Psychology 3724F/G Chapter Notes - Chapter 9: Attribution Bias, Longitudinal Study, Cortisol

• School: Western University
• Department: Psychology
• Course: Psychology 3724F/G
• Professor: Lorne Campbell

Document Summary

George"s desires, goals, happiness and behavior toward mary depend on mary"s desires, goals, happiness and behavior. Approaches to conflict reflect two competing theoretical explanations postulated by scientists as the best way of communicating when experiencing relationship problems: the honest communication model vs. the good management model. Honest communication model suggests that couples should openly express their negative feelings and cognitions, deal with conflict directly and never leave problems unresolved. If problems are not dealt with, so goes the common belief then they will continue to simmer and eventually corrode the relationship. The good management model - posits that regular and open expression of negative thoughts and feelings has caustic effects on relationships, and that exercising good communication skills involves compromise, restraint and accommodation. Instead of obsessively rehashing the same problems, couples should understand that some issues cannot be resolved and need to be put on the cognitive back burner. Both models possess intuitive plausibility but also have weaknesses.