The interactions between the victim and the perpetrator can also have consequences for victim responses. For instance, past research has shown that couples who try to resolve conflict in an open and direct manner tend to develop a more accurate understanding of their partner's thoughts and feelings compared to those who avoid conflict (Knudson, Sommers, & Golding, 1980). In addition, past research has shown that discussing an issue openly can clarify misunderstandings about why an event occurred (e.g., Gottman, 1994;Hilton 1990).…”