Couples Midterm

Question 1

Gottman 5 tools

Answer 1

1. Softened Start-Up
2. Accepting Influence
3. Repair & De-Escalation
4. Compromise
5. Physiological Soothing

Question 2

Gottman 7 questions

Answer 2

1. Overall, where is each in the marriage?
2. What is the nature of the marital friendship
3. What is the nature of the sentiment override (+ or -) Sentiment override
4. How do they, and can they soothe?
5. What is the nature of the conflict and its regulation?
6. In what ways do they honor dreams and create shared meaning?
7. What potential sources of resistance exist?

Question 3

EFT 5 Main Tenets

Answer 3

1) All behavior has a communicative aspect
2) Alliance is critical
3) Behavior must be considered in context
4) Corrective emotional experiences
5) Emotion moves the individual and communicates to others, which results in
(predictable) responses from partner

Question 4

EFT draws from 4 theories

Answer 4

Experiential
Humanistic
Attachment
Systemic

Question 5

Role of EFT Therapist (4)

Answer 5

→ safe, egalitarian relationship
→ tracking and exploring emotions
→ expand emotional responses and turn towards
→ Awareness of emotions and impact of actions on partner

Question 6

What factors should be considered in risk assessment with offenders? 4

Answer 6

○ Dispositional risk factors- impulsiveness, hostility
○ Clinical risk factors- Substance abuse, BPD, ASPD, (also possibly NPD, but less
so)
○ Historical Risk Factors- Previous behavior biggest predictor of future
performance
○ Contextual Risk Factors- what is going on in environment? Separation,
pregnancy, victim’s substance use high risk times

Question 7

What 3 steps does the “duty of care” require clinicians to be competent to perform?

Answer 7

○ Duty to protect (safety planning with victims, avoid inappropriate psychiatric
hospitalization of offenders or victims)
○ Duty to warn & protect (Tarasoff)
○ Duty to report (child abuse, etc)

Question 8

What EFT is:

Answer 8

“Emotionally focused couple therapy (EFT) is a short-term, systematic, and tested intervention to reduce distress in adult love relationships and create more secure attachment
bonds.”

Question 9

Goals of EFT

Answer 9

We want to get close, but we’re afraid to. Relax defensive fears so genuine emotions
can emerge

Question 10

➔ Processes of EFT:

Answer 10

a. alliance, id cycle, underlying emotions,
deescalate
b. Engage the withdrawer
c. Soften the pursuer/blamer
d. new emotional bonding events/cycles of interaction
e. Consolidate new cycles of trust, connection and safety, apply

Question 11

The Process of Change in EFT

Answer 11

● Negative Cycle De-escalation (end of Stage 1)
→ Withdrawers start to engage more
→ Hostile partners start to blame less
● Withdrawer Engagement (Stage 2)
→ Withdrawer starts to assert their own needs
● Blamer Softening (Stage 2)
→ Blamer begins showing vulnerability

Question 12

Duties: (Tasks?) of EFT

Answer 12

1. Form the alliance
2. access emotional experience in session. teach clients to recognize and communicate about emotional experience in session
3. Restructure and reunderstand key interactions through an EFT lens

Question 13

What were the myths about marriage and divorce that Gottman debunks?

Answer 13

◆ Active listening model
◆ Anger as a dangerous emotion
◆ Quid pro quo
◆ Affairs Cause Most Divorces
◆ Monogamy is for Women
◆ Gender Differences Cause Divorce
◆ Marital friendship

Question 14

Ethical considerations in regards to couples (6)

Answer 14

1. Multiple relationships
2. avoiding harm
3. confidentiality and disclosures
4. clarifying therapist role
5. testimonials
6. secret keeping

Question 15

Abuse- red flags

Answer 15

denial, minimizing, power/control
personality d/o, substance abuse
childhood abuse, parental rejection, over controlled

Question 16

3 stages for comp tx plan (IPV)

Answer 16

evaluation of extent of victimization
attendant risk
psych effects of abuse on victim

Question 17

Implications of substance abuse for IPV

Answer 17

3 reasons it’s bad: control, unpredictable behaviors, dull pain

Question 18

how are duties of care discharged?

Answer 18

care- be competent beforehand
protect- safety planning, psych hospitalization
warn- be alert to overt and subtle threats
report- know when and how to report

Question 19

How did G create lab?

Answer 19

apartment lab 1986, measure interactive behavior, perception and physiology through video, self/observer ratings, physiological measurements- jiggleometer

Question 20

Gottman marriage myths

Answer 20

active listening
anger is dangerous
quid pro quo
affairs cause divorce
monogomy is for women
gender differences cause divorce

Question 21

Sound Marital House levels

Answer 21

Love Maps/Cognitive room
Fondness & admiration
Turning Toward (emotional bank act)

Positive sentiment override
Manage conflict

Make life goals come true
shared goals & meaning