Research
How does anyone know what works—and what makes relationships strong or weak?
At the Gottman Institute we believe that in order to know what works, it is wise to conduct research, and apply what has been learned to the development of services and the delivery of help to couples and families. Dr. John Gottman has developed special projects and programs, as well as an independent non-profit Relationship Research Institute, in order to support and continue a vigorous research agenda dedicated to helping couples and families.
What do we learn from research?
Dr. John Gottman’s research is rife with discoveries that have altered the advice being provided to couples, families and therapists. A few examples of how scientific discoveries altered the “common lore” on family issues include:
- People used to believe that it is a mistake to go to bed angry. From research on couples, Dr. Gottman discovered that “flooding” – a physiological phenomenon triggered by emotional conflict — leaves people’s heart rates too high for them to clearly concentrate on the conversation at hand. Research shows that taking the time to calm down before finishing an argument is more likely to help couples stay close and connected. It may be to the couple’s benefit to continue the discussion with cooler heads in the morning.
- From research on domestic violence, we have learned that couples therapy with battering couples actually makes things worse for the woman—not better. Instead it is suggested that partners find individual help.
- From research on parents and their children, we know that it is extremely beneficial for children to develop “emotional intelligence”. For this to occur parents need to express their own emotions, and it is especially important for fathers to express their emotions—especially sadness.
In this section you can learn about the research conducted by Dr. John Gottman and his colleagues. This includes some of the most widely acclaimed research on couples and families that has been conducted in the past two decades. Programs, services and products of the Gottman Institute have been based upon this research.
The Relationship Research Institute. This independent research institute has been created to continue and support research on couples and families. Dr. John Gottman is the managing director of the Research Institute. To read more on the Relationship Research Institute, click on the link above.
The Family Research Lab. In 1986, Dr. John Gottman joined the University of Washington Department of Psychology and started the Family Research Laboratory. The Family Research Laboratory was the site for numerous studies on marriage, gay and lesbian couples, transition to parenthood, domestic violence, and parenting and child development. This Laboratory received funding from the National Institute of Mental Health throughout the past 15 years. The Family Research Lab is now run by the Relationship Research Institute, located on the Talaris World Conference Center campus near the Univ. of Washington. To read more on The Family Research Lab, click on the link above.
Current Research Projects. Dr. Gottman has pursued three related lines of research. The research groups include: 1) marriage and couples, 2) gay and lesbian couples and 3) parenting.
- Marriage and Couples.
Couples Relapse Prevention Project. At the University of Washington, Kim Ryan and John Gottman designed a “relapse prevention program” to see how they could help couples maintain the improvements to their relationship that they had gained in a couples workshop. To learn more on the Couples Relapse Prevention Project, click on the link above.
- Gay and Lesbian Couples
Twelve-year study of gay and lesbian couples. A twelve-year study of gay and lesbian couples has been the research basis for therapy and couples education programs to help capitalize on the strengths of gay and lesbian partners. Click here to read about study results.
- Parenting
Bringing Baby Home Research Project. Marital conflict often increases when a baby arrives. After the baby is born, anywhere from 40 to 70% of couples experience declines in marital satisfaction. The Couples Becoming Parents Project at the Relationship Research Institute seeks to address these problems. Conducted at Swedish Hospital in Seattle, the project is testing several interventions for helping families.
Published Research Abstracts. On this page, we have posted abstracts and citations for key research articles. If you are seeking a comprehensive bibliography of Dr. John Gottman's research publications, including articles, book chapters, and books, you may wish to review his vitae on this web site. To read posted abstracts and citations for key research articles, click on the link above.
Press Releases. Click here to read press releases on recent books, research on marriage and divorce prediction, on families and parenting, and on gay and lesbian couples.
Frequently Asked Questions. Have more questions? Check in here.
