How to Predict Divorce with 94% Accuracy

Imagine there was a test that could predict if you were going to get divorced. There is and it’s 94% accurate!

All couples disagree, often about the same things. Professor Gottman has found it’s not if you argue it’s how you argue that predicts divorce. Gottman gets couples to talk about things they disagree about.

Surprise, surprise all couples disagree. In fact those who stay married have about the same amount of disagreements as those who get divorced. The difference is how they disagree.

When couples who are likely to get divorced argue they do four things. They demonstrate contempt. The say things like: “You jerk! You Idiot! You always say that!” Or their verbal communication might sound fine but their non-verbal says it all: “No that’s fine, I don’t mind, let’s do it your way. Cause, we always do it your way!” Said with rolling eyes and a curled lip.

Divorcing couples are defensive – they avoid taking responsibility. They stonewall, instead of listening and trying to understand they ignore. And they criticize – they break each other down.

By observing just a single disagreement Gottman has been able to predict divorce with 94% accuracy.

Couples who are likely to stay married forget about trying to be right. They know that you can’t be right and be married at the same time! Instead of trying to be right they focus on making it right.

They take responsibility, try not to criticize or get too defensive. Even while they disagree they demonstrate love and respect with statements like “I love you”. What a bizarre thought: I can disagree with you and love you at the same time? Sure you can. Overall for every one negative statement, couples that stay married express about five positives.

Now of course none of us do the stuff those divorcing couples do. Yeah sure! Everyone does a little of that but if you do a lot of it you don’t have to rush to a divorce court. Gottman has found that if you replace the contempt, stonewalling criticism and defensiveness with listening, love, respect and solution finding you’ll radically reduce your chance of a breakup – and your chance of a coronary.

The stress of these relationships increases your risk of heart disease. Yip, some hearts break when they stay.

Waiting for your partner to change? Be the change you want to see in your relationship. The next time you disagree, do it with love!

For more on how to win with relationship both at love and at work, read or listen to my book ‘Winning with Relationships’ on the XLife Memberzone.

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Live eXceptional!

Justin Cohen
Bestselling author
Speaker Hall of Fame Inductee
TV Show Host & Coach
www.justinpresents.com