Even though they spend more time fighting than nondistressed couples, distressed couples also avoid conflict more. Nondistressed couples exchange more rewards and fewer punishments than do distressed couples. Distressed couples are more likely to exchange negative behaviors that lead to evermore coercive interactions. Distressed couples are less accurate at decoding their partners' nonverbal communication than they are that of strangers. Husbands have the most difficulty decoding nonverbal messages, possibly because their physiological reaction is more intense and may short circuit their interpretive abilities.
Distressed couples are more likely to be unaware that they misunderstand each other.
Since effective communication is so vital to couples, it's essential we foster the attitudes and learn the skills necessary for effective communication to happen. The following sections discuss established principles and skills that can enhance communication in couple relationships. However, recognizing emotions is an important part of our overall well-being. Emotions are different from any other part of our human experience. The thinking and wanting part are processes that take place in our minds.