Content about Emotion

December 20, 2011
How to Repair a Damaged Relationship

The way conflict is handled determines the quality and ultimate success of a relationship—whether business or personal. Researchers at the University of Washington have discovered that successful relationships address conflict using a single technique-one so effective at addressing conflict that it’s called a repair.

By Travis Bradberry, Ph.D.

Conflict is a normal part of two people with different needs, interests, and motivations coming together. It’s how conflict is handled that determines the quality and ultimate success of a relationship. Researchers at the University of Washington (the same researchers who can predict the future success of a relationship with 93 percent accuracy) have discovered that successful relationships address conflict using a single technique-one so effective at addressing conflict that it’s called a repair.

Repair