Revitalize Your Relationship in Just 7 Minutes with Conflict Reappraisal

Even the most robust relationships can hit snags, leading to increased arguments and tension. To combat this, researchers at Northwestern University, including Dr. Eli Finkel, have developed a technique called conflict reappraisal intervention to help couples swiftly return to a harmonious track. This intervention, tested on couples married for an average of 11 years, involves three steps: writing a detailed account of a recent significant argument, reevaluating the argument from a neutral outsider's perspective, and reflecting on the challenges of adopting this neutral perspective during the dispute. By regularly engaging in this process, couples in the study reported enhanced marital happiness and more constructive conflict resolution skills.

Conflict reappraisal intervention is effective because it encourages partners to step outside their subjective views and consider the disagreement from an emotionally detached standpoint. This outsider's perspective allows for a more logical and unbiased analysis of the issues at hand. Additionally, by reflecting on the difficulties of maintaining this perspective during an actual argument, couples can learn to approach future conflicts more constructively. This method has led to surprising improvements in marital satisfaction and conflict management, as reported by couples who participated in the intervention.

Sources:
Northwestern University