Ch. 8 Couples Flashcards
Universal prevention
focuses on preventing “the development of problems in the general population”
Selective prevention
focuses on making interventions with at-risk groups in order to prevent problems
indicated prevention
focuses on minimizing the harmful impact of serious problems in the early stages of a couple’s development
According to Gottman, sound relationships have a positive to negative interaction ratio of …
5 to 1
three stages of EFT
cycle de-escalation
restructuring interactional positions
consolidation and integration of therapeutic gains
five major theories of couples and marriage therapy
Behavioral couples therapy (BCT)
Integrative behavioral couples therapy (IBCT) Cognitive-behavioral couples therapy (CBCT) Rational emotive behavior therapy (REBT) Emotionally focused therapy (EFT)
behavioral analysis
a procedure used in behavioral couples therapy to measure couple distress. It is based on inter-viewing, self-reports on questionnaires, and behavioral observations.
behavioral couple therapy
a behavioral approach to working with couples based on an exchange/negotiation model and focused on negotiating pleasing behaviors as well as teaching problem solving and communication skills to partners
blamer softening
A procedure in emotionally focused marital counseling by which the therapist helps withdrawn and blaming partners become more engaged and ask for their attachment needs to be met in a soft way that pulls their partner toward them.
caring days
part of a behavioral marital procedure in which one or both marital partners act as if they care about their spouse regardless of the other’s action(s). This technique embodies the idea of a “positive risk”—a unilateral action not dependent on another for success
cognitive–behavioral couple therapy (CBCT)
an approach to working with couples that takes into account the effect of cognitions (i.e., thoughts) and behaviors on modifying couple interactions.
collaborative divorce
an intervention model in which the divorcing couple and attorneys agree, by an explicit, writ-ten contract, to work toward a settlement without resorting to litigation.
communication skills training
a behavioral couple ther-apy approach in which couples learn to use “I statements,” stick to here-and-now problems rather than dwell on the past, describe their spouse’s specific behavior rather than apply a label to it, and are taught how to provide positive feedback to their significant other
communications theory
an approach to working with families that focuses on clarifying verbal and nonverbal transactions among family members. Much communica-tion theory work is incorporated in experiential and strategic family therapy.
consolidation and integration of therapeutic gains
the third stage in emotionally focused therapy, in which the therapist reviews the accomplishments of the couple by contrasting their initial negative interactional cycle with their new, positive interactional cycle.
contingency contracting
a procedure in which a specific, usually written, schedule or contract describes the terms for trading or exchanging behaviors and reinforcers between two or more individuals. One action is contingent, or dependent, on another.
Couple Communication (CC) Program
a marriage enrichment program that is divided into entry and advanced programs in which couples learn about themselves and their partners better in addition to mastering 11 interper-sonal skills for effective talking, listening, resolving con-flict, and managing anger.
cycle deescalation
the first stage in emotionally focused therapy, during which time couples are helped to uncover negative or hard feelings that lie beneath their defensive expressions of hurt, anger, and withdrawal.
divorce therapy
a part of marital therapy that seeks to help couples separate from each other physically, psycho-logically, and/or legally.
emotionally focused couples therapy
a systemic therapeutic approach to working with couples originated by Susan Johnson that strives to foster the development of more-secure attachment styles in couples by using emotions as a positive force for change in relationships
enactments
the actions of families that show problematic behavioral sequences to therapists—for example, having an argument instead of talking about one.
family mediation
the process of helping couples and fam-ilies settle disputes or dissolve a marriage in a nonadver-sarial way by having a specially trained family therapist act as an impartial, cognitive, neutral third party to facilitate negotiation between disputing parties.
Great Start
a program that utilizes PREPARE/ENRICH inventories and is designed for premarital and early marital relationships. It is a part of the Couples Communication Program.
integrative behavioral couple therapy (IBCT)
an approach that emphasizes the promotion of acceptance into the traditional focus of behavioral couple therapy.
marital distress
situations in which marriage partners experience communication and problem-solving difficulties to the point that they find it hard to work together and have difficulty accepting each other’s differences.
marital quality
how a marriage relationship is functioning and how partners feel about and are influenced by such functioning
marriage and relationship education
the use of didactic lectures, visual aids, books, handouts, and interactive discussions to help couples learn about the pitfalls and possibilities of marriage.
Marriage Encounter Program
founded in 1962, the essence of this approach is to have a “team couple” lead a group of husbands and wives during a weekend in exercises that give them the opportunity to share their emotions and thoughts. In essence, couples are taught how to make effective communication a part of their everyday lives.
marriage enrichment
the concept that couples stay healthy or get healthier by actively participating in certain activities, usually in connection with other couples.
operant interpersonal approach
the term first used to describe Richard Stuart’s initiatives in behavioral couple therapy.
positive reciprocity
a mutual or cooperative exchange of rewarding and valued behaviors between partners.
positive risk
a unilateral action that is not dependent on another for success.
Practical Application of Intimate Relationship Skills (PAIRS)
a marriage enrichment program developed by Lori Gordon that teaches attitudes, emotional understandings, and behaviors that nurture and sustain healthy relationships
premarital assessment questionnaire (PAQ)
an instrument, such as PREPARE and RELATE, that allows individuals or couples to assess their readiness or suitability for marriage.
PREP (Prevention and Relationship Enhancement Pro-gram)
a 12-hour structured enrichment program in which couples, either married or unmarried, are taught to become effective communicators and problem solvers while they enhance their commitment to each other.
PREPARE/ENRICH
an inventory developed by David Olson for engaged couples that identifies strengths and growth opportunities.
restructuring interactional positions
the second stage in emotionally focused therapy, which is characterized by withdrawer reengagement and blamer softening
SANCTUS
a theologically and psychologically based marriage enrichment program based on stepwise process that incorporates building a pattern of love and relationship with God, one’s self, and others.
secure attachment bonds
active, affectionate, reciprocal relationships marked by emotional closeness, comfort, and security.
social exchange theory
an approach that stresses the rewards and costs of relationships in family life according to a behavioral economy.
soft emotions
emotions such as hurt, insecurity, loneli-ness, and fear that reveal personal vulnerability.
Sound Relationship House (SRH) Theory
John Gottman’s approach for working with couples therapeutically. There are four stages (or as Gottman calls them “blue-prints”) to this theory: (1) assessment of the couple’s emotional connection and conflict, (2) enhancement of the couple’s friendship, (3) improvement of the couples’ conflict management, and (4) reinforcement of the advancements that have taken place. When applied to distressed couples, this therapeutic process is usually completed in an average of 15–20 sessions.
withdrawer reengagement
process by which an emotionally focused therapist works with a marital partner to create a new interactive pattern that helps him or her become more engaged in interactions and express their attachment needs in a soft way that pulls their partner toward them
