The Seven Principles for Making Marriage Work: A Practical Guide from the Country's Foremost Relationship Expert

Just as Masters and Johnson were pioneers in the study of human sexuality, so Dr. John Gottman has revolutionized the study of marriage. As a professor of psychology at the University of Washington and the founder and director of the Seattle Marital and Family Institute, he has studied the habits of married couples in unprecedented detail over the course of many years. His findings, and his heavily attended workshops, have already turned around thousands of faltering marriages. This book is the culmination of his life's work: the seven principles that guide couples on the path toward a harmonious and long-lasting relationship. Straightforward in their approach, yet profound in their effect, these principles teach partners new and startling strategies for making their marriage work. Gottman helps couples focus on each other, on paying attention to the small day-to-day moments that, strung together, make up the heart and soul of any relationship. Being thoughtful about ordinary matters provides spouses with a solid foundation for resolving conflict when it does occur and finding strategies for living with those issues that cannot be resolved. Acknowledgments......Page 4 Contents......Page 8 1 Inside the Seattle Love Lab: The Truth about Happy Marriages......Page 12 2 How I Predict Divorce......Page 36 3 Principle 1: Enhance Your Love Maps......Page 58 4 Principle 2: Nurture Your Fondness and Admiration......Page 72 5 Principle 3:Turn toward Each Other Instead of Away......Page 90 6 Principle 4: Let Your Partner Influence You......Page 110 7 The Two Kinds of Maritial Conflict......Page 140 8 Principle 5: Solve Your Solvable Problems......Page 168 9 Coping with Typical Solvable Problems......Page 198 10 Principle 6: Overcome Gridlock......Page 228 11 Principle 7: Create Shared Meaning......Page 254 Afterword: What Now?......Page 270