Based on 40+ Years of Research

What Makes Marriages
Last a Lifetime

Dr. John Gottman studied couples for over four decades. He can predict divorce with 91% accuracy after watching a couple for just five minutes. Here is what he found — and what you can do about it.

91%
Prediction accuracy
40+
Years of research
700+
Couples studied

"What can make a marriage work is surprisingly simple. Happily married couples aren't smarter, richer, or more psychologically astute. But in their day-to-day lives, they have hit upon a dynamic that keeps their negative thoughts and feelings from overwhelming their positive ones."

— DR. JOHN M. GOTTMAN

Before the Solutions: Why Marriages Fail

Gottman identified six warning signs — predictable patterns that set couples on a trajectory toward divorce. Recognizing them early is the first act of marital intelligence.

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Harsh Startup

96% of conflict outcomes predicted from the first 3 minutes. Harsh startup dooms the conversation.

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The Four Horsemen

Criticism, contempt, defensiveness, and stonewalling — predict divorce with 82% accuracy.

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Emotional Flooding

When your heart rate exceeds 100 BPM during conflict, you literally cannot process what your partner is saying.

The Seven Principles

Click any principle to explore it in depth

1

Enhance Your Love Maps

Know your partner's inner world

2

Nurture Your Fondness & Admiration

Sustain the positive regard that protects your marriage

3

Turn Toward Each Other Instead of Away

Respond to bids for connection

4

Let Your Partner Influence You

Share power and respect your perspective

5

Solve Your Solvable Problems

Navigate resolvable conflicts with skill and gentleness

6

Overcome Gridlock

Find the dream beneath the conflict

7

Create Shared Meaning

Build an inner life together

Ready to understand your relationship?

Create a free account to take the full assessment, track your progress over time, and invite your partner to compare results.