It begins with a discussion about the various difficult decisions families face today, from having children and caring for older family members, to relocation and monetary considerations. Dr. Galvin introduces and describes various decision making models, including consensus, accommodation, and de facto decision-making. The concept of power is defined and factors that affect family power structure are discussed. Dr. Bernard Brommel answers questions from the class about the dynamics of power and decision-making in the person and people oriented family, as well as the homosexual family. In this program students hear that marital and family conflict is normal and learning to manage it is a healthy part of family communication.
Conflict is defined and several misconceptions about it are discussed.
Dr. Galvin also describes the various ways patterns of conflict emerge in the family structure and Dr. Douglas Kelley addresses the predictable and habitual nature of conflict. This program focuses on destructive and constructive family conflict patterns with particular attention given to verbal aggression as a destructive pattern. The communication implications of this type of aggression, as well as the long term damaging effects of psychological abuse and parental hostility toward children, are also explored. This episode provides an introduction to the over twenty years of research on marital interactions conducted by John Gottman and his associates. In an interview with the researcher, Gottman talks about his research and the role of physiological processes in marital interactions.