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- A mere five-second pause might effectively halt escalating disputes among couples, based on findings from a recent study.
- Participants who were compelled to take breaks while engaged in a competitive game exhibited less combative behavior afterward.
- This research is relevant to minor, everyday disagreements and does not encompass instances of domestic abuse.
According to new research, a brief five-second recess during an argument has the potential to prevent conflicts between couples from intensifying.
The study revealed that when partners were instructed to take a short break while participating in an adversarial game, their feelings of negativity and aggression lessened significantly.
Moreover, it was observed that team members generally mirrored each other’s aggressive tendencies during gameplay. However, this pattern broke down following the mandated pause, leading them to exhibit reduced aggression afterward. These findings were published on August 7 in the journal Communications Psychology.
The principal investigator Annah McCurry,” a Ph.D. candidate at the University of St Andrews’ School of Psychology and Neuroscience in Scotland,” commented that these insights could easily find applicability in daily life situations.
“This simple method offers an immediate solution for reducing emotional tension during disputes,” McCurry remarked. “It’s more cost-effective than traditional couple’s counseling.”
Having experience as a direct support worker for individuals facing domestic abuse issues, McCurry emphasized to Business Insider that this strategy is intended solely for mild conflicts—like forgetting chores—and should not be applied to abusive contexts.
The impact of taking breaks on aggression levels
A total of 81 couples participated in an experiment where they played 30 rounds involving choosing noise volume levels directed at their partner through headphones—essentially serving as loud blasts meant as penalties after losing rounds.
The participants consisted predominantly of undergraduates whose average relationship duration was eight months. They faced one another while using monitors with keyboards and corresponding buttons set before them.
When prompted by “GO!!”, players hurriedly pressed their buttons. The swiftest participant won and then opted for how intense the blast would be for their partner—a selection shown either immediately or deferred by intervals including five seconds up to 15 seconds through forced breaks.
This auditory blast lasted two seconds before commencing another round promptly thereafter.
The researchers captured facial expressions via comprehensive cameras employing advanced AI technology and machine learning algorithms—eliminating reliance on potentially inaccurate self-reported emotions detailed by participants throughout testing sessions.”
"When there was prompting delay due to breaks,” McCurry explained,” those winning chose significantly lower volumes than without postponements.” This indicates moments away from direct conflict diminished aggressive responses.
Interestingly enough, pauses lasting just five seconds proved equally efficacious as longer intermissions (ten or fifteen seconds) regarding negative emotion reduction—a clear indication even minimal delays contribute positively towards defusing tensions. Intra-couple emotional dynamics profoundly influence behavior
The investigation further substantiated how strongly individuals are swayed by their partner's feelings.
"When neither individual showcased substantial negative sentiments,” stated researchers,” sound intensity decreased proportionately." Conversely," heightened expressiveness—in one half—led notably increased aggressiveness: evidence supporting interdependence within relationships."
Nonetheless," limitations exist within our analysis", authors acknowledged—the majority representing undergraduate cohorts may not entirely reflect long-term partners' interactions."
Moreover,focusing strictly around competitive activities hindered authenti feedback—with ethical concerns surrounding instigating real-life arguments influencing outcomes.
Read the original article on Business Insider
