The Relationship of Cognition and Behavior During Marital Interaction

Twenty maritally distressed and 20 nondistressed couples were videotaped during dyadic problem-solving and relaxed discussion. A video-mediated recall procedure was used to assess cognitions of each partner during each interaction. Higher rates of negative verbal and nonverbal behavior and negative partner and self-referent cognitions were evident in the distressed couples. Escalation of aversive verbal and nonverbal behavior occurred more in distressed couples and covaried with the presence of negative partner-referent cognitions. Negative verbal and nonverbal behavior could be predicted better by the combination of past behavior and cognitions than by behavior alone. Discussion focuses on the need to address the interaction of behavioral and cognitive influences on marital interaction.