In: Psychology
Beginning with a definition of communication, both verbal and nonverbal, discuss ways in which certain communication behaviors can lead to more intimacy, satisfaction, and happiness in a marriage. Give examples of these strategies (behaviors) in action.
Verbal communication is defined as the use of sounds and words to express oneself while a Non-verbal communication includes facial expressions, the tone and pitch of the voice, gestures displayed through body language and the physical distance between the communicators.
To help in a successful relationship, couples need to talk openly with each other. Communication is a key piece of healthy relationships. Healthy couples make time to check in with one another on a regular basis. It's important to talk about more than just parenting and maintaining the household. Try to spend a few minutes each day discussing deeper or more personal subjects to stay connected to your partner over the long term.
Communication style is more important than commitment levels, personality traits or stressful life events in predicting whether happily married couples will go on to divorce. In particular, negative communication patterns such as anger and contempt are linked to an increased likelihood of splitting up. Disagreements are a part of any partnership, but some fighting styles are particularly damaging. Couples that use destructive behavior during arguments like yelling, resorting to personal criticisms or withdrawing from the discussion are more likely to break up than are couples that fight constructively. Examples of constructive strategies for resolving disagreements include attempting to find out exactly what your partner is feeling, listening to his or her point of view and trying to make him or her laugh.