Conflict behavior in clinical families: preasymptotic interactions and stable outcomes.

Abstract

Conflict management techniques were examined in 180 married couples who were undergoing family therapy. The conflict situations used were extended prisoner' dilemma and chicken games. Criteria were established for stable outcomes of high cooperation, high conflict, and a dominant-submissive outcome. Couples were categorized into these various outcome groups on the basis of their extended interaction in the conflict situations. The preasymptotic interaction patterns of these various outcome groups were then compared on a number of stochastic variables. Predictable differences were found among the preasymptotic interaction patterns associated with each outcome state. The interaction patterns of certain outcome groups also varied predictably as a function of game structure. An examination of the couples' demographic and treatment characteristics indicated that the various outcome groups also could be differentiated by these measures.