Relationship Strategies

Relationship Strategies

Latasha Smith

PSY/220

May 23, 2012

Jeana Esler

After just a few months together my partner and I were married. It is going on seven years now. We are very different and we come from different backgrounds. I am the adventurous and she is the square. With her being ten years older she is defiantly set in her ways. At times we don’t seem to understand each other because we have communication issues. Having read the course materials, I now see that we can improve our relationship for the better.

The strategy that we can use is to handle conflict constructively to improve our communication. Like I said before we are very different and out points of vies often conflict. We are very stubborn about maintain our viewpoints and this leads to disagreements between us. Even though we are already married we need to be more tolerant so that our relationship will last. We can find constructive ways to accomplish this goal so that when we have these disagreements we will both come out on top. She doesn’t have a problem admitting that she is wrong, but it is a problem for me that’s why I always try to be right. I do however make small matters into bigger ones and there is no cause for that. It would help if I brought this to light when we are having the argument so that we can both know what we are feeling instead of keeping it bottled up inside so that it doesn’t cause another argument later.

All types of relationships can use the strategies that were brought forth in the course materials. These strategies provide benefits to all of us including me, since we are not relationship experts. Learning ways to help us succeed in relationships we initially enjoy would increase our quality of life and let us enjoy long-term relationships.

Bolt, M. (2004). Pursuing human strengths: A positive psychology guide. NY: Worth Publishing.