Successful Dominance Strategies in Romantic Couples' Conflict

• In Event: Interpersonally Managing Conflict

Abstract

Domineering in romantic relationships - the ways romantic partners impose their will - is an integral and fundamental part of relationship functioning. This study explores the variability of behavioral domineering strategies utilized in couples’ communication. Romantic couples (N = 63) reenacted a typical conflict interaction while being recorded. We used open codes to qualitatively analyze the verbal and nonverbal behavior of partners during the reenactment. Codes were ascribed to behaviors that led to one partner’s display of situational dominance; these codes were categorized into domineering strategies. We identified 14 dominance strategies which featured qualities such as activity, pro-sociality, directness, and the strength of expressed behavior. We conclude that in real-life disputes of romantic couples, we can find several influential domineering strategies overlooked by the traditional socio-psychological literature, some of which are prosocial or indirect. A better understanding of the variability in domineering could help to improve diagnosis and therapy.
Keywords: couples conflict, dominance, interpersonal communication

Authors

• Denisa Prusova, Charles U in Prague

• Aubrie Serena Adams, California Polytechnic State U, San Luis Obispo

• Norah E. Dunbar, UC Santa Barbara

• Katerina Klapilova, National Institute of Mental Health

• Jitka Lindova, Charles U