Conflicts in Romantic Relationships

Whether we like it or not, conflict is a part of everyday lives. It can happen to anyone, from your friends to your family.

Interpersonal conflict happens in every relationship. It is inevitable when two or more people disagree on something. Conflict is a result of a misunderstanding because of a miscommunication. In the movie Hitch (Mordaunt & Tadross, 2005) we can notice an interpersonal conflict between two people due to a lack of communication. Communication is a key role in any relationship, whether platonic or an intimate relationship. When starting a relationship it is primordial to be able to communicate effectively from the beginning in order to avoid any conflict. However “people are usually cautious about what they tell each other and how they say it, and they make a conscious effort to present positive

When you are in a relationship, arguments or disagreements can arise. They can often trigger strong emotions that lead to hurtful words and uneasiness. If these conflicts are not resolved in a healthy way, resentment and a dissolved relationship could follow. However, when they are resolved in a proper manner, it could promote growth between the couple and fortify the bonds of their relationship (Conflict Resolution Skills).

We blame ourselves, and then we start to question our likability, and we wonder why we don't have that fantasy group of friends that everybody else in the world must have. Conflict is a process in which people disagree over significant issues, thereby creating friction (Lulofs & Cahn, 2000). This is not a simple occurrence, but there needs to be various factors included for it to be considered a conflict. Both parties must have opposing interests, thoughts, perceptions, and feelings, and they must then recognize the existence of different points of view (Lulofs & Cahn, 2000). In addition, the disagreement is not just a one time event but something that continuously occurs. Though it can be destructive it can also be beneficial, for example a relationship with little to no conflict leads to complacency but a relationship with too much conflict can lead to dysfunctional behaviors by both

More than 24 million people of the United States of America are victims of relationship abuse in a given year. Women are not the only sufferers because it happens to men too. Stoprelationshipabuse.org defines relationship abuse as “a pattern of abusive and coercive behaviors used to maintain power and control over a former or current intimate partner.” Sources say that it can stem from childhood experiences or caused by alcohol. Facts and myths cloud the subject and create misinterpretations on the causes. Either of these can create detrimental effects to the victims. Abuse is a choice that can be influenced by outside factors.

Many relationships go through domestic abuse, but Kaufman & Jasinski (1998), asserts that most of the abusers are men. Moreover, Rosenbaum & O’Leary (1981) showed that men who abuse their partners are unassertive. An abundance of men intimidate and turn violent towards their partner in order to achieve what they want, since they lack confidence to show others what they need (Fanlk, 1977). Since many batters feel anxiety and lack emotional needs (Dutton, 1998), they are unable to eloquently express their feelings, thoughts, and emotions in a non aggressive way (Winters, Clift, & Dutton, 2004). In order to help treat abusers, Winters, Clift, and Dutton (2004) conducted research using Emotional Quotient Inventory (EQ-i) from Bar-On (1997). EQ-i

There is a cancer plaguing the land, and it is slaughtering the very fabric of every relationship in its path. This cancer is abuse. One may ask, what is abuse, or what does an abuser look like? Particularly, this cancerous condition is not discriminatory against any social class; hence, an abuser can be of any race or gender. Abuse comes in a myriad of forms, and its aftermath has a negative impact that is unending. However, the most prevalent ones perpetrated in relationships are verbal, emotional, and physical.

In terms of communication in a marital relationship, conflict is an "expressed struggle between at least two interdependent parties who perceive incompatible goals, scarce resources, and interference from the other party in achieving their goals” (Wilmot & Hocker, 2007, 8-9). In other words, something is hindering the resolution process to the problem. In most marital relationships, old and new, conflict is handled in a dysfunctional manner by communication that is uncooperative, unfocused, or coercive.

Many people ask what an abusive relationship is and what causes them. According to the Center for Relationship Abuse Awareness, an abusive relationship is “a pattern of abusive and coercive behaviors used to maintain power and control over a former or current intimate partner. Abuse can be emotional, financial, sexual or physical and can include threats, isolation, and intimidation. Abuse tends to escalate over time. When someone uses abuse and violence against a partner, it is always part of a larger pattern of control.” Many partners seek for control stemming from low self-esteem or jealousy. Research shows that children who grew up in abusive situations or were victims of abuse, believe that violence is the only way to resolve problems.

Everyone loves a great hike, or a great walk through a park. Having a place to go to in order to see the natural world is important to making sure ecosystems are not too terribly interrupted. Neighborhood parks, city parks, and national parks are lovely places to go and enjoy nature. National parks all over the world each serve a purpose: to preserve the world in its natural state without any outside force interferring. This may not always be the case. National parks, especially overseas, are changed, defunded, moved, or even vandalized all the time. People who live or come from areas with certain national parks create attachments, and hate to see their places crumble. Without these parks, the world would lose many of its

The Center for Disease Control defines domestic abuse as, “Intimate partner violence (IPV) is a serious, preventable public health problem that affects millions of Americans.” (CDC, 2016) An “Intimate partner” describes any person with whom one has had a relationship characterized by identification as a couple, familiarity, regular contact, emotional closeness, physical and/or sexual contact. However, the relationship need not meet all parameters, including current and former partners, heterosexual and same-sex couples. The term “intimate partner violence” describes physical and/or sexual violence, stalking, and psychological abuse and/or coercive aggression occurring on a continuum, ranging from mild episodes severe as a homicide. (CDC, 2016) It has no regard for age, race, religion, sexual orientation or socioeconomic status. The devastating consequences across generations and may be lifelong. It is indicative of a much larger, systematic pattern of dominance and control. (NCADV, 2015)

Most abusers are needy. They use violence to get their way with their partners but can often behave normally towards other relationships in their family or at work. They have difficulty establishing close friendships and tend to be critical and jealous of their partners. They minimize the impact of their abuse and blame their partners to justify their violent behaviors. The truth is that abuse has nothing to do with the victim and it is never a result of anything to do with the relationship or a particular situation. Abuse is a personal choice and a learned behavior used to give the abusive person the level of power and control that they desire.

Even if do not a conflict, there can still be some issues; especially when it comes to power. Growing up you learn to not allow your partner to have power over you, but some still do and there is where the conflict comes into place. In order to prevent conflict in a relationship, it’s best to allow Both People In A Relationship To Have Some Power; in which the power is balanced into among two individual. While also including Power is Negotiated, in which individuals give in and bargaining will make decisions with responsibilities. There is no way to really avoid disagreement, but if you know the principles of power, you should know how to handles disputes in

Hypothesis 3: Participants’ love schemas will shape their cognitions, feelings and behaviours when they find themselves on the brink of making a serious relationship commitment.

Many abusers behave in ways that include more than one type of domestic abuse, and the boundaries between some of these behaviors may overlap”. (Helpguide.org, 2001)